The Definitive Guide to Hazing Lawsuits and Accountability for Families in City of Weir, Texas

If you are a parent in City of Weir, in the heart of Williamson County, you send your child to college with hope—for their education, their future, and their safety. You trust the university to protect them. But what happens when the danger comes from within the campus community itself, from the very groups promising brotherhood, sisterhood, and tradition?

Right now, less than three hours from City of Weir in Houston, our firm is leading one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in Texas. We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, and 13 individual members. His story is not an isolated incident from a distant state; it is a current, active case in a Texas court, alleging brutal hazing that caused rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. This is happening here. And if it can happen at UH, it can happen at any Texas school where your child might be studying.

This guide is written specifically for you—parents and families in City of Weir, Georgetown, Round Rock, and across Williamson County. We will explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, and what legal options you have when institutions fail. Whether your student is at nearby Southwestern University, commuting to Texas State, or attending a major hub like UT Austin or Texas A&M, the risks are real, and the need for experienced, Texas-based legal counsel is critical.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

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

In the first 48 hours:

1. Get Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” seek evaluation. Internal injuries like kidney damage from extreme exercise (rhabdomyolysis) may not be immediately apparent.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It’s Deleted:
   • Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), texts, and social media DMs.
   • Photograph any visible injuries from multiple angles.
   • Save physical items (soiled clothing, paddles, receipts for forced purchases).
3. Document Everything: Write down who, what, when, and where while memories are fresh.
4. DO NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
   • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence vanishes quickly. We can help you secure it and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks or harmless traditions. Modern hazing is a calculated system of control, humiliation, and abuse that leverages digital tools and psychological pressure. For City of Weir families, understanding its evolving forms is the first step in recognizing danger.

A Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or achieving status within a group, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student. In plain English: If your child is being forced, coerced, or intensely pressured into doing something dangerous, degrading, or illegal to belong, it is hazing. Under Texas law, your child’s “consent” is not a defense.

The Four Pillars of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol & Substance Hazing: The most common and deadly form.

   • Forced consumption of entire bottles of liquor (“family bottle”).
   • Drinking games like “Bible Study” or trivia where wrong answers mandate drinks.
   • Coerced use of drugs or unknown substances.

2. Physical & “Wellness” Hazing: Often disguised as “conditioning” or “team building.”

   • Extreme, punitive calisthenics (“smokings”)—hundreds of push-ups or squats until collapse.
   • Sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions” or early-morning summons.
   • Exposure to extreme elements (left outside in cold weather, locked in hot rooms).
   • Rhabdomyolysis Risk: This severe muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure—as seen in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case—is a direct result of forced overexertion.

3. Psychological & Humiliating Hazing: Designed to break down identity and enforce obedience.

   • Verbal abuse, screamed insults, and threats of expulsion from the group.
   • Mandatory carrying of degrading “pledge packs” (containing condoms, sex toys, humiliating items).
   • Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, or demeaning costumes.
   • Social isolation from friends and family.

4. Digital Hazing & Control: The 24/7 pressure cooker.

   • Group Chat Tyranny: Constant demands for immediate responses at all hours; punishment for non-compliance.
   • Social Media Humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok or Instagram.
   • Location Tracking: Required to share real-time location via apps like Find My Friends.
   • Evidence Destruction: Orders to delete messages after reading.

Where Hazing Happens: Beyond the Frat House

While fraternities and sororities are often the focus, hazing pervades many groups:

• Corps of Cadets and ROTC units (as seen in Texas A&M cases).
• Athletic Teams, from football to cheerleading.
• Spirit & Tradition Organizations like Texas Cowboys or Songleaders.
• Marching Bands and performance groups.
• Academic or Service Clubs.

The common thread is a hierarchy where older members wield power over new members under the guise of “tradition.”

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What City of Weir Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws to combat hazing, but navigating the legal system requires understanding both criminal penalties and civil pathways to accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

Our state law provides a clear framework:

• Definition (§37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or membership.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152):
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
  • It is also a crime to fail to report known hazing or to retaliate against someone who reports.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): This is crucial. Even if your child “went along with it,” the law recognizes the power imbalance and coercion inherent in hazing.
• Immunity for Reporters (§37.154): Those who report hazing in good faith are protected from liability. Many universities also have medical amnesty policies to encourage calling 911.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aim to punish offenders with jail, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.

• Civil Lawsuits: Brought by the victim and family. Aim to secure compensation for damages and force institutional change. This is where we hold every responsible party accountable, including:

  • The individuals who committed the acts.
  • The local fraternity/sorority chapter.
  • The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters (which often has deep insurance pockets).
  • The University for negligent supervision.
  • Property owners and alcohol providers.

The two cases can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction is not needed to win a civil case, which is based on a “preponderance of the evidence” (more likely than not), not “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

The Federal Overlay: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Campus Hazing Act

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, universities have a federal duty to investigate and address it.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report and publish crime statistics, including certain hazing-related assaults.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): A new federal law requiring increased transparency in hazing reporting and prevention programs at federally funded schools.

The Proof is in the Litigation: National Cases That Shape Texas Law

The following national cases are not just headlines; they are legal precedents that establish patterns of negligence and create the playbook we use to hold Texas organizations accountable.

Fatal Alcohol Hazing: A Repeating Pattern

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a forced drinking “bid night.” Hours of delay in calling 911 were captured on chapter house cameras. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, massive civil settlements, and the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Forced to drink a bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event; died of alcohol poisoning. Result: $10 million in total settlements ($7M from national Pi Kappa Alpha, ~$3M from BGSU). The chapter president was also held personally liable for $6.5 million.
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Died after a “Bible study” drinking game. Result: The Max Gruver Act made hazing a felony in Louisiana.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Died after a “Big Brother” night with forced drinking. This is the same national fraternity currently being sued in our UH case.

Physical & Ritualized Violence

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Died from traumatic brain injury after a violent, blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. Result: The national fraternity was convicted of felony charges and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. This proves off-campus location is no defense.
• Danny Santulli – Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking. Result: Confidential multi-million dollar settlements with 22 defendants, requiring lifelong 24/7 care.

What This Means for Your Texas Case

These cases establish foreseeability. When we sue a national fraternity like Pi Kappa Phi, we can show they knew the lethal risks of “Big Brother” nights because of Andrew Coffey’s death at FSU. When we sue a university, we can show they knew to monitor for dangerous rituals. This pattern evidence is powerful in court.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Data for City of Weir Families

Before you even contact us, we are already investigating. We maintain a proprietary database of Texas Greek organizations built from public records to understand the full landscape of potential liability. This isn’t abstract; it’s how we built the UH Pi Kappa Phi case.

The Greek Ecosystem Around City of Weir & Central Texas

City of Weir is in Williamson County, part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. According to our analysis of IRS and organizational data, this metro is home to over 150 Greek-related entities—including undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, and housing corporations. These are not just social clubs; they are legal entities that can hold insurance and liability.

A Snapshot from the Public Record:

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, EIN 74-2911848, in Fort Worth, TX.
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 74-1380362, in Fort Worth, TX.
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 26-3170920, at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, TX.
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 36-4091267, in Waco, TX.
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. – Theta Iota Chapter, EIN 47-5381060, in San Marcos, TX (Texas State University).

This is a tiny sample from a directory of over 1,400 entities we track statewide. When your child is hazed, we don’t start from zero. We already know how to find the organizations behind the letters.

Texas University Focus: Where City of Weir Families Send Their Kids

Parents in City of Weir often have students at a mix of local, regional, and flagship universities. Understanding the hazing landscape at each is critical.

1. Southwestern University (Georgetown, TX) – In Your Backyard

Just minutes from City of Weir, Southwestern University hosts a smaller Greek community. While less publicized than large schools, hazing risks still exist in close-knit organizations. Private liberal arts schools like Southwestern may handle reports internally, making experienced legal guidance essential to ensure accountability.

2. Texas State University (San Marcos, TX) – A Major Regional Hub

Many Central Texas students, including those from Williamson County, attend Texas State. It has a large, active Greek system. Our data shows multiple registered Greek entities in San Marcos, including chapters of Alpha Sigma Phi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Texas State publishes conduct outcomes, and hazing violations have appeared, related to forced drinking and physical harassment. Cases here may involve the Hays County courts.

3. The University of Texas at Austin – The Flagship Destination

UT Austin is a major destination for top students. It also has one of the most transparent hazing reporting systems in the country via its public Hazing Violations log.

Documented UT Incidents Include:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume excessive milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation and mandatory education.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Ongoing): A lawsuit alleges an exchange student was assaulted at a party, suffering a dislocated leg, broken nose, and fractured tibia.
• Various spirit groups have been sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.

For City of Weir Families: This transparency is a double-edged sword. It shows the problem is acknowledged, but repeated violations indicate persistent issues. A civil case can use these prior violations to prove the university and nationals knew or should have known about the risks.

4. Texas A&M University – Corps Culture and Greek Life

Texas A&M’s unique Corps of Cadets culture and massive Greek system present specific hazing risks.

Notable A&M Cases:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged being doused with industrial-strength cleaner and other substances, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. A lawsuit sought $1 million.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound face-down between beds with an apple in his mouth in a simulated sexual position. The lawsuit sought over $1 million in damages.

For City of Weir Families: These cases show hazing is not limited to Greek life. The institutional culture of “tradition” can foster abuse. Suing a large public university like A&M involves navigating sovereign immunity claims, which requires specific legal strategies.

5. University of Houston – The Active Battleground

Our flagship case makes UH ground zero for hazing accountability in Texas.

The Case of Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi:
In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez. As a Pi Kappa Phi pledge at UH, he was subjected to months of abuse, including:

• The degrading “pledge fanny pack” rule.
• Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints.
• A November 3 “workout” of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

This led to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine and was hospitalized for four days. Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters suspended the chapter, and members voted to surrender their charter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

This case, covered by Click2Houston and ABC13, is active litigation. It demonstrates our firm’s commitment to taking on powerful Texas institutions right now.

6. Baylor University & Southern Methodist University

Private universities like Baylor (Waco) and SMU (Dallas) have their own Greek life challenges and historical contexts (e.g., Baylor’s past athletic scandals). Their private status affects transparency but not liability. Civil discovery can uncover internal reports that are not public.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

When you contact us, we immediately begin a strategic, evidence-driven process. We don’t just file a lawsuit; we build an undeniable record of liability.

Phase 1: Evidence Preservation & Investigation

• Digital Forensics: Recovering deleted GroupMe, WhatsApp, and text messages. Analyzing social media archives.
• Internal Documents: Subpoenaing national fraternity records for prior incident reports, risk management files, and training materials.
• University Records: Obtaining prior conduct records for the chapter through discovery.
• Witness Interviews: Securing testimony from other pledges, former members, and bystanders.
• Medical Analysis: Working with physicians to document the full extent of physical and psychological harm, including long-term projections for conditions like PTSD or kidney impairment.

Phase 2: Identifying All Liable Parties

We cast a wide net to ensure full accountability and access to insurance coverage:

1. Individual Perpetrators
2. Local Chapter (as an entity)
3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters (often the deepest pocket)
4. Chapter Housing Corporation (owns the property)
5. University (for negligent supervision)
6. Alumni Advisors & Governing Boards

Phase 3: Calculating Damages

We fight to recover every category of loss your family has suffered:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy), future medical care, lost wages, and diminished future earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, humiliation, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship, love, and guidance for the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious conduct or cover-ups, we seek damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Critical Steps & Deadly Mistakes: A Guide for City of Weir Families

What You MUST Do:

1. Prioritize Health: Get medical and psychological care immediately. Tell doctors the injuries are from hazing.
2. Preserve Evidence: Follow our video guide on using your phone to document evidence.
3. Document: Keep a journal with dates, names, and details.
4. Report Carefully: Consider reporting to campus police AND local police. Have an attorney advise on timing and strategy.
5. Consult an Attorney Early: The clock is ticking. Understand the Texas statutes of limitations for your case.

Deadly Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case:

• Deleting Evidence: Letting your child “clean up” their phone is obstruction of justice.
• Confronting the Fraternity: This triggers their defense lawyers and evidence destruction.
• Signing University Paperwork: Never sign a “release” or “resolution” from the school without an attorney.
• Posting on Social Media: Defense investigators monitor everything.
• Waiting: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, memories fade. Act now.

For a detailed explanation of these pitfalls, watch our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case.

Why Choose Attorney911? Texas-Based Hazing Specialists

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury firm. You need a team that knows how national fraternities, universities, and their insurance companies fight—and how to win against them. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas, including those in City of Weir and all of Williamson County.

Our Unmatched Advantages for Hazing Cases:

1. Active, High-Stakes Texas Litigation: We are right now leading the $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We are not theorists; we are practitioners in the courtroom.
2. Insider Insurance Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers undervalue claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. We know their playbook because we used to run it. Learn more about Mr. Peña’s insurance defense background.
3. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by the deep pockets of national fraternities or large universities. We’ve faced Goliaths before.
4. Data-Driven Investigation: We employ the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a proprietary database of Greek organizations—to quickly identify all potentially liable entities, from housing corporations to alumni boards.
5. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal side of hazing, which is essential for advising clients and navigating parallel proceedings.
6. Spanish-Language Services: Se habla Español. Mr. Peña provides full legal services in Spanish, ensuring all Texas families have access to justice.

We work on a contingency fee basis: You pay nothing unless we win your case. Learn how our contingency fees work.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child is at a school in Georgetown, San Marcos, Austin, College Station, or anywhere in the United States—you are not alone. The path to healing and accountability begins with a conversation.

We invite you to contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal options clearly and honestly.
• Discuss the realistic timeline and process.
• Answer all your questions about how we can help.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). You can also reach us directly at (713) 528-9070 or via email at ralph@atty911.com.

Visit our website to learn more about our wrongful death practice and our complete commitment to serving Texas families.

For City of Weir and all Williamson County: We are here to help you find answers, secure justice, and prevent this from happening to another family in our community.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston Report: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Documenting Evidence with Your Phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes to Avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Website & Profiles:

• Main Website: https://attorney911.com
• Wrongful Death Practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
• Lupe Peña Profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

Legal Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and law. If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified attorney to discuss your specific situation. The information is current as of late 2025.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) | Direct: (713) 528-9070
Website: https://attorney911.com | Email: ralph@atty911.com
Se habla Español.