A Comprehensive Guide to Hazing Lawsuits for Brazos Bend Parents & Texas Families

If you’re a parent in Brazos Bend, Hood County, and your child has been hurt, humiliated, or endangered during a fraternity, sorority, Corps, or athletic team initiation, you are not alone, and you have legal rights. What may be dismissed as “tradition” or “team bonding” can cross into illegal hazing, causing catastrophic injuries, lifelong trauma, and even death. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™), we help Texas families navigate the complex aftermath of campus hazing, holding powerful institutions accountable. Right now, we are actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in the country, representing Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. This case underscores a brutal reality: hazing is not a relic of the past but a present, dangerous crisis on Texas campuses, including those where Brazos Bend families send their children.

This guide is written specifically for parents and students in Brazos Bend, Hood County, and across Texas. We will explain what modern hazing looks like, your legal rights under Texas law, the sobering national history of hazing tragedies, and what has been happening at major Texas universities like Texas A&M, UT Austin, UH, SMU, and Baylor. If you are in crisis, our immediate help line is open.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
  • Call 911 for any medical emergency.
  • Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.
• In the First 48 Hours:
  • Get Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor or your child resists. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) or internal trauma may not be immediately apparent. A medical record is critical evidence.
  • Preserve Evidence BEFORE It Disappears:
    • Screenshot EVERYTHING: Group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), text messages, social media DMs, and posts. Capture full threads with timestamps and sender names visible.
    • Photograph Injuries: Take clear photos from multiple angles. Document bruises, burns, or other marks over several days as they may change.
    • Save Physical Items: Do not wash clothing that may have stains (blood, vomit, chemicals). Secure any objects used (paddles, bottles, props).
    • Write It Down: Have your child write a detailed account of what happened, including names, dates, times, and locations, while their memory is fresh.
  • What NOT to Do:
    • Do NOT confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly. This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
    • Do NOT let your child delete any digital communications, even if they are embarrassing.
    • Do NOT sign any documents from the university or any insurance company.
    • Do NOT discuss details on public social media.
• Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Evidence vanishes quickly. Universities and national organizations move fast to control the narrative. We can help you secure evidence, understand your rights, and navigate the complex legal landscape. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, immediate, and confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing isn’t just about “boys will be boys” or “harmless pranks.” It is a calculated abuse of power designed to create loyalty through fear, humiliation, and endurance. Modern hazing has evolved, often masked as “team building” or “character development.”

A Modern Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or gaining status within a group, that endangers the student’s physical or mental health or safety.

Critical Legal Point: Under Texas law, consent is not a defense. A student’s “agreement” to participate under the immense pressure of peer dynamics, fear of exclusion, and power imbalance is not considered valid consent.

What Hazing Really Looks Like Today

• Alcohol & Substance Hazing: Forced consumption during “Big/Little” nights, “family tree” drinking games, lineups, or coerced use of drugs.
• Physical Hazing: Paddling, beatings, “smokings” (extreme calisthenics to the point of collapse), sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme elements, food/water restriction.
• Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes or positions, acts involving racial or homophobic slurs.
• Psychological Hazing: Verbal abuse, isolation from friends and family, “silence” rules, constant personal criticism, threats of expulsion from the group.
• Digital Hazing: 24/7 monitoring and mandatory instant replies in group chats, forced participation in humiliating social media challenges, geo-tracking via apps, cyberbullying for non-compliance.

This conduct occurs in fraternities, sororities, Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, spirit groups, marching bands, and other campus organizations. The common thread is an imbalance of power and a culture of secrecy.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: A Framework for Justice

Texas has specific laws to combat hazing, primarily found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Understanding this framework is the first step toward accountability.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code §37.151-§37.156)

• Definition (§37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership in a group. It applies on or off campus.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152):
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing offense.
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
  • It is also a crime to fail to report hazing or to retaliate against someone who reports.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or other student organization itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): This is crucial. The law explicitly states that the victim’s “consent” to the hazing activity is not a valid defense against prosecution.

Civil Liability vs. Criminal Charges

• Criminal Case: Brought by the state (DA’s office) to punish wrongdoing. Outcomes can include jail time, fines, and probation for individuals.
• Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim and their family to obtain compensation for damages and hold all responsible parties accountable. These are separate actions; you do not need to wait for a criminal case to file a civil suit.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A thorough investigation seeks to identify every entity with responsibility:

1. Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, executed, or supervised the hazing.
2. Chapter Officers & Leadership: The pledge educator, president, risk manager, and others who had a duty to prevent and stop hazing.
3. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued for creating a dangerous environment.
4. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: Often the deepest pocket, nationals can be liable for negligent supervision, failure to enforce their own policies, and for having prior knowledge of dangerous patterns within their organization.
5. The University: Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin (and their Boards of Regents) can be sued for negligence, particularly if they knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it.
6. Housing Corporations & Landlords: Entities that own or control the properties where hazing occurs.
7. Third Parties: Bars or alcohol providers under dram shop laws, security companies, etc.

National Hazing Tragedies: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The cases below are not just headlines; they are blueprints of negligent conduct that national organizations and universities have seen before. This history creates “foreseeability,” a key legal concept that strengthens civil claims.

Flagship Active Case: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez, a UH student who suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after brutal hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter in Fall 2025. As reported by Click2Houston and ABC13, allegations include:

• A degrading “pledge fanny pack” rule.
• Extreme physical workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park, including 100+ push-ups and 500 squats.
• Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.
  Mr. Bermudez was hospitalized for four days with brown urine and critically elevated creatine kinase levels. This active, high-stakes litigation in Harris County demonstrates our firm’s frontline commitment to fighting hazing in Texas.

Other Pivotal National Cases

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injury after a bid-acceptance drinking event. The 40+ charges and subsequent “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law” in Pennsylvania highlight the criminal and civil consequences of delayed medical care and institutional failure.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died of alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game. His death led to the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, strengthening felony hazing penalties.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. His family reached a $10 million settlement with the national fraternity and university, proving the significant financial liability these entities face.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking. Settlements with multiple defendants underscore the lifelong cost of non-fatal hazing injuries.

These patterns—forced drinking, dangerous physical trials, delayed help, institutional knowledge—are not unique to those states. They are the same patterns we investigate in Texas hazing cases.

Texas University Focus: Where Brazos Bend Families Send Their Kids

Families in Brazos Bend and Hood County often have students at major Texas universities. These schools have their own histories and challenges with hazing.

Texas A&M University (Relevant for Central Texas Families)

Culture & Context: Home to a large, tradition-rich Greek system and the renowned Corps of Cadets, which has its own distinct culture and history of disciplinary incidents.

Documented Incidents & Lawsuits:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged they were subjected to strenuous activity and had substances, including an industrial-strength cleaner, poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and victims filed suit.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged he was subjected to degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages.

For Brazos Bend Families: A&M’s proximity makes it a common choice. Hazing cases here may involve both Greek life and the Corps, and can be filed in Brazos County courts. Evidence collection must be swift, as organizational cultures emphasize loyalty and silence.

University of Houston (The Flagship Case Location)

Culture & Context: A large, diverse urban campus with an active Greek life spanning Interfraternity Council (IFC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) organizations.

The Active Bermudez/Pi Kappa Phi Case: This ongoing $10 million lawsuit is the most severe recent example. The chapter was suspended by nationals and then voted to surrender its charter. The case names 13 individual members, the chapter housing corporation, Pi Kappa Phi nationals, UH, and the UH System Board of Regents.

For Brazos Bend Families: While farther from Hood County, UH attracts students from across Texas. This case proves that universities and nationals will be sued aggressively in Harris County for severe hazing. It sets a powerful precedent for accountability.

University of Texas at Austin

Culture & Context: UT Austin boasts one of the most transparent hazing reporting systems in the state, publicly listing violations on its website.

Documented Violations (From UT’s Public Log):

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): Sanctioned for directing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Assault Allegations (2024): An Australian exchange student sued the local SAE chapter alleging an assault that caused a dislocated leg, broken nose, and fractured tibia.
• Various spirit groups and other fraternities have been placed on probation for alcohol-related hazing, forced workouts, and degrading behavior.

For Brazos Bend Families: UT’s public database is a rare tool. It can be used to demonstrate a chapter’s prior knowledge and pattern of behavior, which is devastating evidence in a civil lawsuit filed in Travis County.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

• SMU: As a private university with a strong Greek presence, hazing incidents may result in internal discipline and civil lawsuits in Dallas County. Past incidents have involved paddling and forced drinking.
• Baylor: The university’s history with institutional accountability is complex. Hazing incidents within athletic teams, like the 2020 baseball team suspensions, show that abuse exists beyond Greek life. Civil cases here proceed in McLennan County.

The Organizational Web: National Fraternities & Sororities with Documented Histories

When a local chapter hazes, it rarely operates in a vacuum. National headquarters have extensive records of past incidents, policies they claim to enforce, and insurance coverage. This data is critical for building a case.

Why National Histories Matter in Court: If a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at UH uses forced drinking, and the national Pi Kappa Alpha headquarters has settled multiple deaths (like Stone Foltz’s) from the same practice, a court can find the national was on notice and failed in its duty to supervise. This can lead to direct liability and access to larger insurance policies.

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: To fight these entities, you must understand them. We maintain a detailed database of Greek organizations in Texas. For example, public IRS records show over 125 Texas-registered Greek entities, from house corporations to alumni chapters. In the Dallas-Fort Worth metro alone, Cause IQ data tracks over 500 Greek-related organizations. This is not guesswork; it’s investigation.

Public Records Directory: Fraternity & Sorority Entities Serving Texas Families

For parents in Brazos Bend, understanding the organizational landscape is key. Below is a sample of the types of entities we track through public filings. This directory illustrates the network behind the Greek letters your child may encounter.

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, EIN 74-2911848, Fort Worth, TX 76244. (Cause IQ Metro Listing).
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147. (IRS B83 Filing).
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, EIN 74-6064445, Nederland, TX 77627. (IRS B83 Filing; connected to Epsilon Kappa Chapter alumni).
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, EIN 52-1278573, Dallas, TX 75241. (IRS B83 Filing for Lambda Lambda Chapter).
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 36-4091267, Waco, TX 76710. (IRS B83 Filing for Xi Chi Chapter).

These entities, and hundreds like them, may hold insurance policies, own property, and exercise control over local chapters. Identifying them is the first step in building a comprehensive lawsuit.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Winning a hazing case requires a meticulous, evidence-driven strategy. This is where our experience as complex litigators and former insurance defense attorneys becomes indispensable.

Critical Evidence Collection

• Digital Forensics: Deleted GroupMe, WhatsApp, and text messages can often be recovered. Social media posts, geotags, and photo metadata are crucial.
• Chapter & National Records: Through discovery, we subpoena internal communications, prior incident reports, risk management files, and policy manuals from the national headquarters.
• University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same chapter, Clery Act reports, and internal investigation files.
• Medical & Psychological Documentation: ER records, diagnosis of conditions like PTSD or anxiety, and long-term care plans for permanent injuries.
• Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders.

Our Strategic Advantages in Hazing Litigation

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our associate, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as an attorney for a national insurance defense firm. He knows how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. We know their playbook.
• Complex Institutional Litigation: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by billion-dollar defendants or elite law firms. We have federal court experience and a network of expert witnesses.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Understanding: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits, allowing us to effectively advise clients through both processes.

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Civil lawsuits seek to make victims whole and hold defendants accountable through several types of damages:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and educational costs.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the event of a tragedy, families can seek funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly egregious or reckless conduct, courts may award damages intended to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Brazos Bend Families

For Parents: Warning Signs & Immediate Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight change.
• Sudden secrecy about group activities or constant anxiety about phone messages.
• Personality changes: withdrawal, depression, anger, or fear.
• Financial requests for unexplained “fines” or “dues.”

What to Do Immediately:

1. Prioritize Health & Safety: Get medical care.
2. Preserve Evidence: Follow the 48-hour checklist at the top of this guide.
3. Document Conversations: Write down what your child tells you.
4. Seek Legal Counsel Before Reporting: Contact us to discuss the strategic implications of reporting to the university or police. We can help you navigate this to protect your child’s rights and your potential case.
5. Avoid Common Mistakes: Do not confront the group, sign university documents, or post on social media. Watch our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case.

For Students: Is This Hazing?

If you feel pressured, endangered, or humiliated to belong, it likely is. Your “consent” under pressure is not a legal defense for them. Your safety comes first. If you need to exit, do so safely and contact a trusted adult or attorney. You have rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can we sue a public university like Texas A&M or UT?
A: Yes, but there are complexities due to sovereign immunity. However, exceptions exist for gross negligence, and individuals can often be sued in their personal capacity. The threat of discovery and public scrutiny also motivates settlements, as seen in the BGSU ($3M) and LSU cases.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. However, specific circumstances can affect this. It is critical to act quickly to preserve evidence. Learn more in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

Q: What if it happened off-campus at a private house?
A: Location does not shield liability. Nationals and universities can still be responsible if they exercised control or should have foreseen the risk. The Pi Delta Psi case, which occurred at a remote retreat, resulted in criminal convictions for the national organization.

Q: How much does it cost to hire your firm?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury hazing cases. This means you pay no upfront fees or hourly costs. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you. Watch our video explaining how contingency fees work.

Why Choose The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911?

Families in Brazos Bend and across Texas facing the nightmare of hazing need advocates who are not just lawyers, but strategic investigators and experienced trial attorneys. We are currently in the courtroom fighting the Leonel Bermudez case against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We are not observers; we are active combatants in the fight against campus hazing.

We combine:

• Frontline Litigation Experience with an active, high-stakes Texas hazing lawsuit.
• Insurance Industry Insider Knowledge from Mr. Peña’s defense background.
• Complex Case Mastery from battles against corporate giants like BP.
• A Data-Driven Investigative Approach using tools like our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine.
• Compassionate, Client-Focused Representation. We guide families through unimaginable stress with clarity and determination.

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends a university near Brazos Bend or anywhere in Texas—you do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved have vast resources and legal teams. You need an advocate with equal firepower and a proven commitment to justice.

Contact Us for a Free, Confidential Consultation

We offer a no-obligation case evaluation. We will listen to your story, explain your legal options in clear terms, and help you make informed decisions about the path forward. We serve families throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.

Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ Today:
1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)

Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com

Se habla Español: Mr. Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish-language legal services.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. We encourage you to seek direct legal counsel for advice on your particular situation. The information is current as of late 2025.