The Definitive Guide to Hazing Lawsuits & Accountability for Village of San Leanna Families

A Texas Parent’s Worst Nightmare: When “Tradition” Becomes Trauma

Picture a crisp fall evening in the Village of San Leanna. Your child, a bright student you raised with care here in Travis County, is at their university campus—perhaps just a short drive away at UT Austin, or further at Texas A&M or the University of Houston. They texted earlier about a “bid acceptance” or “big brother reveal” with their new fraternity or sorority. The messages seemed excited. Now, it’s 2 AM, and your phone rings. Your child’s voice is slurred, confused, terrified. They’ve been forced to drink beyond any reasonable limit. They’re being taunted, humiliated, or worse—they’re injured and afraid to call for help because older members warned that “snitches get stitches” and the chapter will be shut down.

This isn’t a hypothetical. Right now, in Houston, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student and Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter pledge. The allegations are horrifying, yet tragically familiar: a “pledge fanny pack” filled with condoms and sex toys; enforced dress codes and overnight chauffeuring; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting; and an extreme November 3 workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats that left him unable to stand.

The medical outcome was catastrophic: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. As reported in the Click2Houston investigation and ABC13 coverage, the Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended and voted to surrender its charter. The University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” This is happening now, in Texas, to a family just like yours.

If you are a parent in the Village of San Leanna, the unincorporated community in Travis County where many families send their children to prestigious Texas universities, this guide is for you. We will explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, the Texas and federal laws that govern it, the national patterns repeating at our state’s campuses, and the legal pathways to accountability. We serve families throughout Texas from our Houston, Austin, and Beaumont offices, and we understand the unique concerns of Central Texas families.

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

Beyond the Stereotypes: A Modern Definition

Hazing is no longer just about “hell week” or paddling. In 2025, hazing means 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. For Village of San Leanna families whose children may be at UT Austin, Texas A&M, or any Texas campus, understanding this evolution is crucial.

The critical legal and psychological point: “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of social exclusion. Texas law recognizes this reality.

The Five Modern Categories of Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadly form. It includes forced or coerced drinking through “lineups,” chugging challenges, “big/little” nights with handles of liquor, and games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mandate drinking. The Leonel Bermudez UH case allegedly involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting. The risk isn’t just alcohol poisoning—it’s traumatic brain injury from falls, aspiration, and long-term organ damage.

2. Physical Hazing
This has evolved from simple paddling to include:

• Extreme calisthenics or “smokings” far beyond normal conditioning (like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in the UH case)
• “Workouts” at odd hours in remote locations like parks
• Sleep and food/water deprivation
• Exposure to extreme elements (cold weather in underwear)
• Physical restraint (the UH case alleges another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour)

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. The “pledge fanny pack” in the UH case—containing condoms, a sex toy, and humiliating items—represents this category.

4. Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming during meetings or “interviews.” This creates trauma that can manifest as PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

5. Digital/Online Hazing
The newest frontier includes group chat dares, social media “challenges,” pressure to create compromising content, 24/7 availability demands via GroupMe or Discord, and public humiliation on Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok. Evidence often lives here before being deleted.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

While Greek life receives most attention, hazing occurs in:

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

The common threads: social status, tradition, secrecy, and power imbalance keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability Framework: What Village of San Leanna Families Must Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Foundation

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in the Education Code that govern cases involving Village of San Leanna families and all Texas students. The law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or membership that:

1. Endangers physical health or safety (e.g., beating, forced exercise, forced consumption)
2. Endangers mental health or safety (e.g., extreme humiliation, intimidation)

Key Provisions Village of San Leanna Parents Should Understand:

• §37.152 Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor by default, but becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes injury requiring medical treatment, and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing or retaliating against reporters.

• §37.153 Organizational Liability: Organizations (fraternities, sororities, clubs) can be criminally prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report it.

• §37.155 Consent Is Not a Defense: This is crucial. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still hazing under Texas law. Courts recognize that consent under peer pressure isn’t true voluntary consent.

• §37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Students who report hazing in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability. Many universities extend this to alcohol/drug amnesty in medical emergencies.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (Travis County DA for UT Austin cases, Harris County DA for UH cases, etc.)
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, or manslaughter in fatal cases
• The burden of proof is “beyond a reasonable doubt”

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
• Focus on negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
• The burden of proof is “preponderance of the evidence” (more likely than not)
• Can proceed even without criminal charges

Many hazing cases involve both tracks running simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required for a successful civil case.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This federal law requires colleges receiving 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)
  This creates more accountability and public records.

Title IX & Clery Act
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. The Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics. These federal frameworks provide additional avenues for accountability beyond Texas law.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover them up.
2. Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity/sorority or club itself as a legal entity.
3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: Often the deepest pockets, liable based on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents.
4. University or Governing Board: Public universities (UT, Texas A&M, UH) have sovereign immunity limitations but can be sued for gross negligence, Title IX violations, or when suing individuals in personal capacity. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of event spaces, bars/alcohol providers (under dram shop laws), security companies.

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys know how to identify all potentially liable parties.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Precedents Tell Us

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
A bid-acceptance event with forced drinking led to fatal falls captured on chapter cameras. Help was delayed for hours. Dozens faced criminal charges; civil litigation followed; Pennsylvania enacted the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Takeaway: Delayed medical care and cover-up culture create devastating liability.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
A “big/little” event where a pledge was given a handle of liquor led to death from alcohol poisoning. Criminal hazing charges followed; FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life. Takeaway: Formulaic drinking “traditions” are predictable scripts for disaster.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant drinking led to death with a 0.495% BAC. Multiple members charged; Louisiana enacted the Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony. Takeaway: Legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
A pledge forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey died from alcohol poisoning. Multiple criminal convictions; BGSU settled for nearly $3 million; the family reached a $10 million total settlement. Takeaway: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
A blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat caused fatal head injuries; help was delayed. Multiple members convicted; the national fraternity was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Takeaway: Off-campus retreats are particularly dangerous, and national orgs face severe sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program. Multiple lawsuits led to the head coach’s firing and confidential settlements. Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to big-money athletic programs.

What These Cases Mean for Village of San Leanna Families

Common threads emerge: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, and cover-ups. Multi-million-dollar settlements and reforms typically follow only after tragedy and litigation. Village of San Leanna families facing hazing at Texas universities are operating in a landscape shaped by these national lessons. The same national organizations involved in these cases—Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi—have chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, UH, SMU, and Baylor.

Texas Focus: Where Village of San Leanna Families Send Their Children

Understanding the Local Greek Ecosystem

The Village of San Leanna is part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area, which according to Cause IQ data contains 154 Greek-related organizations. These range from undergraduate chapters at UT Austin to alumni associations, honor societies, and housing corporations. When your child joins a fraternity or sorority at a Texas university, they’re not just joining a campus club—they’re connecting to a complex network of legal entities with insurance policies, national oversight, and historical patterns of conduct.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Village of San Leanna Families

As part of our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain detailed data on Greek organizations. Here are examples of entities recorded in public filings that operate in or serve the Austin-Round Rock metro area where Village of San Leanna families are connected:

IRS B83 Organizations with Austin Area Presence:

• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY (EIN: 740555581), 2711 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705 – Chi Omega House Corporation (IRS B83 filing)
• LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC (EIN: 741130606), 1908 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705 – Alpha Mu chapter (IRS B83 filing)
• BUILDING CORPORATION OF DELTA CHAPTER OF ALPHA DELTA PI (EIN: 746047117), 2620 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705 (IRS B83 filing)
• SIGMA ALPHA OMEGA CHRISTIAN SORORITY INC (EIN: 851262394), PO Box 302701, Austin, TX 78703 – Beta Mu Chapter (IRS B83 filing)
• SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY INC (EIN: 746084912), PO Box 143674, Austin, TX 78714 – Alpha Omega chapter (IRS B83 filing)
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI (EIN: 463831593), 2307 Vanderbilt Cir, Austin, TX 78723 – Texas State University chapter (IRS B83 filing)

Cause IQ Austin Metro Organizations:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp. – Austin, TX (University of Texas chapter house corporation)
• Delta Tau Delta – Gamma Iota Chapter – Austin, TX (University of Texas chapter house)
• Beta Xi House Corp. of Kappa Kappa Gamma – Austin, TX (University of Texas chapter house corporation)
• Building Corporation – Alpha Delta Pi (Delta) – Austin, TX (University of Texas chapter property)
• Texas Rho Housing Corporation (ΣAE) – Austin, TX
• Texas Alpha Phi House Corporation – Austin, TX (Alpha Phi UT chapter house corporation)

These organizations—and hundreds more across Texas—form the backbone of Greek life that Village of San Leanna students encounter. When hazing occurs, understanding this organizational landscape is crucial for identifying all potentially liable parties.

University of Texas at Austin: The Primary Destination for Village of San Leanna Students

Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT Austin, just miles from the Village of San Leanna in Travis County, is where many local families send their children. With approximately 60 fraternity and sorority chapters and over 5,000 Greek-affiliated students, it represents one of Texas’s largest and most influential Greek systems. The university’s relatively high transparency about hazing violations provides valuable insight into ongoing issues.

UT Austin’s Hazing Policy & Reporting

UT maintains a public Hazing Violations page that lists organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions—a transparency level exceeding many peer institutions. Hazing is prohibited under University policy and Texas law, with reporting channels through the Office of the Dean of Students, UT Police Department, and anonymous online forms.

Documented Incidents & Responses

UT’s public hazing log reveals patterns:

• 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.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): An Australian exchange student alleged assault by fraternity members at a party, resulting in dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. The student sued for over $1 million; the chapter was already under suspension for prior violations.
• Texas Wranglers & Other Spirit Groups: Multiple sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based practices.

These entries demonstrate that even at our flagship university with public reporting, hazing persists.

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed for Village of San Leanna Families

If hazing involves your child at UT:

• Jurisdiction: Cases may involve UT Police Department for on-campus incidents or Austin Police Department for off-campus events. Civil suits would typically be filed in Travis County courts.
• Potential Defendants: Individual students, the local chapter, national fraternity/sorority headquarters, UT Austin (with sovereign immunity considerations), and property owners.
• Evidence Sources: UT’s public hazing log provides pattern evidence; internal conduct files obtained through discovery can show prior knowledge.

What UT Austin Students & Village of San Leanna Parents Should Do

• Report Immediately: Use UT’s online reporting form or contact the Office of the Dean of Students.
• Document Everything: UT’s public log shows they track violations—your report adds to this record.
• Preserve Digital Evidence: Group chats (GroupMe is common), social media posts, texts.
• Consult Experienced Counsel: We understand UT’s systems, Travis County courts, and how to navigate sovereign immunity issues. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture & Greek Life

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Many Village of San Leanna families choose Texas A&M for its strong programs and tradition. The Corps of Cadets and robust Greek life create multiple environments where hazing can occur. The university’s handling of high-profile cases reveals its approach to accountability.

Documented Incidents & Responses

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Two pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The pledges sued for $1 million; the fraternity was suspended for two years.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million; A&M stated it handled the matter under its rules.
• Kappa Sigma Rhabdomyolysis Case (2023): Allegations of extreme physical hazing resulting in rhabdomyolysis—the same life-threatening muscle breakdown condition in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case.

How a Texas A&M Case Might Proceed

• Jurisdiction: Brazos County courts and potentially federal court for Title IX issues.
• Unique Aspects: Corps cases involve military-style command structures; Greek cases follow similar patterns to other campuses.
• Sovereign Immunity: As a public university, A&M has protections but can be sued for gross negligence or Title IX violations.

University of Houston: The Leonel Bermudez Case in Context

Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH’s large commuter and residential population supports active Greek life. The ongoing Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates how quickly hazing can escalate to life-threatening injury.

The Bermudez Case: A Texas Wake-Up Call

As detailed in the Click2Houston and ABC13 coverage, this case involves:

• Multiple Hazing Locations: Pi Kappa Phi house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park
• Escalating Abuse: From “pledge fanny pack” humiliation to forced overeating to extreme workouts
• Medical Catastrophe: Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure requiring hospitalization
• Institutional Response: Chapter suspended Nov. 6, 2025; charter surrendered Nov. 14, 2025; UH called conduct “deeply disturbing”
• Legal Action: $10 million lawsuit against UH, Pi Kappa Phi national, housing corporation, and 13 individual members

What This Means for Village of San Leanna Families

This active litigation proves that:

• Hazing causing lifelong injury is happening now in Texas
• Universities and nationals face serious liability
• Experienced hazing attorneys are already fighting these battles
• The same patterns could affect students at any Texas campus

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

SMU’s Private University Context

As a private institution, SMU has different transparency requirements but faces similar issues:

• Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended until around 2021.
• Insurance Considerations: Private universities may have different insurance coverage and liability structures.

Baylor’s Religious Identity & History

Baylor’s past Title IX issues inform its hazing approach:

• Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation.
• Cultural Factors: Religious branding interacts with accountability expectations.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Meet Texas Chapters

Why National Histories Matter for Liability

When your child joins a fraternity or sorority at a Texas university, they’re connecting to a national organization with a history—sometimes a dangerous history. This matters legally because:

Foreseeability: If a national organization has seen deaths or serious injuries from specific hazing practices at other chapters, they should know those practices are dangerous. When the same patterns repeat at a Texas chapter, that supports negligence claims.

Pattern Evidence: Courts consider whether nationals meaningfully enforced anti-hazing policies or merely paid lip service. A history of minimal responses to serious incidents shows systemic failure.

Punitive Damages: Particularly egregious conduct or willful blindness to known dangers can support punitive damages in some jurisdictions.

National Organizations with Documented Histories at Texas Campuses

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

• National History: Stone Foltz alcohol poisoning death (BGSU, $10M settlement); David Bogenberger death (Northern Illinois, $14M settlement)
• Texas Presence: Chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, UH, SMU, Baylor
• Pattern: “Big/Little” drinking nights, forced alcohol consumption

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

• National History: Multiple hazing-related deaths nationwide; traumatic brain injury lawsuit (Alabama); chemical burns case (Texas A&M)
• Texas Presence: Chapters at all five major Texas universities
• Pattern: Physical abuse, chemical hazing, assault

Pi Kappa Phi

• National History: Andrew Coffey alcohol poisoning death (Florida State)
• Texas Presence: Chapter at UH (Beta Nu now closed), others statewide
• Pattern: Extreme physical hazing, forced consumption (as seen in UH case)

Phi Delta Theta

• National History: Max Gruver alcohol poisoning death (LSU, led to felony hazing law)
• Texas Presence: Chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, others
• Pattern: Drinking games, “Bible study” rituals

Kappa Alpha Order

• National History: Multiple hazing suspensions including SMU chapter
• Texas Presence: Chapters at Texas A&M, UT Austin, others
• Pattern: Paddling, physical discipline

The IRS-Cause IQ Brand Overlap: Tracking Organizations Across Texas

Our data analysis reveals how the same national brands appear across different types of Texas entities:

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority appears in IRS B83 filings in Waco (EIN: 364091267) and Commerce (EIN: 752609909), and in Cause IQ data as undergraduate and alumni chapters in Houston and Beaumont.
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has multiple Texas chapters in IRS data (EINs: 263170920, 352335400, 383742830, etc.) serving universities statewide.
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity appears in IRS filings (EIN: 237279532 in Prairie View) and Cause IQ data as alumni chapters in Beaumont and San Antonio.

This interconnectedness means liability can extend beyond the undergraduate chapter to alumni associations, housing corporations, and national headquarters—all potential defendants in a hazing lawsuit.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages & Strategy for Village of San Leanna Families

Evidence: The Digital Crime Scene

Modern hazing cases are won or lost on digital evidence. As we advise in our video Using Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case, immediate preservation is critical.

1. Digital Communications

• Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, Slack—where planning and bragging occur
• Texts/DMs: Individual messages showing coercion, threats, or admissions
• Social Media: Posts, stories, comments documenting events or injuries
• Deleted Content: Digital forensics can often recover “deleted” messages

2. Photos & Videos

• Content filmed during events (often shared in group chats)
• Security/doorbell camera footage
• Injury documentation with timestamps

3. Internal Organization Documents

• Pledge manuals, initiation scripts
• Emails/texts from officers about traditions
• National policies and training materials

4. University Records

• Prior conduct files (obtained through discovery)
• Incident reports to campus police
• Clery Act reports

5. Medical & Psychological Records

• ER/hospitalization records (crucial for rhabdomyolysis cases like UH)
• Toxicology reports
• Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety

6. Witness Testimony

• Other pledges, members, roommates, RAs
• Former members who quit or were expelled

Damages: What Can Be Recovered

Economic Damages (Quantifiable)

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost earnings/educational impact
• Future care costs (for permanent injuries like kidney damage or TBI)

Non-Economic Damages

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

Wrongful Death Damages (for families)

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

Punitive Damages

• When conduct is particularly egregious or reckless
• Meant to punish and deter future behavior

The Leonel Bermudez UH case demonstrates severe damages: lifelong kidney disease risk, ongoing medical care, psychological trauma, and significant educational disruption.

Insurance Coverage Battles: Why Experience Matters

Fraternities, sororities, and universities carry insurance—but insurers often argue hazing is excluded as “intentional conduct.” This is where Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney proves invaluable. He knows how insurers:

• Value (and undervalue) claims
• Use delay tactics
• Argue coverage exclusions
• Set reserves and negotiate

We identify all potential policies: chapter, national, university, individual homeowners. We fight coverage disputes and bad faith claims when insurers wrongfully deny defense.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Village of San Leanna Families

For Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries or repeated “accidents”
• Extreme fatigue/sleep deprivation beyond normal college stress
• Drastic mood changes, anxiety, withdrawal
• Constant secret phone use for group chats
• Fear of missing “mandatory” events at odd hours
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities

How to Talk to Your Child:

• Ask open questions: “How are new member activities going?”
• Emphasize safety over status: “Your health matters more than any organization.”
• Listen without judgment if they open up.
• If they shut down, monitor closely but don’t force confrontation.

If Your Child Is Hurt:

1. Medical care first—even if they resist.
2. Document everything—photos, notes of what they say, witness names.
3. Preserve digital evidence—screenshot before deletion.
4. Contact an attorney before speaking to university or organization.

For Students: Is This Hazing? What Are My Rights?

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Am I being forced or pressured to do something unsafe?
• Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
• Is this activity hidden from administrators/parents?
• Are older members making new members do things they don’t do themselves?

Your Legal Rights in Texas:

• You cannot be punished for calling 911 in a medical emergency (good-faith reporter immunity).
• Consent is not a defense to hazing under Texas law.
• You can request no-contact orders through the university if harassed.

Safe Exit Strategies:

• Tell someone outside the org first (parent, RA, friend).
• Send written resignation: “I resign my membership effective immediately.”
• Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where pressure/retaliation might occur.
• Report retaliation to campus police and Dean of Students.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

We detail these in our video Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case, but here are the highlights:

1. Deleting Evidence: Messages may be embarrassing, but they’re evidence. Preservation is crucial.
2. Confronting the Organization: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
3. Signing University Documents Without Review: Waivers or “resolution” agreements may limit legal options.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys monitor everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility.
5. Waiting for University Investigation: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitations run.
6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters: Recorded statements are used against you; early settlements are lowball offers.

Frequently Asked Questions for Village of San Leanna Families

“Can we sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UT, Texas A&M, UH) have sovereign immunity limitations, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in personal capacity. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer protections. Every case is fact-specific.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death—like the rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure in the UH case.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to participate?”
Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but exceptions exist. The discovery rule may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving cover-ups, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—as we explain in our Statute of Limitations video, evidence disappears quickly.

“Will this be confidential?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms.

Why Attorney911 for Hazing Cases: Texas-Based, Nationally Relevant

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

When your Village of San Leanna family faces a hazing case, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña)
Mr. Peña (he/him) 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 and coverage exclusion arguments
• Set reserves and negotiate settlements
  As he says, “We know their playbook because we used to run it.” This insider knowledge is invaluable when facing well-funded opponents.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello)
Ralph is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar defendants. He has federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) and isn’t intimidated by national fraternities or universities with unlimited legal budgets. As he states, “We’ve faced billion-dollar corporations before. We know how to fight powerful defendants.”

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Experience
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, working with economists to value lifetime care needs for brain injuries, permanent disabilities, and catastrophic harm. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force real accountability.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) signals elite criminal defense capability. We understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation and can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure.

Investigative Depth & Expert Network
Our network includes:

• Medical experts (rhabdomyolysis, TBI, PTSD specialists)
• Digital forensics experts for recovering deleted evidence
• Greek life culture and institutional policy experts
• Economists and life-care planners
  We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

Spanish-Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, serving Hispanic families throughout Texas. Hablamos Español—contact him at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish.

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Data-Driven Advocacy

Unlike firms that start from scratch, we maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine incorporating:

• IRS B83 Data: 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations with EINs and addresses
• Texas Universities Database: 96 campuses with geographic relationships
• Cause IQ Metro Analysis: 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros
• Brand Overlap Tracking: How national organizations appear across different entity types

This means when you contact us about hazing at your child’s university, we already understand the organizational landscape. We know which house corporations, alumni associations, and national entities might share liability. We’re not learning on your dime—we’re applying existing intelligence to your case.

Call to Action: Your Next Step as a Village of San Leanna Parent

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether UT Austin just miles away, Texas A&M, UH, SMU, Baylor, or any other school—we want to hear from you. Families in the Village of San Leanna and throughout Travis County have the right to answers and accountability.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you contact The Manginello Law Firm:

1. We Listen Without Judgment: We’ll hear your story in complete confidence.
2. Evidence Review: We’ll examine any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records).
3. Legal Options Explained: We’ll outline your options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither.
4. Realistic Expectations: We’ll discuss timelines, challenges, and realistic outcomes.
5. Cost Transparency: We work on contingency—we don’t get paid unless we win. Learn more in our video How Do Contingency Fees Work?
6. No Pressure: Take time to decide. We’re here when you’re ready.

Contact Attorney911 Today

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) or lupe@atty911.com (Mr. Lupe Peña)

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

Whether you’re in the Village of San Leanna, Austin, or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The same organizations, the same insurance companies, the same institutional cover-up tactics exist everywhere. We have the experience, data intelligence, and determination to help you fight back.

Call us today. Let’s bring the truth to light and work toward accountability that honors your child’s experience and helps prevent future harm.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston investigation: 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 Videos:

• Using cellphone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Statute of limitations explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client mistakes that ruin cases: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How contingency fees work: 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 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