The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits for Families in Retreat, Navarro County, TX

When your child leaves Retreat, Texas, for college, you send them with hopes for a bright future, not to become another hazing statistic. For families in our quiet Navarro County community—where many students attend Texas A&M-Commerce, Baylor University in Waco, or make the drive to the University of Houston—the reality of campus hazing can feel distant until it isn’t. Right now, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history: representing Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. This case, unfolding just hours from Retreat, proves that extreme hazing isn’t just happening elsewhere—it’s occurring at Texas schools where our community’s students enroll.

This comprehensive guide explains what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects (or fails) victims, and what families in Retreat and across Navarro County need to know if their child faces abuse in fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, or athletic teams. We’ll walk through the legal landscape, examine patterns at Texas universities, and show how our data-driven approach at Attorney911 builds cases that hold powerful institutions accountable.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

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

In the first 48 hours:

Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
- Screenshot group chats, texts, 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

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For parents in Retreat who didn’t experience modern Greek life, today’s hazing has evolved far beyond “harmless pranks.” The case we’re handling at UH illustrates exactly how brutal and systematic hazing has become.

The 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. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance between pledges and established members.

The UH Pi Kappa Phi Case: A Blueprint for Modern Hazing

Our client Leonel Bermudez’s experience at University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter shows all the hallmarks of systematic abuse:

Psychological Control & Humiliation:

The “pledge fanny pack” rule requiring 24/7 carry of condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices, and humiliating items
Enforced dress codes and strict interview schedules
Weekly “study/work” blocks amounting to forced labor
Overnight and late-night driving duties for members

Physical Torture Disguised as “Training”:

Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races until collapse
Cold-weather exposure in underwear
Lying in vomit-soaked grass as punishment
Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding” with threats of actual waterboarding
Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints
The November 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under threat of expulsion

Medical Catastrophe:
After the November 3 extreme workout, Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, could not stand without help, and was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels confirming the life-threatening condition. He faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

These acts occurred at multiple locations: the Pi Kappa Phi house at UH, a Culmore Drive residence owned by a former member, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park for dawn workouts. This geographic spread is typical—hazing moves to avoid detection.

Where Hazing Happens Beyond Fraternities

While Greek organizations dominate headlines, hazing occurs in:

Sororities (though often more psychological than physical)
Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs at schools like Texas A&M
Athletic teams from football to swimming
Spirit groups and tradition organizations (Texas Cowboys, cheer teams)
Marching bands and performance groups
Academic and service organizations

The common thread is power imbalance, tradition justification, and secrecy.

Texas Hazing Law: What Retreat Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing statutes that govern cases involving our state’s universities. Understanding these laws helps Retreat families know their rights.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

Definition (Section 37.151):
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, 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

Key Provisions for Retreat Families:

Criminal Penalties (Section 37.152):

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

Organizational Liability (Section 37.153):
Organizations can be prosecuted if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report it. Penalties include fines up to $10,000 per violation and potential campus ban.

Critical Protection: Consent Is NOT a Defense (Section 37.155)
Texas law explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the hazing activity.” This means even if your child “agreed” to participate, those who coerced them can still be prosecuted.

Good-Faith Reporting Immunity (Section 37.154):
A person who in good faith reports hazing to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability. Many universities extend this to amnesty for underage drinking when seeking medical help.

Federal Law Overlay

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

Title IX:
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered, creating additional liability pathways.

Clery Act:
Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing often overlaps with assault or alcohol crimes that must be reported.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Different Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (prosecutor)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, or manslaughter

Civil Cases:

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

Both can proceed simultaneously, and a criminal conviction isn’t required for civil litigation. In fact, many hazing cases settle civilly before criminal proceedings conclude.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What They Mean for Texas Families

Major cases across the country establish patterns that Texas courts recognize and that demonstrate what’s at stake.

Alcohol Poisoning Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):
Bid-acceptance event with forced drinking, severe falls captured on chapter cameras, delayed medical help. Resulted in dozens of criminal charges, civil litigation, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Takeaway: Institutional cover-ups and delayed 911 calls create massive liability.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):
Forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night, died from alcohol poisoning. Multiple criminal convictions, $10 million total settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). Takeaway: National organizations pay significantly when patterns repeat.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):
“Forced drinking “Bible study” game where wrong answers meant drinking. Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%). Resulted in Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute). Takeaway: Legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):
Blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat. Fatal traumatic brain injury, delayed help. National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Takeaway: Off-campus retreats are particularly dangerous, and nationals face serious sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025):
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within football program. Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired and settled wrongful-termination confidentially. Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life into major athletic programs with institutional oversight failures.

What These Cases Mean for Retreat Families

These national precedents matter because:

Pattern Evidence: Shows courts what’s foreseeable
Settlement Benchmarks: Establishes what cases are worth
Legal Strategies: Demonstrates what arguments work
Prevention Lessons: Highlights what universities should have learned

When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that caused deaths elsewhere, that pattern supports negligence claims against nationals and universities.

Texas University Focus: Where Retreat Students Attend

Retreat families send students to universities across Texas. Here’s what happens at key institutions and how cases proceed in their jurisdictions.

University of Houston (UH): Current Ground Zero for Texas Hazing Litigation

For Retreat Families: UH is approximately 3 hours from Retreat, a common choice for Navarro County students seeking urban education opportunities.

Current Flagship Case – Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi:
We represent Bermudez in this $10 million lawsuit alleging the systematic hazing described earlier. The case names 17 defendants:

University of Houston
UH System Board of Regents
Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters
Beta Nu housing corporation
13 individual fraternity leaders/members

Institutional Response:

November 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu chapter
November 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender charter; chapter shut down
UH Statement: Conduct “deeply disturbing,” cooperation with law enforcement promised, disciplinary measures up to expulsion

UH’s Greek Ecosystem:
UH hosts approximately 60 Greek organizations across four councils (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, MGC). The Pi Kappa Phi case reveals systemic issues that likely extend beyond one chapter.

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds:

Jurisdiction: Harris County courts (Houston)
Police: UHPD for on-campus, HPD for off-campus
Typical Defendants: Individuals, chapter, national, university, property owners
Evidence Sources: Group chats (GroupMe dominant), UH conduct records, national fraternity files

What UH Students & Retreat Parents Should Do:

Report to Dean of Students Office AND UHPD
Preserve all digital evidence immediately (GroupMe deletes quickly)
Request UH’s conduct history for the organization
Contact Attorney911 for Houston-based hazing expertise

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

For Retreat Families: Texas A&M’s main campus in College Station is about 2.5 hours from Retreat, with Texas A&M-Commerce even closer at 1.5 hours. Many Navarro County students attend both.

Corps of Cadets Hazing Issues:
2023 lawsuit alleged cadet subjected to degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth. Sought over $1 million. A&M stated it handled matter under its rules.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):
Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. Pledges sued for $1 million; fraternity suspended for two years.

Texas A&M’s Greek & Corps Ecosystem:

50+ Greek organizations
Corps of Cadets with 2,500+ members
History of tradition-based hazing in both systems

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Proceeds:

Jurisdiction: Brazos County courts (College Station)
Police: Texas A&M PD, College Station PD
Unique Factors: Corps military culture, tradition defenses
Evidence Challenges: ” Tradition” justifications, military-style discipline framing

What Texas A&M Students & Retreat Parents Should Do:

Distinguish between “discipline” and illegal hazing
Document Corps or Greek traditions systematically
Report through both university AND Corps chain if applicable
Understand military culture doesn’t exempt from Texas hazing law

Baylor University: Waco’s Greek Scene

For Retreat Families: Baylor in Waco is just over 1 hour from Retreat, making it one of the closest major universities for Navarro County families.

Baseball Hazing Incident (2020):
14 players suspended following hazing investigation; staggered suspensions over early season. Highlights hazing extends beyond Greek life.

Baylor’s Greek Ecosystem:

30+ Greek organizations
Strong Panhellenic and IFC presence
Religious identity creates unique dynamics

How a Baylor Hazing Case Proceeds:

Jurisdiction: McLennan County courts (Waco)
Police: Baylor PD, Waco PD
Unique Factors: Private religious university, different liability standards
Evidence Considerations: Religious context may affect “community standards” arguments

What Baylor Students & Retreat Parents Should Do:

Don’t assume religious affiliation prevents hazing
Document any religious justifications used for hazing
Report through Baylor’s conduct system AND local authorities
Consider both university and individual liability paths

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Patterns

For Retreat Families: UT Austin is about 3 hours from Retreat, drawing Navarro County students seeking flagship university experience.

Public Hazing Violations Page:
UT maintains unprecedented transparency at hazing.utexas.edu, listing organizations, conduct, and sanctions. Recent examples:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter probation and hazing-prevention education required
Texas Wranglers: Multiple violations for forced workouts, alcohol hazing
Various spirit organizations sanctioned for punishment-based practices

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (2024):
Australian exchange student alleged assault at party resulting in dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose. Sued for over $1 million; chapter already under suspension for prior violations.

How a UT Hazing Case Proceeds:

Jurisdiction: Travis County courts (Austin)
Police: UTPD, Austin PD
Major Advantage: Public violation history establishes pattern evidence
Strategic Opportunity: Prior sanctions show university knowledge

What UT Students & Retreat Parents Should Do:

Check hazing.utexas.edu for organization’s history
Use public records as leverage in negotiations
Document how current hazing matches prior sanctioned conduct
Report to UTPD for on-campus incidents

Southern Methodist University (SMU): Dallas-Area Greek Life

For Retreat Families: SMU in Dallas is about 1.5 hours from Retreat, attracting Navarro County students to private university education.

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017):
New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended; recruiting restrictions until 2021.

SMU’s Greek Ecosystem:

Private, affluent campus culture
Strong Greek presence with historical hazing issues
Anonymous reporting via Real Response system

How an SMU Hazing Case Proceeds:

Jurisdiction: Dallas County courts
Police: SMU PD, Dallas PD
Unique Factors: Private university, donor influence considerations
Evidence Access: May require litigation to obtain internal reports

What SMU Students & Retreat Parents Should Do:

Use anonymous reporting systems initially if safety concerns
Document affluent culture aspects that might influence university response
Be prepared for private university resistance to disclosure
Consider both campus conduct process and civil litigation

The Greek Organization Network: Tracking Liability Across Texas

Behind every campus chapter stand multiple entities that can share liability. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks them all.

Public Records Directory: Greek Organizations Serving Retreat Families

We maintain comprehensive data on Texas Greek entities. Here are examples relevant to universities Retreat students attend:

Texas A&M University Entities (IRS B83 Filings):

KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC (EIN: 133048786) | 3007 EARL RUDDER FWY S, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845
GENTLEMEN OF AGGIE TRADITION (EIN: 880537463) | 3007 EARL RUDDER FWY S STE 100, COLLEGE STA, TX 77845
BETA UPSILON CHI (EIN: 742911848) | 12650 N BEACH ST STE 114 PMB 305, FORT WORTH, TX 76244

University of Houston Area Entities:

BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC (EIN: 462267515) | 10601 BIG HORN TRL, FRISCO, TX 75035
SIGMA PHI EPSILON TEXAS ETA (EIN: 824398421) | 1305 FM 359 RD, RICHMOND, TX 77406
PI KAPPA PHI DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER BUILDING CORPORATION (EIN: 371768785) | 4102 EASTSHORE ST, MISSOURI CITY, TX 77459

Baylor University Area Entities:

SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY (EIN: 364091267) | 1101 MELROSE DR, WACO, TX 76710
ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED NU IOTA CHAPTER BAYLOR UNIVERSITY (EIN: 521346485) | PO BOX 2033, WACO, TX 76703
TEXAS RHO CHAPTER OF THE SIGMA PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY (EIN: 741942292) | 3217 S 3RD ST, WACO, TX 76706

University of Texas at Austin Entities:

CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY (EIN: 740555581) | 2711 RIO GRANDE ST, AUSTIN, TX 78705
BUILDING CORPORATION OF DELTA CHAPTER OF ALPHA DELTA PI (EIN: 746047117) | 2620 RIO GRANDE ST, AUSTIN, TX 78705
LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC (EIN: 741130606) | 1908 SAN GABRIEL ST, AUSTIN, TX 78705

Statewide Honor Societies (Often Overlooked):

HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI (Multiple EINs) | Campuses statewide including Texas A&M, UH, Texas Tech, UT Tyler
These academic organizations can also host hazing incidents

Metro Concentration Data:

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510 Greek organizations
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188 organizations
Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154 organizations
Waco Metro: 27 organizations (relevant for Baylor families)

This directory demonstrates the network of entities behind campus chapters. When hazing occurs, liability can extend through this entire chain.

National Organization Histories: Pattern Evidence That Matters

National histories provide critical “pattern evidence” showing what organizations knew or should have known.

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ) – “Pike”:

Stone Foltz (BGSU 2021): Forced drinking death, $10M settlement
David Bogenberger (NIU 2012): Alcohol poisoning death, $14M settlement
Pattern: “Big/Little” drinking nights repeatedly cause deaths

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ) – “SAE”:

Traumatic Brain Injury (Alabama 2023): Lawsuit alleging TBI during ritual
Chemical Burns (Texas A&M 2021): Industrial cleaner caused burns, skin grafts
Assault Case (UT Austin 2024): International student severely injured
Pattern: Physical violence and dangerous substances

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

Max Gruver (LSU 2017): “Bible study” drinking game death, Louisiana felony hazing law
Pattern: Academic-themed drinking games

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

Andrew Coffey (FSU 2017): Big Brother night drinking death
Leonel Bermudez (UH 2025): Our current case—rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
Pattern: Physical endurance tests combined with forced consumption

Why National Histories Matter for Retreat Families:

Foreseeability: Shows nationals knew risks
Negligence: Demonstrates failed prevention
Punitive Damages: Supports punishment for repeating patterns
Insurance Coverage: Affects which policies respond

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Successful hazing litigation requires systematic evidence collection and strategic liability mapping.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Communications (Most Important):

GroupMe: Dominant platform for Greek communication
WhatsApp/Signal/Telegram: Encrypted apps becoming more common
Discord/Slack: For chapter organization
Instagram/Snapchat/TikTok DMs: Social media planning
iMessage/SMS Group Texts: Often contain planning discussions

Preservation Protocol:

Screenshot entire threads (not single messages)
Capture sender names and timestamps
Back up to cloud storage immediately
Do NOT delete anything, even if embarrassing
Use screen recording for disappearing messages (Snapchat)

Photos & Videos:

Injuries: Multiple angles with scale reference (coin, ruler)
Locations: Houses, rooms, venues
Events: Candid shots showing context
Medical documentation: Progression of injuries

Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals and “tradition” documents
Chapter meeting minutes
National policies and training materials
Risk management files

University Records (Obtainable via Discovery):

Prior conduct violations for same organization
Incident reports to campus police
Clery Act reports showing pattern
Internal emails about organization oversight

Medical & Psychological Records:

ER/hospitalization records (must specify “hazing” for documentation)
Lab results (toxicology, kidney function for rhabdomyolysis)
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
Long-term treatment plans

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical Expenses: Past and future care
Lost Income/Earning Capacity: Current and future
Educational Costs: Tuition for missed semesters, lost scholarships
Life Care Plans: For catastrophic injuries (brain damage, permanent disability)

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical Pain & Suffering
Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Reputational Harm

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families):

Funeral/burial costs
Loss of financial support
Loss of companionship, love, society
Grief and emotional suffering

Punitive Damages (When Available):

Punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
Deter future hazing
Available when defendants knew risks and proceeded anyway

Settlement Benchmarks from National Cases:

Death Cases: $1M–$14M (Foltz $10M, Bogenberger $14M, Gruver $6.1M)
Severe Injury: $375K–multi-million (Santulli brain damage settlements)
Individual Officer Liability: President personally ordered to pay $6.5M in Foltz case

Strategic Liability Mapping

Identifying All Potential Defendants:

Individual Students: Those who planned, participated, or covered up
Local Chapter: If incorporated as legal entity
National Organization: HQ that sets policies, receives dues
University: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference
Property Owners: Houses, rentals, venues
Alcohol Providers: Bars, liquor stores (dram shop liability)
Security Companies: Event oversight failures

Insurance Coverage Analysis:

Chapter insurance policies
National organization umbrella policies
University liability insurance
Individual homeowners policies (for off-campus houses)
Alcohol liability coverage

Common Defense Strategies We Anticipate:

“The pledge consented” (invalid under Texas law §37.155)
“National didn’t know” (pattern evidence disproves)
“It happened off-campus” (location irrelevant to duty)
“We have anti-hazing policies” (paper policies vs. enforcement)
“Sovereign immunity” (exceptions for gross negligence, Title IX)

Practical Guides for Retreat Families, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries
Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and non-Greek friends
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Financial requests without clear explanation
Academic performance decline

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally):

“How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
“Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
“What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
“Do you feel like you can leave if you want to?”

48-Hour Action Checklist for Parents:
HOUR 1–6 (Immediate Crisis):
✅ Medical attention if injured/intoxicated
✅ Remove from dangerous situation
✅ Screenshot messages shown to you
✅ Photograph visible injuries
✅ Write down everything they tell you (date, time, details)
✅ Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911

HOUR 6–24 (Evidence Preservation):
✅ Help preserve all digital evidence (do NOT delete anything)
✅ Secure clothing, receipts, objects used
✅ Request medical records
✅ Identify witnesses (names, contact info)
✅ Document university communications

HOUR 24–48 (Strategic Decisions):
✅ Consult with experienced hazing attorney
✅ Decide on reporting to campus/local police
✅ Refer university to your attorney
✅ Do NOT talk to insurance adjusters
✅ Backup all evidence to cloud storage

For Students: Self-Assessment and Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide:

Am I being forced or pressured to do something?
Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would the university or my parents approve if they knew?
Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this?

How to Exit Safely:
Immediate Danger: Call 911 or campus police
Wanting to Quit:

Tell someone outside the org first (parent, friend, RA)
Send email/text to chapter president: “I resign effective immediately”
Do NOT go to “one last meeting”
Report retaliation fears to Dean of Students and police

Evidence Collection for Students:

Screenshots: Full conversations with timestamps
Recordings: Texas is one-party consent state
Photos: Injuries (multiple angles), locations, objects
Medical: Tell providers you were hazed for documentation
Witnesses: Names and contact info for others

Your Rights in Texas:

Cannot be punished for calling 911 in good faith (immunity)
Hazing is a crime—you’re the victim
Can file civil lawsuit regardless of criminal charges
Can request no-contact order through university

For Former Members/Witnesses: Coming Forward

If You Participated and Regret It:

Your testimony can prevent future harm
Cooperating can be path to accountability
May need your own legal advice
Can often negotiate limited immunity

If You Witnessed and Are Afraid:

Anonymous reporting options exist
Good-faith reporter protections apply
Your evidence could save lives
We can help navigate concerns about retaliation

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Your Child Delete Evidence
What happens: Looks like cover-up, obstruction of justice
Better approach: Preserve everything immediately

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly
What happens: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Better approach: Document everything, lawyer contacts them

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms
What happens: May waive right to sue, accept low settlement
Better approach: No signatures without attorney review

4. Posting on Social Media Before Consulting Lawyer
What happens: Defense screenshots inconsistencies, hurts credibility
Better approach: Document privately, lawyer controls messaging

5. Letting Your Child Go to “One Last Meeting”
What happens: Pressure, intimidation, damaging statements extracted
Better approach: Once considering legal action, all communication through attorney

6. Waiting “To See How University Handles It”
What happens: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
Better approach: Preserve evidence now, consult lawyer immediately

7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without Lawyer
What happens: Recorded statements used against you, lowball settlements
Better approach: “My attorney will contact you”

About Attorney911: Why We’re Different for Hazing Cases

When Retreat families face hazing, they need more than a general personal injury lawyer. They need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

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

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello):
Our firm was one of the few in Texas involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation against billion-dollar defendants. We have federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) and aren’t intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams. We’ve taken on massive corporations and won.

Current Flagship Case: Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi
We’re actively litigating one of Texas’s most serious hazing cases right now. This isn’t historical experience—it’s current, hands-on work against the very institutions Retreat families might face.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience:
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases with economist collaboration, experience valuing lifetime care needs (brain injury, permanent disability), and a philosophy: “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) means we understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure.

Investigative Depth and Expert Network:

Digital forensics for recovering deleted messages
Medical experts for rhabdomyolysis, TBI, PTSD
Greek life culture experts
Economists for lifetime damage calculations
Psychologists for trauma assessment

Spanish-Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, serving Hispanic families throughout Texas including Retreat’s community.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Our Data Advantage

While other firms start from zero, we maintain a comprehensive database of Texas Greek organizations including:

IRS B83 Records: 125+ Texas-registered Greek entities with EINs, legal names, addresses
Campus Rosters: Verified organization lists at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
Metro Concentrations: 1,423 Greek organizations tracked across 25 Texas metros
Brand Overlap Analysis: Cross-referenced data showing national patterns

This means when a Retreat family comes to us about hazing at Texas A&M-Commerce or Baylor, we already know:

The legal entities behind the chapter
National organization’s hazing history
Prior incidents at that campus
Insurance carriers likely involved

How We Investigate Hazing Cases

Immediate Evidence Preservation:
Within hours of contact, we implement protocols to:

Secure digital evidence before deletion
Document injuries and locations
Identify and contact witnesses
Send preservation letters to universities and organizations

Comprehensive Liability Mapping:
We identify ALL potential defendants:

Individual perpetrators
Chapter officers and advisors
National headquarters
University administrators
Property owners and insurers

Strategic Use of Public Records:
We obtain:

University conduct histories via public records requests
Campus police incident reports
National organization prior incident files
Insurance policy information

Expert Collaboration:
We work with:

Medical experts to document injuries
Digital forensics to recover deleted evidence
Economists to calculate damages
Greek life experts to explain culture and coercion

Call to Action for Retreat Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether Texas A&M-Commerce just up the road, Baylor in Waco, UH in Houston, or any school across the state—we want to hear from you. Families in Retreat, Navarro County, and throughout North Texas have the right to answers and accountability.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you contact Attorney911, you’ll receive:

Confidential, No-Obligation Discussion:
We’ll listen to your story without judgment, review any evidence you have, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward.

Realistic Assessment:
We’ll discuss:

The strengths and challenges of your case
Realistic timelines and what to expect
Potential outcomes based on similar cases
Answers to your questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)

No Pressure:
Take time to decide. Everything you tell us is confidential.

Contact Attorney911 Today

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com

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

Serving Retreat and All of Texas

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas including Retreat, Navarro County, and surrounding communities. Distance doesn’t prevent us from thoroughly investigating your case and pursuing justice.

Whether you’re in Retreat or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions responsible for your child’s safety need to be held accountable. Call us today.

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