The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits and Campus Accountability for City of Splendora, Montgomery County Families

If you’re a parent in the City of Splendora, you sent your child to college with dreams of their future. You trusted the university to keep them safe. What happens when that trust is shattered by a phone call in the middle of the night? When “tradition” becomes torture, and the very organizations meant to build community instead inflict lifelong trauma?

Right here in Texas, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and 13 fraternity leaders. The allegations are horrific: a “pledge fanny pack” containing humiliating items, forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and extreme workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park that led to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Bermudez passed brown urine and was hospitalized for four days. The chapter has been shut down, but the physical and psychological damage remains.

This isn’t an isolated incident in a distant state. This happened at the University of Houston, just an hour’s drive from Splendora. If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere Texas families send their children. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide—to arm Splendora parents with the knowledge they need to recognize hazing, understand their legal rights, and hold powerful institutions accountable when they fail to protect our children.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

• Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
• Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity/sorority
  • Sign anything from the university or insurance company
  • Post details on public social media
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours: Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses). Universities move quickly to control the narrative. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

For Splendora families unfamiliar with modern Greek life and campus organizations, hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypes of “harmless pranks” or “boys being boys.” Today’s hazing is sophisticated, often digital, and deliberately hidden from university oversight.

A 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 insight for Splendora parents: “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal. When there’s peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of social exclusion, what looks like “consent” is often coercion in disguise.

Main Categories of Hazing Affecting Texas Students

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most deadly form. It includes forced or coerced drinking during “Big/Little” nights, “bid acceptance” parties, drinking games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mean consumption, and chugging challenges. In the Bermudez case, forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns led to vomiting and immediate physical exertion.

Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, this now includes extreme calisthenics disguised as “workouts” (like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in the UH case), sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions,” food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme environments. The “hog-tying” of another Pi Kappa Phi pledge at UH shows how physical restraint remains part of the abuse.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. The “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms and sex toys in the UH case represents this category’s psychological warfare.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, forced confessions, and public shaming in meetings or on social media. The constant threats of expulsion for non-compliance in the UH case created a climate of fear.

Digital/Online Hazing
This is the newest frontier: group chat dares on GroupMe or Discord, “challenges” shared on Instagram or TikTok, pressure to create compromising content, and 24/7 availability demands through constant messaging. Platforms like Snapchat with disappearing messages make evidence collection particularly urgent.

Where Hazing Actually Happens in Texas

Splendora families should understand that hazing extends far beyond fraternity houses:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural groups)
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC at schools like Texas A&M
• Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs (Texas Cowboys, cheer teams)
• Athletic Teams from football to baseball
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups
• Some Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations

The common thread across all these groups is social status, tradition, and secrecy—a combination that keeps dangerous practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law: What Splendora Families Need to Know

Under Texas law—which governs cases involving Splendora residents—hazing is taken seriously with specific statutes designed to protect students and hold perpetrators accountable.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F

The 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.

Key Points for Splendora Parents:

• Location doesn’t matter—off-campus hazing at an Airbnb or private residence is still illegal
• The harm can be mental or physical
• “Reckless” conduct is enough—they don’t need to have intended harm
• § 37.155: Consent is NOT a defense—even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing

Criminal Penalties Under Texas Law

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
• Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death

Additionally, failing to report hazing (if you’re a member/officer and knew about it) and retaliating against someone who reports are also crimes.

Organizational Liability

Texas law allows organizations themselves to be prosecuted if they authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer/member acting officially knew about it and failed to report. Organizations can face fines up to $10,000 per violation, and universities can revoke recognition and ban them from campus.

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting

A person who in good faith reports a hazing incident to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the report. This is crucial for encouraging bystanders and victims to come forward without fear of repercussions.

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, manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: monetary compensation and accountability
• Focus on: negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring/supervision, premises liability, emotional distress

Both can run simultaneously, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. In fact, many hazing cases that don’t meet the high burden of criminal proof still result in substantial civil settlements.

Federal Overlay: Additional Protections

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

Title IX & Clery Act
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. The Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes—hazing often overlaps with assault or alcohol offenses that must be disclosed.

Who Can Be Liable in a Texas Hazing Lawsuit?

Understanding potential defendants is crucial for Splendora families considering legal action:

Individual Students
Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover them up. In the UH case, 13 individual fraternity leaders were named.

Local Chapter/Organization
The fraternity/sorority or club itself if it’s a legal entity. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation was sued alongside the chapter.

National Fraternity/Sorority
Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters is a defendant in the UH case, arguing they knew or should have known about the systemic hazing.

University or Governing Board
UH and the UH System Board of Regents are defendants, accused of owning/controlling the chapter house and failing to act despite knowledge of hazing. Public universities have some sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence.

Third Parties
Landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol (under Texas dram shop law), security companies, or event organizers.

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys know how to identify all potentially liable parties to ensure full accountability.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families

These national cases set precedents that Splendora families can rely on in Texas courts, showing patterns that repeat across campuses nationwide.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
A bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking led to fatal falls captured on chapter cameras. Help was delayed for hours. Dozens faced criminal charges, and Pennsylvania passed the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Takeaway for Splendora families: Extreme intoxication combined with delayed medical care creates devastating liability.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night, Foltz died from alcohol poisoning. Multiple convictions followed, with BGSU settling for nearly $3 million and additional settlements with the fraternity. Takeaway: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant drinking led to fatal alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%). Louisiana enacted the Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony. Takeaway: Legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of hazing.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
A blindfolded, weighted “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat caused fatal head injuries with delayed help. Multiple convictions followed, and the fraternity was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Takeaway for Splendora parents: Off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous as parties, and national organizations face serious sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program. Multiple lawsuits followed, the head coach was fired, and the case demonstrated that hazing extends beyond Greek life into big-money athletic programs.

What These Cases Mean for Splendora Families

Common threads emerge: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, and cover-ups. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements typically follow only after tragedy and litigation. Texas families facing hazing are not alone—they’re operating in a landscape shaped by these national lessons that show what’s possible when victims fight back.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: What Splendora Parents Should Know

Through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain comprehensive data on Greek organizations across the state. This investigative depth means we don’t start from zero when Splendora families come to us—we already understand the landscape.

The Houston Metro Greek Network Serving Splendora Families

The City of Splendora sits within Montgomery County, part of the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area. According to our analysis of IRS and Cause IQ data, this metro contains 188 Greek-related organizations, including undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, housing corporations, and honor societies.

Sample Organizations in the Houston Metro Relevant to Splendora Families:

• Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Houston, TX (alumni/house corp.)
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae Chapter – Houston, TX
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter – Houston, TX (grad chapter)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter – Houston, TX (undergrad chapter)
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity – Eta Rho Sigma Chapter – Houston, TX (grad chapter)

These organizations represent just a fraction of the structured Greek network that Splendora students may encounter. Each has legal standing, insurance coverage, and accountability structures that become critical in hazing litigation.

Where Splendora Families Send Their Children: Texas University Landscape

Splendora students attend universities across Texas, creating complex jurisdictional considerations for hazing cases. Major destinations include:

Nearby Institutions (Within 2 Hours):

• University of Houston (Houston, Harris County) – 1 hour drive
• Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, Walker County) – 45 minutes
• Texas A&M University (College Station, Brazos County) – 1.5 hours
• Lone Star College System (multiple campuses) – various distances

Major Texas Hubs (Common Destinations):

• University of Texas at Austin (Travis County)
• Texas State University (San Marcos, Hays County)
• Baylor University (Waco, McLennan County)
• Southern Methodist University (Dallas, Dallas County)
• Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Lubbock County)

This geographic spread means Splendora families might need to navigate multiple jurisdictions—campus police, local police, county courts, and potentially federal courts—when pursuing hazing claims.

Organizations Behind the Letters: The Hidden Structure

When your child joins “Pi Kappa Phi” or “Sigma Alpha Epsilon,” they’re not just joining a social club. They’re entering a complex organizational structure with multiple legal entities:

National Headquarters
Sets policies, collects dues, provides insurance, and theoretically supervises chapters. In the UH case, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters is being sued for failing to prevent known hazing patterns.

Housing Corporations
Separate legal entities that own chapter houses. The Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc. (EIN: 462267515, Frisco, TX) represents this structure.

Alumni Chapters
Maintain ongoing relationships and often influence chapter culture. The IRS shows numerous Texas-based alumni chapters for major fraternities.

University Recognition
Official campus recognition creates additional duties and potential liability for schools.

Our data engine tracks these entities so when Splendora families come to us, we already know the organizational landscape behind the Greek letters.

University of Houston: A Case Study in Hazing Failures

The Leonel Bermudez case at UH provides a sobering case study for Splendora families about how hazing happens, how institutions respond, and what legal recourse exists.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH’s large urban campus hosts active Greek life with multiple councils: Interfraternity Council (IFC), Houston Panhellenic Council, Multicultural Greek Council, United Greek Council, and National Pan-Hellenic Council (Divine Nine). With thousands of students participating, oversight challenges are significant.

The Bermudez Case: What Went Wrong

Timeline of Failure:

• Sept 16, 2025: Bermudez accepts bid to Pi Kappa Phi
• Sept-Oct: Systematic hazing begins with forced dress codes, overnight chauffeuring, and the humiliating “pledge fanny pack”
• Oct 13: Another pledge hog-tied face-down with object in mouth for over an hour
• Nov 3: Bermudez forced through 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats
• Nov 6: Pi Kappa Phi headquarters suspends chapter after receiving reports
• Nov 6-9: Bermudez’s condition deteriorates; hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure
• Nov 14: Chapter members vote to surrender charter; chapter closed

Institutional Response:
UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary measures up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement. However, the lawsuit alleges UH knew or should have known about systemic hazing and failed to intervene earlier.

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds for Splendora Families

If your child is hazed at UH, multiple agencies may be involved:

• UHPD for on-campus incidents
• Houston Police Department for off-campus locations
• Harris County District Attorney for criminal charges
• Harris County civil courts for lawsuits

The Bermudez case was filed in Harris County, demonstrating that local courts handle these matters even when students come from surrounding areas like Splendora.

What UH Students & Splendora Parents Should Do

1. Immediate Reporting: Contact UH Dean of Students Office, Office of Student Conduct, or UHPD
2. Medical Documentation: Go to Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center or other Houston hospitals—tell them you were hazed
3. Evidence Preservation: Houston’s hot, humid climate accelerates evidence degradation; preserve everything immediately
4. Legal Consultation: Contact a Houston-based hazing attorney familiar with Harris County courts and UH procedures

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

For Splendora families with children at Texas A&M, understanding both Greek life and Corps of Cadets hazing risks is essential.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M’s culture is defined by tradition, with both robust Greek life and the prominent Corps of Cadets creating overlapping hazing risks. The “Aggie Code of Honor” contrasts starkly with hidden abuse occurring within some organizations.

Documented Incidents

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)
Pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The fraternity was suspended for two years, and lawsuits sought over $1 million.

Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023)
A cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, with Texas A&M stating it handled the matter under its rules.

How Texas A&M Cases Proceed

Brazos County jurisdictions handle these cases, but Splendora families should note:

• Texas A&M University Police Department has primary jurisdiction on campus
• College Station Police Department handles off-campus incidents
• Brazos County courts hear both criminal and civil matters
• The University of Texas System’s legal team typically defends these cases aggressively

Special Considerations for Splendora Families

1. Corps vs. Greek Life: Different reporting chains and cultures require tailored approaches
2. Tradition Defense: Aggie traditions are often cited as justification; understanding how to counter this narrative is crucial
3. Medical Resources: Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in College Station is the primary treatment facility

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Patterns

UT Austin’s relatively transparent hazing violation database provides unique insights for Splendora families.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT hosts approximately 60 fraternity/sorority chapters alongside numerous spirit groups, athletic teams, and academic organizations. The university’s public hazing violations page offers more transparency than many peer institutions.

Documented Violations from UT’s Public Database

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023)
New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Found to be hazing; chapter placed on probation with required hazing-prevention education.

Texas Wranglers (Multiple Entries)
Spirit organization sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based practices across multiple years.

How UT Cases Proceed

Travis County’s legal environment is distinct:

• UT Police Department handles campus incidents
• Austin Police Department for off-campus locations
• Travis County courts are generally plaintiff-friendly in personal injury matters
• UT System’s legal resources are substantial but not unbeatable

UT’s Transparency Advantage for Splendora Families

The public violations database (hazing.utexas.edu) allows families to:

1. Check if an organization has prior violations
2. See patterns of repeated misconduct
3. Use public records to support negligence claims
4. Hold UT accountable for failing to act on known patterns

Southern Methodist University and Baylor University

While farther from Splendora, these institutions attract Texas students and present unique hazing challenges.

SMU: Affluent Greek Culture

SMU’s private status and affluent student body create distinct dynamics:

• Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended until around 2021
• Private University Dynamics: Less public transparency but potentially fewer sovereign immunity barriers

Baylor: Religious Identity and Scrutiny

Baylor’s religious identity intersects with hazing concerns:

• Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
• Historical Context: Previous sexual assault scandal informs current oversight approaches
• Waco Jurisdiction: McLennan County courts handle cases, with Baylor’s legal team drawing from experience with prior litigation

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Matter for Texas Cases

For Splendora families, understanding that local chapters are part of national organizations with documented hazing histories is crucial for building strong cases.

Why National Histories Matter in Court

When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that got another chapter shut down or sued in another state, that demonstrates foreseeability—the national organization knew or should have known this could happen. This supports negligence claims and can justify punitive damages.

Major Organizations with Documented Patterns

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

• Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State University, 2021 – forced drinking death, $10M+ settlements
• David Bogenberger: Northern Illinois University, 2012 – alcohol poisoning death, $14M settlement
• Pattern: “Big/Little” drinking nights, forced alcohol consumption

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

• Traumatic Brain Injury Case: University of Alabama, ongoing
• Chemical Burns Case: Texas A&M, 2021 – industrial cleaner causing skin grafts
• Assault Case: UT Austin, 2024 – exchange student with multiple fractures
• Pattern: Physical violence combined with substance abuse

Pi Kappa Phi

• Andrew Coffey: Florida State University, 2017 – “Big Brother Night” alcohol death
• Leonel Bermudez: University of Houston, 2025 – rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme workouts
• Pattern: Physical endurance tests combined with forced consumption

How We Use National Patterns in Texas Cases

In the Bermudez lawsuit, we’re arguing that Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters had constructive notice of hazing risks based on:

1. Prior incidents at other chapters
2. Industry-wide knowledge of “workout” hazing dangers
3. Their own risk management materials acknowledging these risks

This approach applies equally whether we’re representing Splendora families in cases against Pike, SAE, or any other national organization with documented patterns.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy for Splendora Families

When hazing affects your family, understanding the legal process helps manage expectations and make informed decisions.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Communications (Most Important)

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage threads showing planning, coordination, and boasting
• Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages (screenshot before they disappear)
• Discord servers, fraternity-specific apps
• Digital forensics can recover deleted messages, but original screenshots are strongest

Photos & Videos

• Content filmed during events (often shared in group chats)
• Security camera footage from houses, Ring doorbells
• Social media posts/stories documenting activities

Internal Organization Documents

• Pledge manuals, initiation scripts
• Emails/texts from officers about traditions
• National policies showing what should have been prevented

University Records

• Prior conduct files (obtainable via discovery)
• Incident reports to campus police
• Clery Act reports showing pattern of violence

Medical & Psychological Records

• ER/hospitalization records (crucial for rhabdomyolysis cases like Bermudez’s)
• Surgical and rehabilitation notes
• Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety
• Tell medical providers you were hazed—this creates crucial documentation

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable)

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost earnings/educational impact (missed semesters, delayed graduation)
• Future care costs (for permanent injuries like kidney damage or PTSD)

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages (When Applicable)

• Funeral/burial costs
• Loss of companionship and financial support
• Emotional harm to family members

Punitive Damages

• Available for especially reckless or malicious conduct
• Requires showing prior warnings were ignored or cover-up attempts

The Role of Insurance Coverage

National fraternities and universities carry insurance that often becomes central to cases:

• Insurers may argue hazing is excluded as “intentional conduct”
• We counter that negligent supervision is covered
• Multiple policies may apply (chapter, national, university, individual homeowners)
• Our experience as former insurance defense attorneys gives us unique insight into these battles

Practical Guides & FAQs for Splendora Families

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

• Unexplained injuries with inconsistent explanations
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities
• Personality changes: anxiety, withdrawal, irritability
• Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
• Financial red flags (unexpected large expenses)

How to Talk to Your Child

1. “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
2. “Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
3. “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
4. Listen without judgment—if they open up, don’t react with anger

If You Suspect Hazing

1. Prioritize safety: If in danger, call 911
2. Document everything: Write down what they tell you with dates
3. Preserve evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries
4. Medical attention: Even if they resist, medical records create crucial evidence
5. Legal consultation: Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 before confronting anyone

For Students: Rights & Safety

Is This Hazing?
Ask yourself:

• Am I being pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
• Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
• Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would my parents/university approve if they knew?
• Am I being told to keep secrets?

If You Want to Quit/De-Pledge

• You have the legal right to leave at any time
• Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
• Send a written resignation to chapter leadership
• Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur

Evidence Collection

1. Screenshot ALL group chats with timestamps visible
2. Photograph injuries immediately and over several days
3. Save physical items (clothing, objects used)
4. Record conversations if safe (Texas is one-party consent)
5. Do NOT delete anything, no matter how embarrassing

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Evidence Be Destroyed
What seems helpful (“I’ll clean up these embarrassing messages”) actually destroys your case. Preserve everything immediately.

2. Confronting the Organization Directly
This prompts them to lawyer up, destroy evidence, and coach witnesses. Let your attorney handle all communication.

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms
Universities often pressure families to sign waivers or accept internal resolutions that preclude real accountability. Never sign without attorney review.

4. Posting on Social Media
Defense attorneys monitor everything. Inconsistencies hurt credibility, and you might waive legal privileges.

5. Waiting for University Investigations
Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitations run. University process ≠ real accountability.

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters
Recorded statements are used against you. Early settlement offers are lowballs. “My attorney will contact you” is the only correct response.

Hazing FAQ for Splendora Families

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

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

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Texas Education Code § 37.155: Consent is NOT a defense. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and power imbalance isn’t voluntary.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from injury or death in Texas, but the discovery rule may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately known. In cover-up cases, the statute may be tolled. Time is critical—call immediately.

“What if it happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Major cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, Sigma Pi unofficial house) occurred off-campus with substantial judgments.

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize privacy while pursuing accountability through sealed records and confidential settlements when possible.

About The Manginello Law Firm: Why Choose Us for Texas Hazing Cases

When your Splendora 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.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims, their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions
Our involvement in BP Texas City explosion litigation proves we’re built for complex, resource-intensive cases against billion-dollar defendants. We’re not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams. We’ve taken on corporations with unlimited legal budgets and won.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, working with economists to value lifetime care needs and future earning capacity. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force real accountability.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise
Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure and navigate parallel proceedings.

Investigative Depth
Our network includes medical experts, digital forensics specialists, economists, and psychologists. We know how to obtain hidden evidence: deleted group chats, chapter records, university files that “disappear.” We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

Serving Splendora and All of Texas

From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Splendora in Montgomery County and surrounding communities. We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families across our state, and we’ve built our practice to handle cases wherever they occur.

Spanish-Language Services Available
Hablamos Español. Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

Your Next Steps: Contact Us for a Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your Splendora family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions involved have teams of lawyers. You deserve experienced advocates who will fight just as hard for you.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

1. We’ll listen to your story without judgment
2. Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
3. Explain your legal options clearly: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
4. Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
5. Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
6. No pressure to hire us on the spot—take time to decide with your family
7. Everything you tell us is confidential

Contact The Manginello Law Firm 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 or lupe@atty911.com

We serve families throughout Texas, including Splendora, Conroe, The Woodlands, Houston, and all surrounding communities. If your child has been hazed at any Texas campus—whether it’s UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor, or elsewhere—we have the experience and resources to help you seek justice and prevent this from happening to another family.

Call us today. Let’s start the conversation about holding the right people accountable and getting your family the answers you deserve.

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