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家长的噩梦：德克萨斯州的欺凌和争取正义

电话响了。深夜。你的孩子，一个来自德克萨斯州厄斯市的优秀学生，满怀希望地离家去上大学，现在在急诊室。更糟的是，你得知他们因参加某个校园团体一次未公开的“入会”活动，患上了一种神秘的、危及生命的横纹肌溶解症并住院。这并非遥远的新闻报道；这是在德克萨斯州真实发生的，会摧毁生命。

想象一下：你的孩子，一个像休斯顿大学学生莱昂内尔·伯穆德斯（Leonel Bermudez）那样的年轻人，遭受兄弟会成员数周不断升级的虐待。他被迫佩戴一个装着羞辱性物品的“宣誓学员腰包”，遭受数小时体能极端的“训练”，包括短跑、熊爬和推车比赛，并被迫躺在被呕吐物浸湿的草地上。他被水管喷射面部，“类似于水刑”，并受到更严重的威胁。他被迫喝牛奶，吃热狗和胡椒粒直到呕吐，然后又被强迫进行更残酷的锻炼。一个令人震惊的事件甚至涉及另一名宣誓学员被五花大绑、面朝下地绑在桌子上，嘴里塞着一个物体长达一个多小时。

这场噩梦在11月3日达到高潮，进行了一场残酷的锻炼：在被开除的威胁下，他做了100多次俯卧撑和500次深蹲。不久之后，莱昂内尔出现急性肾衰竭和严重的骨骼肌分解——横纹肌溶解症，排出褐色尿液，无法站立。他住院四天，面临永久性肾损伤和严重的长期身心伤害的持续风险。这不仅仅是严重的欺凌；这是一种攻击。

他的家人，像德州各地小城镇（包括厄斯市）的许多人一样，信任休斯顿大学和希腊社团能提供安全、丰富的体验。然而，莱昂内尔却遭受了改变一生的伤害。由拉尔夫·曼吉内罗（Ralph Manginello）和卢佩·佩尼亚（Lupe Peña）领导的Attorney911律师事务所，代表莱昂内尔·伯穆德斯于2025年末提起了一项1000万美元的诉讼，控告休斯顿大学、其董事会、全国性的Pi Kappa Phi兄弟会、其Beta Nu分会的住房公司，以及13名兄弟会领导和成员。这起在德州发生的案件，揭示了现代欺凌的黑暗现实以及追究责任的紧迫性。

这份全面的指南是为厄斯市和全德克萨斯州的家庭编写的，旨在帮助他们了解：

• 2025年欺凌的真实面貌，远超旧有刻板印象。
• 德克萨斯州和联邦法律关于欺凌的具体规定。
• 全国重大案件的经验教训及其对德克萨斯州家庭的影响。
• 休斯顿大学、德克萨斯农工大学、德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校、南方卫理公会大学和贝勒大学近期和历史上的欺凌模式。
• 厄斯市和德克萨斯州各地受害者及其家属可采取的法律选择。

本文提供一般信息，并非具体的法律建议。曼吉内罗律师事务所（The Manginello Law Firm）具备根据独特事实评估个案的能力，并为德克萨斯州各地（包括厄斯市）的家庭提供服务。

欺凌紧急情况的 IMMEDIATE HELP（立即帮助）：

• 如果您的孩子现在正处于危险之中：
  • 医疗紧急情况请拨打 911。
  • 然后致电 Attorney911： 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)。
  • 我们提供 立即帮助——这就是我们被称为法律紧急律师™的原因。
• 最初的48小时内：
  • 立即寻求 医疗救助，即使学生坚称他们“没事”。
  • 在证据被删除之前，保存证据：
    • 立即截屏群聊、短信、私信。
    • 从多个角度拍摄伤口。
    • 保存实物（衣物、收据、物品）。
  • 在记忆犹新时 写下所有内容（谁、什么、何时、何地）。
  • 请勿：
    • 与兄弟会/姐妹会当面冲突。
    • 签署大学或保险公司提供的任何文件。
    • 在公共社交媒体上发布详细信息。
    • 让您的孩子删除消息或“清理”证据。
• 在24-48小时内联系经验丰富的欺凌律师：
  • 证据消失很快（删除的群聊、销毁的桨、被指导的证人）。
  • 大学会迅速行动以控制叙事。
  • 我们可以帮助保存证据并保护您孩子的权利。
  • 请致电 1-888-ATTY-911 立即咨询。

2025年的欺凌：德克萨斯州各地的真实情况

对于厄斯市和德克萨斯州其他社区的家长来说，“欺凌”（hazing）一词可能会让人联想到几十年前的恶作剧或轻松的入会仪式。但现代欺凌远比这更加阴险、危险，而且往往是残酷的暴力行为。这是我们州校园组织中普遍存在的问题，导致严重的伤害、创伤性脑损伤、终身心理创伤甚至死亡。

欺凌是指任何为加入、保持成员资格或在团体中获得地位而被迫、被胁迫或受到强烈压力采取的行动，其中行为危及身心健康、羞辱或利用他人。这可能发生在任何地方，从休斯顿的中心到大学城的宁静，或者像厄斯市这样的小社区。关键在于，当存在同伴压力和严重权力不平衡时，“我同意了”并不能自动使其成为安全或合法的行为。法律和我们事务所都认为，在这种胁迫性环境中，真正的同意是不存在的。

欺凌的主要类别：超越刻板印象

现代欺凌有多种形式，通常旨在逃避侦测并利用新成员归属的渴望。

• 酒精和药物欺凌： 这可以说是当今最危险和最常见的欺凌形式，经常导致死亡。它包括强迫或胁迫饮酒、一口闷挑战、“排队”或需要快速饮酒的游戏。宣誓学员通常受到压力，被迫饮用未知或混合的物质，或将酒精与危险药物混合。这些活动可能发生在兄弟会会所、休斯顿大学附近的Culmore Drive等校外住所，或租赁的场地。
• 身体欺凌： 身体欺凌远非无害的打闹，它涉及造成伤害或严重身体不适的行为。这可能包括像Pi Kappa Phi案中声称的拍打和殴打，也可能包括极端健美操、“锻炼”或“吸烟”，使个人远远超出安全限制。受害者可能遭受剥夺睡眠、食物或水，或暴露在恶劣环境中，例如在寒冷天气下只穿内衣进行锻炼，或躺在被呕吐物浸湿的草地上。在伯穆德斯欺凌案中使用的Yellowstone Boulevard Park场地，宣誓学员被迫进行极端到失去意识的锻炼。其他例子包括五花大绑或身体攻击，如各种全国性案件所示。
• 性化和羞辱性欺凌： 这些行为旨在贬低和羞辱参与者，通常带有深刻的创伤性心理影响。它们可能涉及强迫裸露或半裸露、模拟性行为（例如德州农工大学学员团中声称的“烤猪”姿势）、穿着侮辱性服装，或具有种族、同性恋或性别歧视色彩的行为，包括侮辱性言语或角色扮演。莱昂内尔·伯穆德斯案中充满侮辱性物品的“宣誓学员腰包”就是这种羞辱的一个典型例子。
• 心理欺凌： 尽管不那么明显，心理欺凌具有令人难以置信的破坏性。它包括言语虐待、持续威胁、恐吓和社交孤立。受害者可能遭受操纵、强迫招供或公开羞辱，通常通过社交媒体或私人会议进行。这可能导致严重的焦虑、抑郁和长期的心理创伤，反映了欺凌所灌输的持续恐惧和屈辱。
• 数字/在线欺凌： 随着智能手机和社交媒体的兴起，欺凌已演变为数字领域。这包括群聊挑战、“挑战”以及通过Instagram、Snapchat、TikTok和Discord等平台进行的公开羞辱。宣誓学员可能被迫创建或分享不雅图片或视频，或通过追踪应用程序暴露其位置，从而营造一个24/7的控制和监视环境。这些数字工具也为掩盖事实提供了便利，因为消息如果未能保存，可能会很快被删除。

欺凌实际发生在哪里：超越“兄弟会之家”的刻板印象

欺凌仅限于兄弟会是一个普遍的误解。不幸的事实是，欺凌渗透到德克萨斯州和全国范围内的广泛校园组织中，影响着来自厄斯市及其他地区追求各种兴趣的学生。

• 兄弟会和姐妹会： 这包括由校际兄弟会理事会 (IFC)、泛希腊理事会 (Panhellenic Council)、国家泛希腊理事会 (NPHC) 和各种多元文化希腊理事会 (MGC) 等机构管理的社团性质的希腊字母组织。莱昂内尔·伯穆德斯在Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu分会的悲惨经历强调，欺凌在休斯顿的这些团体中仍然是一个顽疾。
• 学员团 / ROTC / 军事风格团体： 在德克萨斯农工大学等机构，学员团对传统和忠诚的强调有时会滋生将欺凌伪装成“纪律”的环境。曾有指控称发生了高度侮辱性的仪式。
• 啦啦队、传统社团： 植根于校园传统的组织，如啦啦队（“德克萨斯牛仔”一类）、啦啦队和舞蹈队，都面临过涉及身体虐待、强迫饮酒和侮辱性行为的欺凌指控。
• 运动队： 从橄榄球和篮球到游泳和田径，大学甚至高中阶段的体育项目都可能是欺凌的温床，通常被伪装成“团队建设”或“锻炼意志”。西北大学橄榄球丑闻突出表明了体育欺凌可能变得多么根深蒂固和具有虐待性。
• 军乐队和表演团体： 即使是看似无害的团体，如军乐队或戏剧团体，也曾报告过欺凌事件，这表明对归属感和传统的渴望可能会在任何团体中压倒常识和安全规范。
• 服务、文化和学术组织： 尽管不那么常见，但这些团体也并非免疫。任何具有等级结构和入会程序的组织都可能不幸地容易受到欺凌。

无论是什么组织，其内在动力往往相似：社会地位、对“传统”的尊重以及强大的保密守则之间复杂的相互作用，使得这些危险行为得以延续，即使所有人都“知道”欺凌是非法的，并且明确被大学政策所禁止。对于厄斯市的家庭来说，理解这些更广泛的模式至关重要，因为他们的孩子可能在德克萨斯州各地加入任何此类组织。

法律与责任框架：德克萨斯州和联邦反欺凌法

对于受欺凌影响的厄斯市和德克萨斯州各地的家庭来说，了解法律环境是寻求正义的第一步。德克萨斯州拥有健全的法律，专门旨在打击欺凌行为，而联邦法规则为学生提供了额外的保护。我们事务所Attorney911利用这些框架追究疏忽的组织和机构的责任。

德克萨斯州欺凌法的基本原理（教育法典）

德克萨斯州法律在《德克萨斯州教育法典》中明确定义了欺凌行为，特别是第37章F子章。这个定义至关重要，因为它澄清了什么构成非法欺凌，将其与无辜的恶作剧或可接受的入会行为区分开来。

欺凌定义为任何故意的、明知的或轻率的行为，无论在校内还是校外，由一人单独或与他人一起，针对一名学生，且该行为：

• 危及学生的精神或身体健康或安全，
• 并且是为了加入任何成员包括学生的组织、取得该组织成员资格、担任职务或保持成员身份的目的而发生。

简单来说，如果有人为了让你的孩子加入或留在某个团体，故意或不顾风险地让他们做一些危险、有害或侮辱性的事情，那么根据德克萨斯州法律，这就是欺凌。这适用于无论发生在休斯顿还是厄斯市附近的偏远牧场，只要与学生组织成员资格相关。

德克萨斯州欺凌法的要点：

• 范围： 它明确涵盖校内和校外的行为，这意味着休斯顿大学附近 Culmore Drive 的校外房屋、Yellowstone Boulevard Park 等偏远公园或私人 Airbnb 都是涵盖的地点。
• 伤害： 它涉及精神和身体伤害。这一点至关重要，因为欺凌的心理创伤可能与身体伤害一样具有破坏性。
• 意图： 法律不要求有蓄意伤害的恶意。如果该行为是“轻率的”——意味着行为人知道风险但故意忽视它——那就足够了。
• “同意”不是辩护理由： 《德克萨斯州教育法典》§37.155明确规定，被欺凌者同意欺凌行为并非起诉欺凌的辩护理由。这直接反驳了组织经常使用的常见辩护理由。

刑事处罚：

德克萨斯州法律规定了根据伤害严重程度升级的刑事处罚：

• B级轻罪： 对于未造成严重伤害的欺凌行为（可判处最高180天监禁和最高2,000美元罚款）。
• A级轻罪： 如果欺凌导致需要医疗处理的身体伤害。
• 州监狱重罪： 如果欺凌导致严重身体伤害或死亡。这是一项关键条款，允许在导致器官衰竭或脑损伤等悲剧案件中进行重大刑事指控。

组织官员或成员如果知晓欺凌但未报告，或者报复举报欺凌的人，也将构成轻罪。

组织责任（§37.153）： 如果组织授权或鼓励欺凌，或者以官方身份行事的官员知晓欺凌但未报告，组织可能会因欺凌受到刑事起诉。组织的处罚包括最高10,000美元的罚款以及大学撤销认可的可能性。这意味着个人和他们所属的组织都可能面临刑事指控。

善意报告的豁免（§37.154）： 为了鼓励报告，德克萨斯州法律规定，善意报告欺凌的个人免受民事或刑事责任。这是一项重要的保护措施，尽管报复的恐惧往往是学生面临的重要障碍。

教育机构的报告义务（§37.156）： 德克萨斯州的学院和大学必须提供欺凌预防教育，公布其政策，并每年维护欺凌违规行为和纪律处分的报告。这项授权创建了一份公共记录，可以揭露不当行为模式，并为民事诉讼提供关键证据。

刑事案件与民事案件：两条通往正义的道路

德克萨斯州的家庭了解当欺凌发生时，有两条截然不同的法律途径，并且它们通常可以同时进行，这一点很重要：

• 刑事案件： 这些是由州（检察官）提起的，针对被控违反欺凌法律的个人或组织。目的是通过监禁、罚款或缓刑来惩罚肇事者。在欺凌案件中，指控可能从轻罪欺凌到严重的重罪，如袭击、向未成年人提供酒精，甚至在致死案件中的过失杀人或谋杀。例如，在Pi Kappa Phi/Leonel Bermudez案件中，休斯顿大学表示将与执法部门合作，这可能导致对个别兄弟会成员提起刑事指控。
• 民事案件： 这些是由受害者或其幸存家属针对责任人、组织或机构提起的。主要目的是争取金钱赔偿以弥补所遭受的损害，并强制追究责任。民事案件侧重于以下法律理论：
  • 过失和重大过失： 未能尽到合理注意义务，尤其是在有事先警告的情况下。
  • 非正常死亡： 当欺凌导致死亡时。
  • 疏忽招聘/监督： 如果大学或国家组织未能适当审查或监督其员工、学生领袖或分会。
  • 场所责任： 如果欺凌发生在业主或控制人未能维护安全环境的场所。
  • 故意造成情绪困扰： 针对所造成的心理创伤。

不必有刑事定罪才能提起民事诉讼。证明标准不同，许多民事案件即使在未提起刑事指控或未导致定罪的情况下也获得了成功。

联邦法律：校园欺凌法、第九条和克莱里法案

除了德克萨斯州法律，联邦法规也提供了额外的保护和报告要求：

• 《制止校园欺凌法案》（2024年）： 这项具有里程碑意义的联邦立法要求获得联邦资助的学院和大学对欺凌事件更加透明。到2026年左右，这些机构必须公开报告欺凌事件，加强预防和教育工作，并维护欺凌违规行为的可访问数据。这将为以前不透明的问题带来急需的透明度。
• 第九条（Title IX）： 这项联邦法律禁止任何接受联邦财政资助的教育项目或活动中基于性别的歧视。如果欺凌涉及性骚扰、性侵犯、性别暴力或制造性敌意环境，则可能会触发第九条的义务。大学有义务进行调查并妥善回应，无论欺凌发生在校内还是校外，无论是在休斯顿大学兄弟会之家还是农工大学军训团。
• 克莱里法案（Clery Act）： 《珍妮·克莱里校园安全政策和校园犯罪统计披露法案》要求学院和大学披露有关其校园内及周边犯罪的信息。欺凌事件，特别是涉及袭击、酒精或毒品犯罪甚至绑架的事件，通常属于克莱里法案的报告要求。这确保了包括厄斯市家庭在内的校园社区能够获得重要的安全信息。

谁可以在民事欺凌诉讼中承担责任

欺凌很少是单个“害群之马”的行为。它通常是一种群体现象，德克萨斯州法律和判例允许广泛的个人和实体承担责任。

• 个人学生： 这些是积极策划、实施、提供酒精或参与欺凌行为的成员。这可能包括分会主席、宣誓学员负责人、风险管理人员和其他学生领导，如莱昂内尔·伯穆德斯诉讼中的13名个人被告。
• 地方分会/组织： 兄弟会、姐妹会或俱乐部本身，如果它是一个合法认可的实体（如Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu分会的住房公司）。以官员或“宣誓学员教育者”身份行事的关键人物往往是指定地方分会的中心。
• 全国兄弟会/姐妹会： 负责特许、制定政策并从地方分会收取会费的全国总部（如伯穆德斯案中的Pi Kappa Phi全国总部）。如果全国性组织知道或应该知道某个分会或其整个组织存在欺凌模式，但未能采取充分行动，则可能承担责任。
• 大学或理事会： 教育机构本身（例如休斯顿大学、德州大学系统董事会）可以根据各种理论被起诉，包括疏忽监督、疏忽留用，或助长欺凌环境。虽然德克萨斯州的公立大学受益于主权豁免，但存在例外情况，特别是在重大过失或违反第九条的情况下。
• 第三方： 这可能包括发生欺凌的房屋或活动场所的出租人或业主，酒吧或酒精供应商（根据酒店法，如果他们向未成年人或明显醉酒者过度服务），甚至未能履行职责的保安公司或活动组织者。

每个案件都具体情况具体分析，但Attorney911律师事务所会一丝不苟地调查所有潜在的被告，以确保追究每一个负责任方的责任。

全国欺凌案件模式：给德克萨斯州家庭的启示

欺凌的悲剧常常成为全国新闻头条，揭示了在不同校园和组织中反复出现的虐待和掩盖事实的模式。对于厄斯市的家庭来说，这些全国性的故事不仅仅是遥远的事件；它们确立了重要的法律先例，并突出了德克萨斯州的大学和希腊组织经常忽视的可预见风险。

酒精中毒与死亡：噩梦重演

欺凌最常见和最致命的形式涉及强迫或胁迫饮酒。这种模式悲剧性地一致：新成员被迫饮用危险量的酒精，通常是老成员为了确立支配地位或“惩罚”宣誓学员而为之，导致灾难性后果。

• 蒂莫西·皮亚扎 – 宾夕法尼亚州立大学，Beta Theta Pi兄弟会 (2017)： 在美国历史上最受瞩目的欺凌案件之一中，19岁的蒂莫西·皮亚扎在一次“接受邀请”活动后死亡。兄弟会成员强迫他饮用危险量的酒精，导致一系列跌倒，最终造成创伤性脑损伤。兄弟会会所内的监控录像显示，在皮亚扎受苦的近12小时内，成员们未能呼叫帮助。事件发生后，数十名兄弟会成员受到刑事指控，进行了广泛的民事诉讼，并出台了一项以蒂莫西·J·皮亚扎命名的宾夕法尼亚州反欺凌法。给德克萨斯州家庭的启示： 医疗延误和旨在保护组织（甚至超越生命本身）的沉默文化，会导致严重的法律后果。
• 安德鲁·科菲 – 佛罗里达州立大学，Pi Kappa Phi兄弟会 (2017)： 就在皮亚扎去世几个月后，20岁的安德鲁·科菲在佛罗里达州立大学Pi Kappa Phi兄弟会的一次校外“大哥之夜”活动中死于急性酒精中毒，活动中宣誓学员被迫饮用大量烈酒。几名兄弟会成员受到起诉，大部分人承认了轻罪欺凌。事件导致佛罗里达州立大学暂时暂停所有希腊社团活动，并在佛罗里达州掀起了全州范围的反欺凌运动。给德克萨斯州家庭的启示： “公式化”的饮酒之夜，通常被伪装成传统，是全国性组织（如Pi Kappa Phi）内部灾难的重复剧本，显示出可预见的伤害模式。
• 马克斯·格鲁弗 – 路易斯安那州立大学，Phi Delta Theta兄弟会 (2017)： 18岁的马克斯·格鲁弗在一次Phi Delta Theta兄弟会“圣经学习”欺凌仪式中死亡，当时宣誓学员如果答错问题就被迫大量饮酒，其血液酒精含量 (BAC) 达到0.495%。这场悲剧导致路易斯安那州通过了《马克斯·格鲁弗法案》，使重罪欺凌成为一个真正的威胁。给德克萨斯州家庭的启示： 公众的愤怒和欺凌的明确证据，尤其是涉及强迫饮酒的，可以促进立法改革并追究个人的刑事责任。
• 斯通·福尔茨 – 鲍灵格林州立大学，Pi Kappa Alpha兄弟会 (2021)： 在一次“大/小兄弟”宣誓之夜，20岁的斯通·福尔茨被迫喝下近一整瓶威士忌，死于酒精中毒。事件导致多名兄弟会成员被刑事定罪，鲍灵格林州立大学向家属支付了近 300万美元的和解金，并与全美Pi Kappa Alpha兄弟会和个人达成进一步和解，总计1000万美元。给德克萨斯州家庭的启示： 该案件，与莱昂内尔·伯穆德斯案一样，强调大学以及兄弟会可能会因其在欺凌中的角色而面临重大的经济和声誉后果。

身体与仪式性欺凌：超越酒精

虽然酒精是常见的催化剂，但欺凌行为也经常涉及残酷的身体虐待和侮辱性仪式。

• 陈“迈克尔”邓 – 纽约市立大学巴鲁克学院，Pi Delta Psi兄弟会 (2013)： 19岁的迈克尔·邓在波科诺山脉一个偏远度假村的残酷“玻璃天花板”欺凌仪式后死亡。宣誓学员被蒙住眼睛，背负沉重的背包，并反复被摔倒。兄弟会成员延迟拨打911。多名成员被定罪，全国性兄弟会本身也被刑事定罪为恶性袭击和非自愿过失杀人，这是一个具有里程碑意义的案件，导致该分会在宾夕法尼亚州被永久禁止。给德克萨斯州家庭的启示： 欺凌转移到校外“静修会”极度危险，并不能免除全国性组织的责任；事实上，这表明了隐藏行为的意图。

体育项目欺凌与虐待模式：不限于希腊社团

欺凌不限于希腊社团；它可能渗透到体育项目、军乐队和各种学校赞助的团体中，提醒厄斯市的家庭，在所有校园活动中都需要保持警惕。

• 西北大学橄榄球队 (2023–2025)： 这场丑闻在多年前曝光，当时前队员指控在这支著名的橄榄球队中普遍存在严重的性化和种族主义欺凌。针对西北大学及其教练组提起了多项诉讼，导致主教练帕特·菲茨杰拉德被解雇，后来他通过保密协议解决了非正常解雇诉讼。给德克萨斯州家庭的启示： 该案件有力地表明，欺凌可能蔓延到大型、备受关注的体育项目中，引发了关于机构监督以及大学对学生运动员应尽的关怀义务的严重问题。它强调，风险远不止传统意义上的“兄弟会会所”。

这些案件对德克萨斯州家庭意味着什么

这些令人痛心的全国性案件揭示了共同的线索，这些线索对休斯顿大学或德克萨斯农工大学的学生来说，与对宾夕法尼亚州立大学的学生来说一样重要。它们涉及强迫饮酒、极度羞辱、身体暴力、危险仪式、系统性掩盖事实以及医疗延误或拒绝。一次又一次，在受害者及其家属勇敢地提起诉讼之后，随即是重大的法律改革和数百万美元的和解或判决。

对于在休斯顿大学、德克萨斯农工大学、德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校、南方卫理公会大学或贝勒大学等学校经历欺凌创伤的德克萨斯州家庭来说，这些全国性教训强调，虽然他们局部性的痛苦是独特的，但潜在的虐待模式是全球公认的。他们在斗争中并不孤单，这些里程碑式案件中确立的先例可以直接为德克萨斯州的欺凌诉讼提供信息和加强作用。

7. 案件构建：证据、损害赔偿、策略

当来自厄斯市或任何德克萨斯州社区的学生因欺凌而受到伤害时，建立一个健全的法律案件需要细致的证据收集、对适用损害赔偿的深入理解以及复杂的诉讼策略。在Attorney911，我们以与处理复杂的炼油厂事故或灾难性非正常死亡索赔相同的强度和严谨性处理欺凌案件，不懈地追求对强大机构的正义。

7.1 证据：每一个欺凌案件的基础

现代欺凌案件的成败往往取决于数字证据。兄弟会和其他校园组织经常通过各种数字渠道进行沟通、策划，甚至有时记录他们的欺凌活动。我们律所聘请数字取证专家来恢复和保存这些关键信息。

• 数字通讯： 这些往往是欺凌案件中的“确凿证据”，显示出策划、意图、胁迫和参与。这包括：
  • GroupMe、WhatsApp、iMessage、Discord、Slack： 消息截图，特别是那些包含明确指示（例如，“凌晨3点在Culmore Drive的房子集合”）、威胁（“如果你不这样做，你就出局了”）或特定行为的承认（例如，“不要谈论昨晚的事”）的消息。
  • Instagram私信、Snapchat消息、TikTok评论： 这些也可能包含令人不快的证据。Snapchat设计为阅后即焚内容，需要立即截屏。
  • 兄弟会/姐妹会专用应用程序： 许多组织使用专有应用程序进行沟通，这也可能是证据来源。
  • 在删除之前： 证据消失很快。一旦怀疑有欺凌行为，立即截屏并备份所有相关的数字内容。我们律所会在24小时内发出保存函，依法要求相关方保留此类证据。
• 照片和视频： 在智能手机时代，欺凌行为常常被相机记录下来，无论是成员自己拍摄，还是受害者偷偷记录他们的虐待行为。
  • 成员拍摄的内容： 欺凌事件、饮酒游戏或羞辱性仪式的照片或视频可以直接将个人与行为联系起来。
  • 偷拍片段： 受害者（如莱昂内尔·伯穆德斯）或证人可能秘密拍摄了欺凌行为的部分内容。对厄斯市家庭来说至关重要：如果您的孩子向您展示此类内容，请立即保​​存。
  • 监控录像： 房屋、大学建筑或公共场所（如Yellowstone Boulevard Park）的监控摄像头可以显示谁在场、谁受伤以及事件的经过。
• 内部组织文件： 这些可以揭示官方政策与实际做法之间的差异。
  • 宣誓手册、入会脚本、“传统”清单： 这些文件，通常对家长和大学保密，可以详细说明预期的欺凌仪式。
  • 官员的电子邮件/短信： 有关策划“宣誓学员活动”或讨论“我们将如何对待新人”的通讯可能是毁灭性的。
  • 国家政策和培训材料： 这些可以表明国家组织对欺凌风险的了解程度，以及他们是否未能妥善监督。
• 大学记录： 公开记录请求和法律发现可以发现机构的重要信息。
  • 过去的行为档案和纪律处分： 针对同一分会过去的欺凌违规、缓刑或暂停记录可以建立模式和大学的知情情况。
  • 事件报告： 校园警察或学生行为办公室关于相关事件的文档。
  • 克莱里报告及类似披露： 年度校园安全报告可能包括相关犯罪历史。
• 医疗和心理记录： 这些记录了所遭受伤害的全部程度。
  • 急诊室和住院记录： 对即时伤害、毒理学报告以及像莱昂内尔·伯穆德斯案中的横纹肌溶解症和急性肾衰竭等诊断至关重要。
  • 手术和康复记录： 用于持续的身体恢复。
  • 心理评估： 精神科医生和心理治疗师的记录，记录创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）、抑郁症、焦虑症或自杀念头，对非经济损害至关重要。
• 证人证词： 目击者证词可以证实其他证据。
  • 宣誓学员、成员、室友、教练、宿舍管理员： 观察到欺凌行为或受害者变化的知情者。
  • 前成员： 退学或被开除的个人，一旦受到法律顾问的保护，通常愿意发声。

7.2 损害赔偿：量化欺凌的代价

当欺凌导致受伤或死亡时，法律旨在全额赔偿受害者及其家属的损失。这些赔偿经过仔细计算，以反映经济和非经济两方面的损害。

• 医疗费用和未来护理： 这包括所有与身心康复相关的费用，从紧急护理和住院到长期的物理治疗、心理咨询和药物。对于永久性肾损伤或创伤性脑损伤等灾难性伤害，这可能涉及复杂的“生命护理计划”，预测一生中的费用。
• 收入损失/教育影响： 欺凌可能会扰乱学生的学业和职业轨迹。这一类别包括错过学期、转学或退学的学费和杂费、奖学金损失、毕业延迟，以及如果伤害（身体或心理）是永久性的，则会严重影响未来的收入能力。
• 非经济损害赔偿： 这些赔偿针对欺凌所造成的无形但深远的痛苦：
  • 身体疼痛和痛苦： 来自于化学烧伤（德州农工大学的SAE）或横纹肌溶解症（休斯顿大学的Pi Kappa Phi）等伤害。
  • 精神痛苦和创伤： 包括创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD)、焦虑、抑郁、羞辱、耻辱、恐惧和尊严丧失。
  • 丧失生活乐趣： 由于创伤而无法参与曾经喜爱的活动，或生活质量普遍下降。
• 非正常死亡赔偿金： 在欺凌导致死亡的悲剧案件中，幸存家属可以获得丧葬费、经济支持损失以及失去陪伴、爱和情感支持的深刻损失。斯通·福尔茨案的1000万美元和解金和马克斯·格鲁弗案的610万美元判决，都说明了此类损失的巨大价值。

7.3 不同被告和保险覆盖范围的作用

追究多方责任是确保全面赔偿的关键。全国性兄弟会和大学通常拥有大量的保险单，但获得赔偿绝非易事。

• 保险公司策略： 兄弟会和大学的保险公司经常试图以“故意行为”或“犯罪行为”条款等排除条款为由拒绝承保，声称欺凌不属于其责任范围。这正是Attorney911律师事务所独特优势发挥作用之处。
• 保险内部人士优势： Attorney911律师事务所的关键律师卢佩·佩尼亚（Lupe Peña）曾在一家全国性律师事务所担任保险辩护律师多年，积累了丰富的经验。她深谙保险行业的套路——他们如何估价索赔（通常会低估）、他们的拖延战术以及他们援引排除条款的策略。“我们了解他们的套路，因为我们曾是套路的一部分，”她解释道。这种内部知识对于识别所有潜在的承保来源（个人的房屋保险、地方分会的保险、全国性组织的保险、大学的伞险）以及战略性地处理承保纠纷至关重要。
• 挑战排除条款： 我们认为，即使个别欺凌行为是故意的，但国家组织或大学的疏忽监督或未能执行政策是独立的、可承保的疏忽行为。
• 英国石油公司爆炸诉讼专业知识： 拉尔夫·曼吉内罗（Ralph Manginello）作为少数几名参与英国石油公司德克萨斯城爆炸诉讼（该诉讼导致数十亿美元和解，但不幸造成15人死亡和180人受伤）的德克萨斯州律师之一的经验，证明了我们律所长期以来对抗拥有无限法律资源的数十亿美元被告的能力。这种专业知识可以直接用于对抗强大的全国性兄弟会、大学及其保险公司。“我们曾对抗数十亿美元的公司并取得了胜利。我们知道如何对抗强大的被告，”拉尔夫证实道。

我们的策略是全面的。我们不只起诉最容易的目标；我们有条不紊地调查和追究每一个责任方——从个别学生和地方分会领导到全国性希腊组织、大学行政部门以及外部财产所有者或活动组织者。这种多方面的方法，结合我们的保险内部知识和复杂诉讼经验，最大限度地提高了对厄斯市和德克萨斯州各地家庭的全面问责和赔偿潜力。

8. 德克萨斯州家庭实用指南和常见问题解答

对于来自厄斯市、正在或计划就读德克萨斯州大学的学生家长以及学生本人而言，即时准确的信息至关重要。本节提供关于识别欺凌、了解自身权利以及在您或您所爱之人面临此危险现实时应采取何种措施的实用指导。

8.1 致家长：识别和应对欺凌

您身为厄斯市家长的直觉是您最有力的工具。注意您孩子行为上细微的变化，尤其是如果他们最近加入了某个校园组织。

您的孩子可能遭受欺凌的警告信号：

• 身体迹象： 注意不明原因的瘀伤、烧伤、割伤或伤口（特别是解释不合逻辑或含糊不清）。极度疲劳、超出正常大学压力的精疲力竭，或体重显著变化也可能是迹象。警惕睡眠不足、因强迫锻炼导致手、背或腿部受伤，或化学烧伤的迹象。如果您的孩子出现酒精中毒或吸毒迹象，即使他们通常不饮酒，这也是一个重大的危险信号。
• 行为和情绪变化： 注意您的孩子是否对其组织的活动异常保密（“我不能谈论它”）。与家人、老朋友或非希腊社团活动疏远令人担忧。任何突然、剧烈的人格变化——焦虑、抑郁、易怒或异常愤怒——都值得关注。如果当被问及团体情况时他们表现出防御性，或者总是谈论“必须熬过去”，请仔细聆听。
• 学业危险信号： 成绩突然下降、旷课或上课打瞌睡可能表明其组织对其施加了巨大的压力。因“强制性”活动而错过考试或作业是明确违反大学政策的行为，也是欺凌的强烈迹象。
• 财务危险信号： 意想不到的大额开支、强迫购买、远超广告费用的“罚款”或会费都是警告信号。为年长成员购买过量酒精或物品，或在没有明确解释的情况下索要金钱，可能表明存在经济剥削。
• 数字/社交行为： 持续使用手机监控群聊、手机收到通知时表现出焦虑，或过度删除信息或历史记录，通常与保密文化有关。在任何时间接到电话/短信，要求立即回复，或在社交媒体上发布令人羞辱、担忧或涉及追踪应用程序的帖子，都表明存在高压环境。

如何与您的孩子交谈（以非对抗性方式）：

• 提出开放式问题： “（组织名称）情况到底怎么样？你真的喜欢吗？”
• 强调安全，而非评判： 让他们放心，他们的福祉是您的首要任务，而不是他们是否属于任何团体。“有什么让你感到不舒服吗？有什么事情是你被要求去做但感觉不对劲或不安全的吗？”
• 肯定他们的感受： 如果他们敞开心扉，不带评判地倾听并肯定他们的勇气。
• 提醒他们其他选择： 他们始终可以选择退出该组织；他们的价值和您的爱并不取决于他们是否适合该特定团体。

如果您的孩子受伤或您怀疑有欺凌行为：

• 立即安全： 如果您的孩子处于身体危险之中（醉酒、受伤、受到威胁或处于医疗紧急情况），请立即拨打 911。让他们接受专业的医疗护理；他们的健康和安全至关重要，无论您担心因酒精或其他活动而“惹麻烦”。
• 记录一切： 一旦您得知欺凌行为，立即写下所有细节：日期、时间、具体行为、涉事人员姓名和地点（例如休斯顿的某个具体地址或大学城的一个公园）。如果您的孩子向您展示短信、群聊或照片，请立即截图。从多个角度并持续几天拍摄任何可见的伤口照片，以显示瘀伤的进展。保存所有实物，例如受损衣物或强制购买收据。
• 报告选项：
  • 校园当局： 联系您孩子大学的学生事务处主任办公室或学生行为办公室。如果发生刑事犯罪，请联系校园警察。
  • 当地警方： 对于严重犯罪（袭击、性侵犯、向未成年人提供酒精），请向当地市或县警察局报案（例如，厄斯市的Lamb County警长办公室，或如果事件发生在休斯顿，则向休斯顿警察局报案）。
  • 全国反欺凌热线： 您可以匿名拨打 1-888-NOT-HAZE 进行举报。
• 法律咨询： 即使您不确定是否要提起诉讼，也请立即联系Attorney911进行保密咨询。我们可以帮助您了解您的法律选择，在关键证据被销毁之前予以保存，并指导您完成令人望而生畏的大学流程。

切勿做的事：

• 切勿直接与兄弟会/姐妹会当面冲突。 这可能导致证据销毁、报复和证人串供。
• 切勿未经法律咨询签署大学或保险公司提供的任何文件。 您可能会无意中放弃您的权利。
• 切勿在咨询律师前在公共社交媒体上发布详细信息； 这可能会损害您的案件。
• 切勿让您的孩子删除信息或“清理”证据。

8.2 致学生/宣誓学员：自我评估与安全规划

对于来自厄斯市、正在宣誓加入或已成为某组织新成员的学生来说，区分危险的欺凌与真正的传统可能非常困难。以下是评估您的情况并规划自身安全的建议。

这是欺凌吗？决策指南：

问问自己：

• 我是否被迫或受压去做我不想做的事情？
• 如果我有真正的选择（不惧怕社会后果或被“淘汰”），我会这样做吗？
• 这项活动是否危险、有辱人格或违法？
• 如果大学或我的父母知道正在发生什么，他们会同意吗？
• 年龄较大的成员是否让新成员做他们自己不必做的事情？
• 这种“传统”真的是为了入会，还是仅仅为了年长成员的娱乐或权力？
• 我是否被告知要保守秘密、撒谎或向外人隐瞒此事？

如果您对其中任何一项回答“是”，那么**根据德克萨斯州法律和大学政策，这很可能是欺凌行为。**德克萨斯州法律明确规定：如果为隶属关系而危及您的身心健康或安全，那就是欺凌。

为什么“同意”不是故事的结局：

德克萨斯州教育法典§37.155明确规定，同意不能作为欺凌行为的抗辩理由。法院和大学认识到，其中存在巨大的权力动态。归属感的渴望、被排斥的恐惧和同伴压力意味着任何参与的“同意”通常都是胁迫性的，而非真正自愿的。您不能“同意”犯罪行为。

如何安全退出：

• 如果您处于即时危险中： 拨打 911 或校园警察。前往安全地点。在德克萨斯州，即使涉及酒精或毒品，在医疗紧急情况下寻求帮助也不会让您惹上麻烦（好撒玛利亚人法）。
• 如果您想退出/取消宣誓资格： 您有权随时退出。告知组织外的可信赖人士（父母、宿舍管理员、朋友）。向分会主席发送电子邮件或短信，表明“我立即辞去宣誓/成员资格”。切勿参加“最后一次会议”，在那里您可能会受到压力或报复。如果您担心遭到报复，请向学生事务处主任报告。

证据收集（针对学生）：

• 群聊截图： 截取GroupMe、WhatsApp等应用程序的完整对话，包括时间戳和参与者姓名。一旦发现可疑信息，立即这样做。
• 语音备忘录/录音： 在德克萨斯州，您可以合法录制您参与的对话（一方同意州）。这可能包括重要会议或指示。
• 照片/视频： 拍摄伤口、地点或欺凌中使用的物品（例如，带有侮辱性内容的腰包）。
• 保存所有数字证据： 不要删除短信、私信或社交媒体帖子。将其备份到云存储。
• 医疗文件： 如果您寻求医疗护理，明确告诉医生和护士您的受伤是由于欺凌造成的，以便将其记录在您的病历中。

8.3 对于前成员/证人

如果您是参与过欺凌但现在后悔的前成员或证人，您的证词和证据对于防止未来的伤害并为受害者伸张正义至关重要。

• 您在问责制中的作用： 虽然承认内疚和恐惧是自然的，但您的合作可以是迈向问责制的重要一步。您的证词可以揭露虐待模式，并追究有过失的个人和机构的责任。
• 法律保护： 您可能需要自己的法律意见，但德克萨斯州法律为善意举报欺凌的人提供了各种法律保护。我们律师事务所可以就您的权利和潜在责任向您提供建议，帮助您以证人甚至共同被告的身份行事。您的合作可以显著减轻您自身的法律风险。
• 预防未来的悲剧： 您发声的勇气可以真正挽救生命，并防止厄斯市的其他学生遭受同样的创伤。

公共记录：服务厄斯家庭的兄弟会、姐妹会和希腊组织

对于厄斯市的家长来说，您有权知道您的孩子所加入的希腊组织背后究竟是谁。我们拥有德克萨斯州最全面的兄弟会、姐妹会、荣誉学会、校友团体和相关希腊字母组织私人名录之一。该名录包含来自IRS B83申报、德克萨斯州校园记录和城市层面组织列表的信息，确保我们能够识别字母背后的每一个实体，直至其EIN和邮寄地址。这意味着当欺凌悲剧发生时，我们无需猜测谁可能负责——我们已经知道您所在地区有哪些组织，它们的结构如何，以及它们的保险和资产可能在哪里。

以下是德克萨斯州与希腊文化相关的组织的一些公共记录快照，这些记录可能与厄斯市的家庭相关，无论是在附近还是在您的孩子就读的州内主要大学。

第一级 – 厄斯地区及其周边

厄斯市位于德克萨斯州狭长地带，学生通常前往附近的校园或主要州立大学。虽然厄斯市本身是一个小社区，但其家庭为全州拥有希腊文化的机构输送学生。鉴于其位于Lamb County，我们在此重点关注附近的组织列表以及它们如何与全州各地的枢纽连接。

• 法兰克·赫夫林基金会 (FRANK HEFLIN FOUNDATION)。EIN：203507402。德克萨斯州峡谷市。来自IRS B83公开备案。（与Phi Delta Theta校友相关，对WTAMU意义重大）
• EPSILON NU 住房公司 (EPSILON NU HOUSING CORPORATION)。EIN：237359384。德克萨斯州拉伯克市。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• ALPHA OMEGA EPSILON-BETA ALPHA 分会 (ALPHA OMEGA EPSILON-BETA ALPHA CHAPTER)。EIN：473967233。德克萨斯州拉伯克市。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• TKE OP 住房 (TKE OP HOUSING)。EIN：475033161。德克萨斯州拉伯克市。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• FARM HOUSE FRATERNITY INC (FARM HOUSE FRATERNITY INC)。EIN：751565336。德克萨斯州拉伯克市。来自IRS B83公开备案。（德州理工大学分会）
• KAPPA ALPHA THETA 姐妹会 GAMMA PHI 房屋公司 (GAMMA PHI HOUSE CORPORATION OF KAPPA ALPHA THETA FRATERNITY)。EIN：751283953。德克萨斯州拉伯克市。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• PHI KAPPA PHI 荣誉学会 (HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI)。EIN：820644459。德克萨斯州拉伯克市。来自IRS B83公开备案。（德州理工大学健康科学中心）
• REDWINE 荣誉项目学生委员会 (REDWINE HONORS PROGRAM STUDENT COUNCIL)。EIN：845090974。德克萨斯州威奇托福尔斯市。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• ALPHA PHI OMEGA – Eta Tau 分会 (ALPHA PHI OMEGA – Eta Tau Chapter)。德克萨斯州峡谷市。来自Cause IQ都市列表。（WTAMU服务兄弟会分会）
• Frank Heflin 基金会 (Phi Delta Theta 校友) (Frank Heflin Foundation (Phi Delta Theta alumni))。德克萨斯州阿马里洛市。来自Cause IQ都市列表。（德克萨斯州西奥塔分会校友基金）
• Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma 分会 (Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter)。德克萨斯州峡谷市。来自Cause IQ都市列表。（西德克萨斯农工大学分会）
• Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta 建筑协会 (Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Assn.)。德克萨斯州阿马里洛市。来自Cause IQ都市列表。（Chi Omega 分会住房实体）
• Phi Delta Theta 兄弟会 – Texas Theta (Phi Delta Theta Fraternity – Texas Theta)。德克萨斯州峡谷市。来自Cause IQ都市列表。（西德克萨斯农工分会）
• Alpha Phi Omega – TTU 分会 (Alpha Phi Omega – TTU Chapter)。德克萨斯州拉伯克市。来自Cause IQ都市列表。（德州理工大学服务兄弟会）
• Kappa Alpha Order – Texas Tech (Gamma Chi) (Kappa Alpha Order – Texas Tech (Gamma Chi))。德克萨斯州拉伯克市。来自Cause IQ都市列表。
• Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Lubbock (Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Lubbock)。德克萨斯州拉伯克市。来自Cause IQ都市列表。（教育工作者协会）
• Tau Kappa Epsilon – MSU Texas 分会 (Tau Kappa Epsilon – MSU Texas Chapter)。德克萨斯州威奇托福尔斯市。来自Cause IQ都市列表。(Midwestern State Univ.)

第二级 – 厄斯市家庭子女就读的德州主要希腊社团枢纽

许多厄斯市的家庭将其子女送往希腊社团盛行的主要州立大学。我们的综合目录确保无论您的子女在哪里就读，我们都能识别相关的组织。

• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA 分会公司 (KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC)。EIN：133048786。德克萨斯州大学城。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI 兄弟会公司 (ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC)。EIN：475370943。德克萨斯州休斯顿。来自IRS B83公开备案。（Theta Delta）
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI 兄弟会住房公司 (BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC)。EIN：462267515。德克萨斯州弗里斯科。来自IRS B83公开备案。（与休斯顿大学Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu案相关）
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI 兄弟会公司 (ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC)。EIN：812525354。德克萨斯州大学城。来自IRS B83公开备案。（Alpha Sigma Phi 兄弟会的 Theta Rho 分会）
• TEXAS NU-PHI DELTA THETA 兄弟会 (TEXAS NU-PHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY)。EIN：814123811。德克萨斯州大学城。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI 兄弟会公司 (ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC)。EIN：475381060。德克萨斯州圣马科斯。来自IRS B83公开备案。（Theta Iota）
• ZETA PHI BETA 姐妹会股份有限公司贝勒大学 NU IOTA 分会 (ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED NU IOTA CHAPTER BAYLOR UNIVERSITY)。EIN：521346485。德克萨斯州韦科。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• TEXAS EPSILON UPSILON 分会 (TEXAS EPSILON UPSILON CHAPTER)。EIN：760366414。德克萨斯州尼德维尔。来自IRS B83公开备案。（Texas State 的 Alpha Delta Kappa 姐妹会）
• CHI OMEGA 姐妹会 (CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY)。EIN：740555581。德克萨斯州奥斯汀。来自IRS B83公开备案。（Chi Omega 房屋公司）
• LAMBDA CHI ALPHA 兄弟会公司 (LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC)。EIN：741130606。德克萨斯州奥斯汀。来自IRS B83公开备案。（Alpha Mu）
• ALPHA DELTA PI DELTA 分会建筑公司 (BUILDING CORPORATION OF DELTA CHAPTER OF ALPHA DELTA PI)。EIN：746047117。德克萨斯州奥斯汀。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• SIGMA CHI 兄弟会 EPSILON XI 分会 (SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER)。EIN：746084905。德克萨斯州休斯顿。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• BETA UPSILON CHI。德克萨斯州沃斯堡。EIN：742911848。来自IRS–Cause IQ品牌重叠。（TCU 分会）
• Phi Gamma Delta 兄弟会 – Tau Deuteron 分会 (Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity – Tau Deuteron Chapter)。德克萨斯州韦科。来自Cause IQ都市列表。（贝勒大学分会）
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon 兄弟会 – Texas Rho 公司 (Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity – Texas Rho Corp.)。德克萨斯州奥斯汀。来自Cause IQ都市列表。（德州大学房屋公司）
• Delta Tau Delta 兄弟会 – Gamma Iota 分会 (Delta Tau Delta Fraternity – Gamma Iota Chapter)。德克萨斯州奥斯汀。来自Cause IQ都市列表。（德克萨斯州奥斯汀分会房屋）
• Austin Alpha Phi 房屋公司 (Austin Alpha Phi House Corporation)。德克萨斯州奥斯汀。来自Cause IQ都市列表。（Alpha Phi 德州大学分会房屋公司）
• Sigma Nu 兄弟会 – Lambda Epsilon 分会 (Sigma Nu Fraternity – Lambda Epsilon Chapter)。德克萨斯州沃斯堡。来自Cause IQ都市列表。（TCU 分会）
• Alpha Sigma Phi – Iota Beta of Alpha Sigma Phi 兄弟会 (Alpha Sigma Phi – Iota Beta of Alpha Sigma Phi Frater)。德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥。来自IRS B83公开备案。（UIW 分会）

第三级 – 德克萨斯州希腊组织快照

在全州 25 个大都市区，Cause IQ 报告称德克萨斯州共有 1,423 个兄弟会、姐妹会和希腊字母组织。我们追踪它们全部。以下是来自德克萨斯州其他大都市区的其他样本列表，以说明我们目录所涵盖的有组织的希腊生活规模，确保无论您的孩子在哪里上大学，我们都能深入了解组织格局。

• GAMMA PHI BETA 姐妹会公司 (GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC)。EIN：161675890。德克萨斯州伍德兰兹。来自IRS B83公开备案。(Zeta Rho HCB)
• 阿灵顿-大草原 KAPPA ALPHA PSI 兄弟会公司校友会 (ARLINGTON-GRAND PRAIRIE ALUMNI CHAP OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRAT INC)。EIN：232452759。德克萨斯州大草原城。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• ALPHA EPSILON PI 兄弟会 (ALPHA EPSILON PI FRATERNITY)。EIN：262025321。德克萨斯州丹顿。来自IRS B83公开备案。(Mu Gamma 分会)
• PHI KAPPA PHI 荣誉学会 (HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI)。EIN：263170920。德克萨斯州丹顿。来自IRS B83公开备案。（德克萨斯女子大学）
• DELTA ALPHA SIGMA 多元文化姐妹会 (DELTA ALPHA SIGMA MULTICULTURAL SORORITY)。EIN：364806998。德克萨斯州达拉斯。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• ZETA PHI BETA 姐妹会股份有限公司 – SIGMA GAMMA 分会 (ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED – SIGMA GAMMA CHAPTER)。EIN：392352450。德克萨斯州休斯顿。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• CHI EPSILON SIGMA 公司 (CHI EPSILON SIGMA INC)。EIN：451677063。德克萨斯州达拉斯。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• OX 公司墨西哥湾沿岸校友会 (GULF COAST ALUMNI ET OF OX INC)。EIN：452717861。德克萨斯州梅西亚。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• PHI KAPPA PSI TEXAS EPSILON 分会 (PHI KAPPA PSI TEXAS EPSILON CHAPTER)。EIN：452729519。德克萨斯州纳科多切斯。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• Iota Phi Lambda 姐妹会公司西南区 (Southwestern Region of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc)。EIN：510194762。德克萨斯州休斯顿。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• KAPPA ALPHA PSI 兄弟会公司 IOTA ALPHA 分会 (IOTA ALPHA CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC)。EIN：510225632。德克萨斯州阿灵顿。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• ZETA PHI BETA 姐妹会股份有限公司 PSI ZETA 分会 (PSI ZETA CHAPTER OF ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED)。EIN：521345182。德克萨斯州沃斯堡。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• ALPHA EPSILON DELTA。EIN：521850764。德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥。来自IRS B83公开备案。（UTSA 的 AED 德克萨斯 Lambda 分会）
• 西班牙裔专业工程师协会公司 (SOCIETY OF HISPANIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS INC)。EIN：760221936。德克萨斯州休斯顿。来自IRS B83公开备案。
• DELTA PHI UPSILON 兄弟会公司 (DELTA PHI UPSILON FRATERNITY INC)。EIN：800209640。德克萨斯州休斯顿。来自IRS B83公开备案。（总分会）

我们维护这个广泛的目录，以便厄斯市和全州的家庭绝不会从零开始。当您联系Attorney911时，我们已经知道那些可能对欺凌事件负有保险和责任的组织的名称、EINs和邮寄地址。这种数据驱动的方法是我们德克萨斯州欺凌情报引擎的关键组成部分。如果您的孩子在德克萨斯州的任何地方——无论是在厄斯市还是在休斯顿大学（哈里斯县）、德州农工大学（布拉索斯县）、德州大学奥斯汀分校（特拉维斯县）、南方卫理公会大学（达拉斯县）或贝勒大学（麦克伦南县）等主要校园——遭受欺凌，请致电1-888-ATTY-911。我们已经知道如何找到字母背后的组织。

8.4 可能毁掉您案件的关键错误

在欺凌事件混乱的后果中，家长和学生，尤其是那些不熟悉法律系统或面临巨大情感困扰的人，可能会无意中犯下严重损害其法律选择的错误。对于厄斯市的家庭来说，了解这些陷阱与知道应采取的步骤一样重要。

可能毁掉欺凌案件的错误：

1. 让您的孩子删除消息或“清理”证据：

   • 家长怎么想： “我不想他们惹上更多麻烦”或者“我只想这件事过去。”
   • 为什么这是错的： 删除证据看起来像是在掩盖事实，可能构成妨碍司法公正，并使您的案件几乎无法证明。数字证据，例如群聊、视频和短信，往往是欺凌案件中最关键的证据。
   • 应该怎么做： 立即保存一切，甚至是令人尴尬的内容。截屏群聊，备份手机数据，并保存社交媒体帖子。我们关于使用手机记录法律案件的视频提供了这方面的基本指导。

2. 直接与兄弟会/姐妹会当面冲突：

   • 家长怎么想： “我要好好教训他们”或者“我要直接从他们那里得到答案。”
   • 为什么这是错的： 直接对抗组织或其成员通常会使他们立即聘请律师，销毁证据，指导证人，并准备他们的辩护。您会失去重要的筹码和出其不意的优势。
   • 应该怎么做： 私下里记录一切。然后，在任何对抗之前，打电话给经验丰富的欺凌律师。

3. 未经法律顾问审查就签署大学“释放”或“解决”表格：

   • 大学怎么做： 为了“内部处理”事务并尽量减少责任，大学可能会向家庭施压，要求他们签署弃权书或“内部解决”协议。
   • 为什么这是错的： 这些文件通常包含放弃您起诉大学、兄弟会或其他责任方权利的条款。他们可能会提供一份远低于您案件真实价值的最低“和解协议”。
   • 应该怎么做： 在律师审查之前，切勿签署大学或保险公司提供的任何文件。

4. 在咨询律师前在社交媒体上发布详细信息：

   • 家人怎么想： “我想让大家知道发生了什么”或者“我想警告其他人。”
   • 为什么这是错的： 辩护律师会截屏所有公开发布的内容。您的社交媒体帖子与您的正式法律声明之间的不一致会损害您的可信度。您可能会无意中放弃法律特权，或向辩护方提供他们不应获得的信息。
   • 应该怎么做： 私下记录。如果需要，让您的律师策略性地控制公共信息发布。

5. 让您的孩子回去参加“最后一次会议”或“谈谈”：

   • 兄弟会怎么说： “在您做任何激烈的决定之前，请来和我们谈谈”或者“让我们在内部解决这个问题。”
   • 为什么这是错的： 这些会议通常旨在向受害者施压，收集可能对他们不利的信息，恐吓他们，或获取损害其法律案件的陈述。
   • 应该怎么做： 一旦您考虑采取法律行动，组织的所有通信都应直接发送给您的律师。

6. 等待“看大学如何处理”：

   • 大学承诺： “我们正在调查；让我们内部处理此事。”
   • 为什么这是错的： 尽管大学调查很重要，但它们通常优先保护机构声誉，而不是完全追究您孩子的责任。在您等待期间，证据可能消失，证人可能毕业，诉讼时效等关键期限可能过去。大学的流程与真正的法律追责是不同的。
   • 应该怎么做： 立即保存证据。立即咨询经验丰富的欺凌律师。大学的内部流程和您的民事合法权利是两个独立的轨道。

7. 未经律师，与保险理赔员交谈：

   • 理赔员怎么说： “我们只需要您的陈述来处理索赔”或者“我们想给您提供快速和解。”
   • 为什么这是错的： 理赔员受过培训，旨在尽量减少赔付。录音陈述可能对您不利，早期的和解通常是低估赔偿的报价，无法弥补全部损失。
   • 应该怎么做： 礼貌地拒绝与他们交谈，并说：“我的律师会联系您。”请勿提供任何信息。我们关于可能毁掉您的伤害案件的客户错误的视频进一步阐述了这些关键点。

8.5 厄斯市家长的简短常见问题解答

• “我可以因为德州的欺凌行为起诉大学吗？”
  可以，在某些情况下。像休斯顿大学、德克萨斯农工大学和德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校这样的公立大学享有某些主权豁免保护，但对于重大过失、违反《第九条》以及以个人身份起诉个别雇员的情况存在例外。像南方卫理公会大学和贝勒大学这样的私立大学的豁免保护较少。每个案件都取决于其具体事实。请致电 1-888-ATTY-911 联系 Attorney911，以获得您情况的个案分析。
• “欺凌行为在德州是重罪吗？”
  可能是。德克萨斯州法律将欺凌行为默认归类为B级轻罪。但是，如果欺凌导致严重身体伤害或死亡，则构成州监狱重罪，就像莱昂内尔·伯穆德斯案中涉及横纹肌溶解症和急性肾衰竭一样。包括组织官员在内的个人，如果未能报告已知欺凌行为，也可能面临指控。
• “如果我的孩子‘同意’参与入会仪式，他们还能提起诉讼吗？”
  是的。德克萨斯州教育法典§37.155明确规定，同意不能作为欺凌指控或民事责任的抗辩理由。法院承认，在同伴压力、权力不平衡和被排斥的恐惧下达成的“同意”并非真正的自愿同意。您的孩子不能合法同意犯罪行为或有害行为。
• “我们多久内必须在德州提起欺凌诉讼？”
  一般来说，您必须在受伤或死亡之日起两年内在德克萨斯州提起人身伤害或非正常死亡诉讼。这被称为“诉讼时效”。但是，如果伤害或其原因并非立即可知，则“发现规则”可能会延长此期限。在涉及掩盖事实或欺诈的案件中，诉讼时效可能会中止（暂停）。时间至关重要——证据会消失，证人会毕业，以及像诉讼时效这样的关键期限可能会在您等待时失效。请观看我们关于德克萨斯州诉讼时效的视频以了解更多详细信息。请立即致电1-888-ATTY-911以保护您的权利。
• “如果欺凌发生在校外或私人住宅怎么办？”
  欺凌发生的地点并不能免除责任。大学和全国性兄弟会或姐妹会仍然可能因其赞助、控制、知情情况以及欺凌的可预见性而承担责任。许多重大欺凌案件——例如休斯顿大学Pi Kappa Phi兄弟会在Culmore Drive住宅和Yellowstone Boulevard Park进行的对莱昂内尔·伯穆德斯的欺凌，或Pi Delta Psi退修会案——都发生在校外，但仍然导致了重大的判决和和解。
• “这会是保密的吗，还是我孩子的名字会出现在新闻中？”
  大多数欺凌案件在审判前都会保密和解，以保护所有当事方的隐私。您可以要求法院对记录和解条款进行密封。我们律所优先考虑您家庭的隐私，同时积极追求问责制和正义。我们理解其中涉及的敏感性，并努力平衡您孩子的感情和声誉与获得赔偿的权利。

关于曼吉内罗律师事务所 + 厄斯市家庭的行动呼吁

当您的家庭在德克萨斯州面临欺凌案件时，您需要的不仅仅是普通的人身伤害律师。您需要了解强大机构如何反击——以及如何才能获胜——的律师。在曼吉内罗律师事务所（The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC），作为Attorney911，即法律紧急律师™，我们为厄斯市和德克萨斯州各地受欺凌和校园虐待影响的家庭带来无与伦比的经验、独特的优势和对正义的坚定承诺。

我们的休斯顿办公室为德克萨斯州各地的家庭提供服务，包括厄斯市及周边“狭长地带”（Panhandle）地区。我们理解德克萨斯州大学的欺凌行为如何广泛地影响家庭，无论是在休斯顿大学、德克萨斯农工大学、德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校、南方卫理公会大学、贝勒大学还是其他校园。

为什么选择 Attorney911 处理欺凌案件

• 保险内部人士优势： 卢佩·佩尼亚（Lupe Peña），我们团队的一名关键律师，在加入 Attorney911 之前曾在一家全国性律师事务所担任保险辩护律师多年。她深谙兄弟会和大学保险公司如何评估（并低估）欺凌索赔、他们的拖延战术以及他们援引“故意行为”等排除条款的策略。“我们了解他们的套路，因为我们曾是套路的一部分，”她说道，这让我们在谈判和争取最大赔偿方面拥有关键优势。您可以了解更多关于卢佩·佩尼亚的背景以及她的经验如何使我们的客户受益。
• 针对大型机构的复杂诉讼： 我们的管理合伙人拉尔夫·曼吉内罗（Ralph Manginello）是少数几位参与英国石油公司德克萨斯城炼油厂爆炸诉讼的德克萨斯州律师之一，曾与全球最大的公司之一抗衡。这种在联邦法院与数十亿美元被告抗争的经验意味着我们不会被全国性兄弟会、大学或其资金雄厚的辩护团队吓倒。“我们曾对抗数十亿美元的公司并取得了胜利。我们知道如何对抗强大的被告，”拉尔夫证实道。我们拉尔夫·曼吉内罗个人资料中详细的丰富经验证明了我们在机构斗争中的能力。
• 经证实的数百万美元非正常死亡和灾难性伤害经验： 我们在复杂的非正常死亡和灾难性伤害案件中拥有数百万美元的成功记录，与经济学家合作评估人命和脑损伤、横纹肌溶解症和肾衰竭等器官损伤以及其他永久性残疾的未来护理需求。我们律所从不廉价和解；我们构建的案件旨在强制实现问责制。
• 刑事+民事欺凌专业知识： 拉尔夫身为哈里斯县刑事律师协会（HCCLA）成员，使我们对刑事欺凌指控如何与民事诉讼相互作用拥有独特的见解。这种双重能力使我们能够就案件的所有方面向证人、前成员和受害者提供建议，无论他们面临潜在的刑事风险还是寻求民事赔偿。
• 深入调查： 我们以对待炼油厂事故同样的严谨态度对待每一次欺凌调查。我们部署了一个专家网络——医疗专家、数字取证专家、经济学家和心理学家——来揭示真相。我们知道如何获取已删除的群聊信息，传唤全国兄弟会显示先前事件的记录，以及通过证据开示和公开记录请求强制获取大学文件。“我们调查就像您孩子的生命取决于它——因为它确实如此，”我们坚信。

我们律师事务所对兄弟会、姐妹会、学员团项目和体育部门的实际运作方式有着深刻的理解。我们知道欺凌案件的不同之处：强大的机构被告、复杂的保险赔偿纠纷，以及受害者隐私与公共问责制之间的微妙平衡。我们还了解希腊社团文化、其传统，以及如何在声称“同意”的情况下证明胁迫。

我们深知这是一个家庭可能面临的最艰难的事情之一。我们的职责是为您寻求答案，追究责任人的责任，并帮助防止这种事情再次发生在其他家庭身上。我们不求虚张声势或快速和解；我们追求的是彻底的调查和真实的问责。

厄斯市家庭的行动呼吁

如果您或您的孩子在德克萨斯州的任何校园——无论是休斯顿大学、德克萨斯农工大学、德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校、南方卫理公会大学或贝勒大学这样的大型大学，还是其他机构——经历过欺凌，我们都想听听您的故事。厄斯市及周边地区的家庭有权获得答案和问责。

请联系曼吉内罗律师事务所进行保密、免费咨询。我们将倾听您发生的事情，解释您的法律选择，并帮助您决定最佳的前进道路。

免费咨询中您会得到什么：

• 我们将毫无偏见地倾听您的故事。
• 审查您拥有的任何证据（照片、短信、医疗记录）。
• 解释您的法律选择：刑事举报、民事诉讼、两者或两者皆不。
• 讨论实际的时间表和预期结果。
• 回答您关于费用的问题——我们按风险代理收费，这意味着除非我们胜诉，否则我们不收取任何费用。我们解释风险代理如何运作的视频阐明了这一过程。
• 没有当场聘请我们的压力——您有时间决定。
• 您告诉我们的一切都将完全保密。

提供明确的联系方式：

• 电话： 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• 直拨： (713) 528-9070
• 手机： (713) 443-4781
• 网站： https://attorney911.com
• 邮箱： ralph@atty911.com

西班牙语服务：
Hablamos Español – 请联系 Lupe Peña，邮箱 lupe@atty911.com，进行西班牙语咨询。提供西班牙语法律服务。

请注意： 阅读本文并不构成律师-客户关系。每个案件都是独一无二的，我们不能保证具体的结果。经验丰富的律师可以审查您的具体事实，解释您在德克萨斯州法律下的权利，并帮助您了解您的选择。

无论您身在厄斯市还是德克萨斯州的任何地方，如果欺凌影响了您的家庭，您不必独自面对。请立即致电我们。

主要资源的纯文本链接

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/
https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
https://attorney911.com
https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/
https://attorney911.com/contact/

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本文仅供信息和教育目的。它不是法律建议，也不在您与曼吉内罗律师事务所（The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC）之间建立律师-客户关系。

欺凌法律、大学政策和法律先例可能会发生变化。本指南中的信息截至2025年末，但可能不反映最新进展。每个欺凌案件都是独一无二的，结果取决于具体事实、证据、适用法律和许多其他因素。

如果您或您的孩子受到欺凌的影响，我们强烈建议您咨询合格的德克萨斯州律师，他可以审查您的具体情况，解释您的合法权利，并为您家庭的最佳行动方案提供建议。

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A Parent’s Nightmare: Hazing in Texas and the Fight for Justice

The phone rings. It’s the middle of the night. Your child, a bright student from Earth, Texas, who left home full of hope for college life, is in the emergency room. Or worse, you learn they’ve been hospitalized with a mysterious, life-threatening condition called rhabdomyolysis, after an undisclosed “initiation” event with a campus group. This isn’t a distant news story; it’s a reality that shatters lives right here in Texas.

Picture this: your child, a young man like Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student, endures weeks of escalating abuse at the hands of fraternity members. He’s forced to carry a degrading “pledge fanny pack” with humiliating contents, subjected to hours of physically extreme “workouts” with sprints, bear crawls, and wheelbarrow races, and forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass. He’s sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding” and threatened with worse. He’s made to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomits, only to be forced into more grueling exercise. One shocking incident even involved another pledge being hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.

This nightmare culminated on November 3 in a brutal workout: over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion. Soon after, Leonel developed acute kidney failure and severe skeletal muscle breakdown—rhabdomyolysis—passing brown urine and unable to stand. He was hospitalized for four days, facing the ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage and profound long-term physical and psychological harm. This isn’t just severe hazing; it’s an assault.

His family, like many from small towns across Texas, including Earth, trusted the University of Houston and the Greek system to provide a safe, enriching experience. Instead, Leonel endured life-altering injury. Attorney911, led by Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, represents Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit filed in late 2025 against the University of Houston, its Board of Regents, the national Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter’s housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders and members. This case, unfolding right here in Texas, highlights the dark reality of modern hazing and the urgent need for accountability.

This comprehensive guide is written for families in Earth and across the Lone Star State who need to understand:

• What hazing truly looks like in 2025, far beyond old stereotypes.
• The specifics of Texas and federal law concerning hazing.
• Lessons from major national cases and their implications for Texas families.
• Recent and historical patterns of hazing at the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, and Baylor University.
• The legal options available to victims and their families in Earth and throughout Texas.

This article provides general information and is not specific legal advice. The Manginello Law Firm is equipped to evaluate individual cases based on their unique facts and serves families throughout Texas, including Earth.

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 Across Texas

For parents in Earth and other Texas communities, the word “hazing” might conjure images of mischievous pranks or lighthearted initiation rites from decades past. But modern hazing is far more insidious, dangerous, and often brutally violent. It’s a systemic problem in campus organizations across our state, leading to severe injuries, traumatic brain damage, lifelong psychological scars, and even death.

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, maintaining membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. This can happen anywhere, from the heart of Houston to the quiet of College Station, or in smaller communities like Earth. The crucial point is that “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and a profound power imbalance. The law, and our firm, recognize that true consent is absent in these coercive environments.

Main Categories of Hazing: Beyond the Stereotypes

Modern hazing takes many forms, often designed to evade detection and exploit new members’ desire to belong.

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This is arguably the most dangerous and common form of hazing today, frequently leading to fatalities. It includes forced or coerced drinking, chugging challenges, “lineups,” or games that require rapid alcohol consumption. Pledges are often pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances, or to mix alcohol with dangerous medications. These events can happen at fraternity houses, off-campus residences like the Pi Kappa Phi house on Culmore Drive near the University of Houston, or at rented venues.
• Physical Hazing: Far from harmless roughhousing, physical hazing involves acts that cause injury or significant physical discomfort. This can range from paddling and beatings, as alleged in the Pi Kappa Phi case, to extreme calisthenics, “workouts,” or “smokings” that push individuals far beyond safe limits. Victims may endure sleep deprivation, food or water deprivation, or exposure to harsh environments, such as cold-weather workouts in underwear or lying in vomit-soaked grass. Pledges at Yellowstone Boulevard Park, a location used in the Bermudez hazing, were forced into extreme, conscious-losing workouts. Other examples include being hog-tied or physically assaulted, as seen in various national cases.
• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: These acts are designed to degrade and demean participants, often carrying deeply traumatic psychological impacts. They can involve forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (like the “roasted pig” position alleged at Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets), wearing degrading costumes, or acts with racial, homophobic, or sexist overtones including slurs or role-play. The “pledge fanny pack” full of degrading items in Leonel Bermudez’s case is a prime example of this type of humiliation.
• Psychological Hazing: While less visible, psychological hazing is incredibly damaging. It includes verbal abuse, constant threats, intimidation, and social isolation. Victims may be subjected to manipulation, forced confessions, or public shaming, often orchestrated through social media or private meetings. This can lead to severe anxiety, depression, and long-term psychological trauma, mirroring the constant fear and degradation that hazing instills.
• Digital/Online Hazing: With the rise of smartphones and social media, hazing has evolved into the digital realm. This includes group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation via platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Discord. Pledges may be pressured to create or share compromising images or videos, or to expose their location via tracking apps, creating a 24/7 environment of control and surveillance. These digital tools also facilitate the cover-up, as messages can be deleted quickly if not preserved.

Where Hazing Actually Happens: Beyond the “Frat House” Stereotype

It’s a common misconception that hazing is limited to fraternities. The unfortunate truth is that hazing permeates a wide array of campus organizations in Texas and across the nation, affecting students from Earth and beyond who pursue a variety of interests.

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes social Greek-letter organizations governed by councils like the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and various multicultural Greek councils (MGC). The tragic experiences of students like Leonel Bermudez at the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter underscore that hazing remains a virulent problem in these groups right here in Houston.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: At institutions like Texas A&M University, the emphasis on tradition and loyalty in the Corps of Cadets can sometimes foster an environment where hazing disguised as “discipline” can occur. Allegations have included highly degrading rituals.
• Spirit Squads, Tradition Clubs: Organizations rooted in campus traditions, such as spirit groups (“Texas Cowboys” types), cheerleading squads, and dance teams, have faced hazing accusations involving physical abuse, forced alcohol consumption, and humiliating acts.
• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to swimming and track, athletic programs at both the collegiate and even high school levels can be hotbeds for hazing, often cloaked as “team building” or “toughening up.” The Northwestern University football scandal highlighted how deeply ingrained and abusive athletic hazing can become.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly innocuous groups like marching bands or theater ensembles have reported hazing incidents, demonstrating that the desire for belonging and tradition can override common sense and safety norms in any group setting.
• Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations: While less common, these groups are not immune. Any organization with a hierarchical structure and initiation process can, unfortunately, be susceptible to hazing.

Regardless of the organization, the underlying dynamics are often similar: a complex interplay of social status, reverence for “tradition,” and a powerful code of secrecy keeps these dangerous practices alive, even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal and explicitly prohibited by university policies. For families in Earth, understanding these broader patterns is crucial, as their children might join any of these types of organizations at Texas campuses far and wide.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas and Federal Anti-Hazing Laws

For families in Earth and across Texas affected by hazing, understanding the legal landscape is the first step toward seeking justice. Texas has robust laws specifically designed to combat hazing, and federal regulations add another layer of protection for students. Our firm, Attorney911, uses these frameworks to hold negligent organizations and institutions accountable.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Texas law clearly defines hazing under the Texas Education Code, particularly Chapter 37, Subchapter F. This definition is crucial because it clarifies what constitutes illegal hazing, distinguishing it from innocent pranks or acceptable initiation practices.

Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

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

In plain English, if someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they did it on purpose or were reckless about the risks, that’s hazing under Texas law. This applies whether it happens in Houston or on a remote ranch near Earth, as long as it’s connected to student organization membership.

Key points about Texas hazing law:

• Scope: It explicitly covers acts both on and off campus, meaning an off-campus house on Culmore Drive near UH, a remote park like Yellowstone Boulevard Park, or a private Airbnb are all covered locations.
• Harm: It addresses both mental and physical harm. This is crucial, as the psychological trauma of hazing can be as devastating as physical injuries.
• Intent: The law doesn’t require a malicious intent to harm. If the act was “reckless” – meaning the person knew of the risk but consciously disregarded it – that’s enough.
• “Consent” is not a defense: As Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states, it is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the hazing activity. This directly counters the common defense often used by organizations.

Criminal Penalties:

Texas law establishes criminal penalties that escalate with the severity of the harm:

• Class B Misdemeanor: The default for hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000).
• Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes bodily injury requiring medical treatment.
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. This is a critical provision that allows for significant criminal charges in tragic cases like those leading to organ failure or brain damage.

It’s also a misdemeanor for an officer or member of an organization to fail to report hazing they knew about, or to retaliate against someone who reports hazing.

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations can be criminally prosecuted for hazing if the organization authorized or encouraged the hazing, or an officer acting in an official capacity knew about it and failed to report it. Penalties for organizations include fines up to $10,000 and the potential for the university to revoke recognition. This means both individuals and the organizations they belong to can face criminal charges.

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§ 37.154): To encourage reporting, Texas law provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for individuals who report hazing in good faith. This is a vital protection, though fear of retaliation often remains a significant barrier for students.

Reporting by Educational Institutions (§ 37.156): Texas colleges and universities must provide hazing prevention education, publish their policies, and maintain annual reports of hazing violations and disciplinary actions. This mandate creates a public record that can expose patterns of misconduct and provide crucial evidence for civil lawsuits.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Justice

It’s important for Texas families to understand that there are two distinct legal avenues when hazing occurs, and they can often proceed simultaneously:

• Criminal Cases: These are brought by the state (prosecutors) against individuals or organizations accused of violating hazing laws. The aim is to punish the wrongdoers with jail time, fines, or probation. In hazing cases, charges can range from misdemeanor hazing to serious felony charges like assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or even negligent homicide or manslaughter in fatal cases. For instance, in the Pi Kappa Phi/Leonel Bermudez case, the University of Houston has stated it would cooperate with law enforcement, potentially leading to criminal charges against individual fraternity members.
• Civil Cases: These are brought by the victims or their surviving families against the individuals, organizations, or institutions responsible. The primary aim is to secure monetary compensation for damages suffered and to compel accountability. Civil cases focus on legal theories such as:
  • Negligence and Gross Negligence: Failure to exercise reasonable care, especially when there have been prior warnings.
  • Wrongful Death: When hazing leads to a fatality.
  • Negligent Hiring/Supervision: If a university or national organization failed to properly vet or oversee its employees, student leaders, or chapters.
  • Premises Liability: If hazing occurred on property where the owner or controller failed to maintain a safe environment.
  • Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For the psychological trauma inflicted.

A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. The standards of proof are different, and many civil cases succeed even when criminal charges are not filed or do not result in conviction.

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

Beyond Texas state law, federal regulations offer additional protections and reporting requirements:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This landmark federal legislation requires colleges and universities that receive federal funding to be more transparent about hazing incidents. By around 2026, these institutions must publicly report instances of hazing, strengthen prevention and education efforts, and maintain accessible data on hazing violations. This will bring much-needed sunlight to a previously opaque issue.
• Title IX: This federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. If hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender-based violence, or creates a sexually hostile environment, Title IX obligations can be triggered. Universities have a duty to investigate and respond appropriately, regardless of whether the hazing occurred on or off campus, at a UH fraternity house or an A&M Corps formation.
• Clery Act: The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Hazing incidents, especially those involving assaults, alcohol or drug offenses, or even kidnappings, often fall under the Clery Act’s reporting requirements. This ensures that campus communities, including families from Earth, have access to vital safety information.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

Hazing is rarely the act of a single “bad apple.” It is often a group phenomenon, and Texas law and legal precedent allow for a broad range of individuals and entities to be held accountable.

• Individual Students: These are the members who actively planned, carried out, supplied alcohol, or participated in the hazing acts. This can include chapter presidents, pledgemasters, risk managers, and other student leaders, as seen with the 13 individual defendants in Leonel Bermudez’s lawsuit.
• Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself, if it is a legally recognized entity (like Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter’s housing corporation). Key individuals acting in officer or “pledge educator” capacities are often central to naming the local chapter.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: The national headquarters (like Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters in the Bermudez case) that charters, sets policies for, and receives dues from local chapters. National organizations can be held liable if they knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing—either at the specific chapter or across their organization—and failed to take sufficient action.
• University or Governing Board: The educational institution itself (e.g., University of Houston, UT System Board of Regents) can be sued under various theories, including negligent supervision, negligent retention, or for fostering an environment conducive to hazing. While public universities benefit from sovereign immunity in Texas, exceptions exist, particularly in cases of gross negligence or Title IX violations.
• Third Parties: This can include landlords or property owners of houses or event spaces where hazing occurred, bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop laws if they overserved minors or visibly intoxicated individuals), or even security companies or event organizers who failed in their duties.

Every case is fact-specific, but Attorney911 meticulously investigates all potential defendants to ensure that every responsible party is brought to justice.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families

The tragedies of hazing often make national headlines, revealing patterns of abuse and cover-ups that sadly repeat across different campuses and organizations. For families in Earth, these national stories are not just distant events; they set critical legal precedents and highlight the foreseeable risks that Texas universities and Greek organizations often ignore.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death: A Recurring Nightmare

The most common and deadly form of hazing involves forced or coerced alcohol consumption. The pattern is tragically consistent: new members are pressured to drink dangerous amounts, often by older members seeking to assert dominance or “punish” pledges, with catastrophic results.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): In one of the most high-profile hazing cases in U.S. history, 19-year-old Timothy Piazza died after a “bid acceptance” event. Fraternity members forced him to drink dangerous amounts of alcohol, leading to a series of falls that resulted in traumatic brain injuries. Surveillance footage within the fraternity house showed members failing to call for help for nearly 12 hours while Piazza suffered. The aftermath included dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, extensive civil litigation, and a new Pennsylvania anti-hazing law named the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Takeaway for Texas families: Delayed medical care and a culture of silence designed to protect the organization, even over human life, leads to severe legal consequences.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Only months after the Piazza death, 20-year-old Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning at an FSU Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” in an off-campus house where pledges were given handles of hard liquor to drink. Several fraternity members were prosecuted, mostly pleading guilty to misdemeanor hazing. The incident led to FSU temporarily suspending all Greek life and a statewide anti-hazing movement in Florida. Takeaway for Texas families: “Formulaic” drinking nights, often disguised as tradition, are repeating scripts for disaster within national organizations like Pi Kappa Phi, showing a foreseeable pattern of harm.
• Max Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): 18-year-old Max Gruver died with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.495% after a Phi Delta Theta “Bible study” hazing ritual where pledges were forced to drink heavily if they answered questions incorrectly. This tragedy led to the passage of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making felony hazing a real threat. Takeaway for Texas families: Public outrage and clear evidence of hazing, especially involving forced alcohol, can catalyze legislative change and hold individuals criminally accountable.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): During a “Big/Little” pledge night, 20-year-old Stone Foltz was forced to consume nearly a full bottle of whiskey and died of alcohol poisoning. The incident resulted in multiple criminal convictions for fraternity members, a nearly $3 million settlement from BGSU to the family, and further settlements with the national Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and individuals, totaling $10 million. Takeaway for Texas families: This case, like Leonel Bermudez’s, underscores that universities, along with fraternities, can face significant financial and reputational consequences for their role in hazing.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing: Beyond Alcohol

While alcohol is a common denominator, hazing frequently involves brutal physical abuse and degrading rituals.

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng, 19, died after a brutal “glass ceiling” hazing ritual at a remote Pocono Mountains retreat. Pledges were blindfolded, weighted with heavy backpacks, and repeatedly tackled. Fraternity members delayed calling 911. Numerous members were convicted, and the national fraternity itself was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, a landmark case that resulted in the chapter being permanently banned from Pennsylvania. Takeaway for Texas families: Hazing moved to off-campus “retreats” is extremely dangerous and does not absolve national organizations of liability; in fact, it shows an intent to hide the behavior.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse Pattern: Not Just Greek Life

Hazing is not confined to Greek organizations; it can infiltrate athletic programs, marching bands, and various school-sponsored groups, reminding families from Earth that vigilance is required across campus activities.

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): This scandal unfolded when former players alleged widespread, egregious sexualized and racist hazing within the prestigious football program over many years. Multiple lawsuits were filed against Northwestern University and its coaching staff, leading to the firing of Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald, who later settled a wrongful-termination lawsuit confidentially. Takeaway for Texas families: This case powerfully illustrated that hazing can extend into major, high-profile athletic programs, raising serious questions about institutional oversight and the duty of care universities owe to their student-athletes. It highlights that the risk exists far beyond the traditional “frat house.”

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

These harrowing national cases reveal common threads that are as relevant to a student at the University of Houston or Texas A&M as they are to a student at Penn State. They involve forced drinking, extreme humiliation, physical violence, dangerous rituals, systematic cover-ups, and delayed or denied medical care. Time and again, substantial legal reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements or verdicts follow these tragedies, often only after victims and their families courageously pursue litigation.

For Texas families facing the trauma of hazing at schools like UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor, these national lessons underscore that while their localized pain is unique, the underlying patterns of abuse are globally recognized. They are not alone in their fight, and precedents set in these landmark cases can directly inform and strengthen hazing lawsuits in Texas courts.

Texas Focus: UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

For students from Earth enrolling in Texas universities, the landscape of Greek life and other organizations carries both immense potential and significant risks. We delve into specific institutions within Texas, examining their environments, policies, and known histories with hazing incidents. This section is especially relevant for families in Earth who may have children attending these major universities, or contemplating doing so.

5.1 University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston, a Tier One research institution located in the bustling heart of Houston, serves a diverse student body. As a large urban campus, it features a blend of commuter and residential students and boasts an active Greek life with dozens of fraternities and sororities under various councils. This includes the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Houston Panhellenic Council (HPC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) groups. UH’s vibrant campus culture also includes a wide array of student organizations, sports clubs, and cultural groups. Our Houston office is uniquely positioned to assist families dealing with UH hazing incidents.

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH is known for its strong academic programs and its proximity to major industries. For students from Earth, UH represents a move to a vibrant and diverse urban setting, often their first exposure to large-scale Greek life. The campus actively seeks to foster community within its numerous student organizations.

5.1.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

The University of Houston maintains clear anti-hazing policies, explicitly prohibiting any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with any recognized student organization. This policy applies to activities both on and off campus, addressing areas such as the fraternity house on Culmore Drive or local parks like Yellowstone Boulevard Park, locations implicated in the Bermudez case.

UH provides reporting channels through the Dean of Students Office, the Student Conduct Office, and the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). The university also posts general statements about hazing and information regarding disciplinary actions on its website, though the level of detail is often less transparent than some other major Texas universities.

5.1.3 Documented Incidents & Responses: The Leonel Bermudez Case and Beyond

The most critical and comprehensive recent case involving hazing at the University of Houston is undoubtedly the Leonel Bermudez $10 million lawsuit.

• Leonel Bermudez – Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu) (Fall 2025): As detailed earlier, Leonel Bermudez endured weeks of severe physical and psychological hazing during his pledge period with the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. This included the degrading “pledge fanny pack” rule, forced strenuous “workouts” at multiple locations including a Culmore Drive residence and Yellowstone Boulevard Park, forced consumption of food and drink until vomiting, and simulation of waterboarding. This abuse culminated in Bermudez developing rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, leading to a four-day hospitalization. The lawsuit names the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, the national Pi Kappa Phi headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity members as defendants.
  • Response: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspended the Beta Nu chapter on November 6, 2025, and chapter members voted to surrender their charter on November 14, 2025, effectively shutting down the chapter. UH’s Vice President for Student Affairs labeled the alleged conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary measures up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement. This case highlights the university’s stated commitment to addressing hazing, but also its failure to prevent such egregious acts.

Beyond the Bermudez case, UH has faced other hazing allegations:

• 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha Case: Pledges allegedly suffered from food, water, and sleep deprivation during a multi-day event. One student reportedly sustained a lacerated spleen after being slammed onto a table or similar surface. The chapter faced misdemeanor hazing charges and university suspension, showcasing UH’s willingness to suspend chapters, but also the recurring nature of physical hazing. Other disciplinary actions have been taken against fraternities for behavior “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” along with alcohol misuse and policy violations, resulting in various suspensions or probationary periods.

These incidents, particularly the Bermudez case, highlight both the severity of hazing at UH and the university’s stated commitment to addressing it. However, the recurring nature of these problems suggests that systemic issues persist, demanding constant vigilance and, often, legal intervention.

5.1.4 How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

A hazing case originating at the University of Houston would likely involve multiple jurisdictional layers. The initial investigation could involve the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD) if the incident occurred on campus or within its immediate purview. However, given the frequent use of off-campus residences (like the one on Culmore Drive) or other local venues, the Houston Police Department (HPD) and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office would also have jurisdiction, especially for serious criminal charges.

Civil lawsuits would be filed in Harris County courts, potentially the District Courts, given the significant damages often involved. Defendants in such cases typically include individual students, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority, and potentially the university and property owners. The involvement of state entities like the University of Houston System Board of Regents, as in the Bermudez case, often necessitates a federal court component. For Earth families, understanding these jurisdictional nuances is critical when a loved one is injured at UH.

5.1.5 What UH Students & Parents Should Do

For families in Earth whose children attend or are considering attending the University of Houston, proactive measures and swift action are paramount if hazing is suspected:

• Be Aware of Reporting Channels: Familiarize yourself with UH’s official reporting methods, including the Dean of Students Office, UHPD, and any anonymous online reporting forms.
• Document Everything Diligently: If your child provides information about hazing, immediately document dates, times, specific acts, and involved individuals. Screenshots of group chats, photos of injuries, and copies of any communications with the university are vital. The same urgency detailed in our emergency callout applies here.
• Uncover Prior Complaints: Researching any prior incidents or disciplinary actions against the organization involved at UH can provide crucial context. While UH provides some information, an experienced attorney can compel disclosure of more detailed records.
• Legal Consultation for Houston-Based Cases: Contact Attorney911 immediately. We have direct, local experience with UH hazing cases, including the high-profile Leonel Bermudez lawsuit. Our lawyers understand the specific culture, policies, and judicial landscape governing hazing incidents in the Houston area. We can help you navigate the system, protect your child’s rights, and pursue all available avenues for accountability and compensation.

5.2 Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, a beloved institution for many families in Earth and across the state, boasts a deeply ingrained culture of tradition, particularly evident in its legendary Corps of Cadets. Located in College Station (Brazos County), Texas A&M is a powerhouse university with a massive student body, a large Greek life scene, and numerous other student organizations.

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M’s identity is heavily shaped by its long-standing traditions, including the “Aggie Spirit,” its military-like Corps of Cadets, and events like Muster. For students from Earth, joining the Aggie family often means embracing these traditions, which while fostering loyalty, can also create environments where hazing is disguised as “toughness” or “earning your way.” The university’s Greek life is extensive, encompassing IFC, Panhellenic, MGC, and NPHC organizations.

5.2.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Texas A&M University strictly prohibits hazing, outlining its policy in its student rules. The campus emphasizes that hazing is defined broadly to include any activity that causes or is likely to cause physical or mental discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. This policy applies to all student organizations, including the Corps of Cadets and Greek life, whether the acts occur on or off campus.

Reporting channels include the Student Conduct Office, the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD), and specific reporting forms available through the Division of Student Affairs. The university’s messaging generally underscores zero tolerance for hazing.

5.2.3 Documented Incidents & Responses

Despite clear policies, Texas A&M has faced multiple allegations and confirmed incidents of hazing, both within its Greek system and its revered Corps of Cadets:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Lawsuit (around 2021): This case garnered national attention when two pledges alleged they were subjected to a severe hazing ritual. They claimed fraternity members poured substances including an industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit on them, causing severe chemical burns that required emergency skin graft surgeries. The SAE chapter was suspended by the university for two years, and the pledges pursued a civil lawsuit seeking over $1 million in damages. This incident vividly demonstrates the life-altering physical harm that can result from hazing.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A former cadet filed a lawsuit alleging degrading hazing within the Corps. The allegations included being forced to participate in simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The cadet sought over $1 million in damages, highlighting that even highly structured, tradition-rich programs can harbor severe hazing. Texas A&M responded by stating that it had handled the matter in accordance with its internal policies and procedures.
• Texas A&M University – Aggie Bonfire Collapse (1999): While not traditional hazing, the tragic collapse of the student-organized Aggie Bonfire, which killed 12 students and injured 27, raised profound questions about student-led high-risk activities and institutional oversight. Multiple lawsuits against university officials resulted in settlements exceeding $6 million, and the official Bonfire tradition was eventually ended on campus. This event, etched in the memory of many a College Station and Earth family, serves as a grim reminder of the dangers inherent in student-led activities when safety is compromised.

These incidents, across both Greek life and the Corps, illustrate the challenges Texas A&M faces in balancing tradition with student safety, and the ongoing risk for students from Earth who join these groups.

5.2.4 How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases at Texas A&M may involve investigations by the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD) or, if located off-campus, the College Station Police Department or Bryan Police Department (Brazos County). Criminal charges would be handled by the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office. Civil cases would likely be filed in Brazos County District Courts or potentially federal court, especially if the university’s actions (or inactions) involved federal civil rights.

Defendants would include individual students, local chapters, national organizations, and potentially the university and individual administrators. For families from Earth, understanding this localized jurisdictional structure is crucial when seeking legal recourse.

5.2.5 What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do

For Earth families whose children are at Texas A&M:

• Understand Corps Culture: Be especially vigilant about hazing within the Corps of Cadets, where “tradition” can be a thin veil for abuse. Understand that simulated sexual acts or extreme physical endurance events are not legitimate “hazing” under Texas law, regardless of intent.
• Question “Tradition”: Challenge actions justified solely by “tradition” if they involve coercion, degradation, or danger. Texas A&M students have a right to safe traditions, not dangerous ones.
• Document Everything Thoroughly: If hazing is suspected, utilize our detailed advice on evidence preservation to gather screenshots, photos, and witness information. This is critical for cases involving both Greek life and Corps activities.
• Legal Guidance for A&M Cases: Contact Attorney911. Our firm has experience with prominent Texas hazing cases, including those that expose the dangers within large university systems. We understand the unique dynamics of Texas A&M and can help families from Earth navigate the complexities of seeking justice against a powerful institution and its associated organizations.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)

The flagship institution of the University of Texas System, UT Austin is a sprawling campus in the heart of the state’s capital. With nearly 52,000 students, it hosts a massive and diverse Greek life, alongside hundreds of other student organizations. For students from Earth, UT Austin is often a top choice, representing academic excellence and vibrant student culture.

5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT Austin is known for its rigorous academics, strong sports programs, and a lively campus atmosphere. Its Greek life is one of the largest in the nation, with dozens of chapters across Panhellenic, IFC, Texas Asian Pan-Hellenic Council (TAPC), MGC, and NPHC. The pursuit of tradition and social involvement is deeply ingrained, but this can, unfortunately, create fertile ground for hazing incidents—a reality that any Earth parent sending their child to UT must be aware of.

5.3.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

The University of Texas at Austin has a clear and strict anti-hazing policy, emphasizing that hazing is illegal under Texas law and violates the university’s rules of student conduct. UT defines hazing broadly to include any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes of initiation or affiliation. This applies on and off campus, including at fraternity or sorority houses off Guadalupe Street, or at events organized at Lake Travis.

UT is commendably transparent about hazing violations. Its Hazing Violations webpage (hazing.utexas.edu) lists organizations, dates of incidents, a description of the conduct, and sanctions imposed. This public log serves as a valuable resource for students and parents from Earth seeking to understand an organization’s history, and provides crucial evidence for civil lawsuits. Reporting options include the Dean of Students Office, Student Conduct, the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD), and anonymous reporting forms.

5.3.3 Documented Incidents & Responses

UT Austin’s public hazing log provides a window into the ongoing struggle against campus abuse. This transparency, while laudable, underscores that hazing remains a persistent issue.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): This incident, listed prominently on UT’s public log, involved new members being directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. The university’s investigation found it to be hazing, leading to the chapter being placed on probation and required to implement new hazing-prevention education. This type of physical and forced consumption hazing is a recurring pattern nationally.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) (January 2024): This incident involved an Australian exchange student who alleged assault by fraternity members at a party, resulting in severe injuries including a dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and a broken nose. The student filed a civil lawsuit for over $1 million against the SAE chapter, which was already under suspension for prior hazing/safety violations. This highlights how an organization with repeated violations can face significant legal exposure.
• Other Groups: Beyond Greek life, other UT Austin groups, such as the Texas Wranglers (a spirit organization), have faced sanctions for hazing involving forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, degradation, and punishment-based practices. This reinforces that all types of student groups can engage in hazing.

UT’s commitment to public reporting means that parents from Earth can review an organization’s disciplinary history. However, the presence of these incidents shows that policies alone are often insufficient to prevent hazing without vigorous enforcement and strong legal deterrents.

5.3.4 How a UT Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases at UT Austin would typically involve investigations by the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) for on-campus incidents or the Austin Police Department (APD) and Travis County Sheriff’s Office for off-campus. Criminal charges would be prosecuted by the Travis County District Attorney’s Office. Civil lawsuits would generally be filed in Travis County District Courts, or federal court if applicable.

The existence of UT’s public hazing log is a powerful tool for plaintiffs. Prior violations documented on this log can strongly support civil lawsuits by demonstrating a pattern of misconduct and proving that the university or national organization had prior knowledge (“foreseeability”) of the chapter’s behavioral issues. This transparency can streamline the evidence-gathering process for Earth families seeking justice.

5.3.5 What UT Students & Parents Should Do

For Earth families whose children are at UT Austin:

• Utilize the Public Hazing Log: Before joining any organization, thoroughly review UT’s official Hazing Violations webpage (hazing.utexas.edu). This public record is invaluable for identifying groups with a history of misconduct.
• Document Everything: If hazing is suspected or occurs, immediately gather digital evidence (screenshots of GroupMe, texts, social media posts) and physical evidence (photos of injuries, locations, etc.). This evidence becomes critical, especially given the ease with which digital information can be deleted.
• Seek Immediate Legal Counsel: Contact Attorney911. We understand the specific nuances of UT’s policies, its reporting mechanisms, and the Travis County judicial system. Our expertise in complex institutional litigation can help families from Earth leverage UT’s public records and pursue accountability against organizations with a history of violations.
• Know Your Rights: Remember that “consent is not a defense” in Texas hazing law. If you feel coerced or endangered, your safety and well-being come first, regardless of any pressure to conform.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University is a private university located in University Park, an affluent enclave within Dallas (Dallas County). Known for its beautiful campus, strong academic programs, and vibrant Greek life, SMU attracts students from across Texas and the nation, including many from communities like Earth seeking a prestigious private education in a major metropolitan area.

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

SMU is often characterized by its strong Greek presence and social traditions. Greek life is a central component of campus social life, drawing a significant number of students into its fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and MGC). The emphasis on tradition and high social engagement can, unfortunately, create environments where hazing practices, ranging from physical to psychological, can take root.

5.4.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

SMU maintains explicit anti-hazing policies, asserting a zero-tolerance stance against any activity that violates Texas state law or university expectations, whether on or off campus. SMU’s policies address physical and emotional abuse, forced alcohol consumption, and any activity that could endanger a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of affiliation.

Reporting channels include the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, the Dean of Students Office, the SMU Police Department, and anonymous reporting systems. SMU also utilizes tools like “Real Response,” an anonymous reporting app focused on fostering safer campus environments. However, as a private institution, SMU’s internal disciplinary records typically have less public transparency than those of state universities, which can complicate external investigations for families from Earth.

5.4.3 Documented Incidents & Responses

SMU has a history of hazing incidents, particularly within its Greek system. While not always publicly detailed to the same extent as at state universities, these incidents demonstrate ongoing challenges:

• Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017): This incident led to significant university action. New members were reportedly subjected to egregious hazing, including being paddled, forced to consume alcohol to dangerous levels, and deprived of sleep. The Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended by the university, with significant restrictions on its recruiting activities for several years following the event, highlighting SMU’s efforts to penalize repeat offenders.
• Other Chapters: SMU has investigated a number of other fraternities and sororities over the years for hazing-related offenses. These investigations, while often leading to suspensions or probation, typically involve alcohol abuse, various forms of physical discomfort, and psychological manipulation, which are common patterns across campuses.

These documented incidents underscore that even at private universities with strict policies, hazing remains a persistent problem, requiring aggressive investigation and legal action when injuries occur. The lack of public transparency in disciplinary outcomes at private universities means that families from Earth must be even more diligent in their own investigations.

5.4.4 How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases at SMU would typically involve investigations by the SMU Police Department for campus-related incidents or the Dallas Police Department for off-campus events. Criminal charges would be handled by the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. Civil lawsuits against SMU, its Greek organizations, or individuals would be filed in Dallas County District Courts or federal court.

As a private institution, SMU does not benefit from the same sovereign immunity protections as public universities in Texas. This means that direct litigation against the university itself may proceed with fewer legal hurdles than against institutions like UH or UT. Our firm understands how to compel discovery of internal reports and communications at private institutions, even when they are not publicly posted. For families from Earth, this means a private university hazing case can often open up more direct avenues for legal accountability.

5.4.5 What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

For Earth families whose children attend SMU:

• Proactive Research: While SMU’s public disciplinary records are less comprehensive than some other schools, research news reports and talk to advisors to understand the history of organizations your child is interested in.
• Utilize Anonymous Reporting: Encourage your child to use SMU’s anonymous reporting systems, like Real Response, if they witness or experience hazing. This can be a vital first step without fear of immediate retaliation.
• Immediate Evidence Preservation: Given that SMU’s private status means less public transparency, immediate and thorough evidence preservation (digital, photographic, witness statements) is even more critical once hazing is suspected.
• Seek Legal Expertise for Private Universities: Contact Attorney911. Our deep experience includes complex litigation against private institutions, where discovery processes and liability theories can differ from those involving public universities. We can help families from Earth navigate the Dallas civil court system and ensure that private university defendants are held accountable.

5.5 Baylor University

Baylor University, situated in Waco (McLennan County), is a private Christian university deeply rooted in Baptist traditions. It’s a significant draw for students from Earth and across the state seeking a faith-based education combined with strong academic and athletic programs. Baylor’s campus fosters a distinct culture with a substantial Greek life presence and numerous other student organizations.

5.5.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor’s identity is heavily influenced by its religious mission and values, which impact its student conduct policies and campus atmosphere. Greek life at Baylor includes IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and MGC organizations, providing substantial social opportunities. The university’s cultural landscape has also been significantly shaped by past controversies, including a high-profile sexual assault scandal involving its football program and athletic department, which brought intense scrutiny on institutional oversight and accountability. This history informs how any hazing allegations are viewed and managed at Baylor.

5.5.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Baylor University explicitly prohibits hazing through its student conduct policies, defining it broadly as any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. The policy covers acts on and off campus and applies to all student organizations, including Greek life and athletic teams. Baylor’s policies reflect an explicit “zero tolerance” stance given its values and past institutional challenges.

Reporting mechanisms provided by Baylor include the Division of Student Life, the Baylor Department of Public Safety (BUDPS), and anonymous reporting options through various campus offices. The university emphasizes the importance of reporting to uphold its community standards and address misconduct.

5.5.3 Documented Incidents & Responses

Baylor’s commitment to eliminating hazing has been tested by various incidents, including those within its prominent athletic programs:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): A significant hazing investigation within the Baylor baseball program led to the suspension of 14 players. The suspensions were carefully staggered over the early season to minimize team impact, indicating the university’s efforts to balance disciplinary action with athletic interests. While specific details of the hazing were not fully disclosed publicly, the incident highlighted that hazing extends beyond Greek life and can affect all segments of campus.
• Broader Cultural Challenges: Beyond specific hazing incidents, Baylor’s history of broader cultural and oversight challenges, particularly revealed during its sexual assault scandal, influences public perception and legal scrutiny. These past issues underscore the importance of vigilant oversight and robust enforcement of policies designed to protect student safety and well-being.

These incidents illustrate the ongoing challenges many universities face in consistently enforcing anti-hazing policies and culture, especially within high-profile programs where external pressures may be high.

5.5.4 How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases at Baylor University would typically involve investigations by the Baylor Department of Public Safety (BUDPS) or, for off-campus events, the Waco Police Department (WPD) or McLennan County Sheriff’s Office. Criminal charges would be handled by the McLennan County District Attorney’s Office. Civil litigation against Baylor, its student organizations, or individuals would be filed in McLennan County District Courts or federal court.

Similar to SMU, as a private university, Baylor does not possess sovereign immunity in the same way public Texas universities do. This makes the path to civil litigation potentially more direct against the institution itself. However, Baylor’s strong legal teams and its history of navigating complex litigation related to institutional oversight mean that a hazing case against the university requires experienced and aggressive legal counsel. For families from Earth, understanding how to navigate this context is vital.

5.5.5 What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do

For Earth families whose children attend Baylor:

• Prioritize Safety First: Given Baylor’s unique cultural context and history of institutional oversight challenges, if hazing is suspected, prioritize your child’s immediate safety and well-being above all else. Do not hesitate to remove them from a dangerous situation.
• Investigate Thoroughly: Conduct meticulous research into any organization your child is considering, especially given the nuances of private university transparency. Look for patterns of misconduct.
• Document Everything Impeccably: Ensure all evidence—digital communications, photos, medical records—is preserved immediately if hazing is suspected. Time is of the essence, as internal investigations may control information carefully.
• Secure Experienced Legal Representation: Contact Attorney911 without delay. Our firm’s experience with complex institutional litigation, including against powerful universities, enables us to effectively challenge well-resourced legal teams. We understand the specific challenges and opportunities that arise when pursuing justice for hazing victims at institutions like Baylor.

6. Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

For parents in Earth, when a child joins a Greek organization at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor, they’re not just joining a campus chapter; they’re becoming part of a vast national organization. These national entities, often with hundreds of chapters across the country, carry legal and ethical responsibilities. Understanding their histories, particularly their documented hazing incidents nationwide, is crucial because it directly informs liability for local chapters in Texas.

6.1 Why National Histories Matter

When a tragic hazing incident occurs at a campus like the University of Houston, involving a chapter like Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu, the local chapter is rarely acting in a vacuum. Most fraternities and sororities, including many present at Texas’s major universities, are part of national organizations. These National Headquarters (HQs) typically:

• Possess anti-hazing policies and risk management manuals: These documents are often extensive, not because national leaders are inherently more ethical, but because they have typically faced numerous lawsuits, deaths, and catastrophic injuries in the past. They understand the patterns of physical abuse, forced drinking, and humiliating rituals that lead to harm.
• Collect dues and exercise oversight: National HQs often exert significant control and derive financial benefit from their local chapters. This relationship means they often have a duty to ensure their chapters comply with anti-hazing policies.
• Have historical knowledge of specific hazing patterns: For example, national organizations might know that a certain “tradition” (like “Big/Little” drinking nights in Pi Kappa Alpha or simulated “Bible study” games in Phi Delta Theta) has historically led to dangerous situations across multiple chapters.

Therefore, when a Texas chapter repeats a hazing script that has caused injury or death at another chapter in a different state, it demonstrates foreseeability. The national organization often had prior knowledge of such risks and previous failures to intervene, which can strongly support arguments of negligence, gross negligence, or even punitive damages against national entities in civil litigation.

6.2 Organization Mapping: Patterns of National Incident & Texas Presence

While we cannot list every single chapter and incident, certain national fraternities and sororities have particularly well-documented histories of hazing that are relevant to understanding the risks at Texas campuses. We focus on organizations with a presence at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor, linking their national patterns to the local context.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike): This fraternity has chapters at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Baylor. Nationally, Pi Kappa Alpha is tragically known for:

  • Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, 2021): A pledge died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event. This case resulted in criminal convictions for multiple members and a $10 million settlement involving the national fraternity and university. This pattern of forced alcohol consumption in “Big/Little” pairings is a common, and deadly, hazing ritual.
  • David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois University, 2012): Another pledge died from alcohol poisoning at a Pi Kappa Alpha event, leading to a $14 million settlement for the family.
  • Why it matters in Texas: The recurring pattern of alcohol-related hazing, particularly during “Big/Little” events, means that national Pi Kappa Alpha has a clear history of such incidents. If a similar event occurs at a Pike chapter in Houston or College Station, it demonstrates the national organization’s direct knowledge of these foreseeable risks.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE): SAE has chapters at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and SMU. Nationally, SAE has faced numerous lawsuits and suspensions due to hazing, including multiple alcohol-related deaths:

  • University of Alabama Traumatic Brain Injury Case (2023): A pledge allegedly suffered a traumatic brain injury during a hazing ritual, leading to a fraud, negligence, and assault lawsuit against the fraternity.
  • Texas A&M University Chemical Burns Case (2021): Two pledges alleged they were subjected to a ritual where substances including industrial-strength cleaner were poured on them, causing severe chemical burns and requiring skin graft surgeries. They sued the fraternity for $1 million.
  • University of Texas at Austin Assault Case (January 2024): An exchange student alleged a brutal assault by fraternity members, leading to severe injuries and a lawsuit for over $1 million. The chapter was already suspended for prior violations.
  • Why it matters in Texas: SAE’s documented history of severe hazing, including chemical burns at Texas A&M and assault at UT Austin, illustrates a pattern of dangerous conduct within its Texas chapters. These incidents show that the national organization has a proven track record of its local chapters engaging in hazardous initiation practices, which can be critical evidence in any new hazing claim.

• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): This fraternity typically has chapters at Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor. Nationally, it is tragically linked to:

  • Max Gruver (Louisiana State University, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning during a “Bible study” hazing ritual. This case led to criminal convictions and the Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing law in Louisiana.
  • Why it matters in Texas: This incident highlights the national organization’s historical experience with deadly alcohol hazing, which can be leveraged if similar patterns emerge at Phi Delta Theta chapters in Texas.

• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): Pi Kappa Phi has a chapter at the University of Houston (the Beta Nu chapter involved in the Leonel Bermudez lawsuit) and has traditionally had a presence at Texas A&M and UT Austin. Nationally, it is linked to:

  • Andrew Coffey (Florida State University, 2017): A pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning at a “Big Brother Night” event. This led to criminal charges and significant anti-hazing reforms at FSU.
  • Why it matters in Texas: The Bermudez case at UH is a current, high-profile example right in our backyard. The national organization’s prior incident at FSU involving the same pattern of alcohol hazing demonstrates a clear, foreseeable risk that similar events would happen at other chapters, including in Texas.

• Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ): KA has chapters at Texas A&M and SMU. While not linked to a national hazing death in this database, the organization has faced numerous hazing allegations and suspensions:

  • SMU Chapter Suspension (2017): Pledges were reportedly paddled, forced to drink dangerous amounts of alcohol, and deprived of sleep, leading to the chapter’s suspension.
  • Why it matters in Texas: This incident at SMU directly illustrates how hazing, including physical and alcohol-related abuse, can manifest within this national organization’s Texas chapters.

• Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ): With chapters at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Baylor, Beta Theta Pi is linked to one of the most infamous hazing deaths:

  • Timothy Piazza (Penn State University, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a “bid acceptance” event with extreme alcohol consumption and delayed medical attention. This case resulted in multiple criminal charges and shaped national anti-hazing legislation.
  • Why it matters in Texas: Any hazing involving significant alcohol and delayed medical care at a Beta Theta Pi chapter in Texas echoes a stark national precedent that the national organization is well aware of.

6.3 Tie Back to Legal Strategy: Foreseeability and Accountability

The consistent patterns of hazing across different chapters of the same national organization, spanning years and states, are not coincidental. They are crucial to our legal strategy because they establish foreseeability and prior notice.

• Foreseeability: If a national fraternity has had multiple pledges die from alcohol poisoning during “Big/Little” events, it is no longer an “unforeseeable accident” when it happens at another chapter. The organization knew, or should have known, that such rituals are inherently dangerous. This is a critical component of establishing negligence.
• Pattern Evidence: Courts can consider whether national organizations have meaningfully enforced their anti-hazing policies or whether their responses to prior incidents were aggressive enough to deter future misconduct. If a national organization consistently issues mere warnings or short suspensions despite a history of severe hazing, it demonstrates a failure in their duty to protect students.
• Impact on Litigation: This pattern evidence strengthens several aspects of a civil lawsuit:
  • Settlement Leverage: It increases leverage against national organizations, showing their culpability.
  • Insurance Coverage Disputes: It helps overcome arguments by insurers that hazing was an “unforeseeable” or “intentional” act outside policy coverage, by demonstrating negligence in not preventing it.
  • Punitive Damages: In some jurisdictions and under certain circumstances, such a history can support claims for punitive damages, designed to punish particularly egregious conduct and deter future harm.

At Attorney911, we not only investigate the specific incident at your child’s campus in Texas, but we also connect it to this broader national context. We use the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—our proprietary database of Texas-registered Greek organizations, university data, and metro-level organization listings—to identify every entity behind the letters, from house corporations to national HQs. This data-driven approach allows us to prove systemic failures and ensure maximum accountability.

7. Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

When a student from Earth or any Texas community is harmed by hazing, building a robust legal case requires meticulous evidence collection, a deep understanding of applicable damages, and a sophisticated litigation strategy. At Attorney911, we approach hazing cases with the same intensity and rigor we apply to complex refinery accidents or catastrophic wrongful death claims, relentlessly pursuing justice against powerful institutions.

7.1 Evidence: The Foundation of Every Hazing Case

Modern hazing cases are often won or lost based on digital evidence. Fraternities and other campus organizations communicate, plan, and sometimes even document their hazing activities through various digital channels. Our firm employs digital forensics experts to recover and preserve this crucial information.

• Digital Communications: These are often the “smoking gun” in hazing cases, showing planning, intent, coercion, and participation. This includes:
  • GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack: Screenshots of messages, especially those with explicit instructions (e.g., “be at the house on Culmore Drive at 3 AM”), threats (“if you don’t do this, you’re out”), or acknowledgments of specific acts (e.g., “don’t talk about last night”).
  • Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok comments: These can also contain incriminating evidence. Snapchat, designed for disappearing content, requires immediate screenshotting.
  • Fraternity/Sorority-specific apps: Many organizations use proprietary apps for communication, which can also be a source of evidence.
  • Before it’s deleted: Evidence disappears fast. As soon as hazing is suspected, immediately screenshot and back up all relevant digital content. Our firm sends preservation letters within 24 hours to legally require parties to retain such evidence.
• Photos & Videos: In the age of smartphones, hazing is often captured on camera, either by members themselves or by victims discretely documenting their abuse.
  • Content filmed by members: Photos or videos of hazing events, drinking games, or degrading rituals can directly link individuals to the acts.
  • Candid footage: Victims, like Leonel Bermudez, or witnesses may have secretly filmed portions of the hazing. Crucial for Earth families: if your child shows you such content, secure it immediately.
  • Surveillance footage: Security cameras at houses, university buildings, or public venues (like Yellowstone Boulevard Park) can show who was present, who was injured, and the sequence of events.
• Internal Organization Documents: These can reveal official policies versus actual practices.
  • Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” lists: These documents, often kept secret from parents and universities, can detail the expected hazing rituals.
  • Emails/texts from officers: Communications planning “pledge events” or discussing “what we’ll do to the new guys” can be damning.
  • National policies and training materials: These can show what the national organization knew about hazing risks and whether they failed to properly supervise.
• University Records: Open records requests and legal discovery can uncover vital information from the institution.
  • Prior conduct files & disciplinary actions: Records of past hazing violations, probation, or suspensions against the same chapter can establish a pattern and university knowledge.
  • Incident reports: Documentation from campus police or student conduct offices about related events.
  • Clery reports & similar disclosures: Annual campus safety reports that may include a history of related crimes.
• Medical and Psychological Records: These document the full extent of the harm suffered.
  • Emergency room & hospitalization records: Crucial for immediate injuries, toxicology reports, and diagnoses like rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, as in Leonel Bermudez’s case.
  • Surgery and rehab notes: For ongoing physical recovery.
  • Psychological evaluations: Records from therapists and psychiatrists documenting PTSD, depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation are critical for non-economic damages.
• Witness Testimony: Eyewitness accounts corroborate other evidence.
  • Pledges, members, roommates, coaches, RAs: People who observed the hazing or changes in the victim.
  • Former members: Individuals who quit or were expelled, often willing to speak up once protected by legal counsel.

7.2 Damages: Quantifying the Cost of Hazing

When hazing results in injury or death, the law aims to compensate victims and their families for the full scope of their losses. These are meticulously calculated to reflect both economic and non-economic harm.

• Medical Bills & Future Care: This includes all costs associated with the physical and mental recovery, from immediate emergency care and hospitalization to long-term physical therapy, psychological counseling, and medications. For catastrophic injuries like permanent kidney damage or traumatic brain injury, this can involve complex “life care plans” projecting costs over a lifetime.
• Lost Earnings / Educational Impact: Hazing can derail a student’s academic and career trajectory. This category includes missed semesters, tuition and fees for transfers or withdrawals, lost scholarships, delayed graduation, and, critically, diminished future earning capacity if the injuries (physical or psychological) are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: These address the intangible but profound suffering caused by hazing:
  • Physical Pain and Suffering: From injuries like chemical burns (SAE at Texas A&M) or rhabdomyolysis (Pi Kappa Phi at UH).
  • Emotional Distress & Trauma: Including PTSD, anxiety, depression, humiliation, shame, fear, and loss of dignity.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: The inability to participate in activities once loved, or a general diminished quality of life due to the trauma.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In tragic cases where hazing leads to a fatality, surviving family members can recover for funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship, love, and emotional support. Cases like Stone Foltz’s $10 million settlement and Max Gruver’s $6.1 million verdict illustrate the substantial value placed on such losses.

7.3 Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Holding multiple parties accountable is key to ensuring comprehensive recovery. National fraternities and universities often carry substantial insurance policies, but obtaining compensation is rarely straightforward.

• Insurance Company Tactics: Insurers for fraternities and universities frequently attempt to deny coverage based on policy exclusions such as “intentional acts” or “criminal acts” clauses, arguing that hazing falls outside their liability. This is where Attorney911’s unique advantage comes into play.
• Insurance Insider Advantage: Lupe Peña, a key attorney at Attorney911, honed her skills for years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. She knows the insurance industry’s playbook inside and out—how they value claims (often undervaluing them), their delay tactics, and their strategies for invoking exclusions. “We know their playbook because we used to run it,” she explains. This insider knowledge is invaluable for identifying all potential coverage sources (homeowner’s policies of individuals, local chapter policies, national policies, university umbrella policies) and strategically navigating coverage disputes.
• Challenging Exclusions: We argue that even if individual hazing acts were intentional, the national organization or university’s negligent supervision or failure to enforce policies are separate, coverable acts of negligence.
• BP Explosion Litigation Expertise: Ralph Manginello’s experience as one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation (which resulted in billions in settlements and tragically, 15 deaths and 180 injuries) demonstrates our firm’s long-standing capability to take on billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal resources. This expertise is directly transferable to fighting powerful national fraternities, universities, and their insurers. “We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We know how to fight powerful defendants,” Ralph states.

Our strategy is comprehensive. We don’t just sue the easiest target; we methodically investigate and pursue every party responsible—from individual students and local chapter leaders to national Greek organizations, university administrations, and external property owners or event organizers. This multi-front approach, combined with our insurance-insider knowledge and complex litigation experience, maximizes the potential for full accountability and compensation for families in Earth and across Texas.

8. Practical Guides & FAQs for Texas Families

For parents in Earth whose children are attending or planning to attend a Texas university, and for students themselves, immediate and accurate information is critical. This section provides actionable guidance on recognizing hazing, knowing your rights, and what steps to take should you or a loved one face this dangerous reality.

8.1 For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Your intuition as a parent in Earth is your most powerful tool. Pay attention to subtle shifts in your child’s behavior, especially if they’ve recently joined a campus organization.

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Physical Signs: Look for unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries (especially if explanations don’t add up or are vague). Extreme fatigue, exhaustion beyond normal college stress, or significant weight changes can also be indicators. Be alert for signs of sleep deprivation, injuries to hands, back, or legs from forced exercise, or chemical burns. If your child exhibits signs of alcohol poisoning or drug use, even if they don’t typically drink, it’s a major red flag.
• Behavioral & Emotional Changes: Notice if your child becomes unusually secretive about their organization’s activities (“I can’t talk about it,”). Withdrawal from family, old friends, or non-Greek activities is concerning. Any sudden, drastic personality changes—anxiety, depression, irritability, or unusual anger—warrant attention. If they are defensive when asked about the group or constantly talk about “just having to get through this,” listen closely.
• Academic Red Flags: A sudden drop in grades, missing classes, or falling asleep during lectures can indicate overwhelming demands from their organization. Missing exams or assignments due to “mandatory” events is a clear violation of university policy and a strong sign of hazing.
• Financial Red Flags: Unexpected large expenses, forced purchases, “fines,” or dues far exceeding advertised costs are warning signs. Buying excessive alcohol or items for older members, or requests for money without clear explanation, may indicate financial exploitation.
• Digital/Social Behavior: Constant phone use for group chat monitoring, anxiety when their phone receives a notification, or obsessive deletion of messages or history are often linked to a culture of secrecy. Receiving calls/texts at all hours demanding immediate responses, or posts on social media that are humiliating, concerning, or involve tracking apps, indicate a high-pressure environment.

How to Talk to Your Child (Non-Confrontationally):

• Ask open-ended questions: “How are things really going with [organization name]? Are you truly enjoying it?”
• Emphasize safety, not judgment: Reassure them that their well-being is your top priority, not their membership in any group. “Is anything making you uncomfortable? Is there anything you’re being asked to do that feels wrong or unsafe?”
• Validate their feelings: If they open up, listen without judgment and affirm their courage.
• Remind them of alternatives: They always have the option to leave the organization; their value and your love are not dependent on fitting in with that specific group.

If Your Child Is Hurt or You Suspect Hazing:

• Immediate Safety: If your child is in physical danger (intoxicated, injured, threatened, or in a medical emergency), call 911 immediately. Get them professional medical attention; their health and safety are paramount, regardless of any fears about “getting in trouble” for alcohol or other activities.
• Document Everything: As soon as you learn about hazing, write down all details: dates, times, specific acts, names of individuals involved, and locations (like a specific address in Houston or a park in College Station). If your child shows you texts, group chats, or photos, screenshot them immediately. Take photos of any visible injuries from multiple angles and over several days to show progression of bruising. Save any physical items like damaged clothing or forced purchase receipts.
• Reporting Options:
  • Campus Authorities: Contact the Dean of Students Office or Office of Student Conduct at your child’s university. If criminal acts occurred, contact campus police.
  • Local Police: For serious crimes (assault, sexual assault, furnishing alcohol to minors), file a police report with the local city or county police department (e.g., Wilbarger County Sheriff’s Office in Earth, or the Houston Police Department if the incident occurred there).
  • National Anti-Hazing Hotline: You can anonymously call 1-888-NOT-HAZE for reporting.
• Legal Consultation: Contact Attorney911 for a confidential consultation even if you’re not sure you want to file a lawsuit. We can help you understand your legal options, preserve critical evidence before it’s destroyed, and guide you through intimidating university processes.

What NOT to do:

• Do not confront the fraternity/sorority directly. This can lead to evidence destruction, retaliation, and coached witnesses.
• Do not sign anything from the university or insurance company without legal advice. You may inadvertently waive your rights.
• Do not post details on public social media before consulting a lawyer; it can compromise your case.
• Do not let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

8.2 For Students / Pledges: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

For students in Earth who are pledging or new members of an organization, distinguishing dangerous hazing from genuine tradition can be incredibly difficult. Here’s how to assess your situation and plan for your safety.

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide:

Ask yourself:

• Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
• Would I do this if I had a real choice (without fear of social consequences or being “cut”)?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would the university or my parents approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
• Are older members making new members do things that they don’t have to do themselves?
• Is this “tradition” truly about initiation, or is it just for older members’ entertainment or power?
• Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this from outsiders?

If you answered YES to any of these, it is likely hazing under Texas law and university policies. Texas law is unambiguous: if it endangers your mental or physical health or safety for affiliation purposes, it’s hazing.

Why “Consent” Isn’t the End of the Story:

Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Courts and universities recognize the immense power dynamics at play. The desire to belong, fear of exclusion, and peer pressure mean that any “agreement” to participate is often coerced, not truly voluntary. You cannot “consent” to criminal acts.

How to Exit Safely:

• If you’re in immediate danger: Call 911 or campus police. Get to a safe location. In Texas, you will not get in trouble for calling for help in a medical emergency, even if alcohol or drugs were involved (Good Samaritan laws).
• If you want to quit / de-pledge: You have a legal right to leave at any time. Inform trusted individuals outside the organization (parents, RA, friend). Send an email or text to the chapter president stating, “I am resigning my pledge/membership effective immediately.” Do not go to a “one last meeting” where you may be pressured or retaliated against. If you fear retaliation, report it to the Dean of Students.

Evidence Collection (for students):

• Screenshot Group Chats: Capture full conversations from GroupMe, WhatsApp, etc., with timestamps and participant names. Do this as soon as you see problematic messages.
• Voice Memos / Recordings: In Texas, you can legally record conversations you are a party to (one-party consent state). This can include crucial meetings or instructions.
• Photos / Videos: Take photos of injuries, locations, or objects used in hazing (e.g., a fanny pack with degrading contents).
• Save ALL Digital Evidence: Do not delete texts, DMs, or social media posts. Back them up to cloud storage.
• Medical Documentation: If you seek medical care, explicitly tell doctors and nurses that your injuries are due to hazing so it’s documented in your record.

8.3 For Former Members / Witnesses

If you are a former member or a witness who participated in hazing but now regret it, your testimony and evidence can be crucial to preventing future harm and achieving justice for victims.

• Your Role in Accountability: While acknowledging guilt and fear is natural, your cooperation can be a powerful step toward accountability. Your testimony can expose patterns of abuse and hold negligent individuals and institutions responsible.
• Legal Protections: You may want your own legal advice, but various legal protections exist for those who report hazing in good faith. Our firm can advise you on your rights and potential liabilities, helping you navigate your role as a witness or even a co-defendant. Your cooperation can significantly mitigate your own legal exposure.
• Preventing Future Tragedies: Your courage to speak up can literally save lives and prevent other students from Earth from enduring the same trauma.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Earth Families

If you are a parent in Earth, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. We maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of fraternities, sororities, honor societies, alumni groups, and related Greek-letter organizations in Texas. This directory pulls from IRS B83 filings, Texas campus records, and metro-level organization listings, ensuring we can identify every entity behind the letters, down to their EIN and mailing address. This means when a hazing tragedy happens, we don’t guess who might be responsible—we already know which organizations exist in your area, how they’re structured, and where their insurance and assets may be.

Below is a snapshot of public records for Greek-related organizations in Texas that might be relevant to families in Earth, either nearby or at major in-state campuses where your children attend college.

Tier 1 – Earth Region & Surrounding Areas

Earth lies in the Texas Panhandle, often sending students to nearby campuses or major state universities. While Earth itself is a small community, its families contribute to the student bodies of institutions with Greek life throughout the state. Given its location in Lamb County, our focus here is on nearby organizational listings and how they connect to state-wide hubs.

• FRANK HEFLIN FOUNDATION. EIN: 203507402. Canyon, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Related to Phi Delta Theta alumni, significant for WTAMU)
• EPSILON NU HOUSING CORPORATION. EIN: 237359384. Lubbock, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• ALPHA OMEGA EPSILON-BETA ALPHA CHAPTER. EIN: 473967233. Lubbock, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• TKE OP HOUSING. EIN: 475033161. Lubbock, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• FARM HOUSE FRATERNITY INC. EIN: 751565336. Lubbock, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Texas Tech University Chapter)
• GAMMA PHI HOUSE CORPORATION OF KAPPA ALPHA THETA FRATERNITY. EIN: 751283953. Lubbock, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI. EIN: 820644459. Lubbock, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Texas Tech Univ Health Sciences)
• REDWINE HONORS PROGRAM STUDENT COUNCIL. EIN: 845090974. Wichita Falls, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• ALPHA PHI OMEGA – Eta Tau Chapter. Canyon, TX. From Cause IQ metro listing. (WTAMU service fraternity chapter)
• Frank Heflin Foundation (Phi Delta Theta alumni). Amarillo, TX. From Cause IQ metro listing. (Texas Theta Chapter alumni fund)
• Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter. Canyon, TX. From Cause IQ metro listing. (West Texas A&M University chapter)
• Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Assn. Amarillo, TX. From Cause IQ metro listing. (Chi Omega chapter housing entity)
• Phi Delta Theta Fraternity – Texas Theta. Canyon, TX. From Cause IQ metro listing. (West Texas A&M chapter)
• Alpha Phi Omega – TTU Chapter. Lubbock, TX. From Cause IQ metro listing. (Service fraternity at Texas Tech University)
• Kappa Alpha Order – Texas Tech (Gamma Chi). Lubbock, TX. From Cause IQ metro listing.
• Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Lubbock. Lubbock, TX. From Cause IQ metro listing. (Educators’ society)
• Tau Kappa Epsilon – MSU Texas Chapter. Wichita Falls, TX. From Cause IQ metro listing. (Midwestern State Univ.)

Tier 2 – Major Texas Greek Hubs Where Earth Families Send Their Kids

Many families from Earth send their children to major state universities where Greek life is prevalent. Our comprehensive directory ensures that regardless of where your child attends, we can identify the relevant organizations.

• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC. EIN: 133048786. College Station, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC. EIN: 475370943. Houston, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Theta Delta)
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC. EIN: 462267515. Frisco, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Relevant to the UH Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu case)
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC. EIN: 812525354. College Station, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Theta Rho of Alpha Sigma Phi Frater)
• TEXAS NU-PHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY. EIN: 814123811. College Station, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC. EIN: 475381060. San Marcos, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Theta Iota)
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED NU IOTA CHAPTER BAYLOR UNIVERSITY. EIN: 521346485. Waco, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• TEXAS EPSILON UPSILON CHAPTER. EIN: 760366414. Needville, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority for Texas State)
• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY. EIN: 740555581. Austin, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Chi Omega House Corporation)
• LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC. EIN: 741130606. Austin, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Alpha Mu)
• BUILDING CORPORATION OF DELTA CHAPTER OF ALPHA DELTA PI. EIN: 746047117. Austin, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER. EIN: 746084905. Houston, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• BETA UPSILON CHI. Fort Worth, TX. EIN: 742911848. From IRS–Cause IQ brand overlap. (Chapter at TCU)
• Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity – Tau Deuteron Chapter. Waco, TX. From Cause IQ metro listing. (Chapter at Baylor University)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity – Texas Rho Corp.. Austin, TX. From Cause IQ metro listing. (House corporation at University of Texas)
• Delta Tau Delta Fraternity – Gamma Iota Chapter. Austin, TX. From Cause IQ metro listing. (Chapter house in Austin, TX)
• Austin Alpha Phi House Corporation. Austin, TX. From Cause IQ metro listing. (Alpha Phi UT chapter house corp.)
• Sigma Nu Fraternity – Lambda Epsilon Chapter. Fort Worth, TX. From Cause IQ metro listing. (Chapter at TCU)
• Alpha Sigma Phi – Iota Beta of Alpha Sigma Phi Frater. San Antonio, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Chapter at UIW)

Tier 3 – Texas-Wide Greek Organization Snapshot

Across 25 metropolitan areas, Cause IQ reports a total of 1,423 fraternities, sororities, and Greek-letter organizations in Texas. We track them all. Below are additional sample listings from other Texas metros to illustrate the scale of organized Greek life that our directory covers, ensuring that wherever your child attends college, we have insights into the organizational landscape.

• GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC. EIN: 161675890. The Woodlands, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Zeta Rho HCB)
• ARLINGTON-GRAND PRAIRIE ALUMNI CHAP OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRAT INC. EIN: 232452759. Grand Prairie, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• ALPHA EPSILON PI FRATERNITY. EIN: 262025321. Denton, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Mu Gamma Chapter)
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI. EIN: 263170920. Denton, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Texas Women’s University)
• DELTA ALPHA SIGMA MULTICULTURAL SORORITY. EIN: 364806998. Dallas, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED – SIGMA GAMMA CHAPTER. EIN: 392352450. Houston, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• CHI EPSILON SIGMA INC. EIN: 451677063. Dallas, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• GULF COAST ALUMNI ET OF OX INC. EIN: 452717861. Mexia, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• PHI KAPPA PSI TEXAS EPSILON CHAPTER. EIN: 452729519. Nacogdoches, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• Southwestern Region of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc. EIN: 510194762. Houston, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• IOTA ALPHA CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC. EIN: 510225632. Arlington, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• PSI ZETA CHAPTER OF ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY INCORPORATED. EIN: 521345182. Fort Worth, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• ALPHA EPSILON DELTA. EIN: 521850764. San Antonio, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Texas Lambda Chapter of AED at UTSA)
• SOCIETY OF HISPANIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS INC. EIN: 760221936. Houston, TX. From IRS B83 public filing.
• DELTA PHI UPSILON FRATERNITY INC. EIN: 800209640. Houston, TX. From IRS B83 public filing. (Grand Chapter)

We maintain this extensive directory so families in Earth and across the state never start from zero. When you contact Attorney911, we already know the names, EINs, and mailing addresses of the organizations that may hold insurance and responsibility for hazing incidents. This data-driven approach is a critical component of our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine. If your child was hazed anywhere in Texas—whether here in Earth or on a major campus like UH (Harris County), Texas A&M (Brazos County), UT Austin (Travis County), SMU (Dallas County), or Baylor (McLennan County)—call 1-888-ATTY-911. We already know how to find the organizations behind the letters.

8.4 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

In the chaotic aftermath of a hazing incident, parents and students, particularly those unfamiliar with the legal system or facing immense emotional distress, can inadvertently make mistakes that severely jeopardize their legal options. For families in Earth, understanding these pitfalls is as crucial as knowing what steps to take.

MISTAKES THAT CAN RUIN YOUR HAZING CASE:

1. Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence:

   • What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble” or “I just want this to go away.”
   • Why it’s wrong: Deleting evidence looks like a cover-up, can be obstruction of justice, and makes proving your case nearly impossible. Digital evidence, such as group chats, videos, and texts, is often the most critical evidence in hazing cases.
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content. Screenshot group chats, back up phone data, and save social media posts. Our video on using your phone to document a legal case provides essential guidance on this.

2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly:

   • What parents think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind” or “I want answers directly from them.”
   • Why it’s wrong: Directly confronting the organization or its members will often cause them to immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare their defenses. You lose essential leverage and the element of surprise.
   • What to do instead: Document everything in private. Then, call an experienced hazing lawyer before any confrontation.

3. Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms without legal counsel:

   • What universities do: In an effort to “handle things internally” and minimize liability, universities may pressure families to sign waivers or “internal resolution” agreements.
   • Why it’s wrong: These documents often include clauses that waive your right to sue the university, the fraternity, or other responsible parties. They may offer a minimal “settlement” that is far below the true value of your case.
   • What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything from the university or an insurance company without an attorney reviewing it first.

4. Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer:

   • What families think: “I want people to know what happened” or “I want to warn others.”
   • Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything posted publicly. Inconsistencies between your social media posts and your formal legal statements can hurt your credibility. You may inadvertently waive legal privileges or provide defenses with information they shouldn’t have.
   • What to do instead: Document privately. Let your lawyer control public messaging strategically, if any.

5. Letting your child go back to “one last meeting” or “talk it out”:

   • What fraternities say: “Come talk to us before you do anything drastic” or “Let’s resolve this internally.”
   • Why it’s wrong: These meetings are often designed to pressure the victim, gather information that can be used against them, intimidate them, or extract statements that hurt their legal case.
   • What to do instead: Once you’re considering legal action, all communication from the organization should be directed to your attorney.

6. Waiting “to see how the university handles it”:

   • What universities promise: “We’re investigating; let us handle this internally.”
   • Why it’s wrong: While university investigations are important, they often prioritize protecting the institution’s reputation over full accountability for your child. Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and crucial deadlines like the statute of limitations can run out while you wait. The university’s process is not the same as real legal accountability.
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW. Consult with an experienced hazing lawyer immediately. The university’s internal process and your civil legal rights are separate tracks.

7. Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer:

   • What adjusters say: “We just need your statement to process the claim” or “We want to offer you a quick settlement.”
   • Why it’s wrong: Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Recorded statements can be used against you, and early settlements are often lowball offers that don’t cover the full extent of damages.
   • What to do instead: Politely decline to speak with them and say, “My attorney will contact you.” Do not provide any information. Our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case further elaborates on these crucial points.

8.5 Short FAQs for Parents in Earth

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities like the University of Houston, Texas A&M, and UT Austin have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individual employees in their personal capacity. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on its specific facts. Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis of your situation.
• “Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
  It can be. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default. However, it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, as in Leonel Bermudez’s case involving rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Individuals, including officers of the organization, can also face charges for failing to report known hazing.
• “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 charges or civil liability. Courts recognize that “agreement” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent. Your child cannot legally consent to criminal or harmful acts.
• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit in Texas?”
  Generally, you have two years from the date of injury or death to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in Texas. This is known as the “statute of limitations.” However, the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving cover-ups or fraud, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and organizations destroy records. Watch our video on Texas statutes of limitations for more details. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to protect your rights.
• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  The location of hazing does not eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities or sororities can still be held liable based on their sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability of the hazing. Many major hazing cases—like the Pi Kappa Phi hazing of Leonel Bermudez at a Culmore Drive residence and Yellowstone Boulevard Park, or the Pi Delta Psi retreat case—occurred off-campus and still resulted in significant judgments and settlements.
• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial to protect the privacy of all parties. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. Our firm prioritizes your family’s privacy while aggressively pursuing accountability and justice. We understand the sensitivity involved and work to balance your child’s emotional and reputational well-being with their right to compensation.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action for Earth Families

When your family faces a hazing case in Texas, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, we bring unparalleled experience, unique advantages, and a fierce commitment to justice for families in Earth and across Texas affected by hazing and campus abuse.

From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Earth and the surrounding Panhandle region. We understand that hazing at Texas universities impacts families far and wide, whether at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or other campuses.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

• Insurance Insider Advantage: Lupe Peña, a key attorney on our team, spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm before joining Attorney911. She knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims, their delay tactics, and their strategies for invoking exclusions like “intentional acts.” “We know their playbook because we used to run it,” she states, giving us a critical edge in negotiating and fighting for maximum compensation. You can learn more about Lupe Peña’s background and how her experience benefits our clients.
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions: Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation, taking on one of the world’s largest corporations. This federal court experience against billion-dollar defendants means we are not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their well-funded defense teams. “We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We know how to fight powerful defendants,” Ralph affirms. Our robust experience detailed on Ralph Manginello’s profile proves our capability in institutional fights.
• Proven Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: We have a multi-million-dollar track record in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, working with economists to value human life and future care needs for brain injuries, organ damage like rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, and other permanent disabilities. Our firm doesn’t settle cheap; we build cases that force accountability.
• Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) gives us unique insight into how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. This dual capability allows us to advise witnesses, former members, and victims on all aspects of their case, whether facing potential criminal exposure or seeking civil compensation.
• Investigative Depth: We treat every hazing investigation with the same rigor we apply to refinery accidents. We deploy a network of experts—medical, digital forensics, economists, and psychologists—to uncover truth. We know how to obtain deleted group chats, subpoena national fraternity records showing prior incidents, and compel university files through discovery and public records requests. “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does,” we believe.

Our firm deeply understands how fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, and athletic departments actually work behind closed doors. We know what makes hazing cases different: the powerful institutional defendants, the complex insurance coverage fights, and the delicate balance between victim privacy and public accountability. We also grasp the Greek culture, its traditions, and how to prove coercion even when “consent” is claimed.

We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our job is to get you answers, hold the right people accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family. We are not about bravado or quick settlements; we are about thorough investigation and real accountability.

Call to Action for Earth Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether a major university like the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor, or another institution—we want to hear from you. Families in Earth and throughout the surrounding region have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward.

What to expect in your free consultation:

• We’ll listen to your story without judgment.
• Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records).
• Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither.
• Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect.
• Answer your questions about costs – we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Our video explaining how contingency fees work clarifies this process.
• There’s no pressure to hire us on the spot—take time to decide.
• Everything you tell us is completely confidential.

Provide 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

Spanish-language services:
Hablamos Español – Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

Please note: Reading this article does not create an attorney–client relationship. Every case is unique, and we cannot guarantee specific outcomes. An experienced attorney can review your specific facts, explain your rights under Texas law, and help you understand your options.

Whether you’re in Earth or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Call us today.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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/
https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
https://attorney911.com
https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/
https://attorney911.com/contact/

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com

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