The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Resource for Angus Families

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

As a parent in Angus, Navarro County, your worst nightmare might begin with a late-night phone call from a Texas campus. Your child’s voice is strained. They mention “mandatory” events, unexplained injuries, or overwhelming pressure to prove their loyalty to a fraternity, sorority, Corps of Cadets unit, or athletic team. The details are vague because they’ve been told to keep secrets. You feel a knot of fear—this isn’t the college experience you envisioned for them. Right now, just a few hours from Angus in Houston, a case is unfolding that proves how serious and dangerous campus hazing remains. We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, and 13 individual members after he suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure from brutal hazing rituals. This is happening in Texas, to Texas families, right now.

This guide is for you—parents and families in Angus, Corsicana, and across Navarro County who need to understand the reality of hazing, your legal rights, and how to protect your child. We’ll explain what hazing looks like today, break down Texas law, examine patterns at universities like Texas A&M and UT Austin, and show you how experienced legal counsel can fight for accountability and justice.

Immediate Help for a Hazing Crisis

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate legal guidance.

In the First 48 Hours:

• Seek Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” have them evaluated. Internal injuries like rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) may not be immediately obvious.
• Preserve Evidence BEFORE It Disappears:
  • Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, texts), social media posts, and DMs immediately.
  • Photograph any visible injuries from multiple angles.
  • Save any physical items (clothing, paddles, receipts).
• Document Everything: Write down who, what, when, and where while memories are fresh.
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
  • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” their phone.
  • Post details on public social media.

Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Evidence vanishes quickly. Universities and organizations move fast to control narratives. We can help you preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights from the start. Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: It’s Not Just “Boys Will Be Boys”

Hazing is not a harmless rite of passage. It is a calculated pattern of coercion and abuse that endangers lives. Modern hazing takes many forms, often disguised as “team building,” “tradition,” or “bonding.”

The Three Tiers of Hazing

1. Subtle Hazing: Behaviors that emphasize power imbalance and create psychological harm. This includes forced servitude (being an on-call driver, cleaning members’ rooms), social isolation, being assigned degrading nicknames, and mandatory events that interfere with sleep or academics.
2. Harassment Hazing: Actions that cause emotional or physical discomfort. This includes verbal abuse, sleep deprivation, being forced to consume unpleasant substances (spoiled food, excessive amounts of milk or hot dogs), and forced calisthenics (“smokings”) beyond safe limits.
3. Violent Hazing: Activities with a high potential for serious injury or death. This includes forced alcohol consumption (“lineups,” “family tree” drinking games), physical beatings or paddling, dangerous physical tests (“glass ceiling” tackles), sexualized acts, and exposure to extreme elements.

The Modern Hazing Playbook

Today’s hazing is digitally coordinated and deliberately hidden:

• 24/7 Digital Control: Pledges are monitored via GroupMe or WhatsApp, required to respond instantly at all hours, and tracked via location-sharing apps.
• “Retreat” Hazing: Activities move to off-campus Airbnbs, rural properties, or members’ family homes to avoid university oversight and security cameras.
• Social Media Humiliation: Pledges may be forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok or Instagram as part of “challenges.”
• The “It’s Optional” Loophole: Events are framed as voluntary to create legal cover, but refusal means social exclusion and denial of full membership.

The Leonel Bermudez case at UH is a tragic textbook example. His hazing involved a mandatory “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, enforced dress codes, overnight chauffeuring duties, and extreme physical abuse. This culminated in a November 3rd “workout” where he was forced to do over 100 push-ups and 500 squats. He developed rhabdomyolysis, passed brown urine, and was hospitalized for four days with acute kidney failure. This is what hazing looks like now.

Texas Law & Liability: Your Legal Framework

Texas has specific laws to combat hazing, and understanding them is the first step toward accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute

The law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student. Key provisions for Angus families include:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a State Jail Felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (§37.155) explicitly states that a victim’s “consent” to the activity is not a defense against hazing charges. The power imbalance and coercion inherent in hazing make true consent impossible.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Individuals who report hazing in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability for their own minor involvement (like underage drinking). This is critical for encouraging bystanders to call for help.

Civil Lawsuits vs. Criminal Charges

It’s important to understand the two parallel legal paths:

• Criminal Case: Brought by the state (DA’s office) to punish the wrongdoer with fines, probation, or jail time. This process is outside the victim’s control.
• Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim and their family to secure compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, lost future earnings) and to force institutional change. This is where a family and their attorneys can drive accountability.

A civil case does not depend on a criminal conviction. Even if criminal charges are never filed or are dismissed, a strong civil case can proceed based on a lower standard of proof.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

A thorough investigation seeks to identify every entity with responsibility:

1. Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: The campus organization as a legal entity.
3. The National Headquarters: Organizations like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, or Pi Kappa Alpha have deep pockets and often have prior knowledge of dangerous patterns at other chapters.
4. The University: Schools like UH, Texas A&M, or UT Austin can be liable for negligent supervision, failing to enforce their own policies, or showing “deliberate indifference” to known risks.
5. Housing Corporations & Alumni Associations: These entities often own the property where hazing occurs and provide oversight.
6. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses or bars that overserve alcohol.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Predict Tragedy

The hazing that injured Leonel Bermudez at UH is not an isolated incident. It follows a devastating national pattern. Understanding these cases shows how histories repeat and establishes “foreseeability”—that these organizations should have known the risks.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A pledge died after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. His family reached a $10 million settlement with the national fraternity and university.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): A pledge died during a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. This led to Louisiana’ Max Gruver Act, strengthening felony hazing laws.
• Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): A pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother” night, leading to a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU.

The Physical Abuse & Ritual Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): A pledge suffered fatal injuries in a series of falls after extreme drinking. Security camera footage showed a hours-long delay in calling for help. The case led to sweeping reforms and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): A pledge died from traumatic brain injury after being repeatedly tackled during a blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

What This Means for Texas Families

These national cases create legal precedent and demonstrate that national fraternities are on clear notice about the lethal risks of their “traditions.” When the same patterns emerge at a Texas school—like forced drinking at UH’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter—it powerfully supports arguments that the national organization and the university failed in their duty to prevent foreseeable harm.

The Texas University Landscape: Where Angus Families Send Their Kids

Families in Angus and Navarro County often have deep ties to Texas’s flagship universities. Whether your child attends a school close to home or one of the major hubs, understanding the specific campus landscape is crucial.

University of Houston (UH)

For Angus families, UH is within driving distance and a common choice for students seeking a large, diverse, urban campus.

• Recent Major Case: The Leonel Bermudez vs. Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu chapter) lawsuit is the defining current case. The alleged hazing included the “pledge fanny pack,” forced overconsumption of food, being sprayed with a hose “like waterboarding,” and extreme workouts leading to rhabdomyolysis. The chapter was swiftly suspended and then voted to surrender its charter.
• UH’s Greek Ecosystem: UH has a large and active Greek community with over 40 fraternities and sororities across four governing councils (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, MGC).
• Legal Jurisdiction: A hazing case at UH would typically involve Harris County courts. The firm’s deep experience in Houston and federal court (Southern District of Texas) is a direct advantage for these cases.

Texas A&M University

Many Texas families, including those in the Navarro County region, have Aggie traditions. The Corps of Cadets presents unique hazing risks alongside Greek life.

• Corps of Cadets Litigation: In a 2023 lawsuit, a cadet alleged severe hazing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million in damages.
• Fraternity Incidents: In 2021, a Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) lawsuit alleged pledges were doused with industrial-strength cleaner and other substances, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries.
• Brazos County Context: Cases here are filed in Brazos County. The university’s unique culture and the Corps’ structure require attorneys who understand its distinct chain of command and traditions.

University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin is a top destination for high-achieving students from across Texas, including the Angus area.

• Public Transparency: UT maintains a public Hazing Violations log, a valuable resource showing patterns. Recent entries include Pi Kappa Alpha for forced milk consumption and calisthenics, and spirit groups for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
• Fraternity Lawsuits: The UT chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) was sued in 2024 after an Australian exchange student alleged an assault at a party left him with a dislocated leg, broken nose, and fractured tibia.
• Travis County Venue: Austin’s legal landscape is familiar territory for our firm, which maintains an office there.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

These prestigious private universities also have significant Greek life where hazing occurs.

• SMU: Has faced incidents like the 2017 Kappa Alpha Order chapter suspension for paddling and forced drinking.
• Baylor: Has dealt with hazing within its athletic programs, including a 2020 baseball team hazing incident that resulted in multiple player suspensions.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: A Texas Public Records Directory

When hazing occurs, liability often extends beyond the students in the room. National fraternities and sororities, their housing corporations, and alumni chapters are separate legal entities that can be held accountable. Our firm maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public records to track these organizations. For Angus families, understanding this network is key.

Below is a sample from our directory of Texas-registered Greek organizations. These are public records that can be crucial in identifying all potentially liable parties in a lawsuit.

Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Entities Operating in Texas (Sample Listing):

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity – Beta Nu Housing Corporation Inc. EIN: 46-2267515. FRISCO, TX 75035. (IRS B83 Filing).
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc. EIN: 13-3048786. COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845. (IRS B83 Filing).
• Sigma Phi Lambda Inc. EIN: 20-1237505. CORINTH, TX 76210. BETA CHAPTER. (IRS B83 Filing).
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. – Theta Delta Chapter. EIN: 47-5370943. HOUSTON, TX 77204. (IRS B83 Filing).
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc. EIN: 74-1380362. FORT WORTH, TX 76147. (IRS B83 Filing).
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas A&M University Chapter. EIN: 90-0293166. COLLEGE STATION, TX 77843. (IRS B83 Filing).
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Mu Zeta Chapter. EIN: 75-2609909. COMMERCE, TX 75428. (IRS B83 Filing).
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Arlington-Grand Prairie Alumni Chapter. EIN: 23-2452759. GRAND PRAIRIE, TX 75054. (IRS B83 Filing).
• Chi Omega Fraternity – Epsilon Zeta Chapter. EIN: 75-6041410. NACOGDOCHES, TX 75965. (IRS B83 Filing).
• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity. EIN: 74-2911848. FORT WORTH, TX 76244. (Cause IQ Metro Listing).

Why This Directory Matters for Your Case:
This data allows us to move beyond the campus chapter name. We can identify the housing corporation that owns the property, the alumni association that may provide funding and oversight, and the national headquarters’ Texas-registered entities. Each of these may carry insurance and share liability. We don’t start from zero—we start with the map.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Winning a hazing case requires a data-driven, expert-backed investigation. It’s about turning fragments of evidence into an undeniable story of negligence and harm.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

1. Digital Forensics: Deleted GroupMe chats, Snapchat messages, Instagram DMs, and texts can often be recovered. These show planning, coercion, and cover-ups.
2. Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “big/little” week schedules, chapter meeting minutes, and emails from nationals.
3. University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same organization, emails between administrators, and Clery Act reports obtained via discovery or public records requests.
4. Medical Documentation: ER reports, lab results (like the critical CK levels showing rhabdomyolysis), hospitalization records, and psychological evaluations for PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
5. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and RAs who saw the behavior or its aftermath.

Overcoming Common Defense Tactics

Organizations and their insurers have playbooks. We know them because our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for national firms. We anticipate their moves:

• Defense: “The victim consented.” Our Response: Texas law voids consent in hazing. We demonstrate the power imbalance and coercion.
• Defense: “It was a rogue chapter; national didn’t know.” Our Response: We subpoena national’s records to show prior incidents and pattern knowledge (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi knew about the dangers of Big/Little events after the Andrew Coffey death).
• Defense: “It happened off-campus, not our responsibility.” Our Response: We establish control and benefit. If nationals collect dues, provide rituals, and send advisors, they have a duty regardless of location.
• Defense: “Our insurance doesn’t cover intentional acts.” Our Response: We argue the overarching negligence—the failure to supervise, train, and enforce policies—is covered. We identify all possible insurance policies.

Damages: What Can Be Recovered

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

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and educational costs (e.g., tuition for a lost semester).
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, humiliation, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (in fatal cases): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the family’s profound grief and loss of companionship.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious misconduct, these may be awarded to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Practical Guide for Angus Parents & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Steps

Red Flags:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight change.
• Secrecy about organization activities; being “on call” 24/7.
• Personality changes: anxiety, withdrawal, depression, or defensiveness.
• Sudden financial requests for unexplained “fines” or “dues.”

What to Do:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’m worried about you. Is anything happening that feels unsafe or forced?”
2. Prioritize Health: Insist on a medical evaluation.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot everything. Write down a timeline.
4. Seek Legal Counsel Early: Before reporting to the university, consult with an attorney. We can help you navigate the process strategically to protect your child from retaliation and preserve claims.

For Students: Your Rights & Safety

• You Have the Right to Leave: You can de-pledge or quit at any time. Send an email for documentation.
• Reporting Protections: Texas law and most university policies offer immunity for good-faith reporters, especially those seeking medical help.
• Document Secretly: Take photos of injuries. Screenshot everything. Use your phone’s recording function (Texas is a one-party consent state).
• Where to Report: Campus police, Dean of Students, Title IX Office (if sexualized hazing), and the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE).

Critical Mistakes to Avoid

• Deleting Evidence: Do not clean up your phone. What feels embarrassing is often the most powerful evidence.
• Confronting the Chapter: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching. Let your attorney handle communication.
• Signing University Papers: Do not sign any “resolution” or “conduct outcome” forms without an attorney’s review. You may be waiving your right to sue.
• Posting on Social Media: Defense investigators monitor everything. Inconsistencies can damage credibility.
• Waiting: Statutes of limitations apply. Evidence and memories fade. Act promptly.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Texas Hazing Case?

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates with the specific experience, resources, and determination to take on powerful institutions. At The Manginello Law Firm (Attorney911), we are Texas-based hazing litigation specialists.

Our Unique Advantages for Texas Families:

1. Active, High-Stakes Texas Hazing Litigation: We are currently leading the $10 million Leonel Bermudez lawsuit against UH and Pi Kappa Phi. We are not theorists; we are in the fight right now, uncovering evidence and setting precedents that benefit all Texas hazing victims.
2. Insider Insurance Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) is a former insurance defense attorney for national firms. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers undervalue claims, delay proceedings, and argue exclusions. We use their playbook against them.
3. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants: Founding attorney Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff’s lawyers involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have proven experience facing corporations with unlimited legal resources. Universities and national fraternities do not intimidate us.
4. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: We don’t start investigations from scratch. We maintain a proprietary database of over 1,400 Greek entities in Texas, built from IRS records, university filings, and public data. We know how to find every liable party.
5. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Mr. Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits. We can effectively advise witnesses and navigate both systems.
6. Spanish-Language Services: Se habla Español. Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.
7. Contingency Fee Basis: We work on a contingency fee—you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. This ensures access to justice for every family.

A Call to Action for Angus Families

If your child has been hazed at any Texas university, fraternity, sorority, Corps of Cadets unit, or athletic team, you have the right to answers, accountability, and justice. The path is difficult, but you do not have to walk it alone.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, explain your legal options in plain English, and help you make the best decision for your family’s future and your child’s healing.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com

We serve victims and families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Let us help you turn this crisis into a catalyst for change.

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 constantly evolving. If you have a specific legal concern regarding hazing, please contact an attorney directly. The outcome of any case depends on its unique facts and circumstances.