The Complete Guide to Hazing Incidents, Fraternity & Sorority Laws, and Campus Accountability at Texas Universities: A Resource for Families in Blooming Grove and Navarro County

For Families in Blooming Grove, Corsicana, and Navarro County: Your Child’s Safety at Texas Universities

If you’re a parent in Blooming Grove, Kerens, Corsicana, or anywhere in Navarro County, the dream of your child thriving at a Texas university can turn into a nightmare overnight. The call comes in—your student is in the hospital, injured during what they call “pledge activities.” They’re scared, confused, and the university seems more concerned with protecting its reputation than protecting your child. You feel angry, helpless, and completely unsure where to turn.

Right now, just hours from Blooming Grove in Harris County, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered catastrophic injuries during his fall 2025 pledge period with Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter. According to a detailed Click2Houston report, Bermudez was subjected to extreme hazing that culminated in rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and four days of hospitalization—his urine was brown from muscle breakdown, he couldn’t stand without help, and he faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. The alleged hazing included forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion; and being forced to carry a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” 24/7. Our lawsuit names not just the individual fraternity members, but the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, their housing corporation, and the UH System Board of Regents.

This isn’t an isolated incident at some distant university. These patterns repeat at campuses across Texas—including schools where Blooming Grove and Navarro County families send their children: Texas A&M, UT Austin, Baylor, SMU, and dozens of other Texas universities. This guide exists to help you understand what hazing really looks like in 2025, what Texas law provides, and how families in our community can seek accountability when institutions fail to protect our children.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES – ACT NOW

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW in Blooming Grove or anywhere in Texas:

Call 911 for medical emergencies
Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
- Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
- Photograph injuries from multiple angles
- Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
Do NOT:
- Confront the fraternity/sorority
- Sign anything from the university or insurance company
- Post details on public social media
- Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
Universities move quickly to control the narrative
We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

Section 1: What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025 – Beyond the Stereotypes

For families in Blooming Grove, Frost, and rural Navarro County who may not be familiar with modern Greek life culture, hazing has evolved far beyond the “harmless pranks” you might remember. Today’s hazing operates through digital coercion, psychological manipulation, and sophisticated cover-up tactics.

Modern Hazing Definition

Hazing 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. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance—Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

Main Categories of Hazing Impacting Texas Students

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the deadliest form. What families in Blooming Grove need to understand is that this isn’t just “college drinking.” It’s systematic coercion where pledges are forced to:

Chug entire bottles of liquor during “Big/Little” nights
Participate in drinking games where wrong answers mean rapid consumption
Consume unknown or mixed substances until they vomit or pass out
The Leonel Bermudez case at UH involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting

Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, today’s physical hazing includes:

“Smokings” or extreme calisthenics (100+ push-ups, 500+ squats like in the UH case)
Sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions” or 3 AM wake-up calls
Food/water restriction or forced overconsumption
Exposure to extreme elements (cold-weather workouts in underwear)
The UH Pi Kappa Phi case included lying in vomit-soaked grass and cold-weather exposure

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

Forced nudity or partial nudity during rituals
Simulated sexual acts, “roasted pig” positions, degrading costumes
Acts with racial or sexist overtones, slurs, or role-play
The “pledge fanny pack” in the UH case containing condoms and sex toys

Psychological Hazing

Verbal abuse, threats, social isolation from non-members
Manipulation through fear of expulsion from the group
Public shaming in meetings or group chats

Digital/Online Hazing
This is where modern hazing has evolved most dramatically:

24/7 GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord monitoring with required immediate responses
Location tracking through Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
Public humiliation via TikTok challenges or Instagram story dares
Coerced creation of compromising content
Digital evidence disappears quickly—that’s why immediate preservation is critical

Where Hazing Happens at Texas Universities

Hazing isn’t limited to fraternity basements. For Navarro County families, it’s important to understand that your child could face hazing in:

Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
Corps of Cadets/ROTC/military-style groups (particularly relevant for Texas A&M)
Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
Spirit squads and tradition clubs
Marching bands and performance groups
Some academic, service, and cultural organizations

The common threads across all these groups: power imbalance, tradition used to justify abuse, and systematic secrecy that protects perpetrators over victims.

Section 2: Texas Hazing Law & Liability Framework – What Blooming Grove Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws that govern cases involving students from Blooming Grove, Navarro County, and throughout Texas. Understanding this framework is crucial for families seeking accountability.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F

§ 37.151 Definition
Hazing in Texas means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

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

Key Points for Blooming Grove Families:

Location doesn’t matter—hazing at an off-campus Airbnb or private residence is still hazing
Mental harm counts equally with physical harm
“Reckless” conduct qualifies—they don’t need to have intended harm
Most importantly: “Consent” is explicitly NOT a defense under § 37.155

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability
Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can be criminally prosecuted if:

The org authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
An officer or member acting in official capacity knew about hazing and failed to report it

Organizations can face fines up to $10,000 per violation and universities can revoke recognition.

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting
This is critical: Texas law protects those who in good faith report hazing to universities or law enforcement. Many universities also provide medical amnesty policies—your child won’t get in trouble for underage drinking if they call 911 for a medical emergency.

Criminal vs Civil Cases – Understanding the Difference

For families in Blooming Grove and Navarro County, it’s important to understand that there are two separate legal paths:

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (district attorney)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
Standard: “Beyond a reasonable doubt”

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Monetary compensation and institutional accountability
Focus: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress
Standard: “Preponderance of the evidence” (more likely than not)

Both can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required for a civil case, and many families pursue both to ensure comprehensive accountability.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid (virtually all Texas universities) to:

Report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthen hazing education and prevention
Maintain public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)

Title IX
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. Universities must investigate promptly and provide supportive measures.

Clery Act
Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics. Hazing incidents often overlap with assault or alcohol/drug crimes that must be reported.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

For a Blooming Grove family pursuing justice, multiple parties may share responsibility:

Individual Students:

Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
Chapter officers often face greater liability

Local Chapter/Organization:

The fraternity/sorority or club itself as a legal entity
Housing corporations that own or control properties where hazing occurs

National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters:

Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents
In our UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re pursuing the national headquarters

University or Governing Board:

Schools may be liable under negligence or civil rights theories
Key questions: prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference
The University of Houston is a defendant in our Bermudez case

Third Parties:

Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces
Bars or alcohol providers under dram shop laws
Security companies or event organizers

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys know how to identify all potentially liable parties.

Section 3: National Hazing Case Patterns – What They Mean for Texas Families

The tragedies at other universities aren’t just distant news stories—they establish legal precedents and patterns that directly impact cases involving Blooming Grove students at Texas schools.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)

Bid-acceptance event with forced heavy drinking
Severe falls captured on chapter cameras; 12-hour delay before medical help
18 fraternity members charged with over 1,000 criminal counts
Civil litigation led to confidential settlements
Takeaway for Texas families: Extreme intoxication combined with delayed medical care creates devastating liability

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

Big/Little event; pledge given handle of liquor; fatal alcohol poisoning
Criminal hazing charges against members
FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life
Takeaway: Formulaic drinking traditions are predictable and preventable

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

“Bible study” drinking game; forced drinking for wrong answers
BAC of 0.495%; died from alcohol toxicity
Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)
Takeaway: Legislative change follows public outrage and clear evidence

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

Forced to drink nearly entire bottle of whiskey
$10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
Chapter president personally ordered to pay $6.5 million
Takeaway: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)

Blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat
Fatal head injuries; delayed medical help
Multiple convictions; fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
Takeaway: Off-campus retreats can be as dangerous as parties

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)

Allegations of sexualized, racist hazing within football program
Multiple lawsuits; head coach fired; confidential settlement
Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to major athletic programs

What These Cases Mean for Blooming Grove Families

Common threads across all major cases:

Forced drinking as central component
Delayed medical care due to fear of consequences
Systematic cover-up and destruction of evidence
Institutional knowledge of dangerous traditions

These national precedents directly impact Texas cases. When we represent families from Blooming Grove, we use these patterns to show:

Foreseeability: The organization knew or should have known the risks
Pattern evidence: Same methods used in prior incidents
Cover-up tactics: Standard operating procedure for minimizing liability

Section 4: Texas Campus Focus – Where Navarro County Students Attend

Families in Blooming Grove and throughout Navarro County send their children to universities across Texas. Understanding the specific landscape at each campus is crucial for prevention and accountability.

Geographic Reality for Blooming Grove Families

Navarro County sits within reasonable commuting distance to several major universities and is closely connected to others through alumni networks and student recruitment:

Within 1-2 Hour Drive:

Texas A&M University-Commerce (Hunt County) – 1 hour
University of Texas at Dallas (Richardson) – 1.5 hours
Baylor University (Waco) – 1.5 hours
University of Texas at Arlington – 1.5 hours

Major Statewide Destinations (2-4 Hours):

University of Texas at Austin – 3 hours
Texas A&M University (College Station) – 3 hours
University of Houston – 4 hours
Southern Methodist University (Dallas) – 1.5 hours

Local Community Colleges with Greek Life Connections:

Navarro College (Corsicana) – 15 minutes from Blooming Grove
Trinity Valley Community College

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Greek Ecosystem

Since Blooming Grove families often have students in the DFW metro area universities, it’s important to understand the scale of Greek life in this region. According to our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine data:

510+ Greek-related organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro
188 organizations in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro
154 organizations in the Austin-Round Rock metro

These aren’t just social clubs—they’re legal entities with insurance, property holdings, and complex organizational structures. When hazing occurs, we know how to identify every potentially liable entity.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Blooming Grove & Navarro County Families

As part of our investigative process, we maintain comprehensive data on Texas Greek organizations. For families in Blooming Grove and Navarro County, understanding who stands behind these organizations is the first step toward accountability. Below are examples from public records of the types of entities we investigate in hazing cases:

Texas-Registered Greek Organizations (IRS B83 Filings)

In the DFW Metro Area (Relevant for SMU, UTA, UTD Students):

Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – EIN: 74-2911848 – Fort Worth, TX 76244
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN: 74-1380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147
Kappa Delta Sorority – Gamma Beta Chapter – Denton, TX (Texas Woman’s University)

Statewide Honor Societies & Professional Organizations:

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Multiple chapters across Texas campuses
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Chapters in Waco, Commerce, Houston, and statewide

Fraternity Housing & Alumni Corporations:

Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Alumni – Beaumont, TX (Lamar University alumni)
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Beaumont Alumni – Graduate chapter serving Southeast Texas

What This Data Means for Blooming Grove Families:
Every one of these organizations has a legal identity, often with separate insurance coverage, property holdings, and national affiliations. When hazing occurs, we don’t just sue the individuals involved—we identify every entity that shares responsibility, from the local chapter corporation to the national headquarters housing foundation.

Texas Universities Your Child Might Attend

Based on enrollment patterns and geographic proximity, here are the universities where Blooming Grove and Navarro County students most commonly attend:

Major Public Universities:

University of Texas at Austin – Austin, Travis County
Texas A&M University – College Station, Brazos County
University of Houston – Houston, Harris County
Texas State University – San Marcos, Hays County
University of North Texas – Denton, Denton County
Texas Tech University – Lubbock, Lubbock County

Private Universities:

Baylor University – Waco, McLennan County
Southern Methodist University – Dallas, Dallas County
Texas Christian University – Fort Worth, Tarrant County

Regional & Community Colleges:

Navarro College – Corsicana, Navarro County
Texas A&M University-Commerce – Commerce, Hunt County
University of Texas at Dallas – Richardson, Dallas County

Each of these campuses has its own Greek life ecosystem, disciplinary procedures, and historical patterns of hazing incidents.

Section 5: Fraternity & Sorority National Histories – Patterns That Repeat in Texas

National organizations with chapters at Texas universities often have documented histories of hazing incidents. For Blooming Grove families, understanding these patterns is crucial because they establish foreseeability—the legal concept that the organization knew or should have known the risks.

Why National Histories Matter in Texas Courts

When a Texas chapter repeats the same dangerous behaviors that caused injuries or deaths at other chapters, that pattern evidence can:

Defeat “rogue chapter” defenses – Show nationals knew the risks
Support punitive damages – Demonstrate reckless disregard for safety
Establish negligent supervision – Prove nationals failed to enforce their own policies

Organization-Specific Patterns

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021): Forced drinking death, $10M settlement
David Bogenberger (NIU, 2012): Alcohol poisoning death, $14M settlement
Texas Presence: Chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UH, Baylor
Pattern: “Big/Little” drinking traditions repeatedly cause fatalities

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

Multiple hazing deaths nationwide leading to 2014 elimination of pledge program
Texas A&M Lawsuit (2021): Chemical burns from industrial cleaner, skin grafts required
UT Austin Lawsuit (2024): Exchange student assault with fractures
Texas Presence: Virtually all major Texas campuses
Pattern: Physical violence combined with alcohol hazing

Pi Kappa Phi

Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017): Big Brother night alcohol poisoning death
Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025): Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure – our current case
Pattern: Systematic physical and psychological hazing across chapters

Phi Delta Theta

Max Gruver (LSU, 2017): “Bible study” drinking game death
Louisiana Response: Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)
Pattern: Academic-themed drinking rituals

The “Paper Policy” Problem

Many national organizations have extensive anti-hazing policies that look impressive on paper but aren’t enforced in practice. In litigation, we obtain:

Internal training materials that teach “how not to get caught”
Prior incident reports that received minimal consequences
Communications showing nationals knew about problems but didn’t intervene

For Blooming Grove families, this means the defense “we had a policy” often collapses under scrutiny of how that policy was actually implemented.

Section 6: Building a Case – Evidence, Strategy, and Damages for Texas Families

When hazing affects a family from Blooming Grove or Navarro County, building a strong case requires immediate action and strategic investigation. Here’s what we do for our clients:

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Communications (Most Important)

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage threads: Show planning, coordination, intimidation
Deleted message recovery: Digital forensics can often recover “disappearing” messages
Social media posts and DMs: Document public humiliation or boasting
In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, group chats documented the “pledge fanny pack” rules and workout demands

Photos & Videos

Content filmed during events (often shared in group chats)
Security camera footage from houses or adjacent properties
Injury documentation with date/time stamps

Internal Organization Documents

Pledge manuals, “tradition” documents, meeting minutes
Risk management reports submitted to nationals
Member education materials

University Records

Prior conduct violations for the same organization
Clery Act reports and campus police incident reports
Internal emails about the organization’s history

Medical & Psychological Records

Emergency room reports documenting injuries
Toxicology reports showing alcohol/drug levels
Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety
In the UH case, medical records showed critically high creatine kinase levels confirming rhabdomyolysis

Damages Available in Texas Hazing Cases

For Blooming Grove families pursuing justice, understanding potential recovery helps in making informed decisions:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

Medical expenses: ER care, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment
Future medical needs: Physical therapy, psychological care, medications
Lost educational costs: Tuition for missed semesters, lost scholarships
Lost earning capacity: If injuries affect future career prospects

Non-Economic Damages

Physical pain and suffering from injuries
Emotional distress, PTSD, depression, anxiety
Humiliation and loss of dignity
Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages (When Applicable)

Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of financial support
Loss of companionship, love, and guidance
Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages

Available when defendants show reckless disregard or intentional misconduct
Designed to punish and deter future conduct
In Texas, subject to statutory caps in many cases

Insurance Coverage Strategies

Fraternities, sororities, and universities typically have multiple insurance policies. Our experience as former insurance defense attorneys gives us unique insight into:

Identifying all potential coverage sources
Navigating “intentional act” exclusions that insurers try to invoke
Preserving bad faith claims when insurers wrongfully deny coverage
Maximizing recovery within policy limits

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re pursuing claims against multiple insurance policies held by different defendants.

Section 7: Practical Guides for Blooming Grove Families

For Parents: Warning Signs & Immediate Response

Physical Warning Signs:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
Weight changes from food/water restriction or stress eating
Sleep deprivation (constant late nights, 3 AM calls)
Signs of alcohol poisoning (even if your child doesn’t normally drink)

Behavioral & Emotional Changes:

Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and non-member friends
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
Defensive when asked about the organization
Fear of “letting the chapter down”

Digital Behavior:

Constant phone monitoring of group chats
Anxiety when phone buzzes
Deleting messages or clearing browser history obsessively

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally):

“How are things going with [organization]? Are they respectful of your time?”
“What do they ask new members to do?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
“Do you feel like you could leave if you wanted to?”
“Are they asking you to keep secrets?”

48-Hour Action Checklist for Blooming Grove Parents

HOUR 1-6 (IMMEDIATE CRISIS):
✅ Medical: If injured or intoxicated, get to ER immediately
✅ Safety: Remove child from dangerous situation
✅ Evidence: Screenshot any messages they show you; photograph visible injuries
✅ Notes: Write down everything they tell you (date, time, what happened, who was there)
✅ Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate legal guidance

HOUR 6-24 (EVIDENCE PRESERVATION):
✅ Digital: Help child preserve all group chats, DMs, texts (do NOT delete anything)
✅ Physical: Secure clothing, receipts, objects used in hazing
✅ Medical records: Request copies of all ER/hospital records
✅ Witnesses: Write down names and contact info for other pledges, bystanders
✅ University: Note any communications from school but do NOT respond yet

HOUR 24-48 (STRATEGIC DECISIONS):
✅ Legal consultation: Speak with experienced hazing attorney (1-888-ATTY-911)
✅ Reporting decision: Decide whether to report to campus/local police (with lawyer’s guidance)
✅ University response: If school contacts you, refer them to your attorney
✅ Insurance: Do NOT talk to any insurance adjuster without lawyer present
✅ Evidence backup: Upload all screenshots and photos to cloud storage

For Students: Safety Planning & Evidence Collection

If You’re in Immediate Danger:

Call 911 or campus police
Get to a safe location (dorm, friend’s place, public area)
Texas law provides protections for those calling for help in emergencies

How to Exit Safely:

Tell someone outside the organization first
Send written resignation to chapter leadership
Do NOT attend “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
Report any retaliation to campus authorities

Evidence Collection While It’s Happening:

Screenshots of group chats with timestamps and participant names visible
Voice memos/recordings (Texas is a one-party consent state)
Photos of injuries immediately and over several days
Save everything digital – don’t delete even if embarrassed
Medical documentation – tell providers you were hazed

CRITICAL MISTAKES THAT CAN DESTROY YOUR CASE

1. Letting Your Child Delete Evidence
What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction of justice
What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly
What parents think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
What to do instead: Document everything, call a lawyer before any confrontation

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms
What universities do: Pressure families to sign waivers or internal agreements
Why it’s wrong: You may waive your right to sue; settlements are often lowball
What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review

4. Posting Details on Social Media
What families think: “I want people to know what happened”
Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
What to do instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

5. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”
What universities promise: “We’re investigating; let us handle this internally”
Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

Section 8: Frequently Asked Questions for Blooming Grove Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in personal capacity. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case is unique—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case-specific analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report hazing.

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving cover-ups, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

“What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major hazing cases 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. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

Section 9: Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases – Serving Blooming Grove and Navarro County Families

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

When your family from Blooming Grove, Corsicana, or anywhere in Navarro County faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña)

Former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims
Understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies
“We know their playbook because we used to run it”

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello)

One of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
Not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams
“We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won”

Current Texas Hazing Case Experience

Right now, we’re leading the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case
$10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit involving rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
Fighting the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, and 13 individual defendants
This isn’t theoretical—we’re in the courtroom fighting for accountability today

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Experience

Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases with economist collaboration
Experience valuing lifetime care needs (brain injury, permanent disability cases)
“We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability”

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise

Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure

Investigative Depth

Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
Experience obtaining hidden evidence (group chats, chapter records, university files)
“We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does”

Geographic Presence Serving All of Texas

While our main office is in Houston, we serve families throughout Texas, including:

Houston metro area (Harris County and surrounding counties)
Austin and Central Texas
Beaumont and Southeast Texas
And critically for Blooming Grove families: the entire DFW metro area and North Texas region

Spanish-Language Services

Hablamos Español – Mr. Lupe Peña provides consultations in Spanish
Servicios legales en español disponibles para familias hispanas

Call to Action: For Blooming Grove & Navarro County Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether it’s UT Austin, Texas A&M, Baylor, SMU, UH, or any other Texas university—we want to hear from you. Families right here in Blooming Grove, Corsicana, and throughout Navarro County have the right to answers and accountability.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you’ll get:

A compassionate listening ear – We understand this is traumatic
Case evaluation – We’ll review what happened and explain your legal options
Evidence preservation guidance – Immediate steps to protect your case
Clear explanation of criminal vs civil options, realistic timelines, and what to expect
Cost transparency – Contingency fee basis (we don’t get paid unless we win)
No pressure – Take time to decide what’s right for your family
Complete confidentiality – Everything you tell us is protected

Contact Information

For Immediate Help:

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781

Online:

Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com (Ralph Manginello)
Spanish Services: lupe@atty911.com (Mr. Lupe Peña)

Office Locations:

Houston, Texas (Primary)
Austin, Texas
Beaumont, Texas

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit:

Attorney911 Educational YouTube Videos:
4. Evidence Documentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
5. Statute of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
6. Client Mistakes to Avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
7. Contingency Fees Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:
8. https://attorney911.com

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