The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Resource for Parents in Bridge City and Orange County

The call comes at 2 AM. Your child, a student at the University of Houston or Lamar University, is slurring their words on the phone. Or maybe they’re home in Bridge City for the weekend, sporting unexplained bruises they dismiss as “just horseplay.” Perhaps they’ve become withdrawn, anxious, and constantly glued to their phone, jumping at every notification from a fraternity or sorority group chat. This is the moment every parent dreads—the realization that your child might be experiencing something far more serious than typical college antics. They might be a victim of hazing.

Right now, just hours from Bridge City in Houston, our firm is actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after alleged hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. As detailed in the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case, this $10 million lawsuit alleges extreme physical abuse, forced consumption rituals, and humiliating “pledge fanny pack” requirements that nearly cost a young man his life. The chapter has since been shut down, but the physical and psychological damage remains.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for families in Bridge City, Orange County, and throughout Southeast Texas who need to understand the reality of modern hazing, Texas law, and their legal options. Whether your child attends Lamar University in nearby Beaumont, the University of Houston, Texas A&M, or any other Texas campus, the information here could be critical to protecting their health, future, and rights.

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 to Bridge City Families

For parents in Bridge City who may have been out of the college environment for years, modern hazing often looks different from the stereotypes. It’s not just about “harmless pranks” or “team building.” Today’s hazing is sophisticated, digitally enabled, and often disguised as legitimate activities.

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. The critical element that Bridge City parents must understand: “I agreed to it” does not make it legal or safe when there exists peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion.

Main Categories of Hazing Affecting Texas Students

Alcohol and Substance Hazing

• Forced or coerced drinking during “big/little” nights, bid acceptance parties, or initiation rituals
• Chugging challenges, “lineups,” games that require rapid consumption (like those alleged in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case)
• Being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances
• What Bridge City parents should know: The Texas A&M Sigma Alpha Epsilon case involved pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts.

Physical Hazing

• Paddling and beatings (particularly in NPHC organizations, though officially prohibited by nationals)
• Extreme calisthenics, “workouts,” or “smokings” far beyond normal conditioning—like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats forced upon Leonel Bermudez
• Sleep deprivation, food/water deprivation
• Exposure to extreme cold/heat or dangerous environments

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

• Forced nudity or partial nudity
• Simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, “roasted pig” positions
• Acts with racial or sexist overtones, slurs, or role-play
• Local context: The Texas A&M Corps lawsuit alleged cadets were bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth

Psychological Hazing

• Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members
• Manipulation or forced confessions
• Public shaming on social media or in meetings

Digital/Online Hazing

• Group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation via Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord
• Pressure to create or share compromising images/videos
• 24/7 availability demands with instant response requirements
• Critical for evidence: This digital trail is often the most powerful evidence in hazing cases

Where Hazing Happens in the Texas Colleges Bridge City Students Attend

Hazing isn’t limited to fraternity houses. Bridge City students participating in these activities face risks in:

• Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / military-style groups (particularly relevant for Texas A&M)
• Spirit squads, tradition clubs, and athletic teams
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Some service, cultural, and academic organizations

The common thread across all these groups: social status, tradition, and secrecy keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Law & Liability Framework: What Bridge City Families Need to Know

When hazing affects your family in Bridge City, Texas law provides specific protections and pathways to accountability. Understanding this framework is crucial for making informed decisions.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in the Education Code that apply to all students in the state, including those from Bridge City attending Texas universities:

§ 37.151 Definition: 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 whose members include students

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

Key points for Orange County families:

• Can happen on or off campus (location doesn’t matter)
• Can be mental or physical harm
• Intent: Doesn’t have to be malicious; “reckless” is enough (knew the risk and did it anyway)
• “Consent is NOT a defense”: Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that even if the victim agreed, it’s still hazing if it meets the definition

Criminal Penalties Under Texas Law

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

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

Also criminal:

• Failing to report hazing (if you’re a member or officer and you knew about it): misdemeanor
• Retaliating against someone who reports hazing: misdemeanor

Organizational Liability That Matters for Bridge City Cases

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability:
Organizations (fraternities, sororities, clubs, teams) can be criminally prosecuted for hazing if:

• The org authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
• An officer or member acting in official capacity knew about hazing and failed to report it

Penalties for orgs:

• Fine up to $10,000 per violation
• University can revoke recognition and ban the org from campus

Why this matters for Bridge City families:

• Shows that both individuals AND the organization can be held accountable criminally
• Civil suits can target both as well
• In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, defendants include the chapter, national headquarters, housing corporation, and 13 individual members

Critical Protections for Bridge City Students

§ 37.154 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.

Also:

• In medical emergencies, Texas law and many university policies provide amnesty for students who call 911, even if they were drinking underage or involved in the hazing themselves

Why this matters:

• Encourages bystanders and victims to report without fear of getting in trouble
• In practice: students often still fear retaliation or social consequences, but law protects them

Criminal vs Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Bridge City parents often ask: “What’s the difference between criminal charges and a lawsuit?”

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (prosecutor in Harris County, Jefferson County, or wherever the offense occurred)
• Aim: punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical hazing-related criminal charges can include:
  • Hazing offenses
  • Furnishing alcohol to minors
  • Assault, battery, or even manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: monetary compensation and accountability
• Focus on:
  • Negligence and gross negligence
  • Wrongful death
  • Negligent hiring/supervision
  • Premises liability
  • Emotional distress

Critical point for Bridge City families: Both types can run side-by-side, and a criminal conviction is NOT required to pursue a civil case. Many hazing cases proceed civilly even when criminal charges aren’t filed.

Federal Laws That Protect Texas Students

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

• Requires colleges that receive federal aid (including all Texas public universities) to:
  • Report hazing incidents more transparently
  • Strengthen hazing education and prevention
  • Maintain public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)

Title IX / Clery Act:

• When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations can be triggered
• Clery requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing incidents often overlap with those categories when there are assaults or alcohol/drug crimes

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

For Bridge City families considering legal action, understanding potential defendants is crucial:

Individual Students:

• The ones who planned, supplied the alcohol, carried out the acts, or helped cover them up
• In the UH case, 13 individual members are named as defendants

Local Chapter / Organization:

• The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if it’s a legal entity)
• Individuals acting as officers or “pledge educators”

National Fraternity/Sorority:

• Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
• Liability can hinge on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents
• Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters is a defendant in the UH case

University or Governing Board:

• The school or regents may be sued under certain negligence or civil-rights theories
• Key questions: prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference
• University of Houston and the UH System Board of Regents are defendants in the Bermudez case

Third Parties:

• Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces
• Bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop theories)
• Security companies or event organizers

Important for Bridge City families: Every case is fact-specific; not every party is liable in every situation. An experienced hazing attorney can identify all potentially liable parties.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Bridge City Families

The hazing incidents affecting Texas students don’t occur in a vacuum. They follow patterns seen nationally, and understanding these patterns helps Bridge City families recognize risks and legal strategies.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):

• Bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking captured on chapter security cameras

• Severe falls; hours delayed before medical help
  .

• Dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members; civil litigation; new Pennsylvania anti-hazing law named after him

• Takeaway for Bridge City families: Extreme intoxication, delay in calling 911, and a culture of silence can be legally devastating

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):

• Pledge night; forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey; died from alcohol poisoning
• Multiple criminal convictions; BGSU agreed to nearly $3 million settlement with the family
• Takeaway: Universities face significant financial and reputational consequences along with fraternities

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):

• Pledge at a fraternity retreat subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual
• Suffered fatal head injuries; help was delayed
• Multiple members convicted; fraternity banned from Pennsylvania
• Takeaway for Bridge City parents: Off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous as parties, and national orgs face serious sanctions

What These National Cases Mean for Bridge City Families

The common threads in national cases—forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups—are exactly what we’re seeing in Texas cases like the UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. These national precedents shape how Texas courts view hazing cases and provide powerful arguments for Bridge City families seeking accountability.

Texas Focus: Universities Where Bridge City Students Are at Risk

Bridge City families send students to universities across Texas. Understanding the specific hazing environments at these schools is crucial for prevention and response.

Lamar University: The Local Risk for Bridge City Families

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot for Orange County Families:

• Just 30 minutes from Bridge City in Beaumont
• Active Greek life with fraternities and sororities
• Public university with approximately 15,000 students
• Particular relevance: Lamar is the closest four-year university to Bridge City, making it a common choice for local students

5.1.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting at Lamar:

• Lamar prohibits hazing as defined by Texas Education Code
• Reporting through Dean of Students, LUPD, or online reporting systems
• Important for Bridge City parents: Lamar’s location in Jefferson County means any local legal proceedings would occur in Jefferson County courts

5.1.3 Documented Greek Organizations at Lamar (from Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine):
Our investigative work tracking Texas Greek organizations shows these entities operating in the Beaumont area, which includes Lamar University students:

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Mu Epsilon Chapter (Beaumont, TX – Undergrad chapter, Lamar Univ.)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Alpha Psi Sigma (Beaumont, TX – Alumnae chapter)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Lamar Univ. (Beaumont, TX – Academic honor society at Lamar)
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Beaumont Alumnae (Beaumont, TX – Graduate chapter)
• Alpha Kappa Psi – Kappa Tau Chapter (Port Arthur, TX – Business fraternity at Lamar)
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Alumni (Beaumont, TX – Alumni association, Lamar Univ.)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Beaumont Alumni (Beaumont, TX – Graduate chapter)
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Lambda Lambda Chapter (Beaumont, TX – Undergrad chapter at Lamar Univ., founded 2018)

5.1.4 How a Lamar University Hazing Case Might Proceed:

• Jurisdiction: Jefferson County courts (Beaumont)
• Involved agencies: Lamar University Police Department (LUPD), Beaumont Police Department
• Potential defendants: Individual students, local chapter, national headquarters, Lamar University
• Logistics for Bridge City families: Cases would be litigated in Beaumont, just a short drive from Bridge City

5.1.5 What Lamar Students & Bridge City Parents Should Do:

• Document everything immediately (injuries, messages, witness names)
• Report to LUPD and Dean of Students Office
• Seek medical attention at local Beaumont hospitals (Baptist, St. Elizabeth, Christus)
• Contact an attorney experienced in Jefferson County hazing litigation

University of Houston: The Flagship Case Affecting Southeast Texas

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot:

• Large urban campus just 90 minutes from Bridge City
• Active Greek life with multiple councils (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
• Critical for Bridge City families: Many Southeast Texas students attend UH, making this highly relevant

5.2.2 The Leonel Bermudez Case – What Bridge City Parents Need to Know:
The ongoing $10 million lawsuit we’re litigating involves allegations that should alarm every Texas parent:

Specific Hazing Acts Alleged:

• “Pledge fanny pack” rule with degrading contents (condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices)
• Extreme physical hazing: sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, “save-your-brother” drills
• Cold-weather exposure in underwear
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting, then repeated sprints
• The Nov 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, creed recitation under threat of expulsion
• Hose spraying “similar to waterboarding” and threats of actual waterboarding
• Another pledge hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour

Medical Catastrophe:

• Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown)
• Acute kidney failure requiring four-day hospitalization
• Passed brown urine and couldn’t stand without help
• Lab tests showed critically high creatine kinase (CK) levels
• Ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage

Institutional Response:

• Nov 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu chapter
• Nov 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender their charter; chapter shut down
• UH labels conduct “deeply disturbing,” promises disciplinary measures up to expulsion
• Credit to Pi Kappa Phi HQ for “decisive action”

Defendants in the Case:

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

5.2.3 Other UH Hazing History:

• 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case: Pledges allegedly deprived of food, water, and sleep; one student suffered lacerated spleen
• The chapter faced misdemeanor hazing charges and university suspension
• Multiple other disciplinary actions against UH Greek organizations

5.2.4 How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds:

• Jurisdiction: Harris County courts (Houston)
• Involved agencies: UHPD, Houston Police Department
• Logistics for Bridge City families: Houston is easily accessible from Bridge City via I-10

Other Major Texas Universities Bridge City Students Attend

Texas A&M University:

• Corps of Cadets culture: Tradition-heavy environment with reported discipline issues
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon lawsuit (~2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts
• Corps of Cadets lawsuit (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts
• Distance from Bridge City: ~3.5 hours, but many Southeast Texas students attend

University of Texas at Austin:

• Public Hazing Violations page: Lists organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions
• Example: Pi Kappa Alpha (2023) directed new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics
• Transparency: UT has relatively high transparency compared to some schools
• Distance from Bridge City: ~4 hours

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

The organizations operating at Texas universities have national histories that matter for Bridge City families. These patterns show foreseeability and support negligence arguments.

Why National Histories Matter for Bridge City Cases

When a Texas chapter repeats conduct that got another chapter shut down or sued in another state, that shows foreseeability. National headquarters know the patterns: forced drinking nights, paddling traditions, humiliating rituals. Their liability often hinges on whether they meaningfully enforced anti-hazing policies.

Organization Mapping Relevant to Bridge City Students

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike):

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021): Pledge forced to consume entire bottle of alcohol; died from alcohol poisoning
• $10 million settlement ($7M from national, ~$3M from BGSU)
• Present at: UH, Texas A&M, UT, Baylor

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ):

• University of Alabama – Traumatic Brain Injury Case: Pledge allegedly suffered TBI during hazing ritual
• Texas A&M – Chemical Burns Case: Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner causing severe burns
• Present at: UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University (2017): Pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother Night”
• UH Beta Nu Chapter: Currently involved in $10 million lawsuit we’re litigating
• Present at: UH, Texas A&M, UT

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

• Max Gruver – Louisiana State University (2017): Pledge died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%) during drinking game
• $6.1 million verdict for family
• Present at: UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Data That Matters for Bridge City Families

Our firm maintains comprehensive data on Texas Greek organizations—critical knowledge when investigating hazing cases. Here’s what Bridge City families should know about the organizations operating in our region:

Beaumont-Port Arthur Metro Area (Includes Lamar University):

• 22 total Greek-related organizations in the metro area
• 17 specifically named in our database including multiple Sigma Gamma Rho, Delta Sigma Theta, and Pi Kappa Alpha entities
• These organizations operate as house corporations, alumni chapters, undergraduate chapters, and honor societies

Sample Public Records from Our Database (IRS B83 Filings):

EIN 746064445 – PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY
1855 HIGHWAY 69 N, NEDERLAND, TX 77627-8843
IRS B83 filing – EPSILON KAPPA CHAPTER

EIN 237279532 – KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY
PO BOX 2142, PRAIRIE VIEW, TX 77446-2142
IRS B83 filing – 646 PRAIRIE VIEW ALUMNI

EIN 364091267 – SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY
1101 MELROSE DR, WACO, TX 76710-4154
IRS B83 filing – XI CHI

EIN 263170920 – HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI
411 TEXAS ST ROOM 219, DENTON, TX 76204-0000
IRS B83 filing – 229 TEXAS WOMENS UNIVERSITY

Why This Data Matters:

• Identifies all legal entities behind Greek organizations
• Crucial for insurance coverage investigations
• Shows network of related organizations that may share liability
• Provides mailing addresses for legal service of process

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy for Bridge City Families

When hazing affects your family, building a strong case requires specific evidence collection and strategic planning. Here’s what Bridge City parents need to know.

Evidence That Wins Hazing Cases

Digital Communications (Most Critical Evidence):

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, fraternity apps
• Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok comments
• Bridge City parents: Teach your child to screenshot everything immediately. Watch our video on using your phone to document evidence

Photos & Videos:

• Content filmed by members during events
• Footage shared in group chats or posted on social media
• Security camera or Ring/doorbell footage at houses and venues
• Medical documentation: Photos of injuries from multiple angles over time

Internal Organization Documents:

• Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, ritual “traditions” lists
• Emails/texts from officers about “what we’ll do to pledges”
• National policies and training materials

University Records:

• Prior conduct files, probation/suspensions, letters of warning
• Incident reports to campus police or student conduct offices
• Clery reports and similar disclosures

Medical and Psychological Records:

• Emergency room and hospitalization records
• Surgery and rehab notes
• Toxicology reports
• Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety)

Damages in Hazing Cases: What Bridge City Families Can Recover

Medical Bills & Future Care:

• Immediate care (ER, ICU, hospitalization)
• Surgeries, ongoing treatment, physical therapy, medications
• Long-term care for brain injuries or organ damage

Lost Earnings / Educational Impact:

• Missed semesters or withdrawal from school
• Setbacks in entering the workforce
• Reduced earning capacity if injuries are permanent

Non-Economic Damages:

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

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families):

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of companionship and support
• Emotional harm to parents and siblings

Critical Defense Strategies We Overcome

Defense: “The Pledge Consented”

• Our Response: Consent is invalid under duress, coercion, or power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing.

Defense: “This Was a Rogue Chapter”

• Our Response: We subpoena national records showing prior complaints and patterns. Organizations have constructive notice from similar incidents at other chapters.

Defense: “It Happened Off-Campus”

• Our Response: Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge.

Insurance Coverage Fights

National fraternities and universities often have insurance policies that may come into play. Insurers sometimes argue hazing or intentional acts are excluded. Our experience matters here:

• We identify all potential coverage sources
• Navigate disputes about exclusions and intentional conduct
• Use Mr. Lupe Peña’s insurance defense background to counter insurer tactics

Practical Guides & FAQs for Bridge City Families

For Bridge City Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries (especially if excuses don’t add up)
• Extreme fatigue, exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Sleep deprivation (constant late nights, calls at 3 AM)
• Sudden secrecy about fraternity/sorority activities (“I can’t talk about it”)
• Withdrawal from family, old friends, or non-Greek activities
• Sudden obsession with pleasing older members
• Constant phone use for group chat monitoring

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally):

1. “How are things going with [fraternity/sorority]? Are you enjoying it?”
2. “Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
3. “What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
4. “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
5. “Do you feel like you can leave if you want to, or would there be consequences?”

48-Hour Action Checklist for Bridge City Parents:

HOUR 1–6 (IMMEDIATE CRISIS):
✅ Medical: If injured or intoxicated, get to ER immediately (St. Elizabeth in Beaumont or local emergency room)
✅ Safety: Remove child from dangerous situation
✅ Evidence: Screenshot any messages they show you; photograph visible injuries
✅ Notes: Write down everything they tell you (date, time, what happened, who was there)
✅ Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate legal guidance

HOUR 6–24 (EVIDENCE PRESERVATION):
✅ Digital: Help child preserve all group chats, DMs, texts (do NOT delete anything)
✅ Physical: Secure clothing, receipts, objects used in hazing
✅ Medical records: Request copies of all ER/hospital records
✅ Witnesses: Write down names and contact info for other pledges, bystanders
✅ University: Note any communications from school but do NOT respond yet

HOUR 24–48 (STRATEGIC DECISIONS):
✅ Legal consultation: Speak with experienced hazing attorney
✅ Reporting decision: Decide whether to report to campus police, local police, Dean of Students
✅ Evidence backup: Upload all screenshots and photos to cloud storage

For Students: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide:

• Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
• Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would the university or my parents approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
• Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this from outsiders?

If you answered YES to any of these, it’s likely hazing.

How to Exit Safely:

• If in immediate danger: Call 911 or campus police
• If you want to quit: Send email/text to chapter president stating: “I am resigning my pledge/membership effective immediately”
• Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where they might pressure or retaliate
• If you fear retaliation, report that fear to Dean of Students and campus police

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

1. Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence
2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly (they immediately lawyer up and destroy evidence)
3. Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms without attorney review
4. Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer
5. Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”
6. Waiting “to see how the university handles it” (evidence disappears, statute runs)
7. Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer present

Watch our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case for more detailed guidance.

Short FAQ for Bridge City Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (Lamar, UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death.

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but exceptions exist. Time is critical—evidence disappears, witnesses forget. Learn more in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

“What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability.

“Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy.

Why Attorney911 for Bridge City Hazing Cases

When your Bridge City family faces a hazing crisis, 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 Texas Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):

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

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello):

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

Active Texas Hazing Litigation Experience:

• Right now, we’re litigating the Leonel Bermudez UH Pi Kappa Phi case—a $10 million lawsuit against a major university and national fraternity
• This isn’t theoretical knowledge; it’s active, current experience
• We understand the specific tactics used by Texas university legal teams

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:

• We maintain comprehensive data on 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros
• Track 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations through IRS B83 filings
• Maintain campus-specific rosters for UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor, and other Texas schools
• This data-driven approach gives us investigative advantages other firms lack

Multi-Million Dollar Results:

• Proven track record in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases
• Experience valuing lifetime care needs (brain injury, permanent disability cases)
• Collaboration with economists, life care planners, medical experts
• “We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.”

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:

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

Investigative Depth:

• Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists, Greek life experts
• Experience obtaining hidden evidence (deleted group chats, chapter records, university files)
• Specific experience with rhabdomyolysis cases like the UH Pi Kappa Phi matter
• “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

Local Knowledge for Southeast Texas Families:

• We understand the specific dynamics of Lamar University, just minutes from Bridge City
• Knowledge of Jefferson County courts and procedures
• Familiar with local medical providers and experts in the Beaumont/Port Arthur area
• Experience with cases involving Southeast Texas students at universities across the state

Our Commitment to Bridge City Families

We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. The confusion, anger, and fear are overwhelming. Our job is to:

1. Get you answers about what really happened
2. Hold the right people accountable—not just the individuals, but the institutions that enabled them
3. Secure fair compensation for medical care, lost opportunities, and suffering
4. Help prevent this from happening to another Bridge City family

This isn’t about bravado or quick settlements. It’s about thorough investigation, strategic litigation, and real accountability.

Your Next Step: Confidential Consultation for Bridge City Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at Lamar University, University of Houston, Texas A&M, or any Texas campus, we want to hear from you. Families in Bridge City, Orange County, and throughout Southeast Texas have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.

• We’ll listen to what happened without judgment
• Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
• Explain your legal options clearly and honestly
• Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
• Answer your questions about costs (contingency fee – we don’t get paid unless we win)
• No pressure to hire us – take time to decide what’s right for your family
• Everything you tell us is completely confidential

Clear Contact Information:

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Email: ralph@atty911.com (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Lupe Peña)

Spanish-Language Services:

• Hablamos Español – Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish
• Servicios legales en español disponibles

Geographic Service Area:
While our main office is in Houston, we serve families throughout Texas, including:

• Bridge City and Orange County
• Beaumont, Port Arthur, and the Golden Triangle
• Greater Houston area
• Austin, San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth, and beyond

If your case has Texas connections (Texas university, Texas-based insurance, Texas defendants), we can help regardless of where you live.

About Our Fee Structure:
We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, including hazing litigation. This means:

• You pay no upfront costs
• We cover all case expenses initially
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee comes from the recovery we secure for you
• Learn more in our video explaining how contingency fees work

Whether you’re in Bridge City or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions involved have teams of lawyers protecting their interests. You deserve the same level of representation fighting for yours.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s discuss what happened, your legal options, and how we can help your family move forward.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit:

• Click2Houston report: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational YouTube Videos:

• Evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Contingency fees explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:

• Contact and information: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

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

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

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

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