The Ultimate Guide to Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: What Decatur, Wise County Families Need to Know About Fraternity & Sorority Abuse

The phone rings at 3 AM. Your son, a freshman at a Texas university, is slurring his words. He says he’s “fine,” just at a “brotherhood event,” but you hear shouting in the background. Hours later, you get a call from a hospital in another city. Your child is in the ER with a sky-high blood alcohol level, severe muscle breakdown, or traumatic injuries from a “tradition” you never approved. The university assures you they’re “looking into it.” The fraternity president says it was “just a party.” You’re left terrified, confused, and furious, wondering who is truly accountable and how to protect your child’s future.

If you are a parent in Decatur, Wise County, this nightmare scenario is not hypothetical. Right now, in Houston, we are actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in the country on behalf of a young man named Leonel Bermudez, who nearly died after being hazed by the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. His story—involving forced overeating, waterboarding-like abuse, and extreme physical workouts that led to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—is a stark reminder that severe hazing is happening at Texas universities today. For families in Decatur, Bridgeport, Alvord, and across Wise County whose children attend Texas A&M, UT Austin, UH, or other campuses, understanding the reality of modern hazing, the legal landscape, and your rights is the first step toward accountability and prevention.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for Decatur and Wise County families. We will explain what hazing truly looks like in 2025, break down Texas and federal law, examine patterns from national tragedies, and provide a detailed look at the Greek ecosystems at major Texas universities. Most importantly, we will show you how a data-driven legal strategy, like the one we are employing in the Bermudez case, can uncover the full network of responsibility behind these abuses.

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, and DMs immediately.
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects used in hazing).
• Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where).
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast. We can help preserve it and protect your child’s rights.

Do NOT:

• Confront the fraternity/sorority directly.
• Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
• Post details on public social media.
• Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Texas Students

Hazing is not a relic of the past or simple “horseplay.” It is a calculated pattern of coercion and abuse that has evolved to avoid detection. For Decatur parents, recognizing the modern signs is critical.

A Modern Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of joining, affiliating with, or maintaining membership in any organization. Crucially, under Texas law, the victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

Main Categories of Modern Hazing:

1. Alcohol & Substance Hazing: Forced consumption during “lineups,” “Big/Little” reveal nights, or drinking games like the “Bible study” that killed Max Gruver at LSU. This remains the leading cause of hazing deaths.
2. Physical Hazing: Extreme calisthenics (“smokings”), paddling, beatings, sleep deprivation, and exposure to extreme elements. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Leonel Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, leading to catastrophic muscle breakdown.
3. Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, and acts with racist or sexist overtones. This is prevalent in athletic teams and some Greek traditions.
4. Psychological & Digital Hazing: Verbal abuse, isolation, and social media manipulation. This includes 24/7 control via GroupMe, forced humiliating posts on TikTok or Instagram, and geo-tracking via apps.

Where It Happens: While fraternities and sororities are often the focus, hazing is pervasive in:

• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs (as seen in Texas A&M lawsuits).
• Athletic teams (from football to cheerleading).
• Spirit and tradition groups (like Texas Cowboys or song leaders).
• Marching bands and performing arts groups.
• Academic and service clubs.

The culture of “tradition,” secrecy, and social power keeps these practices alive, even when every member “knows” it’s illegal.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: A Wise County Family’s Legal Framework

Texas has specific laws to combat hazing, but navigating them requires understanding both criminal penalties and civil liability.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37 (The Hazing Statute):

• Definition (§37.151): An intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for purposes of initiation or affiliation. This applies on or off campus.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152): Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a STATE JAIL FELONY if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): Even if your child “agreed,” it is still a crime.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 and lose university recognition.
• Immunity for Reporting (§37.154): Individuals who in good faith report hazing or call for medical help are protected from liability.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases:

• Criminal: Brought by the state (DA) to punish with jail, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, or manslaughter.
• Civil: Brought by the victim or family to seek compensation and accountability. This is where we hold every responsible party—from the individual member who swung the paddle to the national headquarters that looked the other way—financially and legally accountable.

Federal Law Overlay:

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents transparently and maintain public data.
• Title IX & The Clery Act: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, or occurs alongside reportable crimes, these federal laws impose additional duties on universities.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students who planned, participated, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter as a legal entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters for negligent supervision and failure to enforce policies.
4. The University (or its Board of Regents) for deliberate indifference to a known, dangerous pattern.
5. Third Parties like housing corporations, property owners, and alcohol providers.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Script Texas Chapters Follow

Tragically, hazing incidents follow predictable scripts. National patterns prove that organizations have been on notice for decades.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern:

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died after a bid-acceptance night of forced drinking; brothers delayed calling 911 for 12 hours. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, civil settlements, and Pennsylvania’ “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.”
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Pledge died after being forced to drink a bottle of liquor. Result: $10+ million in settlements, criminal convictions, and the chapter president held personally liable for $6.5 million.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died after a “Bible study” drinking game. Result: Louisiana’s “Max Gruver Act” making hazing a felony.

The Physical & Ritualized Violence Pattern:

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Pledge died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded “glass ceiling” tackling ritual at a retreat. Result: National fraternity convicted of felony charges and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

The Athletic Hazing Pattern:

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread sexualized and racist hazing allegations led to a coach’s firing, multiple lawsuits, and confidential settlements, proving hazing is not confined to Greek life.

What This Means for Decatur Families: These cases are not distant news. They create legal precedent, demonstrate foreseeability, and show that juries will hold organizations accountable with multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. The same national fraternities involved in these tragedies have chapters at Texas A&M, UT, UH, SMU, and Baylor.

Texas University Focus: Where Wise County Students Are at Risk

Parents in Decatur and Wise County often send their children to major universities across Texas. Understanding the specific landscape and history at each campus is essential.

1. Texas A&M University (College Station)

• For Decatur Families: Located about 4 hours south, A&M is a common destination for Wise County students, particularly those interested in engineering, agriculture, or the Corps of Cadets.
• The Culture: A&M’s deep tradition extends to its robust Greek life and the unique, discipline-focused Corps of Cadets.
• Documented Incidents:
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged they were doused with industrial-strength cleaner and other substances, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and lawsuits were filed.
  • Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages.
• How a Case Proceeds: Investigations may involve A&M’s Student Conduct Office, the Corps Commandant, and the Brazos County District Attorney. Civil suits often name the university, the Corps, and national organizations.

2. University of Texas at Austin

• For Decatur Families: As Texas’ flagship university, UT Austin attracts students from across the state, including Wise County, for its premier academic programs.
• Notable Transparency: UT maintains a public Hazing Violations webpage, listing sanctioned organizations.
• Documented Incidents (From UT’s Public Log):
  • Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): Sanctioned for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
  • Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): Repeated sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, and humiliation.
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): An Australian exchange student sued after allegedly being assaulted at a party, suffering a dislocated leg, broken nose, and fractured tibia.
• How a Case Proceeds: UT police (UTPD) and Austin PD may have jurisdiction. UT’s own public violation log becomes powerful evidence of prior knowledge in a civil lawsuit.

3. University of Houston (UH)

• For Decatur Families: UH’s proximity to major industries and diverse programs draws Texas students. Our firm’s flagship case is here.
• The Flagship Case – Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi:
  • What Happened: In fall 2025, pledge Leonel Bermudez endured weeks of abuse, including a degrading “pledge fanny pack,” forced chauffeuring, cold-weather exposure, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting. A November 3rd “workout” of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats caused rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He was hospitalized for four days, passing brown urine.
  • The Response: Pi Kappa Phi national suspended the Beta Nu chapter on November 6, 2025. Members voted to surrender their charter on November 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”
  • The Lawsuit: We filed a $10 million lawsuit against UH, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national, the chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual members. This active litigation demonstrates our frontline fight against institutional hazing.
• How a Case Proceeds: As seen in our Bermudez case, litigation involves peeling back layers: the chapter, the national, the housing corporation, the university, and individual members. Houston and Harris County courts are key venues.

4. Baylor University (Waco) & Southern Methodist University (Dallas)

• Private School Context: These universities have strong Greek life but different disciplinary and transparency structures than public schools.
• Baylor: Has faced scrutiny over campus safety culture. The baseball team suspended 14 players in 2020 following a hazing investigation.
• SMU: Kappa Alpha Order was suspended in 2017 following reports of paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.

For Decatur families, the lesson is clear: no university is immune. Whether your child is at a large public school or a private institution, hazing persists where secrecy and tradition outweigh safety.

The Greek Ecosystem: Public Records & National Histories

At Attorney911, we don’t just take a client’s word. We investigate using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a proprietary database built from public records that maps the entire Greek organizational landscape. This is how we identify every potentially liable entity from day one.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Entities Relevant to Wise County Families

The organizations behind the letters are more than just a group of students. They are legal entities with Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), mailing addresses, and insurance policies. Below is a sample from our database showing the types of organizations we track.

Sample IRS B82/B83 Filings (Texas-Registered Greek Organizations):

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 46-2267515 – Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation – EIN 37-1768785 – Missouri City, TX 77459 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 74-1380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc – EIN 45-3325054 – Mansfield, TX 76063 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Sigma Phi Epsilon Texas Eta – EIN 82-4398421 – Richmond, TX 77406 (IRS B83 Filing)

Cause IQ Metro Listings (Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro – 510+ Greek Entities):

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – Fort Worth, TX 76244
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity – Texas Rho Corp. – Austin, TX
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation – Fort Worth, TX

Why This Directory Matters for Your Case: When we take your case, we already know how to find the housing corporation that owns the chapter house, the alumni foundation that may hold insurance, and the national headquarters. We don’t start from zero. This investigative depth is what forces serious settlements and uncovers insurance coverage.

National Histories & Foreseeability

When a chapter at UT or A&M hazes, it’s rarely an isolated event. It’s often following a national script. This “pattern evidence” is crucial for holding national headquarters liable.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): National pattern of “Big/Little” alcohol hazing (Stone Foltz death).
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Multiple chapter closures and lawsuits nationwide for alcohol and physical hazing.
• Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver death at LSU exposed systemic drinking game traditions.
• Pi Kappa Phi: The Andrew Coffey death at Florida State and our active UH case show a pattern of serious physical hazing.

We use this national history to prove that the organization knew or should have known this conduct was foreseeable and failed to take adequate steps to prevent it.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages

Winning a hazing case requires a strategic, evidence-first approach. This is where our experience as both plaintiff’s attorneys and former insurance defense counsel provides an unmatched advantage.

Critical Evidence We Secure:

1. Digital Forensics: Deleted GroupMe, WhatsApp, and text messages; social media posts and stories; location data.
2. Internal Chapter Records: Pledge manuals, meeting minutes, financial records showing alcohol purchases.
3. National Fraternity Files: Prior incident reports, risk management audits, and communications with the chapter—obtained through discovery.
4. University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same chapter, Clery Act reports, internal investigation files.
5. Medical Evidence: ER records, toxicology reports, psychological evaluations for PTSD, and expert testimony on long-term effects like kidney damage from rhabdomyolysis.

Our Legal Strategy:
We build a “circle of liability” that includes every responsible party to maximize accountability and ensure there is adequate insurance coverage to compensate your family fully. We anticipate and defeat common defense tactics, such as insurers claiming hazing is an “intentional act” excluded from coverage.

Damages We Fight to Recover:

• Economic: All medical bills (past and future), lost tuition, and diminished future earning capacity.
• Non-Economic: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death: Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship for families.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious conduct or cover-ups, we seek damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing.

Practical Guides for Decatur Parents, Students & Witnesses

For Parents: Warning Signs & First Steps

• Signs: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, sudden secrecy, personality changes, constant anxiety about group chats, declining grades.
• First 48 Hours: Prioritize medical care. Help your child preserve all digital evidence (screenshots, photos). Write down a timeline. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 before reporting to the university or confronting the organization.

For Students: Is This Hazing?

If you feel pressured, unsafe, or humiliated to belong, it likely is. You have the right to leave and the right to be safe. Texas law protects those who report in good faith.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case

• Deleting text messages or group chats.
• Confronting the chapter before evidence is preserved.
• Signing a university “resolution” agreement without an attorney.
• Posting about the incident on social media.
• Waiting too long to seek legal counsel as evidence disappears and witnesses are coached.

Why Attorney911 for Your Wise County Hazing Case

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates with the specific expertise and determination to take on powerful institutions. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) brings a unique combination of skills to hazing litigation:

• Active, High-Stakes Experience: We are currently leading the $10 million Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. We are in the fight right now.
• Insider Insurance Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense attorney for national insurance companies. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny, delay, and minimize your claim. We know their playbook because we used to run it.
• Complex Institutional Litigation: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced billion-dollar defendants with limitless legal budgets and won. Universities and national fraternities do not intimidate us.
• Data-Driven Investigation: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—exemplified by the public records directory in this guide—means we start your case with a map of liability, not a blank slate.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Insight: Mr. Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits, allowing us to advise families comprehensively.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. Se habla Español.
• We Serve All of Texas: From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims and their families in Decatur, Wise County, and across the state. We are ready to help you.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If you suspect your child has been hazed at any Texas university—whether in the Corps at A&M, a fraternity at UT, a sorority at SMU, or any campus organization—you are not alone. The path to accountability starts with a conversation.

We offer a free, completely confidential case evaluation. In this consultation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Explain the legal options available under Texas law.
• Discuss the investigation process and what we can do immediately to preserve evidence.
• Answer your questions about costs (we work on a contingency fee basis—no fee unless we win).

Do not let the university or the organization control the narrative. Do not let evidence disappear. Take the first step toward justice and preventing this from happening to another family.

Contact Attorney911, The Legal Emergency Lawyers™, Today.

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com

We stand with families in Decatur, Bridgeport, Alvord, and every community in Wise County.

Legal Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and law. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911. Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas.