Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for City of Coyote Flats Families

If Your Child Was Hazed: Immediate Help for City of Coyote Flats Parents

It starts with a phone call you never expected. Your child, away at college, sounds different—exhausted, secretive, maybe even afraid. They mention “mandatory” late-night meetings, endless group chat demands, or injuries they brush off as “just part of pledging.” For families in City of Coyote Flats, Texas, this isn’t just a college concern; it’s a waking nightmare happening to our neighbors, our friends, and potentially our own children at universities across our state.

Right now, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after brutal hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The details are shocking: forced to carry a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms and sex toys, sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” made to consume milk and hot dogs until vomiting, then forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days. The chapter has been shut down, but the physical and psychological damage to Leonel remains.

This case isn’t an isolated incident—it’s a pattern we see repeated across Texas campuses where City of Coyote Flats families send their children. This comprehensive guide explains what hazing really looks like in 2025, your legal rights under Texas law, and how families in our community can seek accountability when institutions fail to protect our children.

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

For City of Coyote Flats parents who didn’t go through Greek life themselves or whose college experience was decades ago, today’s hazing bears little resemblance to movie stereotypes. Modern hazing has evolved into sophisticated, digitally-enabled abuse that follows predictable patterns across Texas campuses.

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, degrades, or exploits participants
• Creates an environment of fear and compliance

Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance. In the Leonel Bermudez case, he “agreed” to join Pi Kappa Phi—but no reasonable person would consider consent valid when facing expulsion threats for refusing to carry humiliating items or undergo waterboarding-like abuse.

Main Categories of Hazing in Texas

Alcohol and Substance Hazing

• Forced or coerced drinking games (“lineups,” “Big/Little nights,” “Bible study” drinking)
• Chugging challenges with hard liquor
• Pressure to consume unknown or mixed substances
• What we see: At Texas A&M, UT Austin, and UH, these drinking rituals remain the most common—and most deadly—form of hazing

Physical Hazing

• Paddling and beatings (still common despite national prohibitions)
• Extreme calisthenics beyond normal conditioning (“smokings,” forced workouts)
• Sleep deprivation through all-night “meetings” or tasks
• Food/water restriction or forced consumption of unpleasant substances
• What we see: In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, physical hazing included bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, and lying in vomit-soaked grass

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

• Forced nudity or partial nudity
• Simulated sexual acts (“roasted pig” positions, degrading costumes)
• Acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic overtones
• Public shaming via social media or group meetings
• What we see: The “pledge fanny pack” requirement at UH represents this category’s evolution into psychological warfare

Psychological Hazing

• Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members
• Manipulation through guilt or “brotherhood” loyalty
• Forced confessions of personal information used against pledges
• What we see: Across all five major Texas universities, psychological control often precedes physical abuse

Digital/Online Hazing (The 2025 Evolution)

• 24/7 group chat monitoring with immediate response demands
• Social media challenges that humiliate or endanger
• Location tracking via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
• Pressure to create/sharing compromising images “for the group”
• What we see: Every hazing case we handle now involves extensive digital evidence in GroupMe, WhatsApp, or Discord

Where Hazing Actually Happens in Texas

While fraternities receive most attention, hazing occurs in multiple organizations where City of Coyote Flats students participate:

Fraternities and Sororities

• Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternities
• Panhellenic sororities
• National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC – Divine Nine)
• Multicultural Greek Council organizations

Corps of Cadets & Military Groups

• Texas A&M Corps of Cadets (with documented hazing lawsuits)
• ROTC programs across Texas campuses
• Military-style tradition groups

Athletic Teams

• Football, basketball, baseball programs
• Cheer and spirit squads
• Club sports with initiation traditions

Other Student Organizations

• Spirit groups (Texas Cowboys, Texas Wranglers at UT)
• Marching bands and performance ensembles
• Some academic, cultural, or service organizations

The common thread isn’t the type of organization—it’s the power imbalance between new and established members, coupled with tradition used to justify abuse.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas + Federal

When hazing affects your child, understanding the legal landscape is crucial. Texas has specific laws, but federal requirements also shape how universities must respond.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas defines hazing broadly in Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

1. Endangers mental or physical health or safety, AND
2. Occurs for pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership

Key Provisions for City of Coyote Flats Families:

Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152)

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing without serious injury (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153)
Fraternities, sororities, clubs, and teams can be prosecuted if:

• The organization authorized or encouraged hazing, OR
• An officer/member acting officially knew and failed to report

Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.155)
Texas law explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution that the person being hazed consented.” This is crucial for City of Coyote Flats families to understand—even if your child “went along with it,” the perpetrators can still be prosecuted.

Good-Faith Reporting Immunity (§ 37.154)
Students who report hazing in good faith receive immunity from civil/criminal liability. Many Texas campuses extend this to medical amnesty—calling 911 for alcohol emergencies won’t result in underage drinking charges.

Criminal vs Civil Cases: Different Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases

• Brought by: State prosecutors (DA’s office)
• Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Common charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in deaths
• For City of Coyote Flats families: Local police (Johnson County Sheriff or City of Coyote Flats PD) may have jurisdiction if hazing occurred locally, but campus or city police where the university is located typically handle cases

Civil Cases

• Brought by: Victims or surviving families
• Goal: Compensation and accountability through monetary damages
• Common claims: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
• For City of Coyote Flats families: These cases can seek compensation for medical bills, therapy, lost education, pain and suffering, and future care needs

Important: A criminal conviction isn’t required to pursue civil litigation. Many families pursue both tracks simultaneously.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
Requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

• Report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthen hazing education and prevention
• Maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026)
• Impact for City of Coyote Flats families: More accountability and data about problematic organizations

Title IX
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. Universities must:

• Conduct prompt, equitable investigations
• Protect complainants from retaliation
• Provide supportive measures
• In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case: Sexualized hazing elements could trigger Title IX scrutiny

Clery Act
Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics. Hazing incidents often overlap with assault or alcohol crimes that campuses must disclose annually.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

Individual Students

• Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
• Example: The 13 individual Pi Kappa Phi members named in the UH lawsuit

Local Chapter/Organization

• The fraternity/sorority or club as a legal entity
• Officers and “pledge educators” acting in official capacity
• Example: Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation

National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters

• Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
• Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents
• Example: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters named in the UH lawsuit

University or Governing Board

• Schools may be sued under negligence or civil rights theories
• Key questions: prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference
• Example: University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents named as defendants

Third Parties

• Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces
• Bars or alcohol providers (under Texas dram shop liability)
• Security companies or event organizers

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys investigate all potential sources of liability and insurance coverage.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Families Can Learn

The tragic cases below aren’t just national news—they establish legal precedents and patterns that directly affect how Texas courts view hazing cases involving City of Coyote Flats students.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

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

• Bid-acceptance event with forced drinking
• Severe falls captured on chapter cameras; 12-hour delay before medical help
• 18 members charged with over 1,000 criminal counts
• Takeaway for Texas families: Security footage and delayed medical response become powerful evidence

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

• Pledge forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night
• Died from alcohol poisoning
• $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
• Takeaway for Texas families: National organizations pay substantial settlements when their chapters repeat known dangerous patterns

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

• “Bible study” drinking game – wrong answers meant forced drinking
• Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%)
• Led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)
• Takeaway for Texas families: Legislatures respond to tragedies with stronger laws

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

• “Big Brother Night” with handles of hard liquor
• Died from acute alcohol poisoning
• FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life
• Takeaway for Texas families: The same national organization (Pi Kappa Phi) now faces allegations at UH

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

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

• Blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual
• Fatal traumatic brain injury; delayed 911 call
• National fraternity criminally convicted of aggravated assault and manslaughter
• Pi Delta Psi banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
• Takeaway for Texas families: National organizations face criminal liability, not just civil

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)

• Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within program
• Multiple lawsuits against university and staff
• Head coach Pat Fitzgerald fired, later settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially
• Takeaway for Texas families: Hazing extends beyond Greek life into major athletic programs

What These Cases Mean for City of Coyote Flats Families

Common threads in fatal and severe-injury hazing cases:

1. Forced drinking rituals following predictable scripts
2. Delayed medical care due to fear of consequences
3. Systemic cover-ups and destruction of evidence
4. Prior warnings ignored by organizations and universities
5. Multi-million dollar settlements following litigation

These national patterns directly inform how we investigate hazing cases involving Texas students. When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that caused death elsewhere, that pattern evidence becomes powerful proof of negligence.

Texas Focus: Where City of Coyote Flats Families Send Their Children

City of Coyote Flats families have deep connections to Texas higher education. Whether your child attends a local community college, commutes to a regional university, or lives at a major state school, understanding campus-specific hazing landscapes is crucial.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses

Before discussing specific universities, City of Coyote Flats families should understand the extensive Greek ecosystem in Texas. Through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain detailed records of over 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros. This isn’t theoretical—these are real organizations with IRS filings, EINs, and physical addresses that may bear responsibility if hazing occurs.

Sample Organizations Recorded in IRS B83 Filings (Texas-Registered Greek Entities):

KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC | EIN: 133048786 | 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845-6681 | IRS B83 filing

BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC | EIN: 462267515 | 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035-6629 | IRS B83 filing (related to UH chapter housing)

PI KAPPA PHI DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER BUILDING CORPORATION | EIN: 371768785 | 4102 Eastshore St, Missouri City, TX 77459-1820 | IRS B83 filing

ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 475370943 | 5019 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204-7005 | IRS B83 filing (Theta Delta chapter)

HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 463831593 | 2307 Vanderbilt Cir, Austin, TX 78723-1542 | IRS B83 filing (Texas State University chapter)

SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER | EIN: 746084905 | 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204-3067 | IRS B83 filing

DELTA PHI UPSILON FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 800209640 | PO Box 7334, Houston, TX 77248-7334 | IRS B83 filing (Grand Chapter)

TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC | EIN: 741380362 | PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147-0061 | IRS B83 filing

GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 161675890 | 115 Wild Wick Way, The Woodlands, TX 77382-1822 | IRS B83 filing (Zeta Rho HCB)

KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY | EIN: 237279532 | PO Box 2142, Prairie View, TX 77446-2142 | IRS B83 filing (Prairie View Alumni)

Why This Directory Matters for City of Coyote Flats Families:
When hazing occurs, identifying every potentially liable organization is crucial. National fraternities often create complex structures—housing corporations, alumni associations, educational foundations—to distance themselves from liability. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine helps City of Coyote Flats families navigate this complexity from day one.

University of Houston (UH): Current Crisis and Historical Pattern

For City of Coyote Flats Families: While Houston is approximately [distance would be calculated based on actual location] from City of Coyote Flats, many Johnson County students attend UH for its proximity, programs, and affordability. Hazing cases here may involve Johnson County residents and fall under Harris County jurisdiction.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• Large urban research university with 46,000+ students
• Active Greek life with 50+ fraternities and sororities across four councils
• Significant commuter population but growing residential experience
• Recent turmoil: Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter shut down in November 2025 after hazing allegations

The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi

We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit alleging:

• September-October 2025: Forced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, mandatory interviews, overnight chauffeuring duties
• “Pledge fanny pack” rule: Carry condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices 24/7 or face punishment
• Physical abuse: Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, “save-your-brother” drills
• Extreme hazing: Cold-weather exposure in underwear, lying in vomit-soaked grass, sprayed with hose “similar to waterboarding”
• Forced consumption: Milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints
• November 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats
• Medical catastrophe: Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, brown urine, 4-day hospitalization
• Defendants: UH, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national, Beta Nu housing corporation, 13 individual members

Institutional Response:

• November 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi national suspends Beta Nu chapter
• November 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender charter; chapter shut down
• UH statement: Conduct “deeply disturbing,” cooperation with law enforcement, disciplinary actions up to expulsion

Media coverage: Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case | ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit

UH Hazing Policy & Reporting

• Prohibits hazing on and off campus
• Defines hazing broadly including forced consumption, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment
• Reporting through Dean of Students, Student Conduct, UHPD
• Transparency gap: Less public disclosure than UT’s hazing violations page

Historical Incidents at UH

• 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case: Pledge suffered lacerated spleen during multi-day event with food/water/sleep deprivation
• Multiple fraternity suspensions for “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort”
• Pattern of alcohol misuse and policy violations leading to probation

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds

• Jurisdiction: Harris County courts (Houston)
• Investigating agencies: UHPD and/or Houston Police Department
• Potential defendants: Individuals, local chapter, national HQ, university, property owners
• For City of Coyote Flats families: We handle logistics so you can focus on your child’s recovery

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life Challenges

For City of Coyote Flats Families: College Station is approximately [distance] from City of Coyote Flats, making Texas A&M a common choice for Johnson County students. The unique Corps of Cadets culture presents specific hazing risks beyond traditional Greek life.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• 74,000+ students with strong tradition and loyalty
• Corps of Cadets with 2,400+ members
• Active Greek life with 60+ fraternities and sororities
• Unique factor: Military-style hierarchy in Corps creates power dynamics ripe for abuse

Documented Hazing Incidents

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)

• Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, spit
• Severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
• Pledges sued fraternity for $1 million
• Fraternity suspended for two years by university
• Pattern connection: SAE has national history of hazing deaths and injuries

Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023)

• Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts
• Bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth
• Sought over $1 million in damages
• Texas A&M stated it handled matter under its rules
• Takeaway: Corps traditions sometimes cross into illegal hazing

Texas A&M Hazing Policy & Reporting

• Strict prohibitions in Student Rules and Corps regulations
• Reporting through Student Conduct Office, Corps leadership, University Police
• Challenge: Balancing tradition with safety in deeply ingrained systems

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Proceeds

• Jurisdiction: Brazos County courts
• Investigating agencies: University Police, College Station PD
• Unique elements: Potential military discipline parallel to civil/criminal actions
• For City of Coyote Flats families: Corps cases involve different command structures and traditions than Greek cases

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

For City of Coyote Flats Families: Austin is approximately [distance] from City of Coyote Flats, making UT Austin a reach school for high-achieving Johnson County students. UT’s public hazing violations page provides unprecedented transparency.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• 52,000+ students with vibrant Greek life
• 60+ fraternity/sorority chapters
• National leader: Public hazing violations database since 2018

UT’s Hazing Violations Page: Documented Patterns

UT publicly lists organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions at hazing.utexas.edu:

Recent Entries (Examples):

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation, hazing-prevention education.
• Texas Wranglers (2022): Forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing. Sanction: Suspension.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Assault allegations involving exchange student with dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose. Sanction: Prior suspension for violations; new lawsuit seeks over $1 million.

What UT’s Data Shows City of Coyote Flats Families:

1. Repeat offenders: Organizations sanctioned multiple times
2. Similar methods: Forced drinking, extreme exercise, humiliation
3. Sanction limitations: Probation often precedes more serious violations
4. Transparency value: Families can research organizations before joining

UT Hazing Policy & Reporting

• Comprehensive policy covering on/off campus conduct
• Reporting through Student Conduct, UTPD, anonymous online forms
• Strength: Public accountability through violations page
• Weakness: Limited deterrence as violations continue

How a UT Hazing Case Proceeds

• Jurisdiction: Travis County courts
• Investigating agencies: UTPD, Austin Police Department
• Evidence advantage: Public violations page establishes pattern knowledge
• For City of Coyote Flats families: Pre-join research can identify problematic organizations

Southern Methodist University (SMU): Private School Challenges

For City of Coyote Flats Families: Dallas is approximately [distance] from City of Coyote Flats, with SMU attracting Johnson County students seeking private education. SMU’s affluent demographics don’t immunize it from hazing.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• 12,000+ students with strong Greek participation
• Private university with fewer public reporting requirements
• Historical issue: Kappa Alpha Order suspension (2017) for paddling, forced drinking, sleep deprivation

SMU Hazing Policy & Reporting

• Prohibitions in Student Code of Conduct
• Reporting through Dean of Students, SMU PD, anonymous Real Response system
• Challenge: Less transparency than public institutions

How an SMU Hazing Case Proceeds

• Jurisdiction: Dallas County courts
• Investigating agencies: SMU PD, Dallas Police Department
• Discovery challenge: Private university records require litigation to access
• For City of Coyote Flats families: We use discovery tools to obtain hidden records

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Accountability Challenges

For City of Coyote Flats Families: Waco is approximately [distance] from City of Coyote Flats, with Baylor attracting Johnson County students seeking faith-based education. Baylor’s recent history with institutional accountability affects hazing response.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• 20,000+ students with active Greek life
• Religious identity emphasizing community values
• Historical context: Football sexual assault scandal affecting institutional credibility

Documented Hazing Incidents

• Baseball hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following investigation
• Pattern: Athletic team hazing occasionally surfaces despite “zero tolerance” policies

Baylor Hazing Policy & Reporting

• Prohibitions in Student Conduct Code
• Reporting through Student Conduct, Baylor PD
• Challenge: Balancing religious branding with accountability

How a Baylor Hazing Case Proceeds

• Jurisdiction: McLennan County courts
• Investigating agencies: Baylor PD, Waco Police Department
• Institutional factors: Recent scandals may affect jury perceptions
• For City of Coyote Flats families: Religious affiliation doesn’t negate legal liability

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Meet Texas Campuses

When City of Coyote Flats students join fraternities or sororities, they’re not just joining local chapters—they’re connecting to national organizations with documented hazing histories. These histories matter in court.

Why National Histories Matter in Texas Courts

National fraternity/sorority headquarters often have:

• Extensive anti-hazing policies because they’ve seen deaths and injuries
• Knowledge of dangerous patterns (Big/Little drinking nights, paddling traditions)
• Prior incident reports from chapters nationwide
• Legal consequence: When a Texas chapter repeats known dangerous practices, nationals can’t claim “we didn’t know this could happen”

Organization Mapping: National Patterns at Texas Schools

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ) – “Pike”

• National history: Stone Foltz death (BGSU, $10M settlement), multiple alcohol hazing deaths
• Texas presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
• Legal significance: National pattern of Big/Little drinking nights establishes foreseeability

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ) – “SAE”

• National history: Multiple hazing deaths nationwide; eliminated pledge program in 2014 due to pattern
• Texas incidents: Chemical burns case (Texas A&M), assault case (UT Austin)
• Legal significance: Nationals knew dangers but violations continued at Texas chapters

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

• National history: Andrew Coffey death (FSU)
• Current Texas case: UH Beta Nu chapter shut down after Bermudez injuries
• Legal significance: Same national organization, same dangerous patterns

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

• National history: Max Gruver death (LSU) leading to felony hazing law
• Texas presence: Chapters at multiple Texas universities
• Legal significance: “Bible study” drinking game pattern known nationally

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)

• National history: Paddling traditions despite prohibitions
• Texas incident: SMU chapter suspension (2017)
• Legal significance: Known physical hazing methods continue

How National Patterns Strengthen Texas Cases

In litigation, we demonstrate:

1. Foreseeability: Nationals knew specific activities caused injuries/deaths elsewhere
2. Inadequate prevention: Policies existed but weren’t meaningfully enforced
3. Pattern and practice: Similar methods used across chapters
4. Constructive knowledge: Nationals should have known based on their own records

For City of Coyote Flats families, this means your child’s case isn’t viewed in isolation. A Pi Kappa Phi hazing incident at UH connects to Andrew Coffey’s death at FSU. A Sigma Alpha Epsilon case at Texas A&M connects to national chemical burn incidents. These connections build stronger lawsuits.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy for City of Coyote Flats Families

When hazing injures your child, building a strong case requires immediate action and strategic thinking. Here’s what City of Coyote Flats families need to know.

Evidence: The Digital Crime Scene

Modern hazing leaves digital footprints. Preserving these is our first priority.

Digital Communications

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage groups: Screenshot entire threads with timestamps
• Discord servers, Slack workspaces: Export channels if possible
• Fraternity-specific apps: Preserve before apps are deleted
• Social media DMs: Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook
• Key in UH case: Group chats revealed planning and real-time hazing

Photos & Videos

• Event footage: Members often film hazing “for fun”
• Injury documentation: Multiple angles with scale reference
• Location evidence: House exteriors, room interiors, identifiable landmarks
• Social media posts: Even deleted posts may be recoverable

Internal Organization Documents

• Pledge manuals, initiation scripts
• Meeting minutes discussing “traditions”
• Emails between officers about pledge activities
• National policies chapters are supposed to follow

University Records

• Prior conduct files on same organization
• Incident reports to campus police
• Clery Act reports showing pattern
• UT advantage: Public violations page provides starting point

Medical & Psychological Records

• ER/hospital records documenting injuries
• Toxicology reports (blood alcohol, drug screens)
• Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
• Ongoing treatment records

Witness Testimony

• Other pledges experiencing same hazing
• Former members who quit due to abuse
• Roommates, RAs, friends who noticed changes
• Expert witnesses on group dynamics, coercion psychology

Damages: What Compensation Covers

Economic Damages (Quantifiable)

• Medical bills: ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, medications
• Future medical care: Ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, lifelong care for permanent injuries
• Lost earnings: Time off work for recovery
• Educational impact: Tuition for missed semesters, lost scholarships, delayed graduation
• Example in UH case: Four-day hospitalization, ongoing kidney monitoring, psychological therapy

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering: From injuries during and after hazing
• Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment: Can’t participate in activities they loved
• Reputational harm: Social stigma after public hazing incident

Wrongful Death Damages (for families)

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship, love, guidance
• Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages

• When defendants’ conduct is especially reckless or malicious
• To punish and deter future hazing
• Texas caps: Generally limited but available in egregious cases

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Insurance Complexity

• National fraternities carry liability policies but often argue “intentional acts” exclusion
• Universities have liability coverage but may claim sovereign immunity (public schools)
• Individual members may have homeowners/parents’ policies
• Our advantage: Mr. Lupe Peña’s insurance defense background helps navigate these disputes

Multiple Defendant Strategy
We typically sue:

1. Individual perpetrators: Those who planned/executed hazing
2. Chapter officers: Those in supervisory roles who allowed/facilitated hazing
3. Local chapter: As a legal entity if incorporated
4. National organization: For negligent supervision and failure to prevent known patterns
5. University: For negligent oversight and failure to protect students
6. Property owners: For allowing dangerous activities on premises

This approach maximizes potential insurance coverage and accountability.

Practical Guides & FAQs for City of Coyote Flats Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, sprains)
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities
• Personality changes (anxiety, depression, irritability)
• Constant phone monitoring for group chat demands
• Financial strain from unexplained expenses
• Academic decline due to “mandatory” events

How to Talk to Your Child

• Open questions: “How are things really going with [organization]?”
• Non-judgmental listening: “You can tell me anything without getting in trouble”
• Safety emphasis: “Your health matters more than any group”
• Documentation: Write down what they share with dates/times

If Your Child Is Hurt

1. Medical first: ER visit even if they resist
2. Evidence preservation: Screenshot, photograph, save everything
3. Documentation: Write detailed notes while memory fresh
4. Legal consultation: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 within 48 hours

Dealing with the University

• Document all communications: Emails, calls, meetings
• Ask specifically: “What prior incidents involve this organization?”
• Don’t sign anything without attorney review
• Remember: University’s interests may conflict with your child’s

For Students: Safety and Reporting

Is This Hazing? Self-Assessment

• Am I being forced or pressured to do something dangerous/degrading?
• Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
• Am I being told to keep secrets from parents/university?
• Are older members making me do things they don’t have to do?
• If yes to any: It’s likely hazing regardless of what they call it

How to Exit Safely

• Tell someone first: Parent, RA, trusted friend
• Send written resignation: Email/text to chapter president
• Avoid “one last meeting”: Where pressure/retaliation might occur
• Report retaliation: To campus police and Dean of Students

Evidence Collection for Students

• Screenshots: Full conversations with timestamps
• Photos: Injuries from multiple angles with scale
• Medical records: Tell providers you were hazed
• Witness info: Names/contacts of others who saw what happened
• Watch our video: Using your phone to document evidence

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

MISTAKES THAT CAN RUIN YOUR HAZING CASE:

1. Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

   • What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
   • Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction of justice; destroys case
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately

2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly

   • What parents think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
   • Why it’s wrong: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
   • What to do instead: Document, then call a lawyer first

3. Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms

   • What universities do: Pressure families to sign waivers
   • Why it’s wrong: You may waive right to sue; settlements often lowball
   • What to do instead: Do NOT sign without attorney review

4. Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer

   • What families think: “I want people to know what happened”
   • Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
   • What to do instead: Document privately; lawyer controls public messaging

5. Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”

   • What fraternities say: “Come talk to us before you do anything”
   • Why it’s wrong: They pressure, intimidate, extract damaging statements
   • What to do instead: Once considering legal action, all communication through lawyer

6. Waiting “to see how the university handles it”

   • What universities promise: “We’re investigating internally”
   • Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

7. Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer

   • What adjusters say: “We just need your statement”
   • Why it’s wrong: Recorded statements used against you; early settlements lowball
   • What to do instead: “My attorney will contact you”

Short FAQ for City of Coyote Flats Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer protections. Every case is fact-specific—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case analysis.

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

“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 that “consent” under peer pressure and power imbalance isn’t true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from date of injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if harm/cause wasn’t immediately known. In cover-up cases, statute may be tolled. Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately. Learn about statutes of limitations

“What if hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major hazing cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, Sigma Pi unofficial house) occurred off-campus with multi-million-dollar judgments.

“Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

“How much will this cost? We can’t afford a lawyer.”
We work on contingency fee—no upfront costs, no fee unless we win. How contingency fees work. We advance case expenses and get repaid from recovery. Money should never block justice.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action for City of Coyote Flats

Why Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

When your City of Coyote Flats 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.

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña)

• Former insurance defense attorney at national firm
• Knows exactly how fraternity/university insurers value (and undervalue) hazing claims
• Understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, settlement strategies
• “We know their playbook because we used to run it.”
• Learn about Mr. Peña’s background

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (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. We know how to fight powerful defendants.”
• Ralph Manginello’s credentials

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience

• Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases
• Economist collaboration for lifetime care valuation
• Experience with brain injury, permanent disability cases
• “We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.”
• Wrongful death experience

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise

• Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
• Understands criminal hazing charges interaction with civil litigation
• Can advise witnesses/former members with dual exposure
• Criminal defense capability

Investigative Depth

• Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
• Experience obtaining hidden evidence (group chats, chapter records, university files)
• “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

Current Texas Hazing Litigation

• Active case: Representing Leonel Bermudez in $10M UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit
• Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Tracking 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros
• Proven strategy: Using national pattern evidence to establish foreseeability

Call to Action for City of Coyote Flats Families

If your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether here in Johnson County or anywhere across Texas—we want to hear from you. Families in City of Coyote Flats and throughout our region have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you decide the best path forward.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

• We listen to your story without judgment
• Review evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
• Explain legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
• Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
• Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—no fee unless we win)
• No pressure to hire—take time to decide
• Everything you tell us is confidential

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

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

Whether you’re in City of Coyote Flats or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston report: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Using phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Statute of limitations explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:

• https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage consulting with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise on the best course 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