The Ultimate Guide to Hazing Laws and Litigation for Families in Pinehurst, Texas

As a parent in Pinehurst, Orange County, your worst fear is receiving a call that your child has been hurt. When that harm comes from a fraternity, sorority, athletic team, or campus organization they trusted, the confusion, anger, and helplessness can be overwhelming. Right now, just a few hours away in Houston, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history: the case of Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston. This isn’t a distant news story—it’s proof that severe, life-altering hazing is happening at Texas universities where Pinehurst families send their children.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and students in Pinehurst and across Orange County. We will explain what modern hazing really looks like, break down Texas and federal law, examine the histories of major fraternities and sororities, and provide actionable steps to protect your family. Our goal is to arm you with knowledge and show how our firm, with deep Texas roots and a track record of holding powerful institutions accountable, can help when prevention fails.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

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

In the first 48 hours:

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

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
Universities move quickly to control the narrative
We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing has evolved beyond the stereotypes of paddling and silly pranks. For Pinehurst families with students at Texas universities, understanding these modern tactics is critical for recognition and intervention.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing
These behaviors emphasize power imbalances and often get dismissed as “tradition” or “team building.” They include:

Mandatory servitude (cleaning, errands, chauffeuring at all hours)
Social isolation from non-members
“Voluntary” events that conflict with academic responsibilities
Constant group chat monitoring with required instant responses
Location sharing demands via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing
These acts cause emotional or physical discomfort and create hostile environments:

Sleep deprivation through late-night “meetings” or 3 AM wake-up calls
Food/water restriction or forced consumption of unpleasant substances
Verbal abuse, screaming, and humiliation sessions
“Smokings” – extreme calisthenics disguised as conditioning
Public degradation through embarrassing costumes or performances

Tier 3: Violent Hazing
These activities have high potential for serious injury, sexual assault, or death:

Forced alcohol consumption games (“lineups,” “Big/Little” nights)
Physical beatings, paddling, or “branding”
Dangerous physical tests (blindfolded tackles, “glass ceiling” rituals)
Sexualized hacing including forced nudity or simulated acts
Kidnapping, restraint, or exposure to extreme environments

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

While fraternities and sororities receive most attention, hazing occurs across campus:

Fraternities and Sororities: IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and multicultural organizations
Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs at Texas A&M and other schools
Athletic teams from football to cheerleading
Spirit and tradition groups like Texas Cowboys or Aggie Bonfire
Marching bands and performance ensembles
Academic clubs and honor societies

The common thread is power imbalance, tradition, and secrecy—elements that exist in many organizations where Pinehurst students seek belonging.

Texas Hazing Law: What Pinehurst Families Need to Know

Texas has specific statutes addressing hazing, primarily in the Education Code Chapter 37. Understanding these laws is crucial for families seeking accountability.

Texas Education Code § 37.151: The Hazing Definition

Texas law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization that:

Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student, OR
Involves any brutality of a physical nature, OR
Involves forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance

Critical Points for Pinehurst Families:

Location doesn’t matter—off-campus houses, retreats, and private properties are included
“Consent” is not a defense under Texas law (§ 37.155)
The law covers both physical and mental harm
“Reckless” conduct—knowing the risk but proceeding anyway—qualifies

Criminal Penalties Under Texas Law

Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing violation (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing bodily injury
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death
Additional Crimes: Failure to report hazing, retaliation against reporters

Organizational Liability

Under § 37.153, organizations can be prosecuted if they:

Authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
Had an officer or member acting in official capacity who knew about hazing and failed to report it

Organizations face fines up to $10,000 per violation and potential campus bans.

Federal Law Overlay

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

Report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthen prevention education
Maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026)

Title IX and Clery Act
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. The Clery Act requires reporting of certain crimes that often overlap with hazing incidents.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families

Major national cases have shaped the legal landscape and provide critical lessons for Pinehurst families.

Alcohol Poisoning Deaths: A Repeating Script

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
During a bid acceptance night, Piazza consumed life-threatening amounts of alcohol, fell multiple times (captured on chapter cameras), and fraternity brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case resulted in numerous criminal charges, civil settlements, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Foltz was forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event. He died from alcohol poisoning. The case yielded multiple convictions and a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, $3M from BGSU).

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
Gruver died during a “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers required drinking. Louisiana responded with the Max Gruver Act, creating felony hazing charges.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Deng died during a blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a fraternity retreat where he was repeatedly tackled. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)
Former players alleged systemic sexualized and racist hazing within the football program. Multiple lawsuits led to coach firings, confidential settlements, and national scrutiny of athletic department oversight.

What These Cases Mean for Pinehurst Families

These national patterns repeat in Texas. The same fraternities, the same rituals, and the same institutional failures occur at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor. Understanding these histories helps prove “foreseeability” in court—that organizations knew the risks but failed to prevent harm.

Texas University Focus: Where Pinehurst Students Attend

Pinehurst families send students to universities across Texas. Understanding the hazing landscape at each campus is essential.

University of Houston: A Case Study in Crisis

The Leonel Bermudez Case: What Pinehurst Families Should Know
Right now, we represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million hazing lawsuit against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, and 13 individual fraternity members. The details, covered extensively by Click2Houston and ABC13, reveal a pattern of abuse that should alarm every Texas parent.

Bermudez, a fall 2025 pledge at Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter, endured:

Humiliation: Required to carry a “pledge fanny pack” 24/7 containing condoms, sex toys, and nicotine devices
Forced Labor: Overnight chauffeuring, strict dress codes, hours-long “study blocks”
Physical Abuse: Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, exposure to cold in underwear
Simulated Torture: Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”
Dangerous Consumption: Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediate sprints
Extreme Workouts: On November 3, 2025, forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion

The result: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown, he couldn’t stand without help, and he was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels. He faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

UH’s Response and What It Means

Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended the chapter on November 6, 2025
Chapter members voted to surrender their charter on November 14, 2025
UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary action
The lawsuit names UH, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national, the housing corporation, and 13 individuals

For Pinehurst families, this case demonstrates:

Severe hazing is happening at Texas universities right now
Multiple entities can be held liable (university, national, local chapter, individuals)
Medical consequences can be life-altering
Our firm is actively litigating high-stakes Texas hazing cases

UH’s Greek Ecosystem
UH hosts numerous fraternities and sororities across four governing councils. Organizations with recent disciplinary history or national hazing patterns present particular risks for Pinehurst students.

Texas A&M University: Tradition and Risk

For Pinehurst families in the Texas A&M orbit, understanding both Greek life and Corps of Cadets hazing risks is essential.

Corps of Cadets Hazing Concerns
A 2023 lawsuit alleged a cadet was subjected to degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million and highlighted tradition-based abuses within military-style programs.

Fraternity Hazing Incidents

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (2021): Pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts
Multiple Chapter Suspensions: Various fraternities have faced disciplinary action for alcohol violations, physical abuse, and other hazing behaviors

Texas A&M’s Response Framework
A&M handles hazing through Student Conduct procedures and Corps regulations. The university has taken actions ranging from probation to chapter closure, but lawsuits often reveal gaps between policy and practice.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Patterns

UT Austin maintains a public hazing violations page—a resource Pinehurst families should consult when evaluating organizations.

Recent Hazing Violations at UT:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation
Texas Wranglers (2023): Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
Multiple Spirit Organizations: Disciplined for physical endurance tests and humiliation rituals

UT’s Investigation Process
Hazing reports typically involve UTPD, the Office of the Dean of Students, and sometimes Austin Police Department. UT’s relative transparency provides valuable evidence for civil cases, showing patterns organizations knew or should have known about.

Southern Methodist University: Affluent Campus, Persistent Problems

As a private university, SMU has different reporting requirements but similar hazing risks.

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017)
New members reported paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation. The chapter was suspended and faced recruiting restrictions until 2021.

SMU’s Prevention Framework
SMU utilizes anonymous reporting systems like Real Response and has dedicated Greek life staff. However, the university’s private status can make obtaining internal records more challenging without litigation.

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Historical Challenges

Baylor’s history with institutional accountability affects its hazing response.

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020)
Fourteen players were suspended following a hazing investigation, with staggered suspensions affecting the early season.

Baylor’s Cultural Context
Following prior scandals, Baylor has emphasized “zero tolerance” policies. However, as with many institutions, the gap between policy and enforcement can be substantial.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: Public Records Directory for Pinehurst Families

As part of our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain detailed records on Greek organizations across the state. This data helps us identify all potentially liable entities in hazing cases.

Texas-Registered Greek Organizations (IRS B83 Sample)

The IRS maintains records of tax-exempt Greek organizations in Texas. These entities often hold insurance policies and assets that can be crucial in litigation. Examples include:

Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN 133048786) – 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845 – IRS B83 filing
Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Inc (EIN 161675890) – 115 Wild Wick Way, The Woodlands, TX 77382 – IRS B83 filing, Zeta Rho HCB
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc (EIN 475370943) – 5019 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204 – IRS B83 filing, Theta Delta chapter
Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515) – 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 – IRS B83 filing
Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN 746084905) – 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204 – IRS B83 filing

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro Area Organizations

The Houston metro, which serves many Pinehurst families, contains 188 Greek-related organizations according to Cause IQ data. Examples include:

Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Houston, TX (Alumni/house corp.)
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae – Houston, TX
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter – Houston, TX (Undergrad chapter)
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity – Theta Chi Chapter – Houston, TX (Grad chapter)

Cross-Validated National Brands

Some organizations appear in both IRS and metro data, confirming their Texas presence:

Beta Upsilon Chi appears in IRS records (EIN 742911848, Fort Worth) and Cause IQ DFW metro data
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation appears in both IRS (EIN 741380362) and Cause IQ data
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority has multiple Texas chapters in both data sets

This directory represents just a fraction of the 1,423 Greek organizations we track across 25 Texas metros. For Pinehurst families, this means we can quickly identify all potentially responsible parties when hazing occurs.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

When hazing causes harm, building a strong case requires systematic evidence collection, understanding of damages, and strategic targeting of responsible parties.

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

Digital Communications (Most Important Category)

Group Messaging: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack
Social Media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook Messenger
Deleted Message Recovery: Digital forensics can often recover “disappearing” messages
Metadata: Timestamps, participant lists, edit histories

Photographic and Video Evidence

Injuries photographed immediately and over several days
Event locations, alcohol bottles, paddles, or props
Social media posts showing hazing activities
Security camera or doorbell footage

Medical Documentation

Emergency room and hospitalization records
Toxicology reports showing blood alcohol levels
Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety
Specialist reports for ongoing conditions

Organizational Records

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” documents
National fraternity risk management policies
University disciplinary files on prior incidents
Insurance policies and coverage documents

Types of Damages in Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost wages and educational costs
Diminished earning capacity for permanent injuries
Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life
Damage to reputation

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of financial support
Loss of companionship, love, and guidance
Emotional suffering of family members

Punitive Damages
In cases involving particularly reckless or intentional conduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish defendants and deter future behavior.

Strategic Targeting of Responsible Parties

Successful hazing litigation often involves multiple defendants:

Individual Participants: Those who planned, executed, or covered up hazing
Chapter Officers: Presidents, risk managers, pledge educators with supervisory roles
Local Chapters: As legal entities with insurance and assets
National Organizations: For failure to supervise, enforce policies, or respond to prior incidents
Universities: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference, or Title IX violations
Property Owners: Landlords of off-campus houses or event venues
Alcohol Providers: Under Texas dram shop laws

Practical Guides for Pinehurst Families and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Red Flags Your Child May Be Being Hazed

Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns
Extreme exhaustion or sleep deprivation
Sudden personality changes (anxiety, depression, withdrawal)
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Defensiveness about organizational activities
Financial strain from unexplained expenses
Academic decline due to “mandatory” events

Conversation Starters with Your Child

“How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
“Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you wish you didn’t have to do?”
“Do you feel like you can leave if you want to, or would there be consequences?”

Immediate Action Checklist

Safety First: If injured or intoxicated, get medical help immediately
Evidence Preservation: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries, save physical items
Document Everything: Write down dates, times, locations, participants
Consult an Attorney: Before reporting to university or police, understand your rights
Avoid Common Mistakes: Don’t confront the organization, sign university documents, or post on social media prematurely

For Students: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Self-Assessment Questions

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

Safe Exit Strategies

Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
Send a written resignation to chapter leadership
Avoid “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
Document any threats or harassment that follows
Report retaliation to campus authorities and police if necessary

Evidence Collection for Students

Screenshot group chats with timestamps visible
Record conversations (Texas is a one-party consent state)
Photograph injuries immediately and over several days
Save all digital communications, even embarrassing ones
Get medical attention and tell providers you were hazed

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Deleting Evidence: Messages, photos, or videos—even embarrassing ones—are crucial
Confronting the Organization: Gives them time to destroy evidence and prepare defenses
Signing University Documents: Waivers or “internal resolution” agreements often limit legal options
Posting on Social Media: Inconsistencies can damage credibility; defense attorneys monitor everything
Delaying Medical Care: Gaps in treatment undermine injury claims
Talking to Insurance Adjusters: Recorded statements are used against victims
Waiting for University Investigations: Evidence disappears, statutes of limitations run

About The Manginello Law Firm: Why We’re Different for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how universities, national fraternities, and insurance companies fight these cases—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) hazing claims
Use delay tactics to pressure families
Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
Deploy independent medical exams to minimize injuries

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello)

BP Texas City Explosion Litigation: One of few Texas firms involved, proving we can take on billion-dollar defendants
Federal Court Admitted: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas experience for Title IX and complex cases
HCCLA Membership: Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association credential showing elite criminal defense capability
25+ Years Practice: Handling high-stakes wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases

Multi-Million Dollar Results
We have recovered millions for clients in cases involving:

Wrongful death from workplace and transportation accidents
Catastrophic brain and spinal injuries
Complex institutional negligence cases
Our results include confidential settlements and public verdicts that force accountability

Investigative Depth and Expert Network
For hazing cases, we deploy:

Digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages
Medical specialists in rhabdomyolysis, TBI, and trauma
Greek life culture experts to explain power dynamics
Economists to calculate lifetime damages
Psychologists to document PTSD and emotional harm

Texas-Specific Geographic Mastery
With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we understand:

Local court procedures and preferences
University administrative structures
Texas-specific laws and immunities
How to navigate both public and private university systems

The Bermudez Case: Proof of Our Active Hazing Litigation

Our representation of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi isn’t just another case—it’s proof of what we’re doing right now for Texas families. This active, high-stakes litigation demonstrates our commitment to holding powerful institutions accountable when they fail to protect students.

Call to Action for Pinehurst Families

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

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you contact The Manginello Law Firm, you’ll receive:

A Compassionate Listening: We’ll hear your story without judgment
Evidence Review: We’ll examine any photos, messages, or documents you have
Legal Options Explained: We’ll outline potential paths forward—criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Realistic Expectations: We’ll discuss timelines, challenges, and potential outcomes
Cost Transparency: We work on contingency—no fee unless we win
No Pressure: Take time to decide what’s right for your family

Contact Information

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Legal Emergency Lawyers™
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

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

Serving Pinehurst and All of Texas

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Pinehurst and Orange County. Whether your child attends school nearby or across the state, Texas hazing laws and experienced Texas counsel can help.

The national fraternities and sororities present on Texas campuses are the same organizations involved in deaths and serious injuries nationwide. Their insurance companies use the same tactics everywhere. Our experience with these patterns, combined with our Texas-specific knowledge, makes us uniquely qualified to help Pinehurst families navigate these complex cases.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

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: 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