The Complete Guide for Bertram Families: Hazing, Texas Law, & Your Path to Justice After Campus Rituals Turn Dangerous

For parents in Bertram, Burnet County, the call is every family’s nightmare. Your child, a student at a respected Texas university, sounds different on the phone—exhausted, evasive, scared. They mention “mandatory” late-night meetings, strange errands for older members, or injuries explained away as “just an accident.” Deep down, you suspect something is terribly wrong, but the words “fraternity,” “sorority,” or “team tradition” make you hesitate. Could this really be hazing? And if it is, what can you do against a powerful university or a national organization?

Right now, in Texas, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country, proving that this danger is not hypothetical—it is here, in our state, harming Texas students. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student whose fall 2025 pledge period with the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter allegedly involved forced servitude, extreme physical abuse, and humiliating rituals that culminated in rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and a four-day hospitalization—a case detailed in exclusive reports by Click2Houston and ABC13. His lawsuit names the university, the national fraternity, housing corporations, and 13 individual members.

This guide is for you—the families of Bertram and Burnet County, whose children may attend UT Austin, Texas A&M, Baylor, or any Texas campus. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, how Texas law protects your child, what national patterns reveal about the organizations involved, and how an experienced legal team builds a case for accountability and justice.

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:

1. Get Medical Attention: Even if the student insists they are “fine,” seek professional evaluation. Hidden injuries like internal trauma or organ damage (as seen in rhabdomyolysis cases) require immediate care.
2. Preserve Evidence: Screenshot group chats, texts, and DMs immediately. Photograph injuries from multiple angles. Save physical items (alcohol bottles, paddles, clothing).
3. Write It Down: Document everything your child tells you—who, what, when, where—while memories are fresh.
4. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity/sorority directly.
   • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Evidence disappears fast. Universities move quickly to control narratives. We can help you preserve critical evidence and protect your child’s rights from day one. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing is no longer the simple, stereotypical “prank” of movies. It is a calculated spectrum of abuse designed to assert power, enforce loyalty, and exploit new members. For Bertram families sending students to large universities, understanding the modern face of hazing is the first step in recognizing it.

A Clear, Modern Definition

At its core, hazing is any forced, coerced, or heavily pressured action tied to joining, maintaining membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. The critical legal point, especially under Texas law, is that “I agreed to it” is not a defense when power imbalances, fear of exclusion, and group pressure are at play.

Main Categories of Modern Hazing

Hazing tactics have evolved, often hiding behind digital screens or euphemisms like “team building.”

• Alcohol & Substance Hazing: The most common and deadly pattern. This includes forced chugging, “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor (like in the Stone Foltz case), and coerced consumption of drugs or unknown substances.
• Physical Hazing: Beyond “push-ups.” This includes paddling, beatings, extreme calisthenics (“smokings”) to the point of collapse (like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats alleged in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case), sleep and food deprivation, and exposure to extreme elements.
• Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” “roasted pig”—a pose alleged in a Texas A&M Corps case), degrading costumes, and acts involving racial or sexist slurs and role-play.
• Psychological & Digital Hazing: Verbal abuse, isolation, threats. Digitally, this manifests as 24/7 group chat monitoring (e.g., GroupMe), forced social media posts, public shaming on Instagram or TikTok, and location-sharing demands. The “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items in the UH case is a prime example of psychological degradation.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just “Frats”

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

• Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural Greek Council).
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups (notably at Texas A&M).
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading).
• Spirit & Tradition Groups (like the Texas Cowboys at UT).
• Marching Bands, Performance Troupes, and even some Academic Clubs.

The common threads are social status, tradition, and a culture of secrecy that keeps these practices alive despite known dangers.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What Bertram Families Must Know

Texas has specific laws designed to combat hazing and hold perpetrators accountable. Understanding this framework is crucial for families in Burnet County seeking justice.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37 (The Hazing Statute)

Texas law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership in an organization, that:

1. Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
2. Involves belaboring, physical brutality, forced consumption, or other brutal treatment.

Key Provisions for Families:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. If it causes serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a state jail felony. Individuals who fail to report known hazing can also face charges.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that the victim’s “consent” to the activity is not a defense to prosecution. This legal principle dismantles the common excuse that “they wanted to do it.”
• Organizational Liability: The organization itself (fraternity, sorority, team) can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing.
• Good-Faith Reporter Immunity: Individuals who in good faith report hazing to authorities are immune from civil or criminal liability. This is meant to encourage bystanders to call for help.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aim to punish with jail time, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, and in fatal cases, manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: Brought by victims and families. Aim to secure compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, lost future earnings) and force institutional accountability. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A robust legal strategy identifies every responsible party. Potentially liable entities include:

1. Individual Students who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter as a legal entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters if they failed to supervise, knew of prior incidents, or negligently trained the chapter.
4. The University (like UH, UT, A&M) for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or Title IX violations.
5. Housing Corporations & Property Owners who own the premises where hazing occurred.
6. Third Parties like bars or alcohol providers under dram shop laws.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not anomalies; they are blueprints that repeat. They show the predictable patterns of coercion, cover-up, and institutional failure that Bertram families should recognize.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): A bid-acceptance night of extreme drinking led to fatal falls caught on house cameras. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case resulted in dozens of criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died during a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. This led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Pledge forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. His family reached a $10 million settlement with the fraternity and university.

Texas Connection: The alleged forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case follows this same coercive “consumption” script.

The Physical & Ritualized Abuse Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Pledge died from traumatic brain injury after a violent, blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Pledge suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from alcohol poisoning during a “pledge dad reveal.” His family settled with 22 defendants.

Texas Connection: The alleged “hog-tying” of a pledge and the extreme physical workouts at Yellowstone Park in the UH case mirror this pattern of ritualized physical abuse.

What These National Cases Mean for Bertram Families

These cases establish critical legal precedents: national organizations have foreseeable knowledge of these dangerous scripts, universities can be liable for failures in supervision, and juries will award significant damages for cover-ups and gross negligence. When similar conduct surfaces at a Texas school, this national pattern evidence becomes a powerful tool for victims.

Texas University Focus: Where Bertram Students Live & Learn

Families in Bertram and Burnet County often send their students to major universities across Texas. Understanding the specific landscape, policies, and history at these schools is essential.

University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)

As the closest major flagship university to Bertram, UT Austin is a common destination for local students. Its Greek life is vast and influential.

• Culture Snapshot: A massive Greek system integrated into campus social life. UT maintains one of the most transparent public hazing violation logs in the nation.
• Documented Incidents (from UT’s Public Log):
  • Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume excessive milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation and mandatory hazing prevention education.
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Faced a lawsuit in 2024 from an Australian exchange student alleging a brutal assault at a party, resulting in broken bones. The chapter had prior suspensions.
  • Various spirit groups like the Texas Wranglers have been sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
• For Bertram Parents: UT’s transparency is a double-edged sword. While you can research an organization’s history on their hazing log, the recurrence of violations shows ongoing systemic issues. A case here may involve UTPD, Austin PD, and the Travis County court system.

Texas A&M University

The culture of tradition at A&M is powerful, extending from its Corps of Cadets to its Greek system.

• Culture Snapshot: Deeply traditional with a strong Corps of Cadets and active Greek life. The “Aggie Honor Code” coexists with a history of intense physical tradition.
• Documented Incidents:
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged being doused with industrial-strength cleaner and raw eggs, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and a lawsuit was filed.
  • Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million.
• For Bertram Parents: Hazing at A&M can occur in both Greek and Corps contexts. The university’s internal disciplinary processes for the Corps are often less transparent than for Greek life, making external legal pressure crucial.

University of Houston (UH) & The Flagship Case

Our active litigation at UH serves as a current, serious example of hazing’s reality in Texas.

• Culture Snapshot: A large, diverse commuter and residential campus with an active Greek community spanning multiple councils.
• The Leonel Bermudez / Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Case: This $10 million lawsuit alleges a pattern of abuse in Fall 2025, including:
  • Humiliation: The “pledge fanny pack” rule with condoms and sex toys.
  • Physical Torture: Sprints, bear crawls, being sprayed with a hose “like waterboarding,” forced overeating until vomiting.
  • Medical Catastrophe: The November 3rd “workout” led to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, brown urine, and hospitalization.
  • Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi national suspended the chapter (Nov. 6), and members voted to surrender their charter (Nov. 14). UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”
  • Full Coverage: Click2Houston, ABC13, Hoodline.
• For Bertram Parents: This case proves the worst-case scenario can and does happen at Texas universities. It demonstrates the multiple layers of defendants: active members, chapter officers, alumni housing corporations, national headquarters, and the university itself.

Baylor University & Southern Methodist University (SMU)

As prominent private universities, they have their own distinct cultures and legal considerations.

• Baylor: Known for its Christian affiliation. Has faced scrutiny over campus safety culture. The baseball team faced a 2020 hazing incident resulting in multiple player suspensions.
• SMU: Affluent student body with a strong Greek presence. The Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended in 2017 for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.
• For Bertram Parents: Private university status means different disciplinary processes and potentially fewer public records. However, they are not immune to civil lawsuits and can be compelled through discovery to produce internal documents.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: Public Records & Organizational Histories

We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public IRS filings, university data, and metro organization records. This investigative directory allows us to identify every entity behind a fraternity or sorority—a critical advantage for families. Below is a snapshot of the organized, data-driven approach we bring to every case.

Public Records Snapshot: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Entities in Texas

If your child is hazed, you deserve to know who really stands behind the organizations connected to them. These are not just social clubs; they are often formal legal entities with employer IDs (EINs), insurance policies, and national networks. We track them so you don’t start from zero.

Example Entities from Texas Public Filings (IRS B83 Data):

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc | EIN: 46-2267515 | Frisco, TX 75035
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Chapter | EIN: 74-6064445 | Nederland, TX 77627
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter | EIN: 74-6084905 | Houston, TX 77204
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc | EIN: 13-3048786 | College Station, TX 77845
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc | EIN: 74-1380362 | Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – Theta Delta Chapter | EIN: 47-5370943 | Houston, TX 77204
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas A&M University Chapter | EIN: 90-0293166 | College Station, TX 77843

Metro-Level Presence (Per Cause IQ Data):

• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510+ Greek-related organizations.
• Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188+ organizations.
• Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154+ organizations.
• Statewide: Over 1,400 fraternity and sorority entities across 25 Texas metros.

This data allows us to immediately identify housing corporations, alumni chapters, and national affiliates that may share liability and, crucially, hold insurance coverage for claims.

National Organizational Patterns: Why History Matters

The same national organizations present at Texas schools have devastating histories elsewhere. This isn’t coincidence; it’s pattern evidence that can establish an organization’s foreseeable knowledge of risks.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): National pattern of fatal alcohol hazing (Stone Foltz, David Bogenberger).
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Multiple chapter deaths and severe injury cases nationwide, including the chemical burns case at Texas A&M.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): Max Gruver’s death at LSU.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): Andrew Coffey’s death at Florida State—directly relevant to our active UH case.

When a Texas chapter repeats these known, dangerous scripts, it strengthens arguments that the national organization failed in its duty to supervise, train, and intervene.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages

Pursuing a hazing case requires a meticulous, strategic investigation from the very beginning. It is a fight against institutions with deep pockets and experienced defense teams.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

Modern hazing lives on smartphones and in digital footprints. Preserving this evidence is step one.

• Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram DMs, Snapchat. We use digital forensics to recover deleted messages that often contain planning, bragging, or cover-up discussions.
• Photos & Videos: Content filmed by members during events is invaluable. We also seek security camera footage from houses and neighboring properties.
• Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” lists, emails between chapter officers and national advisors.
• University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same organization, obtained through discovery or public records requests. UT Austin’s public log is a starting point.
• Medical Records: Documentation of injuries is non-negotiable. This includes ER reports, lab tests (like creatine kinase levels for rhabdomyolysis), and psychological evaluations for PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

We detail evidence preservation in our video guide: Using Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case.

Damages: What Can Be Recovered

The goal is to make the victim whole and hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical bills, lost wages, diminished future earning capacity (if injuries are permanent), and educational costs (semesters lost, transfers).
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship, love, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious conduct or cover-ups, these damages punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Overcoming Common Institutional Defenses

We anticipate and dismantle the standard defenses:

• “They Consented”: Texas law voids this defense. We demonstrate the coercive power imbalance.
• “Rogue Individuals/Chapter”: We use national pattern evidence and prior incidents to show the national organization knew or should have known.
• “It Was Off-Campus”: Liability is based on duty and foreseeability, not just property lines. Nationals and universities that sponsor and supervise chapters remain responsible.
• “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”: We show the gap between paper policies and real-world enforcement, prior warnings, and inadequate training.

Practical Guides for Bertram Families, Students & Witnesses

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Recognize the Signs: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, personality changes, sudden secrecy, financial drains, constant phone anxiety.
2. Talk with Your Child: Use open, non-judgmental questions. Prioritize safety over social status. Assure them of your support.
3. Act Immediately: If injured, get medical care. Preserve all evidence (screenshot, photograph, save). Write down a timeline.
4. Seek Legal Counsel BEFORE Reporting: Once you involve the university or police, narratives get controlled. An attorney can guide you on preserving rights and evidence. Contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911.
5. Avoid Critical Mistakes: Do not delete evidence, confront the organization, sign university settlement offers, or post on social media. Watch our video on Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case.

For Students: Your Safety & Rights

• Is This Hazing? If you feel unsafe, coerced, humiliated, or forced to do something dangerous, it likely is. Trust your instincts.
• You Have the Right to Leave: You can de-pledge or quit at any time. Send a clear, written resignation.
• Report Safely: You can report to the Dean of Students, campus police, or anonymously through the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). Texas law offers protections for good-faith reporters.
• Preserve Evidence: Screenshot everything. Take photos of injuries. Tell a trusted friend or family member.

Critical FAQ for Bertram Families

• “Can we sue the university?” Yes, under theories of negligent supervision or deliberate indifference. Public universities have some immunity hurdles, but exceptions exist, and settlement is common.
• “How long do we have to file a lawsuit?” In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. However, complex rules around discovery and tolling apply. Do not wait. Watch our video on Texas Statutes of Limitations.
• “Can we afford a lawyer?” We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs, and our fee is a percentage of the recovery we secure for you. If we don’t win, you don’t pay attorney’s fees. Learn more in our video: How Do Contingency Fees Work?
• “Will my child’s name be public?” We prioritize confidentiality. Most cases settle before trial with confidential terms. We can seek protective orders for sensitive information.

Why Attorney911 for Your Bertram Family’s Hazing Case

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need advocates who understand the intricate power dynamics of universities and national fraternities—and who have proven they can win against them. From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Bertram, Burnet County, and the entire Hill Country region.

Our Unique Qualifications for Texas Hazing Litigation:

1. Active, High-Stakes Texas Hazing Litigation: We are currently leading the Leonel Bermudez vs. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit—a multi-million dollar case against a major university and national fraternity. This isn’t theoretical; it’s our daily work. You can read about our attorney backgrounds here: Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña.
2. Insider Insurance Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers fight claims, deny coverage, and undervalue injuries. We use their playbook against them.
3. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by billion-dollar defendants or unlimited legal budgets. We know how to investigate deep into organizational structures.
4. Data-Driven Investigation: We employ our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—tracking over 1,400 Greek entities across Texas—to immediately identify all potentially liable parties and their insurance coverage from day one.
5. Dual Civil & Criminal Capability: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of a hazing case. We can effectively advise clients navigating parallel criminal and civil proceedings.
6. Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring we can serve all Texas families with compassion and clarity.

We combine relentless investigation with compassionate advocacy. We fight not just for compensation, but for accountability and change to prevent the next tragedy.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family in Bertram or anywhere in Texas, you do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved will have lawyers; you should too.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) for a free, confidential consultation.

We will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, explain your legal options under Texas law, and outline a potential path forward. There is no pressure, and you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com

Hablamos Español. Spanish-language consultations are available with Mr. Peña.

Let us help you secure the answers, accountability, and justice your family deserves.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston Report: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline Summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

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

Firm Website & Profiles:

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

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Hazing laws are complex and fact-specific. If you believe you or your child has been a victim of hazing, please contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC or another qualified attorney for a consultation regarding your specific situation. Results in any case depend on the specific facts and circumstances.