A Guide to Hazing Laws, Fraternity Risks & Legal Accountability for Families in Hallettsville & Across Lavaca County, Texas

If your child is starting their college journey at Texas A&M, the University of Houston, or any other Texas campus, you’ve likely felt a mix of pride and worry. The promise of lifelong friendships and new opportunities can be overshadowed by the silent, unspoken fear of what might happen behind closed doors in a fraternity house, a Corps dormitory, or an athletic training facility. Right now, across Texas, families like yours are facing a painful reality: the traditions meant to build bonds can sometimes cross the line into dangerous, illegal, and life-altering abuse.

In Harris County, a recent lawsuit has laid bare the brutal reality of modern hazing. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student and Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu chapter) pledge who was subjected to months of systematic hazing in the fall of 2025. The alleged abuse—which included forced consumption of food until vomiting, extreme physical workouts, humiliation with a “pledge fanny pack,” and being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”—culminated in a medical catastrophe. Mr. Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, passing brown urine and requiring a four-day hospitalization. As reported by Click2Houston and ABC13, this $10 million lawsuit names the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

This is not an isolated incident. It is a stark example of a systemic problem that reaches from Houston to College Station to Austin—and affects families right here in Hallettsville and across Lavaca County. This guide is for you: the parent who needs to understand what hazing really looks like in 2025, the student who feels trapped in a dangerous situation, and the family seeking clarity on their legal rights in Texas. We will explain the laws, break down the complex web of fraternity and university liability, and provide a clear path forward for protecting your child and holding powerful institutions accountable.

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, and 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, or team.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
  • Post details on public social media.
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney. Evidence disappears fast. We can help preserve it and protect your rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks or harmless initiations. It is a calculated pattern of coercion and control that exploits a young person’s desire to belong. For families in Hallettsville, understanding its modern forms is the first step to recognizing danger.

Texas law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with a group. Crucially, the victim’s “consent” is not a legal defense.

The Four Pillars of Modern Hazing

1. Digital Coercion & Control: Pledges are controlled through 24/7 group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord). They must respond instantly at all hours, share their live location, and submit to social media policing. Humiliation is often broadcast via TikTok or Instagram stories. Evidence can be deleted in seconds, which is why immediate screenshotting is critical. We discuss this in our video, Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?

2. Psychological Warfare: This includes sleep deprivation through mandatory 3 AM “meetings,” social isolation from non-members, forced confessions, and relentless verbal abuse designed to break down self-worth. The goal is absolute obedience.

3. “Voluntary” Physical Endurance: Often disguised as “workouts” or “team building,” this involves extreme calisthenics (hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits until collapse), exposure to extreme elements, and forced consumption of unpalatable substances (spoiled milk, hot sauce, excessive amounts of food). The UH Pi Kappa Phi case involved forced milk, hot dog, and peppercorn consumption until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints.

4. Ritualized Substance Abuse: The most deadly form. This includes “family tree” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights where a handle of liquor must be finished, and lineups where failure to answer trivia correctly means forced shots. The biological result can be rapid alcohol poisoning, traumatic injury, or death.

Hazing occurs in fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, spirit groups (like cheer and drumline), performance ensembles, military-style organizations (like the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets), and even some academic clubs. If the activity is secret, required for status, and involves an imbalance of power, it is likely hazing.

The Texas & Federal Legal Framework: Your Rights as a Lavaca County Family

Texas has some of the nation’s clearer anti-hazing statutes, but navigating them requires understanding both criminal and civil avenues.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. If it causes bodily injury, it becomes a Class A misdemeanor. If it causes serious bodily injury or death—like the acute kidney failure in the UH case—it is a State Jail Felony. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 and lose its university recognition.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (Sec. 37.155) explicitly states that a victim’s agreement to participate is irrelevant. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure is not voluntary.
• Good-Faith Reporter Immunity: Those who report hazing in good faith to authorities are generally immune from civil or criminal liability stemming from the report. This protects bystanders who call for help.

Civil Liability: The Path to Accountability & Compensation

A criminal case, brought by the state, seeks punishment. A civil case, which we file on behalf of victims, seeks compensation for damages and institutional accountability. They can proceed simultaneously. In a civil hazing lawsuit, we can potentially hold multiple parties liable:

• The Individuals Who Planned and Executed the Hazing
• The Local Chapter as an organization
• The National Fraternity or Sorority Headquarters for negligent supervision and failure to stop known patterns of abuse
• The University for negligent oversight and failure to protect students
• Property Owners and Landlords of off-campus houses where hazing occurs

Federal Overlays: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Campus Hazing Act

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, it triggers the university’s Title IX obligations to investigate and provide a safe environment.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law requires colleges to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs, increasing transparency for families.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not random; they are blueprints that dangerous chapters follow. Understanding these patterns is key to proving negligence and foreseeability in court.

• The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017), Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017), and Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021) all died after forced drinking during “bid acceptance” or “Big/Little” events. Their cases show the deadly predictability of these rituals.
• The Physical “Ritual” Pattern: Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013) died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded “glass ceiling” tackling ritual at an off-campus retreat. This case proves liability extends beyond campus borders.
• The Athletic Hazing Pattern: The Northwestern University football scandal (2023-2025) involved allegations of sexualized and racist hazing, leading to massive lawsuits and coaching changes. Hazing is not exclusive to Greek life.
• The Severe Injury Pattern: At Texas A&M, a 2021 Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) lawsuit alleged pledges were doused with industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. This shows the brutal physicality of some hazing.

These national histories matter because they put national fraternities and universities on notice. When the same organization faces the same allegations at a Texas school, it becomes much harder for them to claim the conduct was “unforeseeable.”

Texas University Focus: Where Hallettsville Families Send Their Kids

Families in Hallettsville and Lavaca County have deep ties to Texas’s flagship universities. Many students commute or move to attend these schools, each with its own unique hazing landscape.

Texas A&M University (College Station)

As a premier university within driving distance for many Lavaca County families, Texas A&M’s culture of tradition carries unique risks.

• The Corps of Cadets: The revered Corps has faced serious hazing allegations, including a 2023 lawsuit where a cadet alleged being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. The university stated it handled the matter internally, but such cases show the potential for abuse within structured, tradition-heavy systems.
• Greek Life Incidents: Beyond the SAE chemical burn case, other fraternities have faced suspensions for alcohol-related hazing and physical abuse. The university’s Student Conduct office handles investigations, but outcomes often favor institutional protection.
• For Parents: If your child is in the Corps or a fraternity/sorority, watch for signs of extreme fatigue, unexplained injuries, and sudden secrecy. Reporting can go to the University Police Department (UPD) or the College Station Police Department if off-campus.

University of Houston (UH)

Our active litigation in the Leonel Bermudez case gives us direct insight into UH’s Greek life. The alleged hazing occurred at the chapter house, an off-campus residence on Culmore Drive, and at Yellowstone Boulevard Park.

• Institutional Response: After the Pi Kappa Phi incident, UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and pledged cooperation. The chapter was suspended by its nationals and voted to surrender its charter. This reactive action is common, but the lawsuit alleges the university and fraternity headquarters should have prevented it through better oversight.
• Legal Venue: A hazing lawsuit against UH would be filed in Harris County, where the firm has extensive courtroom experience.

Other Major Texas Universities

• University of Texas at Austin: UT maintains a public “Hazing Violations” log, a resource that can show patterns. Entries include Pi Kappa Alpha for forced milk consumption and calisthenics, and other groups for alcohol hazing. This transparency can be used as evidence in civil suits.
• Baylor University: Following a major Title IX scandal, Baylor has been under scrutiny. A 2020 baseball hazing incident led to multiple player suspensions, indicating hazing penetrates athletic departments.
• Southern Methodist University (SMU): As a private university, SMU has less public reporting but has suspended chapters like Kappa Alpha Order for paddling and forced drinking.

The Greek Ecosystem: Public Records Behind the Letters

At Attorney911, we don’t start from scratch. We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public records to identify every liable entity. For Hallettsville families, this means we already know the landscape.

Public Records: Fraternity, Sorority & Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses

Our database includes over 1,400 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros. Below is a sample of the public records we track to build cases. These organizations, often holding insurance and assets, can be critical defendants in hazing litigation.

Organizations in the Brovic County & South-Central Texas Region:

• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – EIN 900293166 – College Station, TX 77843 – Texas A&M University Chapter (IRS B83 Filing)
• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – EIN 742911848 – Fort Worth, TX 76244 (IRS B83 Filing & Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 741380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 Filing & Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – EIN 364091267 – Waco, TX 76710 (IRS B83 Filing; operates chapters in Houston, Beaumont metros)

Major Fraternity Housing & Alumni Corporations:

• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – EIN 746064445 – Nederland, TX 77627 – Epsilon Kappa Chapter alumni/housing corp (IRS B83 Filing; tied to Beaumont metro & Lamar University)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 462267515 – Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 Filing; entity related to the UH chapter in litigation)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Beaumont Alumni – Beaumont, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing – Graduate Chapter)

Honor Societies & Educational Foundations:

• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – EIN 383742830 – El Paso, TX 79968 – University of Texas at El Paso Chapter (IRS B83 Filing)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – EIN 463831593 – Austin, TX 78723 – Texas State University Chapter (IRS B83 Filing)

This directory illustrates the complex network of legally recognized entities behind campus Greek life. When hazing occurs, our investigation maps this network to identify all sources of accountability and insurance coverage.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Winning a hazing case requires a meticulous, data-driven approach. We leverage our experience from complex litigation like the BP Texas City explosion to face off against universities and national fraternities.

Critical Evidence We Secure

• Digital Forensics: Deleted GroupMe, Snapchat, and Discord messages can often be recovered. We work with experts to obtain this data before it’s permanently lost.
• Internal Fraternity Records: Through discovery, we subpoena national fraternity files showing prior complaints against the chapter, risk management reports, and training materials.
• University Discipline Files: We obtain records of prior hazing violations by the same organization, proving the university had knowledge of a dangerous pattern.
• Medical Documentation: Records diagnosing rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, PTSD, depression, or physical injuries are foundational to proving harm.
• Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, and roommates are often crucial to reconstructing events and proving coercion.

Recoverable Damages in a Hazing Lawsuit

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical bills, lost tuition from withdrawn semesters, and lost future earning capacity if injuries cause permanent disability.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the worst cases, families can recover for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and their own emotional anguish.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness or cover-ups, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future conduct.

Our insider knowledge is key. Mr. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for large national firms. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny, delay, and undervalue these claims. We use that knowledge to counter their tactics and fight for full accountability. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

Practical Guides for Hallettsville Parents, Students & Witnesses

For Parents: Warning Signs and Steps to Take

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme exhaustion and sleep deprivation.
• Drastic personality changes (anxiety, withdrawal, defensiveness).
• Constant, secretive phone use related to group chats.
• Sudden financial needs for unspecified “fines” or “activities.”

What to Do:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’m worried about you. Is anything happening that feels unsafe or forced?”
2. Prioritize Health: Seek medical and psychological care immediately.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot EVERYTHING. Photograph injuries.
4. Seek Legal Counsel Early: Before reporting to the university, consult with us. We can help you navigate the process to protect your child from retaliation and ensure evidence is preserved. Waiting can be a critical mistake, as we explain in our video on Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case.

For Students: Is This Hazing? How to Get Out Safely

• Trust Your Gut: If you feel scared, humiliated, or coerced, it is hazing.
• You Have the Right to Leave: You can quit anytime. Send a clear text/email: “I resign my membership, effective immediately.”
• Report Anonymously: Use campus hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE).
• Call 911 in Emergencies: Texas law and most university policies offer amnesty for those who call for help in a medical crisis.

For Witnesses or Former Members

If you participated and now regret it, your testimony can save others. We can help you understand your legal position and how to cooperate with an investigation in a way that protects you and seeks justice.

Why Attorney911 for Your Texas Hazing Case

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how universities and national fraternities fight back—and how to win.

• Active, High-Stakes Hazing Litigation: We are currently leading the $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi on behalf of Leonel Bermudez. This isn’t theoretical; it’s our daily work.
• Insider Insurance Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a defense attorney for insurance companies gives us an unparalleled advantage in negotiating with fraternity and university insurers.
• Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello’s experience in the BP Texas City explosion litigation means we are not intimidated by billion-dollar defendants or complex cover-ups. Learn more about Ralph’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.
• Data-Driven Investigation: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public records like those listed above, allows us to immediately identify all potentially liable entities, from local housing corporations to national headquarters.
• Full-Service Advocacy: We handle the civil lawsuit while advising on interacting with criminal investigations, university discipline proceedings, and the media to protect your family’s privacy and peace.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. For Hallettsville and Lavaca County families, we are your dedicated Texas-based advocates, whether your child was harmed at Texas A&M, UH, or any campus nationwide.

Your Path Forward: A Confidential Consultation

The decision to take legal action is deeply personal. We offer a compassionate, no-pressure environment to explore your options.

In a free, confidential consultation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain the legal process, potential timelines, and strategies.
• Answer your questions about costs (we work on a contingency fee—no fee unless we win).
• Help you decide the best path for your family’s healing and accountability.

You are not alone. The traditions that harmed your child are known, predictable, and illegal. Together, we can fight for accountability, compensation for your family’s suffering, and change that might protect the next student from Hallettsville.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today.

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Email Lupe Peña (Se habla Español): lupe@atty911.com

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please contact us for advice on your specific situation.