The Complete Texas Hazing Guide for Ganado Families: Understanding Your Rights, the Law, and Accountability at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU & Baylor

If Your Child Was Hazed: Immediate Help for Ganado Families

It’s a late Thursday night in a Texas college town. Your phone rings—it’s your child, a student at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, or another major Texas campus. Their voice is shaky. They mention a “pledge event” that went too far: forced drinking, humiliating acts, or extreme physical exertion. They’re hurt, scared, and don’t know what to do. For families in Ganado, Jackson County, this nightmare scenario is not just a hypothetical. Right now, in our own state, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country.

At Attorney911, we represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered catastrophic injuries during his fall 2025 pledge period with the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to his lawsuit, the hazing included being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and extreme workouts that led to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—injuries so severe he was hospitalized for four days and faces ongoing health risks. This $10 million lawsuit against UH, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, and 13 fraternity leaders shows exactly what Texas families are up against.

This guide is for you—the parents, grandparents, and families in Ganado, Edna, and across Jackson County who need to understand what hazing really looks like in 2025, what Texas law says about it, and what legal options exist when institutions fail to protect students. Whether your child attends a local college or one of Texas’s major universities, the patterns of coercion, secrecy, and institutional protection are disturbingly similar.

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

For Ganado families, understanding modern hazing means looking beyond the old stereotypes of simple pranks or “boys will be boys” behavior. Today’s hazing is sophisticated, often digital, and designed to avoid detection while maintaining control over new members.

The Modern Definition: Coercion in the Digital Age

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. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing

• Forced or coerced drinking games like “lineups” or “Big/Little” nights
• Pressure to consume unknown or mixed substances
• The “binge drinking” model that led to tragedies like Stone Foltz’s death at Bowling Green (Pi Kappa Alpha) and Max Gruver’s death at LSU (Phi Delta Theta)

2. Physical Hazing

• Paddling, beatings, and “smokings” (extreme calisthenics)
• Sleep deprivation during “hell week” or mandatory overnight events
• Food/water restriction or forced consumption of unpleasant substances
• Rhabdomyolysis risk: Extreme workouts like those in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, where Leonel Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, leading to severe muscle breakdown and kidney failure

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

• Forced nudity or simulated sexual acts
• Degrading costumes or public humiliation rituals
• Acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic overtones

4. Psychological Hazing

• Verbal abuse, threats, and isolation from non-members
• Manipulation through “loyalty tests” or forced confessions
• Public shaming in meetings or group settings

5. Digital/Online Hazing

• Group chat control: 24/7 monitoring via GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord
• Social media dares: Forced TikTok challenges, Instagram story humiliation
• Geo-tracking demands: Required location sharing via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
• Evidence destruction: Coaching on how to delete messages if questioned

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

Contrary to popular belief, hazing isn’t limited to fraternities. For Ganado students attending Texas universities, these practices occur in:

• Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / military-style groups
• Athletic teams (from football to cheerleading)
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Spirit organizations and “tradition” clubs
• Some academic, service, and cultural organizations

The common thread across all these groups is social status, tradition, and secrecy—elements that keep dangerous practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability Framework: What Ganado Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws governing hazing, and understanding them is crucial for families in Jackson County seeking accountability. The legal landscape involves state criminal statutes, civil liability principles, and federal regulations that overlay university responsibilities.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute

Texas 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 Provisions for Ganado Families:

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
• Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability:

• Organizations can be criminally prosecuted if they authorized or encouraged hazing
• Penalties include fines up to $10,000 per violation
• Universities can revoke recognition and ban organizations from campus

§ 37.155 Consent Not a Defense:

• It is not a defense to prosecution that the person being hazed consented to the activity
• This directly rebuts the “they agreed to it” argument commonly used by defendants

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting:

• Persons who report hazing in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability
• This protects bystanders and victims who call for help

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (district attorney)
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Example: In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, criminal charges could potentially follow the civil lawsuit

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
• Legal theories: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision
• Example: Leonel Bermudez’s $10 million lawsuit against UH and Pi Kappa Phi

Both types can proceed simultaneously, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many families find that civil litigation provides the most complete accountability, as it can uncover institutional failures that criminal cases might miss.

Federal Law Overlay: Additional Protections and Requirements

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

• Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthens hazing education and prevention programs
• Mandates public hazing data reporting (phased in by 2026)
• This will increase transparency at Texas universities

Title IX & Clery Act:

• When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger
• Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics
• These federal laws provide additional avenues for accountability when universities fail to respond appropriately

Who Can Be Liable in a Texas Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students:

• Those who planned, executed, or covered up hazing
• Chapter officers with supervisory responsibility

2. Local Chapters:

• The fraternity/sorority or club itself as a legal entity
• Housing corporations that own chapter properties

3. National Organizations:

• Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
• Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents

4. Universities:

• Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) under certain negligence theories
• Private universities (SMU, Baylor) with fewer immunity protections
• Liability based on prior knowledge, policy enforcement, or deliberate indifference

5. Third Parties:

• Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces
• Bars or alcohol providers under dram shop laws
• Security companies or event organizers

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we sued 13 individual fraternity leaders, the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, and the Beta Nu housing corporation. This comprehensive approach ensures all responsible parties are held accountable.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families

The tragedies that have unfolded at campuses nationwide provide painful but crucial lessons for Ganado families. These cases show predictable patterns, institutional failures, and legal strategies that directly inform how we handle Texas hazing litigation.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):

• 20-year-old pledge forced to consume entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
• Died from alcohol poisoning
• $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
• Lesson for Texas: The same “Big/Little” drinking traditions exist at Texas chapters

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):

• Pledge forced to participate in “Bible study” drinking game
• Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%)
• $6.1 million verdict against fraternity members
• Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)
• Lesson for Texas: Drinking games disguised as “education” are deadly

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):

• Bid-acceptance night with extreme alcohol consumption
• Severe falls captured on chapter cameras; help delayed for hours
• Dozens of criminal charges; Pennsylvania enacted Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law
• Lesson for Texas: Security cameras in chapter houses provide crucial evidence

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):

• Pledge subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat
• Suffered fatal head injuries; help was delayed
• National fraternity criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter
• Pi Delta Psi banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
• Lesson for Texas: Off-campus retreats don’t eliminate liability

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021):

• 18-year-old pledge forced to consume excessive alcohol during “pledge dad reveal”
• Suffered severe, permanent brain damage (cannot walk, talk, or see)
• Family settled with 22 defendants for multi-million dollars
• Lesson for Texas: Non-fatal injuries can still mean lifetime care needs

Athletic Program Hazing Pattern

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025):

• Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within program
• Multiple lawsuits against university and staff
• Head coach Pat Fitzgerald fired; confidential settlement reached
• Lesson for Texas: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to major athletic programs

What These Cases Mean for Ganado Families

The common threads in these national cases—forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups—are exactly what we see in Texas. The legal strategies that succeeded in holding organizations accountable in Ohio, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania are the same ones we employ in Texas courts.

Most importantly: These cases show that multi-million dollar recoveries are possible when experienced attorneys thoroughly investigate, identify all liable parties, and build compelling cases around institutional failures.

Texas University Hazing Landscape: UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

For Ganado families, understanding the specific hazing environments at Texas’s major universities is crucial. Jackson County students attend these campuses, and each has its own Greek life culture, history of incidents, and institutional response patterns.

University of Houston: Urban Campus with Active Greek Life

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
UH’s large urban campus hosts active Greek life with multiple councils: IFC fraternities, Panhellenic sororities, NPHC Divine Nine organizations, and multicultural groups. The 2025 Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates the severe risks that exist even at commuter-heavy campuses.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting:
UH prohibits hazing on or off-campus and provides reporting through the Dean of Students, Student Conduct, and UHPD. The university’s response to the Pi Kappa Phi case—labeling conduct “deeply disturbing” and cooperating with investigations—shows their public stance, though civil litigation reveals alleged prior institutional failures.

Documented Incidents & Responses:

• 2025: Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu – Chapter shut down after hazing led to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• 2016: Pi Kappa Alpha – Pledge suffered lacerated spleen; chapter faced misdemeanor charges and suspension
• Multiple other fraternities suspended for alcohol misuse and policy violations

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds:

• Investigations may involve UHPD and/or Houston Police Department
• Civil suits typically filed in Harris County courts
• Evidence includes campus security footage, chapter house records, and digital communications

What UH Students & Ganado Parents Should Do:

1. Report immediately to Dean of Students Office and UHPD
2. Document all communications with university officials
3. Preserve digital evidence before UH or fraternity secures devices
4. Consult attorney familiar with UH’s disciplinary processes and prior cases

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Tradition

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Texas A&M’s unique Corps of Cadets tradition coexists with substantial Greek life. Both environments have faced serious hazing allegations, from chemical burns in fraternities to sexualized hazing in the Corps.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting:
A&M addresses hazing through Student Conduct and Corps regulations. The university’s response to Corps hazing lawsuits—stating matters were handled internally—contrasts with their public “zero tolerance” stance.

Documented Incidents & Responses:

• 2021: Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Pledges allegedly covered in industrial cleaner causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts
• 2023: Corps of Cadets – Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound in “roasted pig” position
• Multiple other fraternity suspensions for alcohol-related hazing

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Proceeds:
speciesCollege Station Police Department often investigates off-campus incidents

• Civil suits may be filed in Brazos County courts
• Corps cases involve unique military-style chain of command issues

What Texas A&M Students & Ganado Parents Should Do:

1. Understand both Greek life and Corps reporting channels
2. Document any prior complaints or warnings given to university
3. Recognize that A&M’s tradition-heavy culture may complicate reporting
4. Seek legal counsel experienced with both Greek and Corps hazing cases

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
UT Austin’s substantial Greek life exists alongside spirit organizations and athletic teams, all with documented hazing issues. The campus’s relative transparency through public hazing violation logs provides unique evidence opportunities.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting:
UT maintains a public Hazing Violations page listing organizations, conduct, and sanctions. This transparency, while commendable, ironically documents repeated violations showing ongoing systemic issues.

Documented Incidents & Responses (From Public Logs):

• 2023: Pi Kappa Alpha – New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter probation
• 2024: Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted; chapter already under suspension
• Multiple spirit organizations sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol hazing

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Proceeds:

• UTPD and Austin Police Department jurisdiction depends on location
• Civil suits typically filed in Travis County courts
• UT’s public violation logs provide powerful pattern evidence for lawsuits

What UT Austin Students & Ganado Parents Should Do:

1. Check UT’s public hazing log for prior violations by organization
2. Report through Dean of Students and UTPD simultaneously
3. Use UT’s transparency as leverage in negotiations
4. Document any discrepancies between public statements and private actions

Southern Methodist University: Private Campus with Greek Prominence

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
SMU’s affluent private campus features prominent Greek life with recurring hazing issues. The university’s private status affects transparency but not liability.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting:
SMU offers reporting through conduct offices and anonymous systems like Real Response. Their handling of incidents often involves confidential resolutions that can complicate civil discovery.

Documented Incidents & Responses:

• 2017: Kappa Alpha Order – New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep; multi-year suspension
• Multiple other chapter suspensions for alcohol and physical hazing
• Pattern of off-campus events at Dallas-area venues

How an SMU Hazing Case Proceeds:

• SMU PD has primary jurisdiction on campus
• Civil suits face challenges with private university document protections
• Dallas County courts typically handle off-campus incident lawsuits

What SMU Students & Ganado Parents Should Do:

1. Use anonymous reporting systems but document all submissions
2. Recognize SMU’s incentive to protect reputation and donor relationships
3. Preserve evidence before SMU or nationals secure it
4. Consult attorneys experienced with private university discovery challenges

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Athletic Scrutiny

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Baylor’s religious identity coexists with Greek life and athletic programs that have faced serious misconduct scrutiny. The university’s history with sexual assault cases informs its hazing response approach.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting:
Baylor emphasizes “zero tolerance” while handling incidents through internal processes. Their approach often prioritizes pastoral care over disciplinary transparency.

Documented Incidents & Responses:

• 2020: Baylor Baseball – 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
• Multiple Greek organization suspensions for alcohol and physical hazing
• Pattern of off-campus events at Waco-area properties

How a Baylor Hazing Case Proceeds:

• BUPD handles on-campus incidents
• Civil suits in McLennan County courts
• Baylor’s religious affiliation affects some legal arguments but not basic negligence claims

What Baylor Students & Ganado Parents Should Do:

1. Document all interactions with university spiritual and conduct offices
2. Recognize Baylor’s incentive to handle matters “in house”
3. Preserve evidence before university or organization secures it
4. Seek legal counsel familiar with both hazing law and religious institution dynamics

Fraternity & Sorority National Histories: Pattern Evidence for Texas Cases

For Ganado families, understanding that local chapter misconduct often follows national patterns is crucial. When a Texas chapter repeats the same dangerous behaviors that caused deaths or injuries elsewhere, that pattern evidence becomes powerful legal ammunition.

Why National Histories Matter in Texas Lawsuits

National fraternity and sorority headquarters maintain extensive anti-hazing policies precisely because they’ve seen catastrophic incidents nationwide. When a Texas chapter engages in the same forced drinking traditions, physical abuse, or ritualized humiliation that caused tragedies in other states, it demonstrates:

1. Foreseeability: The national organization knew or should have known this could happen
2. Inadequate Prevention: Their policies and training failed to prevent predictable harm
3. Pattern of Neglect: Repeated incidents show systemic rather than isolated failures

Organization-Specific Pattern Evidence

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – National Pattern:

• Stone Foltz (BGSU 2021): Forced drinking death during Big/Little night
• David Bogenberger (NIU 2012): Alcohol poisoning death; $14 million settlement
• Texas Chapters: Multiple suspensions at UT, Texas A&M for forced drinking and physical hazing
• Legal Significance: Shows national knew Big/Little drinking traditions were deadly but didn’t prevent them

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – National Pattern:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (Alabama 2023): Lawsuit alleging severe injury during hazing
• Chemical Burns (Texas A&M 2021): Industrial cleaner incident requiring skin grafts
• Assault (UT Austin 2024): Exchange student injured at chapter event
• Legal Significance: Pattern of physical violence across multiple states

Phi Delta Theta – National Pattern:

• Max Gruver (LSU 2017): Drinking game death; $6.1 million verdict
• Multiple Chapter Suspensions: Nationwide for alcohol hazing
• Legal Significance: “Bible study” drinking games known to be deadly

Pi Kappa Phi – National Pattern:

• Andrew Coffey (FSU 2017): Big Brother night drinking death
• Leonel Bermudez (UH 2025): Extreme workouts causing rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• Legal Significance: Both physical and alcohol hazing patterns

How We Use National Patterns in Texas Cases

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, we’re demonstrating that:

1. Pi Kappa Phi national knew about alcohol hazing risks from the FSU death
2. They knew about extreme physical hazing risks from other chapter incidents
3. Their policies and training failed to prevent predictable harm at UH
4. This pattern supports claims for punitive damages and institutional reform

For Ganado families, this means: Your child’s injury isn’t an isolated incident. It’s part of a national pattern that responsible organizations should have prevented.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Legal Strategy

When hazing injures a Texas student, building a strong case requires systematic evidence collection, thorough investigation, and strategic legal positioning. Here’s how we approach these cases for Ganado families.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Communications (Most Important):

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage threads: Show planning, execution, and cover-up
• Social media posts/stories: Document events and participant reactions
• Deleted message recovery: Digital forensics can often retrieve “permanently” deleted content
• Location data: GPS timestamps prove who was where and when

Physical Evidence:

• Injury documentation: Photographs with scale references, progression shots
• Medical records: ER reports, lab results (like Bermudez’s critically high creatine kinase levels)
• Objects used: Paddles, alcohol bottles, costumes, “pledge fanny packs”
• Property evidence: Chapter house conditions, security camera footage

Institutional Records:

• University files: Prior complaints, disciplinary actions, internal investigations
• National organization records: Risk management files, incident reports, training materials
• Insurance policies: Coverage documents for chapters, nationals, and universities

Witness Testimony:

• Other pledges: Often cooperative once protected from retaliation
• Former members: Those who quit or were expelled frequently provide crucial information
• University personnel: Advisors, coaches, administrators with relevant knowledge
• Medical providers: Document physical and psychological harm

Damages: What Texas Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

• Medical expenses: Past and future treatment, therapy, medications
• Lost earnings/educational costs: Missed semesters, delayed graduation, reduced earning capacity
• Life care plans: For catastrophic injuries requiring lifetime care

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective but Real):

• Physical pain and suffering: From injuries and treatment
• Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment: Inability to participate in college life and activities

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families):

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of companionship and support
• Emotional harm to parents and siblings

Punitive Damages (When Appropriate):

• Purpose: Punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
• When awarded: Prior warnings ignored, particularly cruel conduct, cover-up attempts
• Texas caps: Generally limited but higher for gross negligence or intentional acts

Legal Strategy: Why Experience Matters

Insurance Coverage Battles:
Fraternity and university insurers routinely deny coverage, claiming hazing is an “intentional act” excluded from policies. Our insider knowledge—Mr. Lupe Peña formerly defended insurance companies—helps us navigate these disputes and often secure coverage other firms might miss.

Multi-Defendant Coordination:
Hazing cases typically involve 5-20+ defendants: individuals, chapters, nationals, universities, property owners. Coordinating discovery and strategy across all parties requires experience with complex litigation.

Statute of Limitations Management:
Texas generally allows 2 years from injury date to file suit, but exceptions exist for minors, delayed discovery of harm, or fraudulent concealment. Proper timing is crucial.

Settlement vs. Trial Strategy:
Most cases settle, but trial readiness is essential for leverage. Our federal court experience and history with billion-dollar defendants (BP Texas City explosion litigation) signals we’re prepared to go to trial if necessary.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Ganado Families

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Hazed:
Physical: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, weight changes, sleep deprivation
Behavioral: Sudden secrecy, personality changes, withdrawal from family/friends
Academic: Grades dropping, missing classes, losing scholarships
Digital: Constant phone monitoring, anxiety about messages, deleted communications

How to Talk to Your Child:

1. Ask open questions: “How are things with your organization?”
2. Listen without judgment: Fear of disappointment keeps victims silent
3. Emphasize safety: “Your wellbeing matters more than membership”
4. Document everything: Write down what they share with dates and details

If Your Child Is Injured:

1. Medical care first: Even if they resist, insist on evaluation
2. Preserve evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries, save physical items
3. Contact attorney before reporting: We can help navigate university processes
4. Do NOT confront the organization: This triggers evidence destruction

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:
े Am I being pressured to do something dangerous or degrading?
े Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
े Am I told to keep secrets from parents or the university?
े Are older members making us do things they don’t have to do?

If you answer YES to any, it’s likely hazing.

How to Exit Safely:

1. Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, trusted friend)
2. Send written resignation to chapter president (creates record)
3. Do NOT attend “one last meeting” – this is often for pressure/intimidation
4. Report retaliation immediately to campus police and Dean of Students

Preserving Evidence:

1. Screenshot everything – group chats, DMs, social media posts
2. Photograph injuries immediately and over several days
3. Save physical items – clothing, props, receipts
4. Write detailed notes while memory is fresh

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence
What families think: “We don’t want more trouble”
Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up; may be obstruction of justice
Instead: Preserve everything – even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Organization
What families think: “I’ll give them a piece of my mind”
Why it’s wrong: Triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching
Instead: Document privately; let your attorney handle communication

3. Signing University “Resolutions”
What universities do: Pressure quick settlements with confidentiality clauses
Why it’s wrong: You may waive rights to sue or discover truth
Instead: Have attorney review ANY agreement before signing

4. Posting on Social Media
What families think: “People should know what happened”
Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Instead: Let your attorney control public messaging

5. Waiting for University “Investigation”
What universities promise: “We’re handling this internally”
Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
Instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult attorney immediately

Frequently Asked Questions for Ganado Families

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

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Basic hazing is a Class B misdemeanor, but it becomes a state jail felony if serious bodily injury or death results. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Texas Education Code § 37.155 states consent is not a defense. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and power imbalance isn’t true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from injury date in Texas, but exceptions exist for minors, delayed discovery, or cover-ups. Time is critical – evidence disappears quickly.

“Will this be confidential?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize family privacy while pursuing accountability. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms.

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

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 powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. For Ganado families, our Texas-based team offers unique advantages.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):

• Former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
• Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers value (and undervalue) claims
• Understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies
• “We know their playbook because we used to run it”

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello):

• One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
• Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
• Not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams
• “We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won”

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Results:

• Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases
• Experience valuing lifetime care needs for catastrophic injuries
• Economist collaboration for accurate damage assessment
• “We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability”

Dual Civil/Criminal Capability:

• Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
• Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
• Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure
• Comprehensive approach to institutional accountability

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:
We maintain the most comprehensive database of Texas Greek organizations, with:

• 1,423 fraternities and sororities tracked across 25 Texas metros
• 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations with EINs and addresses
• Campus-specific rosters for UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
• This data helps identify all potentially liable parties and insurance coverage

Investigative Depth and Expert Network:

• Digital forensics for recovering deleted messages
• Medical experts for injury documentation and life care planning
• Greek life culture experts for proving coercion patterns
• Economists for accurate damage calculations
• “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does”

The UH Pi Kappa Phi Case: Proof of Our Capability

Right now, we’re leading one of Texas’s most significant hazing cases: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi. This $10 million lawsuit alleges:

• Extreme physical hazing causing rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• Psychological abuse including simulated waterboarding
• Institutional failures by UH and Pi Kappa Phi national
• Ongoing medical consequences for the victim

This active litigation demonstrates our:

• Willingness to take on major universities and national fraternities
• Investigative thoroughness in uncovering systematic abuse
• Commitment to holding all responsible parties accountable
• Capability in high-stakes, complex hazing litigation

Call to Action for Ganado Families

If you or your child has experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other—we want to hear from you. Families in Ganado, Edna, and throughout Jackson County have the right to answers and accountability.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you contact Attorney911, you’ll receive:

1. A compassionate, confidential conversation about what happened
2. Case evaluation by attorneys experienced in Texas hazing law
3. Evidence preservation guidance to protect your rights
4. Clear explanation of legal options and realistic expectations
5. No pressure to hire – take time to make the right decision for your family

Contact Attorney911 Today

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

Serving Ganado and All of Texas

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Ganado and Jackson County. Whether your child attends school nearby or hours away, Texas hazing law and experienced Texas counsel can help.

Time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly, witnesses graduate, and statutes of limitation run. If you suspect hazing, contact us today for immediate guidance.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

• 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 YouTube Videos:

• Using 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 & Contact:
29. 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