The Complete Guide to Hazing Incidents, Lawsuits, and Legal Rights for Rockdale, Texas Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You’re Not Alone

For parents in Rockdale, Rockdale County, and across Central Texas, the nightmare often begins with a late-night phone call or a text message that doesn’t sound quite right. Your student—who left home for the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or another Texas campus—is suddenly exhausted, secretive, or injured. They brush it off as “just part of pledging” or “team bonding,” but your instincts tell you something is dangerously wrong.

Right now, less than two hours from Rockdale in Houston, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. In November 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge. The lawsuit details systematic abuse that left him with rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and a four-day hospitalization—injuries so severe his urine turned brown from muscle tissue breakdown. This is happening now, at a major Texas public university. It’s proof that the brutal, degrading practices many parents think ended decades ago are not only continuing but evolving into more dangerous forms.

If you are a parent in Rockdale, Milano, or anywhere in Milam County whose child has been hurt in connection with fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, athletics, or campus organizations, this guide is for you. It explains what modern hazing really looks like, your legal rights under Texas law, the patterns we see across Texas campuses, and what experienced hazing attorneys can do to protect your child and hold every responsible party 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, 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 in Texas

Modern hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypes of “hell week” or simple pranks. For Rockdale families with students at Texas universities, understanding what actually constitutes hazing is the first step toward recognizing danger and taking action.

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, or exploits. The critical legal principle that every Rockdale parent should understand is this: “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

Main Categories of Hazing on Texas Campuses

Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the most common and deadliest form. It includes forced or coerced drinking during “bid acceptance” nights, “big/little” events, or drinking games like “Bible study” where incorrect answers mean consumption. In the Leonel Bermudez UH case, pledges were forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediately forced to sprint—a dangerous practice that contributed to his kidney failure.

Physical Hazing: This includes paddling, beatings, and extreme physical exertion disguised as “workouts” or “conditioning.” At UH’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter, Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour. These aren’t workouts—they’re dangerous punishments.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. The “pledge fanny pack” requirement in the UH case—forcing pledges to carry condoms, sex toys, and humiliating items 24/7—is a classic example of psychological humiliation hazing.

Psychological Hazing: Verbal abuse, threats, social isolation, and public shaming. Many Rockdale students experience this through constant “interviews,” mandatory chauffeuring of older members at all hours, and threats of expulsion for minor infractions.

Digital/Online Hazing: The newest frontier includes group chat dares, social media humiliation via Instagram or TikTok, and pressure to create compromising content. Many chapters now use apps like GroupMe to issue 24/7 demands and monitor compliance through location sharing.

Where Hazing Actually Happens in Texas

Hazing isn’t limited to fraternity houses. Rockdale students face risks in:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural groups)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups (especially at Texas A&M)
Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading)
Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs (like Texas Cowboys at UT)
Marching Bands and Performance Groups
Some Academic and Service Organizations

The common threads are social status, tradition, and secrecy—elements that keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law and Liability Framework: What Rockdale Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws governing hazing, and understanding them is crucial for Rockdale families seeking accountability and justice.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F (Hazing)

Texas law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

In plain English for Rockdale parents: If someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they meant to do it or were reckless about the risk, that’s hazing under Texas law.

Key points that protect Rockdale families:

Location doesn’t matter – it can happen on or off campus
Both mental and physical harm are covered
“Reckless” is enough – they don’t need malicious intent
“Consent is not a defense” – Even if your child said “yes,” it’s still hazing

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (prosecutor)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, or manslaughter in fatal cases
Penalties escalate: Class B misdemeanor (default) to State Jail Felony if serious bodily injury or death occurs

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
Focus on: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
Critical point: A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case

Both types can run side-by-side, giving Rockdale families multiple paths to accountability.

Federal Overlay: Additional Protections

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently, strengthen prevention, and maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026).

Title IX / Clery Act: When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. Clery requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Rockdale families should understand that multiple parties can share responsibility:

Individual Students: Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if a legal entity)
National Fraternity/Sorority: Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
University or Governing Board: The school may be sued under negligence or civil-rights theories
Third Parties: Landlords, bar owners, security companies, event organizers

In our UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we named 17 defendants: UH, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national HQ, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. This comprehensive approach ensures every responsible party is held accountable.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Rockdale Families

The tragic cases that make national headlines establish patterns and legal precedents that directly impact how Texas handles hazing. These cases show why universities and fraternities can’t claim “we didn’t know this could happen.”

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): The 20-year-old pledge was forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night and died from alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in $10 million in settlements ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU) and multiple criminal convictions. For Rockdale families, this shows that forced drinking rituals continue despite national “awareness.”

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): The pledge died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%) after a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. This led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony. The pattern: formulaic drinking games are predictable and preventable.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Another “Big Brother Night” tragedy where pledges were given handles of hard liquor. This resulted in FSU temporarily suspending all Greek life. The takeaway for Rockdale: the same national organizations operate at Texas schools.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): The pledge died from traumatic brain injury after a violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. This proves national organizations face serious consequences for ritual violence.

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the program. Multiple lawsuits led to the head coach’s firing and confidential settlements. This demonstrates hazing extends beyond Greek life to big-money athletic programs.

What These Cases Mean for Rockdale Families

The common threads—forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups—repeat across the country. When these patterns appear at Texas schools, they’re not “isolated incidents” but part of a national problem that organizations have failed to fix. The multi-million-dollar settlements establish what cases are worth and show that juries hold institutions accountable.

Texas Focus: Where Rockdale Students Attend College

Rockdale families send their children to universities throughout Texas. Understanding the specific environments and histories at these schools is crucial for recognizing risks and pursuing accountability.

University of Houston: The Active Case in Our Backyard

For Rockdale Families: Located just 90 minutes from Rockdale, UH is where we’re currently fighting the Leonel Bermudez case. This makes UH’s hazing environment particularly relevant for Central Texas families.

Campus & Culture Snapshot: Large urban campus with active Greek life spanning IFC fraternities, Panhellenic sororities, NPHC (Divine Nine), and multicultural groups. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter where Bermudez was hazed operated until its November 2025 suspension and charter surrender.

Official Hazing Policy & Response: UH prohibits hazing on and off campus and provides reporting through the Dean of Students and campus police. Following the Pi Kappa Phi incident, UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary measures up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement.

Selected Documented Incidents:

2016 Pi Kappa Alpha Case: Pledges allegedly deprived of food, water, and sleep; one suffered a lacerated spleen. Chapter faced misdemeanor charges and suspension.
2025 Pi Kappa Phi Case: The active $10M lawsuit involving forced consumption, extreme workouts, humiliation, and kidney failure.

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds: Investigations may involve UHPD and Houston Police. Civil suits typically file in Harris County courts. The university’s prior knowledge of incidents becomes crucial evidence.

What UH Students & Rockdale Parents Should Do:

Report to UH Dean of Students Office immediately
Preserve all digital evidence before UH investigates
Understand that UH’s response to the Pi Kappa Phi case sets a precedent for how they handle serious hazing
Contact experienced counsel familiar with Houston courts and UH procedures

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

For Rockdale Families: Located about 70 miles from Rockdale, Texas A&M’s unique Corps of Cadets culture presents specific hazing risks that Rockdale parents should understand.

Campus & Culture Snapshot: Strong tradition-heavy environment with both Greek life and Corps organizations. The “Texas A&M way” sometimes bypasses standard oversight.

Documented Incidents:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges allegedly had industrial-strength cleaner poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended for two years.
Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound in “roasted pig” position. Sought over $1 million in damages.
Texas A&M University-Central Texas: Located in nearby Killeen, this campus also has Greek life that Rockdale students may participate in.

How Texas A&M Handles Hazing: Through Student Conduct and Corps-specific regulations. Civil cases often focus on both Greek life and Corps traditions.

What Texas A&M Students & Rockdale Parents Should Know:

Corps hazing often follows military-style traditions with unique risks
The university’s response to SAE chemical burns shows they will suspend chapters for serious incidents
Evidence preservation is critical as traditions are often passed down verbally

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Patterns

For Rockdale Families: UT Austin attracts students from across Texas, including Rockdale. Its public hazing violations database provides unique transparency.

Campus & Culture Snapshot: Approximately 60 fraternity/sorority chapters plus spirit groups like Texas Cowboys. UT publishes hazing violations publicly—a resource Rockdale parents should check.

Public Hazing Violations Include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Chapter placed on probation.
Multiple Spirit Groups: Sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, or punishment-based practices.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted at party, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. Chapter already under suspension for prior violations.

UT’s Transparency Advantage: The public violations log at hazing.utexas.edu allows Rockdale families to check organizations’ histories before their children join.

What UT Students & Rockdale Parents Should Do:

Check the public violations database for any group your child considers joining
Report through UT’s Dean of Students Office, which has demonstrated willingness to sanction organizations
Understand that prior violations on UT’s log strongly support civil cases by showing patterns

Southern Methodist University and Baylor University

For Rockdale Families: While farther from Rockdale, SMU and Baylor attract Texas students and have documented hazing issues.

SMU’s Documented Incidents: Kappa Alpha Order chapter suspended in 2017 for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation. As a private university, SMU has less public transparency but can be compelled through discovery in lawsuits.

Baylor’s History: Beyond the well-publicized football scandal, Baylor baseball faced 2020 hazing allegations resulting in 14 player suspensions. The university’s religious identity doesn’t exempt it from hazing liability.

Key Takeaway for Rockdale Families: The same national organizations operate at all these schools. Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta—these groups have chapters across Texas, meaning their national histories of hazing deaths and injuries are relevant wherever your child attends.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Rockdale Families

As part of our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain comprehensive data on Greek organizations across Texas. This directory shows the complex network of entities that may share liability in hazing cases. For Rockdale families, understanding this landscape is crucial when seeking accountability.

Why This Directory Matters to Rockdale Parents

If your child was hazed at a Texas university, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. These are not just student clubs—they’re often backed by national corporations, housing entities, alumni groups, and insurance policies. Our directory, built from IRS filings, university records, and public databases, helps us identify every potentially liable party from day one.

Central Texas & Regional Greek Organizations

Rockdale students often join organizations with regional presence. Here are examples from public records:

Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc (EIN 273662583) – Lufkin, TX 75904
Alpha Tau Omega Housing Corporation of Eta Iota Chapter (EIN 300517788) – Nacogdoches, TX 75965
Delta Alpha Sigma Multicultural Sorority (EIN 364806998) – Dallas, TX 75222
Sigma Phi Lambda Inc (EIN 201237505) – Corinth, TX 76210 (Beta Chapter)
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (EIN 263170920) – Denton, TX 76204 (Texas Woman’s University chapter)

Major University Greek Entities Rockdale Students Encounter

When Rockdale students attend Texas A&M, UT Austin, UH, or other major schools, they interact with organizations like:

Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc (EIN 741380362) – Fort Worth, TX 76147
Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515) – Frisco, TX 75035 (relevant to UH case)
Chi Omega Fraternity (EIN 740555581) – Austin, TX 78705 (house corporation)
Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN 746084905) – Houston, TX 77204
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (EIN 900293166) – College Station, TX 77843 (Texas A&M University chapter)

Texas-Wide Snapshot: The Scale of Greek Life

Our data tracks 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros, including:

510 in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro
188 in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro
154 in Austin-Round Rock metro
86 in San Antonio metro
59 in Lubbock metro
42 in College Station-Bryan metro

For Rockdale families, this scale matters because it shows how the same national brands appear across Texas campuses. The Pi Kappa Phi national involved in the UH case also has chapters at other Texas schools. The patterns repeat because the organizations are connected.

What This Means for Your Case

When we take a hazing case for a Rockdale family, we don’t start from zero. We already know how to:

Identify the housing corporation behind a chapter house
Locate the alumni association that may control funds
Find the national organization’s Texas-registered entities
Uncover insurance policies and assets

This investigative head start is crucial because evidence disappears quickly in hazing cases. While other firms are figuring out who to sue, we’re already serving discovery requests.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

The national organizations present at Texas universities have extensive hazing histories that establish “foreseeability”—the legal concept that they knew or should have known their chapters were likely to engage in dangerous conduct.

Why National Histories Matter for Rockdale Families

When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that got another chapter shut down or sued in another state, that shows the national organization failed to prevent predictable harm. This can support claims for punitive damages and defeat defenses like “this was a rogue chapter” or “we didn’t know this could happen.”

Organization Mapping: National Patterns at Texas Schools

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike):

National History: Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green ($10M settlement), David Bogenberger death at Northern Illinois ($14M settlement), multiple other fatalities
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, Baylor, Texas State
Rockdale Relevance: The same “Big/Little” drinking rituals that killed Stone Foltz occur at Texas chapters

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE):

National History: Carson Starkey death at Cal Poly, traumatic brain injury lawsuit at Alabama, multiple criminal hazing cases
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, with documented incidents at Texas A&M (chemical burns) and UT (assault lawsuit)
Rockdale Relevance: SAE’s national “hazing problem” is so well-documented they eliminated pledging nationwide in 2014—yet incidents continue

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

National History: Max Gruver death at LSU leading to Louisiana felony hazing law
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, Texas Tech
Rockdale Relevance: The “Bible study” drinking game that killed Gruver is a known ritual

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

National History: Andrew Coffey death at Florida State
Texas Presence: Chapter at UH (now closed after Bermudez case), other Texas chapters
Rockdale Relevance: Our active UH lawsuit demonstrates this national’s ongoing hazing issues

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ):

National History: Multiple hazing suspensions including SMU chapter in 2017
Texas Presence: Chapters at Texas A&M, Texas Tech, SMU
Rockdale Relevance: Paddling and forced drinking traditions continue despite suspensions

The Legal Impact of Pattern Evidence

In court, we use these national histories to show:

Foreseeability: The national organization knew certain rituals were dangerous
Inadequate Response: Their “anti-hazing” policies weren’t effectively enforced
Punitive Damages Grounds: Their reckless disregard for student safety warrants punishment

For Rockdale families, this means your case isn’t just about one incident—it’s part of a national pattern that strengthens your claim for full accountability.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy for Rockdale Families

When a Rockdale student is hazed, building a strong case requires immediate action, strategic evidence collection, and understanding what damages are recoverable under Texas law.

Evidence: The Foundation of Every Case

Digital Communications (Most Critical):

Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity apps
Social Media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook messages
Deleted Messages: Digital forensics can often recover “disappearing” messages
Location Data: Geo-tags, Find My Friends sharing, venue check-ins

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, group chats revealed the “pledge fanny pack” rules, assignment of driving duties, and planning of hazing events. These digital trails are often the most compelling evidence.

Photos & Videos:

Injury documentation (immediate and over several days)
Event footage from members’ phones
Security camera footage from houses and venues
Social media posts showing hazing activities

Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts
Chapter meeting minutes
Emails between officers and nationals
Risk management policies (that weren’t followed)

University Records:

Prior conduct files on the same organization
Incident reports to campus police
Clery Act reports
Internal emails among administrators

Medical & Psychological Records:

ER and hospitalization records
Toxicology reports
Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety
Specialist reports for ongoing treatment

Damages: What Rockdale Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical Expenses: Past and future care, including hospitalization, surgery, therapy, medications
Lost Income/Earning Capacity: Missed semesters, delayed graduation, reduced future earnings for permanent injuries
Educational Costs: Tuition for withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships, transfer expenses

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical Pain & Suffering: From injuries and ongoing conditions
Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in college experiences
Reputational Harm: Social stigma and digital footprint

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of financial support and companionship
Emotional harm to parents and siblings
In Texas, certain family members can bring claims (spouse, children, parents)

Punitive Damages (when conduct is egregious):

To punish reckless or malicious conduct
To deter future hazing
Available in Texas for gross negligence or intentional acts

How Recovery Works in Practice

Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. Settlements typically cover:

Immediate needs: Medical bills, funeral costs, lost income
Long-term care: Future medical needs, therapy, life care plans
Educational continuity: Transfer costs, degree completion
Accountability measures: Sometimes include institutional reforms

The landmark cases establish value ranges:

Death cases: $1M-$14M (Foltz $10M, Bogenberger $14M, Gruver $6.1M verdict)
Severe injury cases: $375K-multi-million (Santulli brain injury: settlements with 22 defendants)
Individual officer liability: Pi Kappa Alpha president personally ordered to pay $6.5M

Insurance Coverage Strategies

Fraternities and universities have insurance policies that often try to deny coverage for hazing as “intentional acts.” Our experience with insurance law helps us:

Identify all potential policies (national, local, university, individual)
Navigate coverage exclusions and arguments
Pursue bad faith claims when insurers wrongfully deny claims
Maximize recovery within policy limits

Practical Guides & FAQs for Rockdale Families

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Rockdale Student May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities (“I can’t talk about it”)
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability, withdrawal
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring with anxiety about missing messages
Grades dropping suddenly or missing classes for “mandatory” events
Financial changes: unexpected expenses, requests for money without clear reasons

How to Talk to Your Child:

Ask open questions: “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
Express concern without judgment: “Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
Listen for cues: “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you wish you didn’t have to do?”
Prioritize safety: “Have you seen anyone get hurt, or have you been hurt?”

If You Suspect Hazing:

Immediate safety: If in physical danger, call 911 or campus police
Medical attention: Get them evaluated even if they insist they’re “fine”
Document everything: Write down what they tell you with dates/times
Preserve evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries, save physical items
Report strategically: Contact Dean of Students, campus police, or local police
Legal consultation: Contact experienced hazing attorneys before making decisions

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would my parents or the university approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about activities?

How to Exit Safely:

You have the legal right to leave at any time
Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
Send a written resignation: “I am resigning my membership effective immediately”
Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
If threatened, report to campus police and seek a protective order

Evidence Collection for Students:

Screenshots: Capture full group chats with timestamps and sender names
Photos/Videos: Injuries, locations, objects used in hazing
Medical documentation: Tell providers you were hazed so it’s in records
Witness information: Names/contacts of others who saw what happened
Save everything: Don’t delete anything, no matter how embarrassing

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages

What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
Why it’s wrong: Looks like obstruction of justice; makes case nearly impossible
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 immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
What to do instead: Document everything, call a lawyer first

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms

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

4. Posting 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; let your lawyer control messaging

5. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”

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

Short FAQ for Rockdale Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some 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.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default, but becomes a state jail felony if the 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 that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and fear of exclusion isn’t true voluntary consent.

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

“What if the 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, and knowledge. Many major 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.

Why Attorney911 for Rockdale Hazing Cases

When your Rockdale family faces a hazing case, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Rockdale, Milam County, and all of Central Texas.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):

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

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello):

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

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience:

Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases
Experience valuing lifetime care needs (brain injury, permanent disability)
Economist collaboration for accurate damage calculation
“We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.”

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:

Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure
Experience with both sides of the courtroom

Investigative Depth:

Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists, Greek life culture experts
Experience obtaining hidden evidence (group chats, chapter records, university files)
Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine with 1,423 organizations tracked
“We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

Spanish-Language Services:

Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish
Servicios legales en español disponibles
Consultation and representation for Hispanic families

How We Apply This to Your Rockdale Case

Immediate Evidence Preservation:
While other firms are getting organized, we’re:

Securing digital forensics to recover deleted messages
Issuing preservation letters to prevent evidence destruction
Contacting witnesses before they’re coached
Obtaining medical records and expert reviews

Comprehensive Defendant Identification:
We don’t just sue the obvious parties. Using our Texas data engine, we identify:

National headquarters and their Texas entities
Housing corporations and alumni associations
Individual officers with personal liability
University departments with prior knowledge
Third-party premises owners and alcohol providers

Strategic Use of National Patterns:
We leverage organizations’ own histories against them:

Prior incidents at other chapters show foreseeability
Inadequate responses to warnings show negligence
Pattern evidence supports punitive damages
National policies they failed to enforce become evidence against them

The Attorney911 Difference for Rockdale Families

We understand that hazing cases are different. They involve:

Young victims traumatized by their peers
Powerful institutions with unlimited legal budgets
Complex group dynamics and cover-up mentalities
Digital evidence that disappears within days
Insurance companies looking for any reason to deny claims
Universities balancing accountability with reputation protection
Families needing both compensation and closure

Our approach is built for these challenges:

Empathy first: We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face
Aggressive investigation: We follow the evidence wherever it leads
Strategic patience: We build cases that force favorable settlements or win at trial
Total transparency: We keep you informed at every stage
No fee unless we win: Contingency fee basis means you pay nothing upfront

Call to Action for Rockdale Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether it’s the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any other school—we want to hear from you. Families in Rockdale, Cameron, Thorndale, and throughout Milam County have the right to answers and accountability.

Your Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll:

Listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
Answer your questions about costs (we work on contingency—no fee unless we win)
Give you space to decide—no pressure to hire us on the spot

Everything you tell us is confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege.

Contact Attorney911 Today

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com (Ralph Manginello)
Spanish Services: lupe@atty911.com (Mr. Lupe Peña)

Hablamos Español – Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish.

What to Expect When You Call

When you call Attorney911, you’ll speak directly with our team, not a call center. We understand the urgency of hazing cases and will:

Provide immediate guidance on evidence preservation
Schedule a confidential consultation at your convenience
Explain how we’ve handled cases like yours (including our active UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit)
Discuss the investigation process and realistic outcomes
Give you honest advice about your best path forward

Serving Rockdale and All of Texas

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Rockdale and Milam County. We’re familiar with the courts, procedures, and institutions across our state. Whether you’re in Rockdale 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. Let us help you get answers, hold the right people accountable, and prevent this from happening to another family.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

NEWS COVERAGE OF THE LEONEL BERMUDEZ / UH PI KAPPA PHI HAZING LAWSUIT

1. Click2Houston (KPRC 2) — “‘Urine was brown’: Pledge sues over severe hazing at University of Houston’s shut down Pi Kappa Phi fraternity”
Published: November 21, 2025 | Authors: Bryce Newberry & Holly Galvan Posey
Key Content: Exclusive investigation detailing hazing locations, “pledge fanny pack” humiliation, physical abuse, medical findings of rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, and UH’s response.
URL: 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/

2. ABC13 Eyewitness News (KTRK) — “Waterboarding, forced eating, physical punishment: Lawsuit alleges abuse faced by injured pledge at UH’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity”
Published: November 22, 2025 | Author: Nick Natario
Key Content: Detailed timeline of hazing events from September through November 2025, descriptions of “waterboarding” tactics, forced consumption rituals, and medical emergency.
URL: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

3. Hoodline — “University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Face $10M Lawsuit Over Alleged Hazing and Abuse”
Published: November 22, 2025 | Author: Alyssa Ford
Key Content: Emphasizes the $10 million damage demand, confirms chapter suspension and charter surrender, summarizes allegations and medical harm.
URL: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

ATTORNEY911 EDUCATIONAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS

4. “📱 Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case? | Attorney911 Explains”
Content: How to properly use your smartphone to document evidence after an injury or hazing incident.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

5. “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case? | Attorney911 with Injury Lawyer Ralph Manginello”
Content: Explains Texas statutes of limitations for personal injury cases, including hazing.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

6. “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case | Attorney911 with Ralph Manginello”
Content: Identifies common mistakes that can damage personal injury claims, critical for hazing victims.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

7. “📢 How Do Contingency Fees Work? Injury Lawyer Explains!”
Content: Explains the contingency fee model—no upfront costs, no fee unless the firm wins.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

ATTORNEY911 MAIN WEBSITE

8. Attorney911 — Main Website & Contact
Content: Full-service Texas personal injury and criminal defense law firm handling hazing litigation, wrongful death, catastrophic injury, and complex institutional cases.
URL: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

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

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

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

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com