The Complete Guide to Hazing Laws, Cases & Accountability in Texas: A Resource for Ingram Families

When a call comes in the middle of the night from your child at college, and their voice shakes as they describe what they’ve been forced to endure to belong, the world stops. For families right here in Ingram, nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, this nightmare is not a distant abstraction. It is a reality faced by Texas parents whose children attend universities across the state, from the sprawling campus of Schreiner University in nearby Kerrville to the major Greek life hubs of the University of Texas and Texas A&M.

This guide exists for you. We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™), a Texas firm with deep expertise in holding fraternities, sororities, universities, and other organizations accountable for hazing that causes injury and death. We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and numerous individuals—a case that exemplifies the extreme dangers present in Texas Greek life today.

If you are a parent in Ingram, Kerr County, or anywhere in Texas, this comprehensive resource will help you understand what hazing really looks like in 2025, the legal framework that governs it, and the practical steps you can take to protect your child and seek justice.

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. We can help preserve it and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025

Hazing is not just “boys will be boys” or harmless tradition. Modern hazing is a calculated system of coercion, abuse, and control that exploits the human desire to belong. For Ingram families, understanding its evolution is critical to recognizing the warning signs.

Beyond the Stereotypes: A Modern Taxonomy

Hazing today falls into three escalating categories:

1. Subtle Hazing: Behaviors that emphasize power imbalance. This includes being “on call” 24/7 for errands, mandatory chauffeuring, enforced dress codes, being given derogatory nicknames, and social isolation from non-members. Digitally, it manifests as required 24/7 monitoring of GroupMe or Discord, forced location sharing, and social media policing.

2. Harassment Hazing: Actions causing emotional or physical discomfort. This involves sleep deprivation, forced consumption of unpalatable foods (like milk, hot dogs, or peppercorns until vomiting), verbal abuse, “lineups” for interrogation, and strenuous, punitive calisthenics billed as “workouts.”

3. Violent Hazing: Activities with a high potential for severe injury or death. This is what we see in the worst cases: forced alcohol consumption to the point of poisoning, physical beatings, paddling, exposure to extreme elements, sexualized acts, and dangerous “rituals” like blindfolded tackles.

The Leonel Bermudez case at the University of Houston is a tragic textbook example of this escalation. His alleged hazing included being forced to carry a degrading “pledge fanny pack,” enduring hours of sprints and bear crawls, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and forced consumption of food until vomiting. The result was rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring a four-day hospitalization with risk of permanent damage.

The Digital Landscape of Coercion

For parents in Ingram, the hazing your child faces may be as close as their smartphone. Critical evidence and ongoing coercion live in:

• Group Messaging Apps: GroupMe, WhatsApp, and Discord are where hazing is planned, assigned, and covered up.
• Social Media: Humiliating dares on TikTok, degrading photos on Instagram Stories, and evidence shared in Snapchat groups.
• Geo-Tracking: Pledges may be forced to share their live location via Find My Friends or Life360.

This digital footprint is often the most powerful evidence in holding organizations accountable, but it disappears quickly. Preservation is paramount.

Texas Hazing Law: The Legal Framework for Ingram Families

Texas has specific laws governing hazing, designed to protect students at both public and private institutions. Understanding this framework is the first step to understanding your family’s rights.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37: The Core Statute

The law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student.

Key Provisions for Ingram Parents:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a crime in Texas.
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Base offense.
  • Class A Misdemeanor: If the hazing causes bodily injury.
  • State Jail Felony: If the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized or knowingly permitted the hazing.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (§ 37.155) is explicit. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it is not a legal defense against hazing charges. The law recognizes the power imbalance and coercion inherent in these situations.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Individuals who report hazing in good faith to law enforcement or school officials are immune from civil or criminal liability for their own minor involvement (like underage drinking). This is critical for encouraging calls for help.

Civil Liability: The Path to Accountability and Compensation

A criminal case, led by the state, seeks punishment. A civil lawsuit, which families can initiate with attorneys like us, seeks compensation for damages and accountability. They can proceed simultaneously.

In a civil hazing case, multiple parties can be held liable:

1. The Individuals Who Performed the Acts.
2. The Local Chapter as an entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters for negligent supervision, training, and failure to stop known patterns.
4. The University for negligent supervision, violation of Title IX, or deliberate indifference to a known risk.
5. Housing Corporations and Property Owners where the hazing occurred.

The Federal Overlay: Title IX & The Stop Campus Hazing Act

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, federal Title IX obligations require the university to investigate and take action.
• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs, increasing transparency for families by 2026.

The National Hazing Epidemic: Patterns That Reach Texas

The cases that make national headlines are not isolated. They reveal dangerous, repeatable patterns that occur in fraternities and sororities across the country—including those on Texas campuses. Understanding these patterns helps prove that injuries are foreseeable, not “accidental.”

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid acceptance night of forced drinking; help was delayed for hours. Resulted in the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game. Led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Forced to drink a bottle of liquor; died of alcohol poisoning. His family reached a $10 million settlement with the fraternity national and university.

The Physical & Ritualized Abuse Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded, violent “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking. Settlements with 22 defendants underscore multi-party liability.

The Athletic & Program Hazing Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread allegations of sexualized and racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements, proving hazing extends far beyond Greek life.

What This Means for Ingram Families: These cases create legal precedent and show national organizations know the deadly risks of their chapters’ traditions. When the same patterns appear at a Texas school—like forced drinking leading to rhabdomyolysis at UH—it powerfully demonstrates negligence and foreseeability.

The Texas University Landscape: Where Ingram Students Go

Ingram families send their students to a variety of Texas institutions, from the local Schreiner University to the flagship campuses hours away. Each has its own Greek ecosystem and history of hazing incidents.

Schreiner University & The Hill Country

As a local institution in Kerrville, Schreiner University is part of the fabric of the Ingram community. While smaller, any campus with student organizations is not immune to hazing risks. Parents should be aware of university policies and reporting channels through the Dean of Students office. Incidents here would typically fall under the jurisdiction of Kerr County law enforcement and courts.

Major Texas Universities: Hazing Histories & Realities

University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin boasts one of the most transparent hazing reporting systems in the country via its public Hazing Violations webpage. This very transparency reveals ongoing issues:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): Sanctioned for directing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
• Various spirit groups and fraternities have faced probation for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, and humiliation.
  For Ingram Families: UT’s public log is a powerful tool. Prior violations can be used as evidence in a civil case to show the university and organizations had knowledge of a dangerous pattern.

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M’s unique Corps of Cadets culture and robust Greek life present dual hazing risk environments.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (~2021): Pledges allegedly had industrial-strength cleaner poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. A lawsuit sought $1 million.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position. The case sought over $1 million.
  For Ingram Families: Hazing at A&M can involve both recognized Greek chapters and the Corps. Investigations may involve both University Police and the Corps’ own command structure.

University of Houston: The Flagship Case in Our Backyard

The ongoing Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case is a current, severe example of what Texas hazing litigation looks like. As reported by Click2Houston and ABC13, the allegations include physical torture, forced consumption, and life-threatening injury. The chapter was swiftly suspended and then voted to surrender its charter. This case demonstrates the rapid escalation of hazing and the multiple layers of defendants involved, from individual members to the national fraternity and the university itself.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

These private universities have significant Greek life but often less public disclosure.

• SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended for paddling and alcohol hazing.
• Baylor has faced hazing scandals within its baseball team, resulting in multiple suspensions.
  For Ingram Families: At private institutions, internal investigations may be less transparent, making aggressive legal discovery through a lawsuit even more critical to uncovering the truth.

The Greek Organizational Backbone: National Histories, Local Chapters

The fraternities and sororities on Texas campuses are almost always chapters of national organizations. This structure is central to liability. Nationals create policies, collect dues, provide (or fail to provide) training, and maintain historical records of incidents across the country.

Why National History Matters in Your Texas Case

If a Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH engages in forced drinking that causes kidney failure, the national headquarters cannot credibly claim it was an “unforeseeable accident.” Their own history—including the death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State in 2017 from the same kind of “Big Brother” night—shows they were on clear notice of the lethal risk.

Our firm maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public records, to map this organizational landscape. This includes tracking IRS-registered housing corporations, alumni chapters, and national entities that operate within the state. For example, our data identifies Texas-based entities like:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515) in Frisco, TX.
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation (EIN 371768785) in Missouri City, TX.
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc (EIN 741380362) in Fort Worth, TX.

This investigative depth allows us to identify all potentially liable parties from the outset, rather than starting from zero when an Ingram family comes to us in crisis.

Connecting National Patterns to Local Harm

When we represent a family, we investigate whether the national organization received warnings or had prior incidents at other chapters involving similar conduct. This “pattern and practice” evidence is crucial for defeating defenses like “we didn’t know” or “this was a rogue chapter.” It can also support claims for punitive damages, designed to punish and deter exceptionally reckless behavior.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Pursuing a hazing case requires a meticulous, strategic approach from attorneys who understand how to investigate powerful institutions and navigate complex insurance landscapes.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

Modern evidence collection is digital and urgent:

1. Digital Communications: Preserving entire GroupMe, WhatsApp, and text threads that show planning, coercion, and bragging about the acts.
2. Social Media & Photos: Screenshots of Instagram Stories, Snapchats, and TikTok videos that depict the hazing in real time.
3. Medical Documentation: Complete records from ER visits, hospitalizations, and follow-up care that directly link injuries to the hazing events.
4. University Records: Obtained through discovery or public records requests, showing prior complaints against the same organization.
5. National Fraternity Records: Uncovered through litigation, revealing past incident reports and the adequacy (or inadequacy) of their supervision.

We have a detailed video on using your phone to document critical evidence.

Understanding Damages: What Can Be Recovered

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim and family whole and hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, costs of psychological care, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for pain and suffering, emotional trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship, love, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct, courts may award additional damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

The Insurance Battle

Fraternities, sororities, and universities carry insurance. A key part of our strategy, informed by Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney, involves navigating coverage disputes. Insurers often try to deny claims by arguing hazing is an “intentional act” excluded from coverage. We fight these exclusions by arguing that the negligent supervision by nationals and universities—a failure to act—is a covered claim. Identifying all possible insurance policies is a critical early step.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Ingram Parents and Students

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: If injured, get to an ER. Mention the hazing to medical staff so it’s documented.
2. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot everything—group chats, social media posts, texts. Photograph injuries. Do not delete anything.
3. Document: Write a timeline with everything your child remembers: dates, times, locations, names, and specific acts.
4. Seek Legal Counsel BEFORE Reporting: Contact a hazing attorney. We can guide you on how to report to the university or police in a way that protects your child’s interests and preserves evidence. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.
5. Avoid Critical Mistakes: Do not confront the fraternity. Do not sign anything from the university or an insurance adjuster. Do not post about the incident on social media.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You Can Always Leave: You have the legal right to quit a pledging process or organization at any time, regardless of what you’ve been told.
• Reporting Protections: Texas law and most university policies offer immunity for those who report hazing or call for help in a medical emergency, even if you were drinking underage.
• Is This Hazing? If you feel coerced, unsafe, humiliated, or forced to do something you wouldn’t otherwise do to belong, it likely is. Trust your instincts.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case

• Deleting Evidence: Destroying group chats or texts is often seen as obstruction of justice.
• Confronting the Chapter: This gives them a head start to destroy evidence and coordinate a defense.
• Signing University Papers: Universities may offer a quick “resolution” that asks you to waive your right to sue.
• Waiting Too Long: Texas has a statute of limitations. Evidence fades, witnesses graduate, and memories decay. Watch our video on Texas statutes of limitations to understand the urgency.

Frequently Asked Questions

“My child ‘agreed’ to it. Do we have a case?”
YES. Texas law (§ 37.155) explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. The power dynamics and coercion inherent in pledging negate true voluntary consent.

“The hazing happened off-campus at a rental house. Does that matter?”
No. Liability is based on the relationship and conduct, not solely on location. Nationals and universities can still be responsible for off-campus activities they sponsor or knowingly permit.

“Will this be public? I don’t want my child’s name in the news.”
Most civil cases settle confidentially before trial. We always prioritize our clients’ privacy and can seek protective orders from the court to seal sensitive information.

“How much does it cost to hire your firm?”
We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and hazing cases. This means you pay no upfront fees or hourly rates. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. Learn more in our video on how contingency fees work.

Why The Manginello Law Firm for Your Texas Hazing Case

When your Ingram family is facing the aftermath of hazing, you need advocates with specific expertise in defeating the institutional defenses you will encounter. We are not general practitioners; we are complex litigation specialists with a proven track record against billion-dollar defendants.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

1. Insider Insurance Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny, delay, and minimize your claim. We use their playbook against them. Learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.
2. Experience Against Massive Institutions: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by the deep pockets and aggressive defense teams of national fraternities and major universities. We have the resources and tenacity to match them.
3. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Mr. Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits. We can adeptly advise clients and navigate both tracks.
4. A Data-Driven Investigative Approach: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—mapping over 1,400 Greek entities across the state—means we begin investigations with knowledge, not guesswork. We know how to trace liability through house corporations, alumni associations, and national headquarters.
5. A Commitment to Accountability, Not Just Settlements: We take cases to prevent future harm. The Bermudez lawsuit against UH and Pi Kappa Phi is a clear statement of this principle. We fight to expose the truth and force systemic change.

Call to Action for Ingram Families

If hazing has injured your child or turned your family’s world upside down, you do not have to navigate this alone. The universities and national organizations have teams of lawyers; you deserve experienced, devoted advocates on your side.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today for a free, confidential consultation. We will listen compassionately to your story, review any evidence you have, and explain your legal options clearly and honestly. We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
Website: https://attorney911.com
Se habla Español: Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com.

Let us help you secure the medical care your child needs, preserve the critical evidence, and begin building a path toward accountability, recovery, and justice.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

• Attorney911 Main Website & Contact: https://attorney911.com
• Video: Using Your Cellphone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Video: Texas Statutes of Limitations Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Video: How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
• Click2Houston Coverage of UH Pi Kappa Phi Case: 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 of UH Hazing Lawsuit: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

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 fact-specific, and outcomes depend on the unique circumstances involved. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly. The description of specific legal cases is based on public records and media reports. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.