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Alabama Fraternity & Sorority Hazing Lawyers: A Comprehensive Guide for Families Facing University Hazing Injury & Wrongful Death in Texas

🚨 IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES IN ALABAMA 🚨

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW, please prioritize their safety:

• Call 911 for any medical emergencies. Do not delay.
• 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 after a hazing incident, critical steps must be taken:

• Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine” or just “embarrassed.” Injuries from hazing, like rhabdomyolysis or internal damage, can be severe and not immediately apparent.
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, and direct messages (DMs) immediately. These are often the most crucial pieces of evidence.
  • Photograph any visible injuries, taking multiple angles.
  • Save any physical items involved, such as damaged clothing, receipts for forced purchases, or objects used in hazing rituals.
• Write down everything while memory is fresh: who was involved, what happened, when it occurred, and where.
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or any involved individuals directly. This can lead to evidence destruction or further intimidation.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company without legal advice. You could unknowingly waive your rights.
  • Post details on public social media. Such posts can damage your case and compromise privacy.
  • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” any evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast due to deleted group chats, destroyed objects, and coached witnesses. Universities also move quickly to control their narrative. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

1. Hook + Overview: A Parent’s Worst Nightmare, From Alabama to Texas Campuses

It’s the call every parent dreads. Your child, home in Alabama, left for college in Texas with hopes of new friendships and academic success. Now you get a call from an emergency room. Your student, a pledge at a Texas university, is in critical condition, having been forced to drink to excess, subjected to grueling physical tasks, or humiliated beyond measure. They’re scared, injured, and ashamed. Others at the event refused to call for help, fearing “getting the chapter shut down.”

This terrifying scenario is not hypothetical. It is the reality for families across Texas, including those from Alabama whose children attend the Lone Star State’s many universities. We understand the unique challenges and concerns that Alabama parents face when their child is hurt hundreds of miles away in a Texas hazing incident.

We saw this nightmare unfold with Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student and Pi Kappa Phi pledge represented by Attorney911. What started as an initiation into the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH, including events at their campus house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park, quickly devolved into a brutal hazing regimen. Bermudez was subjected to degrading rules, like carrying a “pledge fanny pack” with humiliating contents, forced dress codes, and grueling physical punishments. These included sprints, bear crawls, and wheelbarrow races, being stripped to his underwear in cold weather, lying in vomit-soaked grass, and being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” He was even forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by repeated sprints. On one night, the “Nov 3 workout,” he endured over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion. This horrific abuse led to severe muscle breakdown, a condition called rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, couldn’t stand without help, and was hospitalized for four days. The physical and psychological trauma Bermudez suffered, and his ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage, highlight the devastating consequences of hazing. You can read more about this disturbing case reported by Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline.

This comprehensive guide is designed for families in Alabama and across Texas who need to understand:

• What hazing actually looks like in 2025, far beyond outdated stereotypes.
• The specifics of Texas and federal law concerning hazing.
• How major national cases, like Leonel Bermudez’s, apply to your family’s situation.
• What has been happening at major Texas universities like the University of Houston (UH), Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin (UT), Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Baylor University (and other schools where Alabama families send their children).
• The legal options available to victims and families in Alabama and throughout Texas.

This article provides general information. It is not specific legal advice. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 can evaluate individual situations based on their unique facts. We proudly serve families throughout the entire state of Texas, including those from Alabama.

2. Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For Alabama families, understanding modern hazing is crucial, as it often looks very different from the outdated pranks depicted in movies. Hazing today is sophisticated, often hidden, and can quickly escalate from seemingly benign “tradition” to life-threatening abuse. It is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. This includes situations where a student explicitly or implicitly “agrees” to the activity; under duress and peer pressure, true consent is often impossible.

2.1 Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing is any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization. The key elements are coercion, danger, and group affiliation. Even if someone says “I agreed to it,” that does not automatically make it safe or legal, especially when there’s a significant power imbalance, intense peer pressure, or fear of social exclusion.

2.2 Main Categories of Hazing

Hazing manifests in various disturbing forms:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This is tragically common and often fatal. It includes forced or coerced drinking of alcohol, often to dangerous levels during “lineups,” chugging challenges, or games that require rapid, excessive consumption. Pledges may be pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances, leading to alcohol poisoning and other serious health crises. Leonel Bermudez was forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints, a clear example of dangerous consumption designed to humiliate and harm.
• Physical Hazing: Beyond the stereotypical paddling, this involves extreme calisthenics, “workouts,” or “smokings” far exceeding normal physical conditioning. Victims can suffer severe sleep and food deprivation, exposure to extreme temperatures, or dangerous environments. Beatings, forced sprints, bear crawls, and wheelbarrow races are common. Bermudez’s ordeal included cold-weather exposure in underwear, lying in vomit-soaked grass, and being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” alongside physically draining exercises.
• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This category is deeply damaging, involving forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (such as “roasted pig” positions), or being made to wear degrading costumes. It often includes acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic overtones, designed to degrade and exploit. The Bermudez case alleged the “pledge fanny pack” rule, where pledges had to carry degrading contents like condoms and a sex toy, epitomizes humiliating hazing. Another deeply disturbing detail from his case involved a hog-tied pledge with an object in his mouth for over an hour.
• Psychological Hazing: This involves verbal abuse, threats, forced isolation, and manipulation. Victims may face public shaming in meetings or on social media, leading to severe mental distress. The constant fear, intimidation, and pressure to keep secrets from family and authorities can have lasting psychological impacts.
• Digital/Online Hazing: Modern hazing often leverages technology. 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 constantly monitor group chats, ready to respond instantly. Bermudez’s case involved constant late-night demands and an enforced dress code, demonstrating the pervasive nature of control.

2.3 Where Hazing Actually Happens

Hazing is not limited to “frat boys” or Greek life. It permeates various organizations seeking to instill loyalty through initiation rituals:

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes those under Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and multicultural Greek councils.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: Organizations like the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, with their emphasis on tradition, can sometimes foster environments where hazing slips in under the guise of discipline or tradition.
• Spirit Squads, Tradition Clubs: Examples include many cheerleading teams, dance teams, or long-standing university spirit organizations.
• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to baseball, cheer, and even swim teams, hazing has been documented in many sports programs.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly innocuous groups can be sites of hazing.
• Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations: Any group with new member initiation rituals can be susceptible.

The common threads are social status, tradition, and intense secrecy, all of which enable these dangerous practices to continue even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal. The fear of retaliation and social ostracization prevents many students, including those from Alabama studying at Texas campuses, from speaking out.

3. Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

For families in Alabama and across Texas, understanding the legal landscape around hazing is crucial. Texas law, combined with federal regulations, provides a framework for accountability both criminally and civilly.

3.1 Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Texas has clear and specific anti-hazing provisions outlined in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F ($\S$ 37.151 et seq.). In plain terms, hazing is broadly defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student, that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student (e.g., beating, forced exercise, forced consumption of alcohol/drugs, severe sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, or acts like those endured by Leonel Bermudez), AND
• Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Key points about Texas hazing law:

• On or Off Campus: The law applies regardless of where the hazing occurs. A hazing incident at a private residence in Houston, such as the Culmore Drive location where Bermudez was hazed, is just as illegal as one on university grounds.
• Can be Mental or Physical Harm: It’s not just about physical injury; severe psychological trauma and humiliation also fall under the definition.
• Intent: The act doesn’t require malicious intent. “Reckless” conduct—knowing a risk and disregarding it—is sufficient. This is critical because many involved in hazing claim they “didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”
• Consent is Not a Defense: Texas Education Code $\S$ 37.155 explicitly states that it is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the activity. This legal provision directly addresses the common defense often used by fraternities and universities: “they wanted to be there.”
• Criminal Penalties: Hazing can lead to fines and jail time. The severity increases significantly if serious bodily injury or death results.
  • Hazing that doesn’t result in serious injury is typically a Class B Misdemeanor (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000).
  • If hazing causes injury requiring medical treatment, it can be a Class A Misdemeanor.
  • If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a State Jail Felony.
  • Failing to report hazing (if you’re a member or officer and knew about it) is also a misdemeanor.
  • Retaliating against someone who reports hazing is a misdemeanor.
• Organizational Liability ($\S$ 37.153): Organizations themselves can be criminally prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation. Universities can also revoke recognition and ban the organization from campus.
• Reporter Protections ($\S$ 37.154): Individuals who report hazing in good faith are often immune from civil or criminal liability related to their report. Texas law also provides amnesty for students who call 911 in an emergency, even if underage drinking or hazing was involved, to encourage seeking aid.

3.2 Criminal vs. Civil Cases

It’s important for Alabama families to understand that hazing incidents can lead to two distinct legal processes:

• Criminal Cases: These are brought by the state (prosecutors) against individuals. Their aim is punishment, including jail time, fines, or probation. Common hazing-related criminal charges beyond specific hazing offenses include furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, and even negligent homicide or manslaughter in fatal cases. In the Leonel Bermudez case, the University of Houston explicitly stated it would cooperate with law enforcement and pursue disciplinary measures up to expulsion, indicating the potential for criminal referrals.
• Civil Cases: These are pursued by victims or their surviving families against individuals, organizations, and institutions. The goal is monetary compensation for damages and holding accountable those responsible. Civil claims often focus on negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, and emotional distress. Leonel Bermudez’s $10 million lawsuit against UH, Pi Kappa Phi, its national headquarters, the housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders is a prime example of a civil hazing case seeking accountability and justice through compensation. A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case.

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

Beyond state law, federal regulations also impact hazing accountability:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law, implemented by around 2026, requires colleges and universities receiving federal funds to:
  • Report hazing incidents and related disciplinary actions transparently.
  • Provide hazing education and prevention programs.
  • Maintain public data on hazing violations. This will make it easier for Alabama parents to research hazing histories at Texas campuses.
• Title IX / Clery Act:
  • Title IX applies when hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based discrimination or harassment. This is particularly relevant if hazing includes sexualized acts or targets individuals based on gender.
  • The Clery Act requires colleges to report campus crime statistics and provide timely warnings. Hazing often involves crimes like assault or alcohol offenses, triggering Clery Act reporting obligations.

3.4 Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

Determining liability in a hazing case in Texas, whether for families from Alabama or within the state, involves identifying all potential responsible parties:

• Individual Students: Those who planned, orchestrated, carried out, or even facilitated the hazing acts can be held personally liable.
• Local Chapter / Organization: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be sued as an entity. Officers, leaders, and “pledge educators” who directly oversee or conduct hazing are often key defendants. In Bermudez’s case, 13 individual fraternity members, including the chapter president and pledgemaster, were named as defendants.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: The national headquarters, as a supervising body, can be held liable. Their liability often hinges on whether they knew or should have known about hazing patterns within that chapter or others, and whether their anti-hazing policies were adequately enforced. Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters is a defendant in the Bermudez lawsuit.
• University or Governing Board: The university itself, or its System Board of Regents, can be sued under various theories, including negligence, negligent supervision, or for Title IX violations. Key factors include the university’s knowledge of prior hazing, its enforcement of policies, and whether it demonstrated “deliberate indifference” to student safety. The University of Houston and the UH System Board of Regents are both defendants in the Bermudez case.
• Third Parties: This can include landlords or owners of off-campus houses where hazing occurs (like the Culmore Drive residence mentioned in the Bermudez case), bars or alcohol providers under “dram shop” laws if they overserved alcohol that contributed to the hazing, or even security companies or event organizers who failed to ensure safety.

Every case is fact-specific, and not every party will be liable in every situation. An experienced hazing attorney in Texas can help identify all potential defendants.

4. National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

The tragic pattern of hazing injuries and deaths across the United States provides critical context for understanding liability in Texas. These landmark cases demonstrate the severe and often fatal consequences of hazing, establishing legal precedents and driving legislative change that impact how hazing cases, including those involving Alabama families at Texas universities, are handled.

4.1 Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Forced or coerced drinking is the deadliest form of hazing, a recurring narrative in many national tragedies:

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): During a “bid acceptance” event, 19-year-old Timothy Piazza was forced to consume excessive alcohol. After suffering a series of falls that resulted in fatal brain injuries, fraternity members delayed calling for medical help for nearly 12 hours. The shocking incident, partly captured on fraternity surveillance cameras, led to dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, extensive civil litigation, and the enactment of Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. This case powerfully illustrates how extreme intoxication, delayed medical intervention, and a pervasive culture of silence can be legally devastating for organizations and individuals alike.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event, where pledges, including Coffey, were given handles of hard liquor. The incident led to criminal hazing charges against multiple fraternity members. Florida State University responded by temporarily suspending all Greek life and overhauling its policies. This tragedy highlights how formulaic “tradition” drinking nights are a repeating script for disaster, even within organizations like Pi Kappa Phi, which is now facing the Leonel Bermudez lawsuit at the University of Houston.
• Max Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max Gruver died from alcohol toxicity (with an alarming BAC of 0.495%) after participating in a coercive “Bible study” drinking game. During the event, pledges were forced to drink whenever they answered questions incorrectly. Gruver’s death spurred the passage of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, a felony hazing law. This case is a stark reminder that legislative change often follows public outrage fueled by clear, tragic proof of hazing.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): During a pledge night, Stone Foltz was forced to consume an entire bottle of whiskey and died from alcohol poisoning. The incident resulted in multiple criminal convictions of fraternity members. Bowling Green State University agreed to a nearly $3 million settlement with the family, with other settlements reached with the fraternity and individuals. This case demonstrates that universities, alongside fraternities, can face significant financial and reputational consequences for hazing. The national Pi Kappa Alpha organization, often colloquially known as Pike, has been associated with other serious incidents of alcohol hazing.

4.2 Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Hazing often involves extreme physical abuse, disguised as “tradition” or “initiation rites”:

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng died from a traumatic brain injury sustained during a fraternity retreat in the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. Blindfolded and weighted down with a heavy backpack, he was repeatedly tackled in a brutal “glass ceiling” ritual. Fraternity members delayed seeking medical help. The incident led to multiple members being convicted and the national fraternity being banned from Pennsylvania. This landmark case, where the national organization was criminally convicted, underscores how off-campus “retreats” can be dangerously unsupervised, exposing national organizations and local chapters to severe sanctions.

4.3 Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is not exclusive to Greek life; it is a pervasive issue found in athletic programs and other student organizations:

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): Former football players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the program over multiple years. The scandal led to multiple lawsuits against Northwestern University and its coaching staff, the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald (who later settled a wrongful-termination lawsuit confidentially), and significant reputational damage. This case highlights that hazing extends beyond Greek life into major, high-profile athletic programs, raising critical questions about institutional oversight and accountability.

4.4 What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

These national tragedies establish a clear pattern that directly impacts Alabama families with students in Texas:

• Common Threads: The consistent elements across these cases include forced drinking, extreme humiliation, severe physical abuse, dangerous ritualized activities, delayed or denied medical care, and concerted efforts at cover-ups.
• Foreseeability and Accountability: When a Texas chapter—whether at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor—repeats the same dangerous behaviors that have caused death or severe injury elsewhere, it strengthens arguments for foreseeability. This significantly raises the stakes for negligence and punitive damage claims against the local chapter, national organization, and potentially the university.
• Legal & Legislative Impact: These cases have propelled new, tougher anti-hazing laws, creating a much stronger legal environment for victims and their families. Multi-million-dollar settlements are not uncommon outcomes in these types of cases.
• You Are Not Alone: For Alabama families grappling with hazing at a Texas university, these national examples demonstrate that you are not alone. The legal framework and experience gained from these cases can be leveraged to pursue justice and accountability here in Texas. Attorney911 is already doing so with the multi-million dollar lawsuit in the Leonel Bermudez case at the University of Houston.

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

For Alabama families with children studying in Texas, it’s vital to understand the specific environment at the state’s major universities. While your home may be in Alabama, the legal and institutional accountability mechanisms for hazing are deeply rooted in Texas law and the specific policies of these institutions. The Manginello Law Firm serves families across Texas, offering a local presence for those in Houston and extending our expertise to families in Alabama whose children attend these and other Texas schools.

5.1 University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston, a large urban campus in the heart of the nation’s fourth-largest city, is a hub for students from across Texas and beyond, including many from Alabama seeking a vibrant urban university experience. Its active Greek life, diverse student body, and extensive range of student organizations make it a dynamic educational environment. However, this also means students can be exposed to risks, as tragically demonstrated in the Leonel Bermudez case.

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH is a rapidly growing Tier One research university known for its diversity and close ties to Houston’s industries. Its Greek life is robust, with a mix of IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and MGC chapters, fostering a blend of social, academic, and cultural engagement.

5.1.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting at UH

UH maintains a clear anti-hazing policy, prohibiting any act, on or off campus, that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. This specifically includes forced consumption of alcohol, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and mental distress. UH provides reporting channels through the Dean of Students, the Office of Student Conduct, and the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). Some disciplinary information is posted publicly on the university’s Fraternity & Sorority Life website.

5.1.3 Documented Incidents & Responses at UH

The lawsuit filed by Leonel Bermudez has brought the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH under national scrutiny. The allegations include intense physical hazing at the chapter house and off-campus locations like a Culmore Drive residence and Yellowstone Boulevard Park, leading to Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. The University of Houston openly called the alleged conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary measures up to expulsion, as well as cooperation with law enforcement. Before the lawsuit reached this stage, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters suspended the Beta Nu chapter on November 6, 2025. Subsequently, on November 14, 2025, the chapter members voted to surrender their charter, leading to the chapter’s closure.

Beyond this recent case, UH has a history of addressing hazing incidents:

• 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha Case: Pledges allegedly suffered food, water, and sleep deprivation during a multi-day event. One student reportedly sustained a lacerated spleen after being slammed onto a table. The chapter faced misdemeanor hazing charges and university suspension, demonstrating UH’s stance against physical abuse.
• Other disciplinary actions have periodically been taken against various fraternities where behavior was found “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” often involving alcohol misuse and policy violations.

While UH does take disciplinary action, the level of transparency regarding hazing violations can vary when compared to some other Texas universities.

5.1.4 How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

For Alabama families whose children attend UH, a hazing incident can involve a complex legal path. Depending on the location and nature of the hazing, involved agencies may include UHPD for campus-related incidents or the Houston Police Department (HPD) for off-campus events. Civil lawsuits would likely be filed in state or federal courts with jurisdiction over Houston and Harris County. Potential defendants in such a case could include individual students, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority, and potentially the University of Houston and the UH System Board of Regents, as seen in the Bermudez lawsuit. Property owners, such as the housing corporation affiliated with Pi Kappa Phi, could also be included.

5.1.5 What UH Students & Parents Should Do

If you are an Alabama parent with a child at UH who has experienced hazing, or if you are a UH student yourself:

• Report Hazing: Contact the UH Dean of Students, UHPD, or utilize the university’s online reporting forms. Remember the protections offered for good-faith reporting.
• Document Everything: Collect evidence including screenshots of group chats, photos of injuries, and detailed notes of incidents.
• Preserve Records: If you have information about prior complaints or past hazing incidents at UH, especially involving the same chapter, gather and preserve these records. Publicly available disciplinary actions (though sometimes limited) can be crucial.
• Consult a Houston-Based Hazing Lawyer: An attorney experienced in Houston-based hazing cases, particularly those familiar with local court systems and university policies, can offer invaluable guidance. The Manginello Law Firm, located in Houston, has deep roots and expertise in this area, including direct involvement in the Leonel Bermudez case. We understand how to navigate UH’s internal processes and vigorously pursue civil claims.

5.2 Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University in College Station is a prominent institution that draws students from Alabama and around the world, particularly those seeking its strong engineering programs, rich traditions, and the unique experience of the Corps of Cadets. Its strong Greek life and deep-seated traditions, however, also make it a campus where hazing, particularly in its physical and ritualized forms, has unfortunately occurred.

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M is renowned for its spirit, traditions, and the Corps of Cadets, one of the largest uniformed student bodies in the nation. This environment, while fostering camaraderie, can also create a culture where intense physical demands and loyalty testing are ingrained, sometimes blurring the line into hazing.

5.2.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting at Texas A&M

Texas A&M has strict anti-hazing policies, explicitly prohibiting any activity that humiliates, physically or emotionally harms, or endangers a student for the purpose of initiation or membership. They provide direct reporting channels through the Office of the Dean of Student Life and the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD). The university website typically publishes information on hazing violations.

5.2.3 Documented Incidents & Responses at Texas A&M

Texas A&M has faced significant hazing incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Lawsuit (around 2021): This highly publicized case involved two pledges who alleged they were subjected to severe physical hazing. They claimed fraternity members poured various substances over them, including an industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns that required emergency skin graft surgeries. The university suspended the fraternity, and the pledges subsequently sued.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): This federal lawsuit alleged egregious hazing within the Corps of Cadets. A cadet claimed he was subjected to degrading acts, including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages, highlighting how hazing can occur even within highly regulated, traditional organizations. Texas A&M stated it addressed the matter through its internal conduct processes.
• Other incidents have involved various Greek life organizations and student groups, disciplined for forced physical activity, alcohol hazing, and psychological abuse.

These incidents demonstrate that neither Greek life nor traditional university groups are immune from hazing at Texas A&M, and the university often takes internal disciplinary action but might face significant civil litigation.

5.2.4 How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed

For Alabama families, a hazing case originating at Texas A&M would typically involve the Texas A&M UPD or College Station Police Department for criminal investigations. Civil lawsuits would fall under the jurisdiction of courts in College Station or Brazos County, and potentially federal court, depending on the claims. Given the influence of the Corps of Cadets, civil cases might not only target Greek life organizations but also focus on specific Corps units or their leadership. The state’s sovereign immunity laws would be highly relevant for claims against the university.

5.2.5 What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do

If you are an Alabama parent with a child at Texas A&M or a student who has experienced hazing:

• Utilize Reporting Channels: Report incidents to the Texas A&M Dean of Student Life or UPD.
• Document and Preserve: Immediately capture screenshots of any communication related to hazing, photographs of injuries, and detailed notes of events.
• Understand Corps Culture: If the hazing involves the Corps of Cadets, research how Corps traditions might be used to conceal or justify hazing.
• Seek Legal Counsel: Given the unique traditions and powerful entities at play (like the Corps of Cadets and large national fraternities), contacting an experienced hazing attorney is crucial. Attorney911 understands how to investigate these complex environments, identify all potential defendants, and navigate both university disciplinary processes and civil litigation.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)

The University of Texas at Austin, the flagship institution of the UT System, attracts a diverse student body, including many from Alabama, with its top-tier academics and vibrant campus culture. Its expansive Greek system is a major part of student life, but also one where hazing incidents, though publicly reported, continue to be a concern.

5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT Austin is a sprawling campus in the heart of the state capital, known for its academic rigor, spirited student body, and prominent Greek life. Its location in Austin, a major metropolitan area, brings added complexities to issues of student conduct and off-campus activities.

5.3.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting at UT Austin

UT Austin has a publicly accessible and comprehensive anti-hazing policy. The university uniquely maintains a public and transparent Hazing Violations webpage that lists organizations, dates of incidents, a summary of the conduct, and the disciplinary sanctions imposed. This level of transparency is rare among universities and provides a valuable resource for students and parents. Reporting is encouraged through the Dean of Students, Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, and the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD).

5.3.3 Documented Incidents & Responses at UT Austin

UT Austin’s public hazing log reveals a recurring pattern of violations across various organizations:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): The chapter was sanctioned after new members were directed to consume excessive milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, activities deemed as hazing. The chapter was placed on probation and required to implement new hazing-prevention education.
• Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): This spirit organization has faced sanctions for hazing violations, including forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based practices targeting new members. This demonstrates that hazing is not confined to Greek organizations.
• Other fraternities and student organizations have been disciplined for similar offenses, such as forced consumption of alcohol, sleep deprivation, and physically demanding activities.

UT’s commitment to public transparency, while commendable, also highlights the ongoing challenge of eradicating hazing within its vibrant student community.

5.3.4 How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed

For Alabama families involved in a hazing incident at UT Austin, criminal matters could involve UTPD or the Austin Police Department. Civil lawsuits would likely be filed in Travis County state or federal courts. The availability of UT’s public hazing log is a significant factor, as prior violations can strongly support civil suits by demonstrating a pattern of misconduct and the university’s knowledge of recurring issues, bolstering claims of negligent supervision or a failure to enforce policies.

5.1.5 What UT Austin Students & Parents Should Do

If you are an Alabama parent with a child at UT Austin or a student who has experienced hazing:

• Review the Public Hazing Log: Familiarize yourself with UT’s Hazing Violations webpage to see if the organization in question has a history of misconduct.
• Report to UT Authorities: Use the established channels through the Dean of Students or UTPD.
• Compile Evidence: Crucial evidence includes group chat screenshots, photos of injuries or events, and any communication from the organization.
• Seek Experienced Legal Guidance: Attorney911 is intimately familiar with UT Austin’s policies and the legal landscape of hazing in Travis County. We can leverage the university’s public records and our investigative expertise to build a robust case for accountability.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University, a private institution in Dallas, is known for its selective admissions and strong Greek life presence, attracting many students from affluent backgrounds in Alabama and beyond. Its Greek chapters are often large and influential, but this prominence doesn’t exempt them from hazing problems.

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

SMU is a private university with a strong focus on undergraduate residential life and a particularly active Greek system. Its social scene is heavily influenced by fraternities and sororities, which play a significant role in student body culture.

5.4.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting at SMU

SMU has clear anti-hazing policies, prohibiting any activity that humiliates, abuses, or endangers students as part of initiation or continued membership. As a private university, SMU’s policies and disciplinary processes are distinct from public institutions, but they still actively promote reporting through the Office of Student Conduct and an anonymous system like Real Response. While not always publicly broadcast like UT Austin’s log, disciplinary actions are taken.

5.4.3 Documented Incidents & Responses at SMU

SMU has faced its share of hazing controversies:

• Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017): New members of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity were reportedly paddled, forced to consume excessive alcohol, and subjected to sleep deprivation. The university responded with a chapter suspension and restrictions on recruiting activities that lasted for several years. This incident highlighted the challenges of addressing traditional hazing within the Greek system even at private institutions.

SMU’s response often involves chapter suspensions, probation, and mandatory educational interventions, but the outcomes of these internal processes are typically less transparent than those at public universities.

5.4.4 How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

For Alabama families with children at SMU, a hazing incident would likely involve the SMU Police Department for campus-based crimes or the Dallas Police Department for off-campus incidents. Civil lawsuits against SMU, its officials, the local chapter, and the national organization would be filed in Dallas County state or federal courts. As a private university, SMU does not enjoy the same sovereign immunity protections as public institutions, potentially simplifying some aspects of litigation against the university itself.

5.4.5 What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

If you are an Alabama parent with a child at SMU or an SMU student who has experienced hazing:

• Utilize SMU’s Reporting Systems: Report incidents through the Office of Student Conduct or use anonymous reporting mechanisms like Real Response.
• Document: Preserve all available evidence, including digital communications, photos, and medical records.
• Understand Private University Context: Be aware that while SMU takes hazing seriously, the internal investigation and disciplinary processes may differ from public universities.
• Consult a Hazing Attorney: Attorney911 has deep experience in navigating the legal landscape of private universities. We can help families from Alabama and elsewhere understand their rights, compel discovery of internal institutional records, and pursue accountability effectively.

5.5 Baylor University

Baylor University in Waco, a private Baptist university, attracts students from Alabama and across the country seeking a faith-based educational environment. Despite its religious affiliation and a history of intense scrutiny over student conduct, Greek life and other student organizations at Baylor have faced hazing allegations.

5.5.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor’s strong religious identity, academic focus, and vibrant campus life contribute to a unique student experience. It has a significant Greek presence, along with numerous other student organizations, some with long-standing traditions. Baylor has also faced national scrutiny in the past regarding institutional oversight and student safety, particularly in relation to a well-publicized sexual assault scandal involving its football program.

5.5.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting at Baylor

Baylor has strong anti-hazing policies, explicitly forbidding any activity that humiliates, abuses, or endangers students. The university emphasizes its “zero tolerance” stance. Reporting mechanisms are in place through the Division of Student Life and the Baylor University Police Department (BUPD).

5.4.3 Documented Incidents & Responses at Baylor

Baylor, like other universities, has had to address hazing issues across different student groups:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): Following an investigation into hazing allegations within the baseball program, 14 players were suspended. These suspensions were staggered over the early season to mitigate impact on the team, but they underscored that hazing occurs even in athletic programs at religiously affiliated institutions.
• Baylor has also suspended or placed on probation various Greek life organizations for hazing-related violations, which typically involve alcohol misuse, forced physical activity, and harassment.

While Baylor’s official statements emphasize a “zero tolerance” policy, the recurring incidents highlight the ongoing challenges in fully eradicating hazing within its student body, echoing its broader cultural and oversight challenges previously brought to light.

5.4.4 How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed

For Alabama families dealing with a hazing incident at Baylor, criminal investigations would involve BUPD or the Waco Police Department. Civil lawsuits would likely be filed in McLennan County state or federal courts. Similar to SMU, as a private university, Baylor does not have the same sovereign immunity protections as public institutions like UT or Texas A&M, which can sometimes impact the legal strategies available in a civil suit against the university.

5.4.5 What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do

If you are an Alabama parent with a child at Baylor or a Baylor student who has experienced hazing:

• Utilize Baylor’s Reporting Channels: Report incidents through the Division of Student Life or BUPD.
• Document Thoroughly: Preserve all available evidence, including digital communications, photos, and medical records.
• Consider Broader Context: Be aware of Baylor’s history and its implications for institutional accountability. The university’s strong institutional control can sometimes lead to very specific internal processes.
• Contact a Hazing Attorney: Attorney911 has experience navigating complex institutional litigation and understands the nuances of pursuing accountability against private universities. Our firm can help families from Alabama ensure that hazing incidents at Baylor are thoroughly investigated and pursued.

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

Understanding the role of national fraternities and sororities is crucial for Alabama families pursuing hazing claims in Texas. Many Greek organizations at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor are part of larger national structures. These national organizations often have extensive histories of hazing incidents across their chapters, which can be critical evidence in a lawsuit.

6.1 Why National Histories Matter

When hazing occurs at a local chapter, whether in Houston, College Station, Austin, Dallas, Waco, or any other Texas campus, the national organization’s past conduct can directly impact the legal outcome. National HQs frequently:

• Possess anti-hazing manuals and risk management policies—often developed because previous hazing incidents, including deaths and catastrophic injuries, have forced them to act.
• Are aware of recurring patterns, such as forced drinking nights, ritualistic paddling, and humiliating initiation ceremonies, which have occurred in various chapters across the country.

When a Texas chapter repeats a hazing script that has led to major lawsuits, institutional bans, or criminal charges at another chapter in a different state, this establishes foreseeability. It demonstates that the national organization knew or should have known that such conduct carried extreme risk. This can significantly bolster negligence claims and arguments for punitive damages against both the local chapter and the national entity.

6.2 Organization Mapping: From Texas Campuses to National Patterns

We track major fraternities and sororities present at Texas universities, particularly those with known national hazing histories. This is not an exhaustive list, as rosters change, but highlights organizations frequently flagged in hazing litigation:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Baylor, Pi Kappa Alpha has a deeply troubling national history.
  • Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, 2021) and David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois University, 2012): Both pledges died from alcohol poisoning during “Big/Little” events involving forced consumption. The Foltz case resulted in a $10 million settlement and multiple criminal convictions. These cases highlight a national pattern of dangerous alcohol hazing within Pi Kappa Alpha.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and SMU, SAE has been involved in multiple hazing-related deaths and severe injuries nationwide.
  • University of Alabama (2023): A pledge allegedly suffered a traumatic brain injury during a hazing ritual, leading to a lawsuit against the fraternity.
  • Texas A&M University (2021): Two pledges alleged severe chemical burns from industrial-strength cleaner poured on them during hazing, requiring skin graft surgeries, leading to a $1 million lawsuit.
  • University of Texas at Austin (2024): An exchange student sued SAE for alleged assault that resulted in a dislocated leg, broken ligaments, and a fractured tibia.
  • This pattern demonstrates consistent issues across multiple SAE chapters, locally and nationally.
• Phi Delta Theta: Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Baylor.
  • Max Gruver (Louisiana State University, 2017): Gruver died from alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game, leading to the Max Gruver Act (felony hazing) in Louisiana and a $6.1 million verdict against individuals.
• Pi Kappa Phi: Active at UH and Texas A&M.
  • Andrew Coffey (Florida State University, 2017): Coffey died from alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night,” leading to criminal charges and FSU’s temporary suspension of Greek life. This case, alongside the recent Leonel Bermudez lawsuit at UH, illustrates a dangerous national pattern of alcohol hazing.
• Kappa Alpha Order: Present at Texas A&M and SMU.
  • SMU Incident (2017): The SMU chapter was suspended after new members were reportedly paddled, forced to drink, and sleep-deprived.
  • Chad Meredith (University of Miami, 2001): Meredith drowned after being coerced by fraternity members to swim across a lake while intoxicated. His parents were awarded a $12.6 million verdict, leading to a criminal hazing law in Florida.
• Beta Theta Pi: Active at UH, Texas A&M, and SMU.
  • Timothy Piazza (Penn State University, 2017): Piazza died from catastrophic injuries after extreme alcohol consumption and delayed medical attention during a “bid acceptance” event, resulting in national scrutiny and numerous criminal charges.
• Sigma Chi: Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Baylor.
  • College of Charleston (2024): A pledge alleged physical beatings, forced drug/alcohol consumption, and psychological torment. The family received more than $10 million in damages, one of the largest known hazing settlements, underscoring significant liability for severe hazing.

6.3 Tie Back to Legal Strategy

This pattern of repeat incidents across chapters and states is crucial for our legal strategy in Texas hazing cases. It demonstrates:

• Foreseeability: National organizations cannot credibly claim ignorance of hazing risks when similar incidents have occurred within their own chapters or the broader Greek system multiple times.
• Negligent Supervision: Such patterns suggest that national organizations, despite having anti-hazing policies, may have failed to adequately enforce them or implement effective risk management.
• **Settlement Leverage:**Documented national histories provide significant leverage in settlement negotiations, as they highlight the potential for substantial judgments, including punitive damages, against powerful defendants.
• Insurance Coverage Disputes: Prior incidents can be used to argue against insurers’ attempts to deny coverage by claiming the hazing was an “unforeseeable” or “intentional” act for which they have no liability.

By thoroughly investigating both local chapter conduct and national organizational histories, we build comprehensive cases that aim for full accountability and significant compensation for victims and their families. This deep dive into public records and legal precedents helps ensure that fraternities, sororities, and universities can no longer claim innocence or ignorance when hazing causes catastrophic harm.

7. Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Building a successful hazing case in Texas against powerful institutions and national organizations requires meticulous evidence collection, a deep understanding of damages, and a sophisticated legal strategy. When Alabama families come to Attorney911, we leverage our experience and resources to meticulously construct their case.

7.1 Evidence

Modern hazing cases are often won or lost based on the quality and breadth of digital and documentary evidence. We work quickly to preserve and gather all relevant information:

• Digital Communications: These are often the most critical pieces of evidence. GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook Messenger, and even fraternity-specific apps are rife with planning, instructions, and real-time accounts of hazing. This includes both live messages and successfully recovered/deleted messages. Leonel Bermudez’s case heavily relies on communications exposing the “pledge fanny pack” rules and demands for late-night duties. Attorney911’s video on using your phone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) explains how to properly capture and preserve these crucial digital records.
• Photos & Videos: Content filmed by members during events (often for their own amusement or documentation) can be devastating evidence. This includes footage shared in group chats, on social media, or even unwittingly captured by security cameras (like Ring/doorbell footage) at houses and venues. Photos of injuries, humiliating acts, forced drinking, and the environment where hazing occurred are vital.
• Internal Organization Documents: These include pledge manuals, initiation scripts (even if euphemistically named), “traditions” lists, and emails or texts from officers discussing “new member education.” National policies and training materials provide context on what organizations claim they do versus what actually occurs.
• University Records: We seek prior conduct files, probation/suspension records, and letters of warning involving the specific organization or individuals. Incident reports filed with campus police or student conduct offices, as well as Clery reports and other public safety disclosures, can reveal patterns of non-compliance and institutional knowledge.
• Medical and Psychological Records: Comprehensive medical documentation includes emergency room and hospitalization records, surgery and rehabilitation notes, toxicology reports (for alcohol or drug use), and lab results (like creatine kinase levels for rhabdomyolysis victims such as Leonel Bermudez). Psychological evaluations are crucial for assessing PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicidality resulting from the trauma of hazing.
• Witness Testimony: Including other pledges, members who quit or were expelled, roommates, Resident Advisors (RAs), coaches, trainers, and any bystanders. Securing witness testimony quickly is essential before memories fade or individuals are pressured into silence.

7.2 Damages

When hazing causes injury or death, the law aims to compensate victims and their families for various forms of harm. We assess all potential damages to ensure comprehensive recovery:

• Medical Bills & Future Care: This includes immediate costs like ER visits, ambulance transport, and ICU stays. For severe injuries like Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, this extends to ongoing treatment, physical and occupational therapy, medications, and potential long-term care for permanent conditions or organ damage.
• Lost Earnings / Educational Impact: This covers missed semesters, setbacks in entering the workforce, and potential reduced earning capacity if injuries lead to permanent disabilities. Often, hazing victims are forced to withdraw from school or transfer, incurring additional educational costs and delaying their professional trajectory.
• Non-Economic Damages: These intangible losses are profoundly impactful in hazing cases and include:
  • Physical pain and suffering: From the initial injury through recovery and any chronic pain.
  • Emotional distress: Including trauma, humiliation, shame, PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life: The inability to participate in activities, hobbies, or social life due to physical or psychological injuries, or the loss of the college experience itself.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): In tragic hazing fatalities, families can recover for:
  • Funeral and burial costs.
  • Loss of financial support and inheritance the deceased would have provided.
  • Loss of companionship, love, and society experienced by parents, siblings, or spouses.
  • The profound grief and emotional suffering of surviving family members.

These categories identify the types of damages recoverable, but actual amounts are highly case-specific. We work with economists and other experts to fully value these losses.

7.3 Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

A crucial aspect of our strategy is identifying all potential defendants and understanding their insurance coverage:

• Insurance Policies: National fraternities, universities, and sometimes even individual students often carry insurance policies that could cover hazing-related claims.
• Exclusions and Disputes: Insurers frequently argue that hazing, especially if it involves “intentional acts” or falls outside approved activities, is excluded from coverage. They may attempt to deny coverage or refuse to defend their policyholders.
• Experienced Hazing Lawyers: This is where Attorney911’s unique expertise, particularly Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney, becomes invaluable.
  • We identify all potential sources of coverage, including general liability, umbrella policies, and even homeowners’ policies of involved individuals.
  • We navigate complex disputes about exclusion clauses and intentional conduct, often arguing that even if the hazing was intentional, the institution’s failure to supervise or prevent it was negligent and therefore covered.
  • We force insurers to fulfill their duty to defend and indemnify within the limits of the law.

Our firm’s experience, including Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, demonstrates our capability to take on massive defendants with vast financial and legal resources. We approach hazing cases with the same rigor, ensuring that the full scope of liability is explored and that all responsible parties, including their insurers, are held accountable. This comprehensive approach is designed to secure full and fair compensation for Alabama families impacted by hazing in Texas.

8. Practical Guides & FAQs

8.1 For Parents in Alabama: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing if Your Child is at a Texas University

For parents in Alabama, the distance can make it harder to spot the warning signs of hazing when your child is attending a university in Texas. However, knowing what to look for and how to respond is critical to protecting them.

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

Be vigilant for these indicators, from subtle to overt:

• Unexplained Injuries: Bruises, burns, cuts, or other physical harm without a credible explanation. Leonel Bermudez suffered critical injuries like rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, but early signs might have included muscle soreness or brown urine.
• Sudden Exhaustion or Sleep Deprivation: Constant late-night “mandatory” events, frequent calls at odd hours, or an inability to rest.
• Drastic Changes in Mood or Behavior: Increased anxiety, depression, irritability, withdrawal from old friends or family, or sudden secrecy about their organization’s activities (“I can’t talk about it” or “It’s a secret”).
• Social Isolation: Cutting off contact with non-members, or requiring permission to socialize.
• Academic Decline: Falling grades, missed classes, or neglecting assignments due to organizational demands.
• Changing Appearance: Forced haircuts, specific attire, or looking disheveled due to lack of personal hygiene.
• Financial Red Flags: Unexpected requests for money, unusual expenses, or “fines” from the organization.
• Fear and Secrecy: Being unusually defensive when asked about the organization, fear of “getting in trouble,” or expressing loyalty to the group above all else.
• Constant Digital Monitoring: Your child might be anxious about their phone, constantly checking group chats, or receiving demands for immediate responses.

How to Talk to Your Child (Non-Confrontationally)

If you suspect hazing, approach your child with empathy, not accusation:

• Ask Open-Ended Questions: “How are things going with [organization name]? Are you enjoying it?” “Are they being respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
• Emphasize Safety: Clearly state that their safety and well-being are your top priorities, far above membership in any organization. Reinforce that you will support them no matter what.
• Create a Safe Space: Let them know they can tell you anything without judgment.
• Listen Without Interruption: If they open up, let them speak freely.

If Your Child is Hurt

• Seek Medical Attention Immediately: If your child is injured, intoxicated, or experiencing severe physical or mental distress, call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room. Prioritize their health above all else, even over fears of getting in trouble.
• Document Everything: If applicable, photograph injuries from multiple angles and on different days to show progression. Screenshot any relevant texts, group chats, or social media posts they show you. Write down every detail while memory is fresh: who, what, when, where, how they were hurt, and what they told you.
• Preserve Physical Evidence: If there are any relevant physical items (e.g., damaged clothing, objects used in hazing), store them securely.

Dealing with the University from Alabama

• Document Communications: Keep a detailed log of every interaction with university administrators.
• Ask Specific Questions: Inquire about the university’s anti-hazing policies, previous incidents involving the same organization, and steps the school is taking to investigate.
• Engage Legal Counsel Early: Before making official reports, strongly consider consulting with an experienced hazing attorney. We can advise you on the best course of action and handle communications with the university, protecting your child’s rights.

When to Talk to a Lawyer (As soon as possible)

Contact Attorney911 if:

• Your child has suffered significant physical or psychological harm.
• You feel the university or organization is minimizing or hiding what happened.
• You are being pressured to keep quiet or sign documents.
• Evidence is being destroyed, or witnesses are being coached.

8.2 For Students / Pledges in Texas

If you’re a student from Alabama or anywhere else in Texas and you’re involved in pledging or a new member process, understanding your rights and how to protect yourself is vital.

Is This Hazing or Just “Tradition”?

Ask yourself these critical questions:

• Do I feel unsafe, humiliated, or coerced?
• Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do, even if it’s called “optional”? If refusing means social exclusion or ridicule, it’s likely coercion.
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would older members do this themselves?
• Are we being told to keep secrets or lie to parents, faculty, or university administrators?
• Is my physical or mental health suffering due to lack of sleep, forced activities, or constant demands?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, it’s likely hazing, regardless of what they call it. The activities Leonel Bermudez endured, including forced physical exhaustion, consuming noxious substances, and psychological intimidation, clearly fall under hazing.

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

Hazing is illegal in Texas, and consent is explicitly not a defense under Texas Education Code $\S$ 37.155. True consent cannot be given under duress, peer pressure, or fear of exclusion. The law recognizes that the power dynamics within initiation processes make genuine, voluntary “agreement” impossible. Don’t let your organization tell you otherwise.

Exiting and Reporting Safely

• If you are in immediate danger: Call 911 or campus police immediately. Get to a safe location—your dorm, a trusted friend’s place, or any public space.
• If you want to de-pledge/quit: You have the legal right to leave at any time. Inform a trusted adult (parent, RA, friend) first. Then, send an email or text to the chapter president or new member educator stating you are resigning your membership effectively immediately. Do NOT go to a “one last meeting” alone, as you may be pressured or retaliated against.
• Reporting Options:
  • On Campus: Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct, Title IX Coordinator (if sexual harassment/assault is involved), Campus Police, or the university counseling center (for confidential support).
  • Off Campus: Local police (city or county) if crimes occurred. The National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE is an anonymous resource, available 24/7.
  • Legal Counsel: Contact Attorney911 for a confidential consultation at 1-888-ATTY-911. We can advise you on your rights and help you navigate the process without fear.
• Amnesty: In Texas, most schools and the law provide amnesty for students who call for help in an emergency, even if underage drinking or hazing was involved. Your safety is the priority.

8.3 For Former Members / Witnesses

If you were once involved in hazing, whether as a participant or observer, and now carry guilt or fear, your testimony and evidence can prevent future tragedies and save lives.

• Your Role in Accountability: Your actions may have been part of a dangerous culture. Coming forward can be a critical step toward accountability for the organization and healing for yourself.
• Legal Advice is Key: You may need your own legal advice to understand your potential exposure. However, cooperating with an investigation can lead to protections or reduced liability. Attorney911 can help you understand your legal position as a witness or even a potential defendant.
• Preventing Future Harm: Your unique insight into the inner workings and “secret” traditions of an organization can expose patterns that have historically harmed students. Speaking out could ensure no other student from Alabama or anywhere else suffers as Leonel Bermudez did.

8.4 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Knowing these common pitfalls can protect your rights and strengthen your ability to seek justice. Here are mistakes Alabama families and students in Texas must avoid:

1. Letting Your Child Delete or “Clean Up” Evidence:
   • Why it’s wrong: Deleting messages or destroying evidence can be seen as an obstruction of justice, making a case nearly impossible to prove.
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even if it feels embarrassing. Attorney911’s video on Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case strongly emphasizes this point.
2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly:
   • Why it’s wrong: This immediately puts them on alert. They will likely lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare their defenses.
   • What to do instead: Document everything in private, then call a lawyer before any confrontation.
3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms:
   • Why it’s wrong: Universities may pressure you to sign agreements that waive your right to pursue legal action, often for inadequate internal disciplinary action.
   • What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything from the university or any organization without an attorney reviewing it first.
4. Posting Details on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer:
   • Why it’s wrong: Anything posted online can be used by defense attorneys, potentially undermining your credibility or waiving legal privileges.
   • What to do instead: Document privately. Let your lawyer control public messaging as part of a strategic approach.
5. Letting Your Child Go Back for “One Last Meeting”:
   • Why it’s wrong: The organization will use this opportunity to pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that can be used against them.
   • What to do instead: Once you are considering legal action, all communication should go through your lawyer.
6. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”:
   • Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears quickly, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations runs. Universities also prioritize their reputation, not necessarily your child’s legal rights.
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW. Consult a lawyer immediately. The university’s internal process and legal accountability are separate.
7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer:
   • Why it’s wrong: Adjusters represent the insurance company’s interests, not yours. Recorded statements can be used against you, and early settlement offers are often significantly undervalued.
   • What to do instead: Politely decline and say, “My attorney will contact you.”

8.5 Short FAQ

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”

Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in their personal capacity. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts—contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case-specific analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”

Yes, it can be. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it escalates to a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. This is why cases like Leonel Bermudez’s, involving critical injuries, can lead to serious criminal charges against the individuals responsible. Individuals who are officers of an organization and fail to report hazing can also face charges.

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”

Yes. Texas Education Code $\S$ 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” given under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent. This is a crucial aspect of hazing law designed to protect victims.

“How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit in Texas?”

Generally, you have 2 years from the date of injury or death to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in Texas. However, the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known, particularly in cases involving cover-ups or fraud where the legal clock might be tolled (paused). Time is critical—evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations destroy records. Do not delay; call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately. You can find more information about this in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

“What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”

The location of hazing does not eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major hazing cases, including the Leonel Bermudez incident whose off-campus activities took place at a Culmore Drive residence and Yellowstone Boulevard Park, or the fatal Pi Delta Psi retreat case, occurred off-campus and still resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments.

“Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”

Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. While public lawsuits are sometimes necessary for accountability, we prioritize your family’s privacy and can often request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We balance the need for justice with your family’s desire for privacy.

9. About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action for Alabama Families

When your family faces a hazing case in Texas, whether your child attends UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or another Texas campus, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. This is especially true for Alabama families who may feel geographically distanced from the legal process in Texas. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, brings a unique blend of experience and strategic depth to hazing litigation.

Why Attorney911 for Hazing Cases in Texas

Our firm is uniquely positioned to handle the complexities of hazing cases in Texas for families like yours, even if you are out of state in Alabama. We apply a multi-faceted approach to secure justice:

• Insurance Insider Advantage: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, brings invaluable insight. With years of experience as a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm, she knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies operate. She anticipates their delay tactics, understands their coverage exclusion arguments, and knows their settlement playbook—because she used to run it. Her profile (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/) details her critical background.
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions: Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has a career defined by taking on formidable opponents. He was involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, a monumentally complex case against a billion-dollar corporation. Our federal court experience—including in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas—means we are not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their well-funded defense teams. We fight for you, as documented on Ralph Manginello’s profile (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/). We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won; we know how to fight powerful defendants.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, collaborating with economists and life care planners to fully value the devastating impact of catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injury or rhabdomyolysis. We don’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. We can advise individuals who may face criminal exposure alongside civil claims.
• Aggressive Investigative Depth: We understand modern hazing. Our team knows how to meticulously investigate by:
  • Obtaining and preserving deleted group chats and social media evidence. Our video on using your cellphone to document a legal case outlines essential steps.
  • Subpoenaing national fraternity records to uncover patterns of prior incidents.
  • Leveraging discovery and public records requests to uncover university files and internal communications.
  • Working seamlessly with digital forensics experts, medical specialists, and psychologists to present a comprehensive case.
• Understanding What Makes Hazing Cases Different: We recognize that hazing cases bring unique challenges: powerful institutional defendants, complex insurance coverage fights, and the delicate balance of victim privacy with public accountability. We understand Greek culture, its so-called traditions, and how to prove coercion even when “consent” is claimed.

From our Houston office, we serve Alabama families and others across Texas. We understand that hazing at Texas universities impacts families in Alabama, Houston, and all corners of the state. Our job is to get you answers, hold the right people accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family. We approach each case with thorough investigation and a genuine commitment to accountability.

Call to Action for Alabama Families Facing Hazing in Texas

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or another school—we want to hear from you. Alabama families and those throughout Texas have the right to answers, accountability, and justice.

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 will listen to your story without judgment.
• We will review any evidence you have, such as photos, texts, or medical records.
• We will explain your legal options: whether a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, both, or neither, is the right path for your family.
• We will discuss realistic timelines and what to expect during the legal process.
• We will 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 explains how contingency fees work.
• There is no pressure to hire us on the spot; take the time you need to decide.
• Everything you tell us is confidential.

Contact Attorney911 today:

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

Spanish-language services are available:

• Hablamos Español – Contact Lupe Peña directly for consultation in Spanish at lupe@atty911.com.
• Servicios legales en español disponibles.

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

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

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://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/
https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/
https://attorney911.com/contact/
https://attorney911.com
ralph@atty911.com
lupe@atty911.com