Hazing Incidents, Texas Law, and Fraternity Accountability: A Complete Guide for Keller Families

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

For parents in Keller, Texas, sending a child to college is a milestone filled with pride and hope. When your son or daughter chooses the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other Texas campus, you expect them to find community, build lifelong friendships, and pursue their dreams in a safe environment. But what happens when that community turns dangerous? What do you do when the very organizations promising brotherhood or sisterhood become sources of trauma, injury, or worse?

Right now, in Houston, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after alleged brutal hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to the lawsuit and media reports, Bermudez was subjected to forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, extreme workouts including 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and carrying a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” 24/7. He was hospitalized for four days with brown urine and critically high creatine kinase levels. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter has been shut down, but the physical and psychological harm continues.

This is not an isolated incident in some distant state. This is happening here in Texas, at universities where Keller families send their children every year. Whether your student attends nearby Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, makes the drive to Texas A&M in College Station, or chooses UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or UH, the reality is that hazing persists—and it’s evolving to avoid detection.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Keller, Tarrant County, and across North Texas who need to understand what hazing looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects (or fails to protect) students, and what legal options exist when tradition turns into trauma. We’ll examine the national patterns, focus on Texas universities where Keller students commonly attend, and explain how our firm approaches these complex cases.

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 Beyond the Stereotypes

For Keller families unfamiliar with modern Greek life or campus organizations, hazing often conjures images of movie stereotypes: silly pranks, harmless initiation rituals, or excessive partying. The reality in 2025 is far more sophisticated, dangerous, and deliberately hidden. Hasing has evolved into a multi-tiered system of control that begins with psychological manipulation and can escalate to life-threatening violence.

The Modern Definition: More Than “Just Tradition”

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. Critically, “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

Main Categories of Hazing in Today’s Campus Environment

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and most deadly form. It’s not just “drinking at a party.” It’s systematic forced consumption: “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, “lineup” drinking games where wrong answers mean rapid consumption, “family tree” rituals requiring drinking until vomiting, and coerced use of drugs or unknown substances. In the Leonel Bermudez UH case, the lawsuit alleges forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed immediately by sprints.

Physical Hazing
This extends beyond paddling to include: extreme calisthenics called “smokings” (hundreds of push-ups, wall sits until collapse), sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions” or 3 AM wake-up calls, food/water restriction, exposure to extreme cold/heat, and dangerous physical tests. The UH Pi Kappa Phi case included allegations of bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, cold-weather exposure in underwear, and lying in vomit-soaked grass.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” “roasted pig” positions), degrading costumes or roles, and acts with racial, homophobic, or sexist overtones. The “pledge fanny pack” in the UH case allegedly contained condoms, sex toys, and other humiliating items that pledges were required to carry 24/7.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members, manipulative “confession” sessions, public shaming in meetings or on social media, and systematic degradation of self-worth. This creates the psychological conditioning that makes physical hazing possible.

Digital/Online Hazing
The newest frontier includes: group chat dares and “challenges,” public humiliation via Instagram stories or TikTok videos, pressure to create or share compromising images, 24/7 availability demands via GroupMe or Discord, and location tracking via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps. Digital evidence is now critical in hazing cases, but it disappears quickly.

Where Hazing Actually Happens: Beyond Fraternity Row

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

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural councils)
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups
• Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs (like Texas Cowboys, Silver Spurs, etc.)
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading)
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups
• Some Academic, Service, and Cultural Organizations

The common threads are social status, tradition, and secrecy. These practices survive because organizations convince members that “everyone before you did it,” that suffering builds loyalty, and that exposing the truth betrays the group. For Keller parents, this means your child could be at risk in multiple campus contexts, not just Greek life.

Texas Hazing Law: What Keller Families Need to Know

Texas has specific legal frameworks governing hazing, but understanding how they apply in real cases requires looking beyond the statute language to how courts and universities actually handle these situations.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37: The Criminal Framework

Texas defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

1. Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
2. Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Key Provisions for Keller Families:

§ 37.151 Definition: Location doesn’t matter—hazing can occur on or off campus. The act can be mental or physical harm. “Reckless” conduct (knowing the risk and doing it anyway) is enough, not just intentional harm.

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
• Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death
• Also criminal: Failing to report hazing if you’re a member/officer who knew about it, and retaliating against someone who reports

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability: Organizations themselves can be prosecuted if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if an officer acting officially knew and failed to report. Penalties include fines up to $10,000 per violation and university revocation of recognition.

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: A person who reports hazing in good faith is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result. Many universities extend this to medical amnesty—students won’t face alcohol violations if they call 911 for someone in danger.

§ 37.155 Consent Not a Defense: This is critical. Even if the victim said “yes” or “I want to do this,” it’s still a crime if it meets the hazing definition. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t true voluntary consent.

§ 37.156 Reporting by Educational Institutions: Texas colleges must provide hazing prevention education, publish policies, and maintain annual reports of hazing violations. UT Austin’s public hazing violation log is one example.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Different Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases

• Brought by the state (prosecutor)
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical charges: Hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Example: In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, criminal referrals were promised by the university

Civil Cases

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: Monetary compensation and institutional accountability
• Legal theories: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring/supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
• Important: A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case

Both can proceed simultaneously, and often do in serious cases. For Keller families, the civil path may provide not only compensation for medical bills, therapy, and other damages but also the discovery process that uncovers what the organization and university knew before the incident.

Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act, Title IX, Clery

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently, strengthen prevention efforts, and maintain public hazing data (phased in by around 2026). This should give Keller families better access to information about organizations’ histories.

Title IX
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. Universities must investigate and take appropriate action. This can provide another avenue for accountability when hazing takes sexualized forms.

Clery Act
Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics. Hazing incidents often overlap with reportable crimes when they involve assaults or alcohol/drug violations.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Understanding the potential defendants is crucial for building a comprehensive case:

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

Local Chapter/Organization
The fraternity/sorority or club itself if it’s a legal entity. Chapter officers and “pledge educators” are often key defendants.

National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters
National organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Their liability often hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents at other chapters. Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters is a defendant in the UH case.

University or Governing Board
Schools or regents may be liable under negligence or civil-rights theories. Key questions involve prior warnings, policy enforcement, and deliberate indifference. The University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents are defendants in the ongoing case.

Third Parties
Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces, bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop theories), security companies, or event organizers.

Every case is fact-specific, but comprehensive litigation looks at every potential source of responsibility and insurance coverage.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What History Teaches Us

The tragic cases that make national headlines aren’t random anomalies—they reveal patterns that repeat across campuses and organizations. For Keller families, understanding these patterns helps recognize warning signs and builds the legal concept of “foreseeability”—that organizations should have known the risks based on what happened elsewhere.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
A bid-acceptance event with forced drinking led to Piazza falling multiple times, captured on chapter cameras. Brothers delayed calling for help for hours. Dozens faced criminal charges; civil litigation followed; Pennsylvania passed the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Takeaway: Extreme intoxication combined with delayed medical care and a culture of silence creates lethal conditions.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
A “Big Brother” night where Coffey was given a handle of liquor led to fatal alcohol poisoning. Criminal hazing charges followed; FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life. Takeaway: Formulaic drinking “traditions” are predictable scripts for disaster—the same national organization (Pi Kappa Phi) is involved in the current UH case.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking led to Gruver’s death from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%). The Max Gruver Act made hazing a felony in Louisiana. Takeaway: Legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of systemic problems.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Foltz died after being forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during a pledge event. Multiple criminal convictions resulted; BGSU settled for nearly $3 million; additional settlements with the fraternity and individuals. Takeaway: Universities face significant financial and reputational consequences alongside fraternities.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Deng died from traumatic brain injury after a violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a fraternity retreat. Help was delayed. Multiple members were convicted; the national fraternity was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous as parties, and national organizations face serious sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program over years. Multiple lawsuits were filed; head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired and later settled a wrongful-termination suit. Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to big-money athletic programs with systemic abuse issues.

What These Cases Mean for Keller Families

The common threads in national cases—forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups—are the same patterns we see in Texas cases. Multi-million-dollar settlements and reforms typically follow only after tragedy and litigation. Keller families facing hazing at Texas universities are not alone; they’re operating in a legal landscape shaped by these national precedents. When we see the same patterns (like forced drinking games) that killed students elsewhere, we can argue that organizations had “foreseeable” knowledge of the risks.

Texas Focus: Where Keller Students Attend & What Happens There

Keller families send students to universities across Texas, with many choosing institutions in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Central Texas, and beyond. Understanding the specific environments, policies, and histories of these campuses is essential for recognizing risks and pursuing accountability.

Texas Christian University (TCU) – Fort Worth, Tarrant County

Campus & Culture Snapshot for Keller Families
TCU is literally in Keller’s backyard—a 20-minute drive from central Keller to the Fort Worth campus. As a private university with strong Greek life (approximately 40% of students join fraternities or sororities), TCU represents a common choice for Keller students seeking a traditional college experience close to home. The campus culture emphasizes tradition, with Greek organizations playing a significant social role.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels
TCU prohibits hazing both on and off-campus and requires all student organizations to comply with Texas law and university policies. Reporting options include the Office of Student Affairs, Campus Police, and anonymous online reporting. However, as a private institution, TCU has less public transparency than public universities regarding disciplinary outcomes.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

• Kappa Sigma chapter was suspended in 2018 following hazing allegations involving alcohol
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon faced scrutiny for risk management violations
• Various Greek organizations have been placed on probation for alcohol-related incidents that border on hazing

How a TCU Hazing Case Might Proceed for Keller Families
Given TCU’s location in Tarrant County, a civil hazing case would likely be filed in Tarrant County courts. The Fort Worth Police Department might have jurisdiction for criminal matters occurring off-campus, while TCU’s Campus Police handle on-campus incidents. The private university status affects sovereign immunity arguments but may provide different discovery paths in litigation.

What TCU Students & Keller Parents Should Do

1. Document all communications with TCU administration regarding hazing concerns
2. Understand that private university disciplinary processes may differ from public institutions’
3. Recognize that proximity to home doesn’t guarantee safety—hazing occurs at TCU as elsewhere
4. Utilize TCU’s counseling services if psychological harm has occurred
5. Contact an attorney who understands both Texas hazing law and private university dynamics

University of Texas at Austin

Campus & Culture Snapshot
UT Austin represents a common destination for high-achieving Keller students. With over 70 fraternities and sororities and a strong tradition of student organizations, UT’s scale means more opportunities but also more potential for hazing incidents. Many Keller families have students at UT, making this highly relevant despite the geographic distance.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels
UT has one of Texas’ most transparent hazing reporting systems, maintaining a public Hazing Violations page that lists organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions. Reporting channels include the Office of the Dean of Students, UTPD, and anonymous online forms. This transparency can actually help families building cases by documenting patterns.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses (From Public Records)

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; found to be hazing; chapter placed on probation with required hazing-prevention education
• Texas Wranglers spirit organization: Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
• Multiple other Greek organizations appear on the public violations log for various hazing-related sanctions

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed
UT’s status as a public university triggers sovereign immunity considerations, but exceptions exist for gross negligence or Title IX violations. Cases might involve UTPD, Austin Police, or both. The public violations log can be powerful evidence showing the university’s knowledge of patterns.

What UT Austin Students & Keller Parents Should Do

1. Check UT’s public hazing violations log before your child joins any organization
2. Document any incidents immediately and report through official channels
3. Understand that UT’s size can make it easier for harmful patterns to continue unnoticed
4. Utilize the university’s extensive support services if harm occurs
5. Remember that distance from Keller doesn’t diminish your right to accountability

Texas A&M University – College Station

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Texas A&M’s unique culture, including the Corps of Cadets and strong Greek life, attracts many Keller students. The university’s emphasis on tradition can sometimes blur the line between tradition and hazing. With A&M being a few hours’ drive from Keller, many families have direct connections to the campus.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels
A&M prohibits hazing through Student Rules and the Corps of Cadets regulations. Reporting channels include the Student Conduct Office, Corps leadership, and University Police. The university has faced high-profile cases that have tested its policies and responses.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (2021): Pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts; fraternity suspended; civil lawsuit filed
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose; sought over $1 million; A&M stated it handled the matter internally
• Various Greek organizations have faced suspensions for hazing violations over the years

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed
A&M’s public university status involves sovereign immunity considerations. The Corps of Cadets adds complexity with its military-style structure and traditions. Cases might involve multiple jurisdictions depending on whether incidents occur on-campus, off-campus, or at Corps facilities.

What Texas A&M Students & Keller Parents Should Do

1. Understand that both Greek life and the Corps have documented hazing histories at A&M
2. Distinguish between challenging training and illegal hazing
3. Document incidents thoroughly, including in the unique Corps environment
4. Utilize A&M’s extensive support services, which understand the campus’s specific culture
5. Recognize that tradition doesn’t justify endangerment or abuse

Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Dallas

Campus & Culture Snapshot
SMU’s reputation as an affluent private university with strong Greek participation makes it another choice for Keller families. Its location in Dallas provides proximity while offering a distinct campus culture. Greek life is central to social life for many SMU students.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels
SMU prohibits hazing and provides reporting through the Office of Student Affairs, SMU Police, and anonymous systems. As a private university, SMU has fewer public reporting requirements but may conduct thorough internal investigations.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

• Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended with recruiting restrictions until approximately 2021
• Various other Greek organizations have faced disciplinary action for alcohol violations and hazing-adjacent conduct

How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed
SMU’s private status affects legal strategies differently than public universities. Dallas Police might be involved for off-campus incidents. The university’s internal processes may be more insulated from public records requests but can be accessed through litigation discovery.

What SMU Students & Keller Parents Should Do

1. Recognize that private university status doesn’t guarantee more protection from hazing
2. Document all communications with SMU administration
3. Understand that social pressure at affluent campuses can be particularly intense
4. Utilize SMU’s counseling and support services
5. Consider that geographic proximity allows for more direct parental involvement if issues arise

Baylor University – Waco

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Baylor’s religious identity and history of scrutiny over various issues make its hazing environment unique. Keller students attending Baylor may experience different organizational climates, though Greek life and athletic programs still present hazing risks.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels
Baylor prohibits hazing through its student conduct policies. Reporting channels include the Student Conduct Administration, Baylor Police, and anonymous reporting. The university’s history with institutional response to misconduct adds context to how hazing cases might be handled.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation; suspensions staggered over the early season
• Various Greek organizations have faced disciplinary action over the years
• The university’s broader cultural and oversight challenges provide context for how hazing might be addressed

How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed
Baylor’s private religious status adds layers to legal considerations. The university’s history with institutional response to misconduct may affect how hazing cases are handled internally and perceived externally. McLennan County courts would likely handle civil litigation.

What Baylor Students & Keller Parents Should Do

1. Understand that religious affiliation doesn’t eliminate hazing risks
2. Document incidents thoroughly, recognizing the university’s complex history with institutional response
3. Utilize Baylor’s support services while maintaining independent documentation
4. Recognize that athletic programs have documented hazing issues alongside Greek life
5. Consider the unique aspects of Baylor’s culture when evaluating organizational safety

University of Houston – Current Ground Zero for Texas Hazing Litigation

Campus & Culture Snapshot
While farther from Keller, UH represents a major Texas university where hazing litigation is currently active and setting important precedents. The ongoing Leonel Bermudez case provides a real-time example of how hazing cases unfold in Texas courts.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels
UH prohibits hazing and provides reporting through the Dean of Students Office, UHPD, and online forms. The university’s response in the Pi Kappa Phi case—labeling conduct “deeply disturbing” and promising cooperation with law enforcement—shows one pattern of institutional response.

The Active Case: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi
This $10 million lawsuit alleges severe hazing including:

• “Pledge fanny pack” humiliation with degrading contents
• Extreme physical hazing (sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races)
• Cold-weather exposure in underwear
• Being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding”
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting
• The November 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats
• Medical consequences: rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, brown urine, 4-day hospitalization

Defendants include: University of Houston, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders/members. The chapter was suspended November 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter November 14, 2025.

How the UH Case Proceeds – A Template for Texas Litigation
This case demonstrates the comprehensive approach needed: suing individuals, local chapter entities, national headquarters, and the university itself. The medical documentation (critically high creatine kinase levels confirming rhabdomyolysis) shows the importance of immediate medical attention and thorough documentation.

What the UH Case Means for Keller Families
Even if your student doesn’t attend UH, this case establishes patterns and strategies that apply across Texas campuses. The involvement of national headquarters (Pi Kappa Phi) shows how pattern evidence from other states can support Texas cases. The university’s response pattern provides a benchmark for evaluating other institutional responses.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Understanding the Greek Ecosystem

For Keller families, understanding that fraternities and sororities exist within complex networks of legal entities, insurance policies, and national organizations is crucial. We maintain what we call our “Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine”—a comprehensive database of Greek organizations across Texas that informs our litigation strategy.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses

Texas has over 1,400 Greek-related organizations across 25 metropolitan areas. These aren’t just social clubs—they’re legal entities with Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), mailing addresses, and often complex corporate structures. Here are examples from our database showing the scale and complexity:

In the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro (510+ Organizations):

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, EIN 742911848, Fort Worth, TX 76244 – Fraternity foundation
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147 – Housing foundation
• Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity – Gamma Psi Chapter, Fort Worth, TX – TCU chapter
• Sigma Nu Fraternity – Lambda Epsilon Chapter, Fort Worth, TX – TCU chapter

In the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro (188+ Organizations):

• Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Houston, TX – Alumni/house corporation
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae, Houston, TX – Graduate chapter
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter, Houston, TX – Undergraduate chapter

Texas-Registered IRS B83 Organizations (125+ Entities):

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc, EIN 133048786, College Station, TX 77845
• Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Inc, EIN 161675890, The Woodlands, TX 77382
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc, EIN 475370943, Houston, TX 77204 – Theta Delta chapter
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, EIN 746064445, Nederland, TX 77627 – Epsilon Kappa chapter

Why This Directory Matters for Keller Families:
When hazing occurs, multiple entities may share liability: the undergraduate chapter, the housing corporation that owns the property, the alumni association that oversees activities, and the national headquarters that sets policies. Our database helps us identify all potentially responsible parties from day one, rather than starting from scratch.

National Histories Matter: Patterns Across Campuses

Many fraternities and sororities at Texas campuses have national organizations with documented hazing histories. These histories matter because they establish “foreseeability”—the legal concept that organizations should have known the risks based on what happened elsewhere.

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): The national organization behind the Stone Foltz case at Bowling Green ($10M settlement) and other alcohol-related deaths. When Pi Kappa Alpha chapters at Texas schools engage in forced drinking, we can argue the national had foreseeable knowledge of the risks.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Multiple hazing-related deaths and severe injuries nationwide, including traumatic brain injury cases and chemical burn incidents. SAE’s national history informs cases at Texas A&M and other Texas campuses.

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): The Max Gruver case at LSU led to Louisiana’s felony hazing statute. This history matters when Phi Delta Theta chapters engage in drinking games at Texas schools.

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): The Andrew Coffey case at Florida State and now the Leonel Bermudez case at UH show patterns within this national organization.

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ): Documented hazing incidents including at SMU, with national patterns of physical hazing and alcohol abuse.

When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that got another chapter shut down or sued in another state, that pattern evidence supports negligence arguments against national entities. National headquarters can’t claim “we had no idea this could happen” when their own history shows exactly what happens.

Texas Universities Roster: Where Greek Life Exists

Based on official university rosters, here are some of the major organizations present at Texas schools:

University of Houston:

• Fraternities: Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Sigma Phi, Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu now closed), Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, and others
• Sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, and others
• NPHC/Divine Nine: All nine historically Black organizations have chapters

Texas A&M University:

• Fraternities: Alpha Sigma Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others
• Sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, and others
• Corps of Cadets: Unique military-style structure with its own traditions and risks

UT Austin:

• Fraternities: Alpha Sigma Phi, Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others
• Sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, and others
• Public Hazing Violations Log: Documents organizational sanctions

These rosters matter because when we investigate a case, we start with the official university recognition, then trace outward to housing corporations, alumni associations, and national headquarters—all potential sources of liability and insurance coverage.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

When Keller families come to us after a hazing incident, we follow a systematic approach to building the strongest possible case. This isn’t just about filing a lawsuit—it’s about conducting a thorough investigation that uncovers the full truth and identifies all responsible parties.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Communications (The Most Important Evidence in 2025)

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, fraternity-specific apps
• Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok comments (even disappearing ones)
• Emails between members, officers, nationals, or advisors
• Action: Screenshot everything immediately—messages disappear quickly when organizations realize there’s trouble

Photos & Videos

• Content filmed by members during events (often shared in group chats)
• Security camera or doorbell footage at houses and venues
• Medical documentation of injuries (photograph from multiple angles with scale)
• Action: Preserve originals with metadata intact

Internal Organization Documents

• Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” documents
• Meeting minutes, risk management plans, alcohol purchase records
• Communications with national headquarters about chapter activities
• Action: These often require subpoenas or discovery requests

University Records

• Prior conduct files, probation/suspension letters, warning notices
• Incident reports to campus police or student conduct offices
• Clery Act reports and similar disclosures
• Action: Public records requests and litigation discovery can uncover these

Medical & Psychological Records

• Emergency room and hospitalization records
• Toxicology reports (blood alcohol levels, drug screens)
• Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses)
• Action: Comprehensive medical documentation is crucial for damages

Witness Testimony

• Other pledges or new members who experienced the same treatment
• Former members who quit or were expelled
• Roommates, RAs, bystanders who observed behavior or aftermath
• Action: Interview early while memories are fresh

Damages: What Can Be Recovered

In hazing cases, damages extend far beyond medical bills. We categorize them as:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Financial Losses)

• Past medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, medications)
• Future medical expenses (ongoing therapy, treatments, medications)
• Lost income (for student or parent who missed work)
• Diminished future earning capacity (if injuries cause permanent disability)
• Educational costs (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships, transfer expenses)

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective But Real Harm)

• Physical pain and suffering from injuries
• Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life (can’t participate in activities they loved)
• Reputational harm (social stigma, difficulty transferring schools)

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship, love, and guidance
• Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages (When Conduct is Especially Reckless)

• To punish defendants for particularly egregious conduct
• To deter future hazing
• Available in Texas under certain circumstances

The Leonel Bermudez UH case demonstrates comprehensive damages: medical bills for 4-day hospitalization and ongoing kidney treatment, future medical monitoring for permanent kidney damage, pain and suffering from rhabdomyolysis, emotional trauma from the hazing experience, and educational disruption.

Insurance Coverage Strategies

Fraternities, sororities, and universities typically have insurance policies, but insurers often argue that hazing is excluded as “intentional conduct.” Our approach includes:

• Identifying all potential policies: chapter policies, national organization policies, university umbrella policies, individual members’ homeowners policies
• Arguing that even if hazing was intentional, the negligent supervision by nationals or universities is covered
• Pursuing bad faith claims against insurers who wrongfully deny coverage
• Using our insider knowledge (Mr. Peña’s background as an insurance defense attorney) to anticipate and counter insurance company tactics

The Discovery Process: Uncovering Hidden Truths

Once litigation begins, the discovery process allows us to obtain documents and testimony that organizations might prefer to keep hidden:

• National fraternity records: Prior incident reports from other chapters, risk management files, communications about the specific chapter
• University files: Internal investigations, prior complaints about the same organization, emails among administrators
• Digital forensics: Even deleted messages can sometimes be recovered
• Depositions: Questioning chapter members, officers, advisors, university officials under oath

This process often reveals patterns that individual incidents might not show—repeated warnings ignored, minimal consequences for prior violations, systemic failures in supervision.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Keller Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
• Extreme fatigue or exhaustion beyond normal academic stress
• Sudden weight loss or gain (from food restriction or stress)
• Sleep deprivation (constant late nights, 3 AM wake-up calls)
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability, withdrawal
• Sudden secrecy about organizational activities (“I can’t talk about it”)
• Constant phone use for group chats with immediate response demands
• Financial changes: unexpected large expenses, maxed credit cards

How to Talk to Your Child About Hazing

• Ask open questions: “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
• Express concern without judgment: “I’ve noticed you seem exhausted lately—is everything okay?”
• Emphasize safety over status: “Your health matters more than any membership.”
• Listen without interrupting if they start to open up

If Your Child Is Hurt: Immediate Steps

1. Medical attention first: Even if they insist they’re “fine,” get proper evaluation
2. Document everything: Photos of injuries, screenshots of messages, notes about what happened
3. Preserve evidence: Don’t wash clothing, don’t delete messages, save physical items
4. Write detailed notes: Who, what, when, where—memories fade quickly
5. Contact an attorney: Before talking to university or insurance representatives

Dealing with the University

• Document every communication (emails, calls, meetings)
• Ask specific questions: “What prior incidents involve this organization?” “What disciplinary actions have been taken before?”
• Don’t sign anything without legal review
• Understand that university interests may not align with your family’s interests

When to Contact a Lawyer

• If there are significant physical or psychological injuries
• If the university response seems inadequate or defensive
• If you suspect a cover-up or evidence destruction
• If criminal charges are being considered
• Simply for a confidential evaluation of your options

For Students: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Is This Hazing or Just Tradition?
Ask yourself:

• 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?
• Are older members making new members do things they don’t have to do themselves?
• Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about activities?

If you answered yes to any, it’s likely hazing.

Your Rights in Texas

• You cannot be punished for calling 911 or seeking medical help in an emergency (good-faith reporter immunity)
• Hazing is a crime—you are the victim, not the perpetrator
• Consent is not a legal defense to hazing
• You can request no-contact orders through the university if harassed

How to Exit Safely

• Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, trusted friend)
• Send a clear written resignation: “I am resigning my membership effective immediately”
• Don’t go to “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
• Document any threats or harassment
• Report retaliation to campus authorities

Evidence Collection for Students

• Screenshot group chats with timestamps and participant names visible
• In Texas, you can legally record conversations you’re part of (one-party consent)
• Photograph injuries immediately and over several days to show progression
• Save everything digital—don’t delete even if embarrassed
• Tell medical providers you were hazed so it’s documented in records

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Evidence Be Destroyed
What happens: Messages get deleted, photos disappear, physical evidence is discarded
Why it’s wrong: Makes case nearly impossible to prove; can look like cover-up
Better approach: Preserve everything immediately; use cloud backups

2. Confronting the Organization Directly
What happens: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Why it’s wrong: Gives them time to prepare defenses and control narrative
Better approach: Document quietly, then consult an attorney

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms
What happens: You may waive legal rights; settlements are often inadequate
Why it’s wrong: Universities protect themselves first
Better approach: Have an attorney review anything before signing

4. Posting on Social Media
What happens: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Why it’s wrong: Can waive privacy protections; creates discoverable evidence
Better approach: Keep discussions private; let attorney control messaging

5. Waiting for University Investigation
What happens: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute of limitations runs
Why it’s wrong: University process ≠ real accountability; timing is critical
Better approach: Consult attorney immediately while preserving evidence

Frequently Asked Questions for Keller Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in personal capacity. Private universities (SMU, Baylor, TCU) have fewer immunity protections. The ongoing UH case demonstrates suing both the university and Board of Regents.

“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. The Leonel Bermudez case, with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, would likely qualify for felony consideration.

“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, power imbalance, 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. The “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving cover-ups, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to preserve your rights.

“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. The UH case involves multiple locations: chapter house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park.

“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 while pursuing accountability. However, some cases, like the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, attract media attention due to their severity.

“What will this cost our family?”
We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, including hazing litigation. This means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. We cover case expenses initially and are reimbursed from the recovery. This makes quality legal representation accessible regardless of financial circumstances.

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases

When your Keller 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. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) brings unique qualifications to hazing cases that most firms simply don’t have.

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine

While other firms start from zero when investigating hazing cases, we begin with our proprietary database of over 1,400 Greek organizations across Texas. We know the legal entities, EINs, corporate structures, and insurance patterns before we even take your case. This means we can immediately identify all potentially responsible parties rather than spending months on basic investigation.

Insurance Insider Advantage

Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national defense 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”
• Set reserves and negotiate settlements

This insider knowledge is invaluable. We know their playbook because we used to run it. When insurance companies try to deny coverage or lowball settlements, we understand their strategies and how to counter them effectively.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience

Ralph Manginello’s experience with the BP Texas City explosion litigation demonstrates our capability against massive institutional defendants. Taking on billion-dollar corporations prepared us for national fraternities and universities with unlimited legal budgets. We’re not intimidated by powerful defendants or their defense teams.

Our federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) is crucial for hazing cases that may involve Title IX claims, civil rights issues, or multi-state defendants. We understand the procedural complexities that can make or break institutional accountability cases.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Results

We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We work with economists to value lifetime care needs, future earning capacity losses, and comprehensive damages. In hazing cases involving permanent injuries like traumatic brain damage, kidney failure, or severe psychological trauma, this experience matters.

The Leonel Bermudez UH case demonstrates our approach: comprehensive medical documentation of rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, collaboration with medical experts, and aggressive pursuit of all responsible parties including 13 individual members, the chapter, national headquarters, and the university.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise

Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) signals elite criminal defense capability that few personal injury firms possess. This is crucial because hazing cases often involve:

• Criminal charges against individuals
• Witnesses with potential criminal exposure
• Interactions between criminal and civil proceedings
• Constitutional issues in investigations

We can advise on the complete picture, not just the civil case. This dual capability is particularly valuable when former members want to cooperate but fear criminal consequences.

Investigative Depth & Expert Network

We maintain relationships with experts who are crucial in hazing cases:

• Medical experts (rhabdomyolysis, toxicology, psychiatry)
• Digital forensics specialists (recovering deleted messages)
• Greek life culture experts
• Economists and life care planners
• Institutional policy experts

In the UH case, medical experts documented the critically high creatine kinase levels confirming rhabdomyolysis. In other cases, digital forensics experts recover deleted group chats. Having this network ready means we can build compelling cases quickly.

Empathy & Victim Advocacy

We know hazing cases are among the most emotionally challenging situations families face. Your child trusted an organization that betrayed that trust. You’re dealing with trauma, anger, confusion, and institutional resistance. We approach every case with:

• Respect for your family’s emotional journey
• Commitment to preventing future harm to other students
• Understanding that this isn’t just about money—it’s about accountability
• Patience through what can be a long and difficult process

Our goal is to get you answers, hold the right people accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family. The “Enough is enough” statement from the UH case reflects our genuine commitment to changing campus cultures.

Call to Action for Keller Families

If you or your child has experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether it’s TCU right here in Tarrant County, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, UH, or any other institution—we want to hear from you. The physical distance from Keller to these campuses doesn’t diminish your right to accountability or the urgency of protecting evidence.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you contact us, we’ll provide a confidential, no-obligation consultation where we:

1. Listen to your story without judgment
2. Review any evidence you’ve preserved (photos, texts, medical records)
3. Explain your legal options: criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
4. Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
5. Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
6. Provide our assessment of your situation based on Texas law and our experience

There’s no pressure to hire us immediately. We want you to make an informed decision that’s right for your family.

Clear Contact Information

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 (Ralph Manginello),