Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Guide for Town of Coolidge Families

A Waking Nightmare for Texas Parents

We know the feeling. Your son left for his freshman year at a Texas university, promising to find his place and make you proud. The initial updates were positive—he’d joined a fraternity and was excited about the brotherhood. But the late-night calls became more cryptic, his energy faded, and he dodged questions about how he was spending his time. Then, the phone rings from an unknown hospital number. Your child, previously healthy and vibrant, is in the emergency room with kidney failure, fighting for his life after a brutal fraternity “workout.” The university’s response is bureaucratic, the fraternity’s national headquarters issues a vague statement, and you’re left searching for answers, accountability, and a way to make your child whole again.

This is not a hypothetical tragedy. Right now, in Harris County, our client Leonel Bermudez is living this reality. A transfer student at the University of Houston (UH), he accepted a bid from the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter in fall 2025. What followed was months of systematic abuse that nearly killed him. According to a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit we filed in late 2025, Bermudez was subjected to a degrading “pledge fanny pack” rule, forced dress codes, overnight driving duties, and extreme physical hazing. This included being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” lying in vomit-soaked grass, forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and a November 3rd workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

The result? Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown, he could not stand without help, and he was hospitalized for four days with critically elevated creatine kinase levels. He now faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. In the aftermath, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters suspended the chapter, and members later voted to surrender their charter. The University of Houston called the alleged conduct “deeply disturbing” and vowed cooperation with law enforcement.

As reported by Click2Houston and ABC13, this case demonstrates precisely what hazing looks like in modern Texas—hidden in plain sight, enabled by powerful institutions, and devastating to families. For parents and students in Town of Coolidge, Limestone County, this case is a clarion call. Whether your child attends a nearby community college, a regional university, or a major Texas hub like Texas A&M or UT Austin, the dangers of hazing are real, present, and legally actionable.

This is a guide for you. We will explain what hazing truly entails in 2025, how Texas law protects victims, the complex network of liable organizations, and the critical steps your family must take if faced with this crisis.

Immediate Help for Town of Coolidge Families

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies.
• Then call us: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).

In the first 48 hours:

• Get immediate medical attention, even if injuries seem minor.
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it disappears:
  • Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, texts).
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
  • Save any physical items (clothing, paddles, receipts).
• Write down everything they tell you (who, what, when, where).
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or athletic team.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
  • Post details on public social media.
  • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24-48 hours. Evidence vanishes quickly. We can help secure it and protect your rights. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

The Hazing Reality Around Town of Coolidge and Limestone County

Hazing is not a relic of the past or a simple prank. It is a calculated pattern of coercion, humiliation, and abuse designed to test loyalty through suffering. For families in Coolidge and across Limestone County, understanding its modern forms is the first step toward protection.

Today’s hazing often masquerades as “tradition,” “team building,” or “pledge education.” It spans all types of campus groups:

• Fraternities & Sororities: Social, professional, multicultural, and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC/Divine Nine) organizations.
• Corps of Cadets & ROTC Programs: Military-style discipline that can cross into abuse.
• Athletic Teams: From football to cheerleading, where rookies are “initiated.”
• Spirit & Tradition Groups: Organizations like Texas Cowboys or Aggie Bonfire crews.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups.

The methods have evolved but remain perilous:

Alcohol & Substance Hazing: The leading cause of hazing deaths. This includes forced chugging, “family tree” drinking games, “lineups,” and coerced consumption of unknown substances. As in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, forced overconsumption (milk, hot dogs) is a common and dangerous tactic.

Physical Hazing: Beyond paddling. Extreme calisthenics (“smokings”), sleep deprivation, exposure to harsh elements (cold weather in underwear), bear crawls, and dangerously strenuous workouts that cause medical crises like rhabdomyolysis.

Psychological & Digital Hazing: This includes 24/7 control via group chats (GroupMe, Discord), social media humiliation, forced isolation from friends and family, verbal degradation, and threats of expulsion for non-compliance. The “pledge fanny pack” rule at UH, requiring humiliating items be carried at all times, is a classic example.

Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes or positions, and acts with racist or sexist overtones.

For a small, tight-knit community like Town of Coolidge, the impact is magnified. A hazing incident doesn’t just affect a student; it reverberates through local churches, schools, and family networks. The shame and fear of retaliation can silence victims, making it essential to have advocates who understand both the legal landscape and the community dynamics of Central Texas.

The Texas Hazing Legal Framework: What Limestone County Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws to combat hazing, but their effectiveness depends on enforcement and courageous families willing to pursue justice. For a case stemming from an incident involving a student from Coolidge, Texas law provides the foundation, while federal law can offer additional avenues.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37: The Criminal Backbone

The Texas hazing statute is found in the Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. It provides critical definitions and penalties:

• Definition (§37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or maintenance of membership in any organization.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152):
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that does not cause bodily injury.
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes bodily injury.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
• No Consent Defense (§37.155): Crucially, it is NOT a defense that the victim consented to the hazing activity. Texas law recognizes the power imbalance and coercion inherent in these situations.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The organization itself (fraternity, sorority, team) can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized or encouraged the hazing or if an officer had knowledge and failed to report it.
• Immunity for Reporting (§37.154): Individuals who in good faith report hazing to authorities are immune from civil or criminal liability. This is meant to encourage bystanders to call for help.

In practice, for a hazing incident involving a Coolidge student at a Texas university, this means local police (campus or municipal) could pursue criminal charges against individuals and the organization. However, criminal prosecution is often slow and results in penalties that do not compensate the victim for medical bills, trauma, or lost future opportunities. This is where civil litigation becomes essential.

Civil Liability: Suing for Damages and Accountability

A civil lawsuit seeks financial compensation (damages) and can force institutional change. It is separate from any criminal case. Potential defendants in a civil hazing lawsuit include:

1. The Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued for creating a dangerous environment.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: Often the deepest pocket, they can be liable for negligent supervision, failure to enforce their own policies, and for patterns of abuse across their chapters.
4. The University: Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT have certain immunities, but can be sued for gross negligence, Title IX violations (if hazing is sexualized), or failing to act on known, recurring dangers.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, property owners where hazing occurred, or alcohol providers.

For a family in Limestone County, a civil case would typically be filed in the county where the injury occurred or where a defendant resides. The damages sought can include:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing therapy), lost wages, and future lost earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: Physical pain, emotional suffering, mental anguish, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious misconduct, meant to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Federal Overlays: Title IX and The Stop Campus Hazing Act

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or is based on gender, it triggers Title IX obligations for the university to investigate and respond promptly and equitably.
• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law requires colleges to publish more transparent hazing incident reports and strengthen prevention programs, increasing public accountability.

Where Coolidge Families Send Their Kids: Campus Hazing Hotspots

Families in Town of Coolidge and Limestone County have a wide range of higher education options. Students may stay close to home at nearby institutions or head to major Texas universities with robust—and sometimes risky—Greek and organizational life. Understanding the landscape of each campus is key.

Major Texas Universities for Coolidge Students

Baylor University (Waco, McLennan County)
Just over an hour northwest of Coolidge, Baylor is a common destination. A private Christian university with significant Greek life, its hazing challenges mirror national patterns. Baylor has faced high-profile scandals, including a baseball team hazing incident in 2020 that led to multiple player suspensions. Its Greek community includes chapters of nationally recognized fraternities and sororities with documented hazing histories. For a Coolidge student at Baylor, reporting channels go through Baylor’s Student Conduct Administration, but the private university’s internal processes can be less transparent than public institutions.

Texas A&M University (College Station, Brazos County)
As one of the nation’s largest universities, Texas A&M is a major draw. Its unique Corps of Cadets culture and massive Greek system present dual hazing risks. We are currently litigating issues stemming from Texas A&M. Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) at A&M faced a lawsuit after pledges suffered severe chemical burns from being doused with industrial-strength cleaner during hazing. Separately, a Corps of Cadets member filed a lawsuit alleging degrading hazing, including being bound in a “roasted pig” position. For Coolidge families, A&M’s sheer size can make navigating accountability complex, requiring attorneys familiar with its distinct systems.

University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Travis County)
UT Austin boasts perhaps the most transparent anti-hazing system in Texas, maintaining a public online log of hazing violations. This log shows recurring issues: Pi Kappa Alpha was sanctioned for forcing new members to consume milk and perform extreme calisthenics; other spirit groups have been disciplined for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing. This public record is a powerful tool for victims’ attorneys to establish a pattern of known, unaddressed problems. A student from Coolidge at UT would interact with the Office of the Dean of Students and UTPD, but the public nature of violations can add pressure on the university.

Other Regional and Statewide Options
Coolidge students also attend:

• Texas State University (San Marcos, Hays County)
• University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Belton, Bell County)
• Tarleton State University (Stephenville, Erath County)
• Community Colleges: Temple College, McLennan Community College.

Each campus has its own organizational ecosystem and reporting structures, but all are governed by Texas hazing law.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: A Web of Liability

When hazing occurs, it’s not just “a few bad apples.” There is often an ecosystem of organizations—local, national, and alumni—that enable, ignore, or tacitly endorse the behavior. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine allows us to map this ecosystem for any case. This directory, built from public IRS records, university data, and commercial databases, helps us identify every potentially liable entity.

For example, in the Leonel Bermudez UH case, the defendant list is extensive: 13 individual fraternity leaders, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter housing corporation (EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX), the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents. This multi-layered approach is necessary to secure full accountability and access insurance coverage.

The Greek Ecosystem in the Waco Metro & Central Texas

The Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes McLennan County and is relevant to many Coolidge families, hosts numerous Greek organizations. According to our Cause IQ data, there are approximately 27 Greek-related entities in this metro. These are recorded in public filings and include undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, and housing corporations.

A Sample of Publicly Listed Greek Organizations in the Region:

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – EIN 364091267, Waco, TX 76710 (Cause IQ: “Xi Chi”)
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Nu Iota Chapter (Baylor) – EIN 521346485, Waco, TX 76703
• Phi Gamma Delta – Tau Deuteron Chapter (Baylor) – Cause IQ listing, Waco, TX
• Kappa Kappa Gamma – Baylor House Board – Cause IQ listing, Waco, TX
• Baylor Panhellenic Alumnae Association – Cause IQ listing, Waco, TX

These are not accusations but illustrations of the documented network. When hazing occurs at a chapter at Baylor or another regional school, these connected entities—from the local house corporation to the national office—may share legal responsibility.

National Patterns: Why History Matters

The fraternity involved in the UH case, Pi Kappa Phi, has a national history that informs our litigation. In 2017, Andrew Coffey, a pledge at Florida State University, died from alcohol poisoning after a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother” night. This established a dangerous pattern within the national organization.

This is not unique. Other fraternities with chapters across Texas campuses also have documented, tragic histories:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Responsible for the death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University (2021), leading to a $10 million settlement.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Faced a traumatic brain injury lawsuit at the University of Alabama (2023) and the chemical burns lawsuit at Texas A&M.
• Phi Delta Theta: The death of Max Gruver at LSU (2017) led to Louisiana’ felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.”

In court, this pattern evidence is devastating. It shows that national headquarters were on notice about lethal traditions within their organizations yet failed to implement effective controls. For a family in Coolidge, this means your attorney must not only litigate the local incident but also leverage this national history to prove gross negligence.

Building a Hazing Case: The Attorney911 Advantage

At The Manginello Law Firm, we approach hazing cases with a distinct, three-part advantage: insider knowledge of insurance defense tactics, deep experience in complex institutional litigation, and a proprietary data-driven investigation strategy.

1. The Insurance Insider Perspective

Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense lawyer for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers fight claims: they delay, they undervalue, they exploit small mistakes, and they argue exclusions. Having Mr. Peña on your side means we anticipate and neutralize these tactics from day one. We understand the playbook because we used to run it.

2. Complex Litigation Experience Against Giants

Managing partner Ralph Manginello has taken on some of the largest institutional defendants in the country. Our firm was one of the few in Texas involved in the BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation—a case against a billion-dollar corporation that failed to protect people from known dangers. The parallel to suing a national fraternity or major university is exact: both have deep pockets, elite legal teams, and a strong interest in protecting their reputation over revealing the truth. We are not intimidated. We are prepared.

3. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine in Action

Our investigation begins where others stop. Using our proprietary database of over 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros, we immediately identify all connected entities. For a case involving a Coolidge student, we would:

• Map the Organizational Web: Identify the local chapter, its housing corporation (EIN, address), its alumni advisory board, and the national headquarters.
• Subpoena National Records: Demand prior incident reports, risk management files, and communications showing what the national organization knew about hazing risks.
• Leverage Public University Records: Use open records requests to obtain the university’s prior disciplinary history with the chapter, internal emails, and Clery Act reports.
• Conduct Digital Forensics: Recover deleted group chats, social media posts, and text messages that often contain the most damning evidence of planning and cover-ups.
• Partner with Leading Experts: We work with medical specialists (to document injuries like rhabdomyolysis), economists (to calculate lifelong damages), psychologists (to diagnose PTSD), and digital forensic analysts.

This comprehensive approach transforms a “he-said-she-said” incident into a winnable case of institutional negligence. We used this very strategy to build the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, ensuring we named every responsible party from the outset.

Practical Steps for Town of Coolidge Parents and Students

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Recognize the Signs: Unexplained injuries, severe fatigue, sudden secrecy, personality changes (anxiety, withdrawal), constant phone monitoring for group chats, and financial requests for unexplained “fines” or alcohol.
2. Initiate a Caring Conversation: “I’m worried about you. Is there anything happening in your [fraternity/sorority/team] that makes you feel unsafe or humiliated? You can tell me anything without judgment.”
3. In a Crisis, Act Decisively: If injured or intoxicated, call 911. Prioritize health over fear of “getting in trouble.”
4. Preserve Evidence Immediately: This is critical.
   • Screenshots: Capture full group chat threads with timestamps and names visible.
   • Photos: Document injuries, locations, and any objects used (paddles, bottles).
   • Medical Records: Go to the ER or a doctor. State clearly that the injuries are from hazing so it enters the medical record.
   • Written Timeline: Have your child write down everything they remember—dates, times, names, actions.
5. Report Strategically: File reports with both campus police (for university discipline) and local municipal police (for criminal investigation). Also report to the university’s Dean of Students office.
6. Consult an Attorney BEFORE Engaging with the Institution: Universities and fraternities have lawyers. You should too, before you give any formal statements or sign any agreements. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

For Students:

• Trust Your Instincts: If it feels dangerous, degrading, or coerced, it is hazing.
• Know Your Rights: In Texas, you cannot legally “consent” to hazing. Good-faith reporters who call for medical help are often protected from university sanctions.
• Preserve Evidence Secretly: Take screenshots, photos, and notes. Send them to a trusted friend or family member outside the organization as a backup.
• Have an Exit Plan: If you need to leave, do not go to a “final meeting.” Text the president or new member educator: “I am resigning my membership, effective immediately.” Your safety is paramount.

Critical Mistakes That Can Damage Your Case

• Deleting Evidence: “Cleaning up” group chats or social media looks like a cover-up and destroys your case.
• Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers their legal defense and evidence destruction.
• Signing University “Resolution” Forms: These often contain waivers that forfeit your right to sue.
• Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys will scour your posts for inconsistencies.
• Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses become uncooperative, and the statute of limitations ticks away. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit.

Why Town of Coolidge Families Choose Attorney911

When hazing shatters your family’s sense of security, you need advocates who combine legal precision with genuine compassion and relentless investigative power. At The Manginello Law Firm, operating as Attorney911 – The Legal Emergency Lawyers™, we are built for this exact fight.

We are a Texas-owned firm, founded and led by attorneys with deep roots in this state. Ralph Manginello moved to Texas as a child and has spent over 25 years in courtrooms fighting for victims against powerful opponents. Mr. Lupe Peña is a third-generation Texan whose background on the insurance defense side gives us an unbeatable strategic edge. We are not a national marketing firm; we are trial attorneys who prepare every case as if it’s going before a jury because that’s how you secure maximum accountability.

Our practice is built on contingency fees—you pay nothing unless we win your case. This allows families from Coolidge and all backgrounds to access the same high-caliber representation as the institutions they are up against. Furthermore, hablamos Español. Mr. Peña provides fluent Spanish-language legal services, ensuring Hispanic families in our community feel heard and understood.

The Leonel Bermudez case is active proof of our commitment. We are not just talking about hazing litigation; we are actively leading one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas. We understand the devastation, the medical complexities like rhabdomyolysis, the institutional stonewalling, and the path to justice.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If you are a parent, student, or witness in Town of Coolidge, Limestone County, or anywhere in Texas, and hazing has impacted your life, we are here to listen and to help.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. In this confidential consultation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have preserved.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas and federal law.
• Outline the investigation process and potential strategies.
• Answer all your questions about timelines, costs, and what to expect.

You do not have to navigate this crisis alone. Let us use our experience, our data-driven approach, and our unwavering commitment to justice to guide your family toward accountability and healing.

Call Attorney911 now: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).

Se habla Español. Contacte a Lupe Peña.

Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or form an attorney-client relationship. The law is complex and changes. Hazing cases depend on specific facts and evidence. If you believe you have a hazing claim, please contact our firm or another qualified attorney for a consultation regarding your specific situation.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources:

• Click2Houston coverage of the 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 the Bermudez lawsuit: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Attorney911 video on preserving evidence with your phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Attorney911 video on statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Attorney911 main website and contact: https://attorney911.com