The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits & Fraternity Accountability for Families in the Town of Malone

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

For parents in the Town of Malone, sending your child to college represents hope, opportunity, and pride. It’s a dream built on hard work, often right here in Hill County. You trust that universities will protect your children. Yet a dangerous reality exists behind the glossy brochures and campus tours: a persistent culture of hazing that continues to injure, traumatize, and even kill students across Texas.

Right now, just hours from Malone in Houston, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly died after enduring brutal hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. His story—detailed in lawsuits covered by Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline—exposes how traditional “pledging” can become criminal abuse. Forced to carry a degrading “pledge fanny pack,” subjected to simulated waterboarding, and driven through extreme physical workouts until his muscles broke down, Leonel developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days. The chapter has been shut down, but his recovery continues.

This comprehensive guide exists for families in Malone, Hillsboro, Whitney, and across Hill County who find themselves facing this nightmare. Whether your child attends the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, Baylor, SMU, or any other Texas campus, you deserve to understand what hazing really looks like in 2025, your legal rights under Texas law, and how experienced hazing attorneys can help your family seek accountability and prevent this from happening to another student.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

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

In the first 48 hours:

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

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

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

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

For families in Malone who grew up with different college experiences, modern hazing can be difficult to recognize. It’s not just “boys being boys” or harmless tradition. Today’s hazing combines physical abuse, psychological manipulation, and digital coercion in ways specifically designed to evade detection while maintaining control over new members.

A Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

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. Under Texas law, “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance. The law recognizes that consent given under duress, fear of exclusion, or desire for belonging is not true voluntary consent.

Main Categories of Hazing in Texas Universities

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
The most common—and most dangerous—form of hazing. This includes forced or coerced drinking during “Big/Little” nights, “bid acceptance” parties, or drinking games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mean more alcohol. Students are often pressured to consume entire bottles of liquor, participate in “chugging challenges,” or drink unknown mixed substances. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Leonel Bermudez was forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediately forced to sprint.

Physical Hazing
This ranges from paddling and beatings to extreme calisthenics disguised as “workouts.” At UH, Pi Kappa Phi pledges faced “save-your-brother” drills, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, and cold-weather exposure in their underwear. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. The November 3 workout that nearly killed Leonel included 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

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 contained condoms and a sex toy—items meant to humiliate and degrade. Other common practices include “elephant walks,” “roasted pig” positions, and role-playing stereotypes.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, and manipulation designed to break down a student’s sense of self. This includes “grilling” sessions where members scream at pledges, forced confessions, public shaming, and cutting off contact with non-members. The psychological trauma often lasts longer than physical injuries.

Digital/Online Hazing
The newest frontier in hazing includes GroupMe demands at all hours, Instagram story dares, TikTok challenges, and geo-tracking via Find My Friends. Pledges are required to respond instantly to messages, share their locations, and post humiliating content. This creates 24/7 control that extends far beyond physical meetings.

Where Hazing Actually Happens in Texas

While fraternities receive the most attention, hazing occurs across campus organizations:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC at Texas A&M and other military-style programs
Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs like the Texas Cowboys at UT
Athletic Teams including football, basketball, baseball, and cheer
Marching Bands and Performance Groups
Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations

The common thread is social status, tradition, and secrecy. These practices survive because organizations convince members that “everyone before you did it” and that reporting would “betray your brothers/sisters.” For families in Malone with children at Texas universities, understanding this culture is the first step toward protecting them.

Texas Hazing Law: What Malone Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws designed to protect students, but navigating these statutes requires understanding both criminal penalties and civil liability.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F (Hazing)

Texas law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student that:

Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Key Points for Malone Families:

Location doesn’t matter: Hazing at an off-campus house, Airbnb, or retreat is still illegal
Mental or physical harm: Psychological trauma qualifies as hazing
“Reckless” is enough: They don’t need to intend harm—just be reckless about the risk
Consent is not a defense: Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states this

Criminal Penalties Under Texas Law

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death
Additional crimes: Failing to report hazing or retaliating against reporters

Criminal vs Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases

Brought by the state (prosecutor)
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

Critical Insight: A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many families in cases like Leonel Bermudez’s pursue both tracks simultaneously—criminal charges against individuals and civil lawsuits against the individuals, chapter, national organization, and university.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

Report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthen hazing education and prevention
Maintain public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)

Title IX / Clery Act
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. The Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics—hazing incidents often overlap with these categories when there are assaults or alcohol/drug crimes.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Individual Students
The ones who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover them up. In the UH case, 13 individual fraternity leaders were named.

Local Chapter / Organization
The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if it’s a legal entity). The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation was named in the UH lawsuit.

National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters
Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters is a defendant in the UH case based on allegations they knew or should have known about systemic hazing.

University or Governing Board
Schools may be sued under negligence or civil-rights theories. The University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents are defendants in the UH case, alleging they owned/controlled the chapter house and failed to act on known risks.

Third Parties
Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces, bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop theories), security companies, or event organizers.

Every case is fact-specific, which is why families in Malone need experienced counsel who can identify all potentially liable parties early in the investigation.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Precedents Mean for Malone Families

The hazing cases making national headlines aren’t abstract stories—they establish legal precedents that directly affect cases here in Texas. Understanding these patterns helps families recognize warning signs and understand what’s at stake.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
A bid-acceptance event with forced drinking led to severe falls captured on chapter cameras. Brothers delayed calling for help for hours. This case resulted in dozens of criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. For Malone families: This shows how culture of silence and delayed medical care dramatically increases liability.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
A “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant forced drinking led to a 0.495% BAC and death. The Max Gruver Act made hazing a felony in Louisiana. For Malone families: Legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of hazing.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
A pledge forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event died from alcohol poisoning. The family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). For Malone families: This demonstrates the significant financial consequences universities and nationals face.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
A blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat resulted in fatal head injuries with delayed medical care. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. For Malone families: Off-campus retreats are particularly dangerous, and national organizations can face criminal liability.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program, leading to multiple lawsuits and confidential settlements. For Malone families: Hazing extends beyond Greek life into major athletic programs with similar institutional cover-up patterns.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families in Malone

The common threads in national cases—forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups—are exactly what we see in Texas cases like Leonel Bermudez’s. These precedents establish that:

Juries award significant damages for hazing injuries and deaths
National organizations can be held liable for patterns across chapters
Universities face substantial liability for failing to protect students
Individual officers can face personal financial ruin

For families in Malone dealing with hazing at Texas universities, these national cases provide both warning and hope: warning about how dangerous hazing can be, and hope that accountability is possible through experienced legal representation.

Texas University Focus: Where Malone Families Send Their Children

Malone families have strong connections to Texas higher education. Whether your children attend nearby schools or major universities across the state, understanding each campus’s specific hazing landscape is crucial.

University of Houston: Houston’s Flagship Campus

Campus Culture & Connection to Malone
While Houston is about 3 hours from Malone, UH attracts students from across Texas for its strong programs and urban opportunities. The recent Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates that serious hazing occurs even at commuter-focused campuses.

UH Hazing Policy & Reality
UH prohibits hazing on and off campus, but the Bermudez case shows policy enforcement gaps. The allegations include forced consumption of food/alcohol, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and psychological distress—all violations of UH policy that allegedly continued for weeks.

Prior UH Incidents

2016 Pi Kappa Alpha Case: Pledges allegedly deprived of food, water, and sleep; one suffered a lacerated spleen after being slammed onto a table. The chapter faced misdemeanor charges and suspension.
Multiple disciplinary actions against fraternities for “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort” behaviors.

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds
Cases typically involve UHPD and/or Houston Police Department, with civil suits filed in Harris County courts. As the Bermudez case shows, defendants can include individuals, the chapter, housing corporation, national headquarters, and the university itself.

What UH Families in Malone Should Do

Report to UH Dean of Students AND Houston Police if crimes occurred
Document everything—UH moves quickly to control narratives
Contact a lawyer experienced in Houston hazing cases who knows local courts and procedures
Request prior conduct files for the organization through your attorney

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

Campus Culture & Connection to Malone
Many Malone families have connections to A&M’s strong tradition and reputation. The Corps of Cadets and vibrant Greek life create multiple environments where hazing can occur.

Notable A&M Hazing Incidents

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The resulting lawsuit sought $1 million.
Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth, seeking over $1 million in damages.

A&M’s Dual Systems
A&M handles Greek life through Student Conduct and Corps through military regulations. This bifurcated system can complicate reporting and accountability.

What A&M Families in Malone Should Do

Understand both Greek life and Corps reporting channels
Document injuries immediately—Corps hazing often leaves fewer visible marks
Recognize that A&M’s tradition-heavy culture can normalize abusive behavior
Contact counsel familiar with both A&M’s systems and Brazos County courts

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Persistent Problems

Campus Culture & Connection to Malone
UT’s prestige and Austin location attract students statewide. Its public hazing violations page offers more transparency than most schools, yet problems persist.

UT’s Public Hazing Violations
UT lists organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions publicly. Recent entries include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation
Texas Wranglers and spirit organizations sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing

What UT’s Transparency Means for Families
Prior violations on UT’s public log strongly support civil suits by showing patterns and institutional knowledge. This evidence can establish foreseeability—that UT knew or should have known risks existed.

What UT Families in Malone Should Do

Check UT’s hazing violations page for the organization’s history
Report to UTPD AND Austin Police for off-campus incidents
Use UT’s public records as leverage in negotiations
Work with attorneys who know Travis County courts and UT’s internal processes

Southern Methodist University: Private Campus Challenges

Campus Culture & Connection to Malone
SMU’s private, affluent environment and strong Greek presence create unique dynamics. As a private university, SMU has different disclosure requirements than public schools.

SMU Hazing Incidents

Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended until 2021
Ongoing issues with alcohol-related hazing despite prevention efforts

Private University Realities
SMU’s internal reports aren’t publicly posted, but civil suits can compel discovery. The university’s reputation concerns can create settlement pressure.

What SMU Families in Malone Should Do

Use SMU’s anonymous reporting (Real Response) while also consulting counsel
Understand that private university status affects legal strategies
Document financial impacts—SMU’s tuition makes educational losses significant
Work with lawyers experienced in Dallas County courts and private university litigation

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Accountability Challenges

Campus Culture & Connection to Malone
Baylor’s religious identity and history of scrutiny over football and Title IX issues create complex accountability dynamics.

Baylor Hazing Incidents

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
Ongoing issues despite “zero tolerance” policies

Baylor’s Unique Context
Baylor’s religious branding interacts with hazing claims in complex ways. Prior scandals have led to both institutional reform and defensive postures.

What Baylor Families in Malone Should Do

Document everything—Baylor’s history shows institutional protection tendencies
Report through multiple channels (student conduct, Title IX if applicable)
Understand how Baylor’s religious identity might affect negotiations
Work with counsel familiar with McLennan County courts and Baylor’s specific dynamics

For Malone families, the key insight is that every Texas university has hazing problems, and each requires tailored strategies. Whether your child is at UH, A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor, or another campus, experienced hazing attorneys can navigate the specific systems and courts involved.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories That Matter for Malone Families

When a fraternity or sorority hazes students at a Texas university, that incident doesn’t exist in isolation. National organizations have histories—patterns of conduct across campuses that establish what they knew or should have known about risks. For Malone families pursuing accountability, these national histories are crucial evidence.

Why National Histories Matter in Texas Lawsuits

National fraternity/sorority headquarters in the Bermudez case—like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, and others present at Texas universities—have extensive anti-hazing policies precisely because they’ve seen deaths and catastrophic injuries at other chapters. When a Texas chapter repeats the same dangerous “traditions,” that establishes:

Foreseeability: The national organization knew this type of conduct could cause harm
Pattern Evidence: This wasn’t an isolated “rogue” chapter but part of a systemic problem
Negligent Supervision: The national failed to adequately monitor or control its chapters
Punitive Damages Basis: The organization’s reckless disregard for known risks

Organization Mapping: National Patterns at Texas Campuses

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike)

National History: Stone Foltz alcohol poisoning death (Bowling Green, $10M settlement); David Bogenberger death (Northern Illinois, $14M settlement)
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol hazing events with forced consumption

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE)

National History: Multiple hazing deaths nationwide; traumatic brain injury lawsuit (Alabama); chemical burns case (Texas A&M)
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
Pattern: Physical abuse and forced drinking combinations

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

National History: Andrew Coffey alcohol poisoning death (Florida State); now the Bermudez rhabdomyolysis case (UH)
Texas Presence: Chapter at UH (Beta Nu now closed), other Texas campuses
Pattern: Extreme physical hazing combined with alcohol

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

National History: Max Gruver death (LSU, led to Louisiana felony hazing law)
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
Pattern: “Bible study” drinking games and alcohol coercion

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)

National History: Multiple paddling and physical hazing incidents
Texas Presence: Chapters at Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
Pattern: Physical beatings disguised as tradition

How We Use National Histories in Texas Cases

In the Bermudez case against Pi Kappa Phi, the national’s knowledge of prior incidents—including Andrew Coffey’s death at Florida State—establishes they knew the risks of extreme physical hazing. This pattern evidence supports claims for:

Negligent Supervision: The national failed to prevent known dangerous practices
Gross Negligence: Reckless disregard for student safety
Punitive Damages: Need to punish and deter similar conduct

For Malone families, the practical implication is this: when your child is hazed by a nationally affiliated organization, you’re not just fighting the local chapter. You’re confronting an organization with a history, insurance coverage, and legal strategies developed across decades of similar incidents nationwide. This is why you need attorneys who understand these national patterns and how to leverage them in Texas courts.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy for Malone Families

When hazing injures your child, building a strong case requires immediate action, systematic evidence collection, and strategic understanding of what damages are recoverable under Texas law. Here’s what Malone families need to know.

Evidence: The Foundation of Every Successful Case

Digital Communications (THE MOST CRITICAL)

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord: Screenshot entire conversations with timestamps and sender names visible. In the UH case, GroupMe chats revealed planning and coordination.
Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok: Even “disappearing” messages can be preserved with immediate screenshots.
Fraternity/Sorority Apps: Many organizations have proprietary apps with internal communications.

Photos & Videos

Injuries: Photograph from multiple angles immediately and over several days to show progression
Locations: Images of houses, rooms, or venues where hazing occurred
Events: Any content filmed by participants (even if seemingly “fun”)
Our video on using your phone to document evidence explains best practices.

Internal Organization Documents

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” lists
Emails/texts from officers about activities
National policies and training materials showing what should have been prevented

University Records

Prior conduct files, probation/suspension notices
Incident reports to campus police or conduct offices
Clery Act reports and similar disclosures
Through discovery, we can obtain these even if the university initially resists.

Medical & Psychological Records

Emergency room and hospitalization records (critical in rhabdomyolysis cases like Bermudez’s)
Surgery and rehabilitation notes
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses)
Toxicology reports showing blood alcohol levels

Witness Testimony

Other pledges, members, roommates, RAs, bystanders
Former members who quit or were expelled
Expert witnesses on Greek culture, trauma, economics

Damages: What’s Recoverable Under Texas Law

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

Medical Bills: Emergency care, hospitalization, ongoing treatment, future care needs
Lost Earnings/Educational Impact: Missed semesters, delayed graduation, reduced earning capacity
Other Economic Losses: Property damage, relocation costs, therapy expenses

Non-Economic Damages

Physical Pain & Suffering: From injuries and ongoing pain
Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life
Reputational Harm: Social stigma and future impact

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of financial support and companionship
Emotional suffering of family members
Parents’ and siblings’ mental health treatment

Punitive Damages (When Available)

Purpose: Punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
Available when defendant showed callous indifference to known risks
In Texas, caps apply except in certain intentional tort cases

How Recovery Works in Practice

Settlement vs Trial
Most cases settle confidentially, but preparation for trial is essential for leverage. The Bermudez case against UH and Pi Kappa Phi is actively litigated, showing our willingness to go to trial when necessary.

How Settlement Funds Are Used

Immediate medical bills and lost income
Long-term care for catastrophic injuries
Educational continuity (transferring to complete degree)
Creating foundations or scholarships to honor victims and prevent future harm

Accountability Beyond Money

Institutional reform through consent decrees
Chapter closure or organizational bans
Public transparency to raise awareness

For Malone families, understanding this framework helps manage expectations and recognize the full scope of what’s at stake—not just compensation, but accountability, prevention, and honoring your child’s experience.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Malone Families

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries
Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and non-member friends
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Financial red flags: unexpected large expenses

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally)

“How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
“Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
“What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
“Do you feel like you can leave if you want to?”

48-Hour Action Checklist for Parents

Medical: Get to ER immediately if injured or intoxicated
Safety: Remove child from dangerous situation
Evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries
Notes: Write down everything they tell you
Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate guidance
Digital Preservation: Help child preserve all group chats (DO NOT delete)
Medical Records: Request copies of all ER/hospital records
Legal Consultation: Speak with experienced hazing attorney

For Students: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide

Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would the university or my parents approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this?

How to Exit Safely

If in immediate danger: Call 911 or campus police
06- To quit/de-pledge: Send email/text to chapter leadership: “I am resigning my membership effective immediately”
Protect against retaliation: Document any threats, report to Dean of Students, consider protective order

Evidence Collection for Students

Screenshots of group chats with timestamps
Voice memos/recordings (Texas is one-party consent)
Photos of injuries, locations, objects
Save everything digital—don’t delete even if embarrassed
Medical documentation: Tell providers you were hazed
Witness information: Names/contacts of others who saw what happened

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Your Child Delete Evidence
What seems like protecting privacy looks like obstruction of justice. Preserve everything immediately.

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly
They’ll lawyer up, destroy evidence, and coach witnesses. Document first, let your attorney handle communication.

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms
Universities pressure families to sign waivers or low settlements. Do NOT sign anything without attorney review.

4. Posting Details on Social Media
Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility. Document privately, let your lawyer control messaging.

5. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”
Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes run. Act immediately—university process ≠ real accountability.

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

Short FAQ for Malone Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence and Title IX violations. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer protections. Every case is fact-specific.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas makes hazing a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report.

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize “consent” under peer pressure isn’t voluntary.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but the discovery rule may extend this. Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately. Learn more in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

“What if the hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Many major cases occurred off-campus.

“Will my child’s name be in the news?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

“How much does this cost?”
We work on contingency—no fee unless we win. Watch our video explaining how contingency fees work.

Why Attorney911 for Hazing Cases: Texas-Based Experts Serving Malone Families

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 Texas offices, we serve families throughout the state, including Malone and all of Hill County.

Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage
Our associate attorney Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) 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
Use delay tactics and coverage exclusion arguments
Set reserves and negotiate settlements
“We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions
Managing partner Ralph Manginello brings experience from BP Texas City explosion litigation—one of the few Texas firms involved. We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We’re not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, working with economists to value lifetime care needs and lost earning capacity. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force accountability.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise
Ralph’s membership in 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.

Investigative Depth
Our network includes medical experts, digital forensics specialists, economists, and psychologists. We know how to obtain hidden evidence: group chats, chapter records, university files. “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Our Data Advantage

While other firms start from scratch, we maintain a comprehensive database of Texas Greek organizations. For example, IRS records show 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations with EINs and addresses, including:

Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN: 133048786) – College Station, TX 77845
Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Inc (EIN: 161675890) – The Woodlands, TX 77382
Sigma Phi Lambda Inc (EIN: 201237505) – Corinth, TX 76210
Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation (EIN: 371768785) – Missouri City, TX 77459
Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN: 462267515) – Frisco, TX 75035

This intelligence means when we take your case, we already know how to identify all potentially liable entities—not just the obvious individuals, but housing corporations, alumni associations, and national organizations that may hold insurance coverage.

Our Approach: Empathy, Accountability, Prevention

We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our job is to:

Get you answers about what really happened
Hold the right people accountable—not just individuals but institutions that enabled abuse
Help prevent this from happening to another family
Secure resources for your child’s recovery and future

This isn’t about bravado or quick settlements. It’s about thorough investigation, strategic litigation, and real accountability. The Bermudez case against UH and Pi Kappa Phi shows our commitment: we’re willing to take on major universities and national fraternities in active, high-stakes litigation.

Call to Action: Confidential Consultation for Malone Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether here in Malone, at schools your children attend, or anywhere across the state—we want to hear from you. Families in Malone, Hillsboro, Whitney, and throughout Hill County have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

We’ll listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
No pressure to hire us on the spot—take time to decide
Everything you tell us is confidential

Clear 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:
Hablamos Español – Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

Understanding the Commitment

Reading this guide does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and we cannot guarantee specific outcomes. But an experienced attorney can review your specific facts, explain your rights under Texas law, and help you understand your options.

Whether you’re in Malone or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions responsible for protecting students must be held accountable. With the right legal team, you can pursue justice while helping prevent future tragedies.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let us help you take the first step toward answers, accountability, and protecting other students from suffering what your family has endured.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit

Attorney911 Educational YouTube Videos

Using Your Cellphone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website

Main Website & Contact: 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