Hazing at Texas Universities: A Comprehensive Guide for Buffalo, Leon County Families

If Your Child Was Hazed, You Are Not Alone

Imagine this: Your son, a bright student you raised right here in Buffalo and Leon County, has just started his first semester at a major Texas university. He’s excited to join a fraternity, make friends, and build his future. Then the texts start coming at all hours. He’s exhausted, secretive, and coming home with unexplained injuries. One weekend, you get the call every parent dreads—he’s in the hospital with kidney failure after being forced through brutal workouts and drinking games. The fraternity brothers who did this are now deleting group chats. The university seems more concerned with its reputation than your child’s wellbeing. You feel isolated, angry, and don’t know where to turn.

This is not hypothetical. Right now, we’re fighting exactly this kind of case. In November 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student against the UH Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, the University of Houston System, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The allegations are horrifying: forced “pledge fanny packs” containing humiliating items, simulated waterboarding with a hose, being forced to consume milk and hot dogs until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints, and a November 3rd workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats that led to rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. His urine was brown. He was hospitalized for four days. The chapter has since been shut down.

If you’re a parent in Buffalo, Centerville, Oakwood, or anywhere in Leon County, this case matters to you. Your children likely attend or will attend Texas A&M, UT Austin, the University of Houston, or other Texas campuses. The same national organizations that harmed Leonel Bermudez in Houston have chapters across our state. The same insurance companies will try to deny responsibility. The same institutional cover-ups happen everywhere.

This guide exists to give you, as a Texas parent, the knowledge and resources you need if hazing touches your family. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, break down Texas law, show you national patterns, detail what’s happening at specific Texas universities, and explain your legal options. We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), and we represent hazing victims and their families across Texas. We’re based in Houston but serve families throughout our state, including right here in Leon County.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

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

In the first 48 hours:

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

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

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For families in Buffalo and across rural Texas, the image of hazing might be stuck in outdated stereotypes. What’s happening today is more systematic, more digitally enabled, and more dangerous than ever.

The Modern Definition of Hazing

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’s peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

Main Categories of Hazing Today

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common—and most deadly—form. It’s not just “drinking at a party.” It’s systematic forced consumption: “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, “family tree” drinking games where wrong answers mean shots, lineups where everyone must chug simultaneously. The blood alcohol level in the Max Gruver case at LSU was 0.495%—six times the legal limit. He died. In our UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Leonel Bermudez was forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.

Physical Hazing
Beyond paddling (which still happens despite national bans), today’s physical hazing includes extreme calisthenics framed as “workouts.” At UH, Bermudez faced 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in one session. At Texas A&M, Corps of Cadets members have alleged being bound in “roasted pig” positions. Sigma Alpha Epsilon pledges at Texas A&M suffered chemical burns requiring skin grafts after industrial cleaner was poured on them. Sleep deprivation—being woken at 3 AM for “mandatory meetings”—is common and dangerously impairs judgment.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walks,” “roasted pig”), degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. These aren’t “pranks”—they’re traumatic violations that cause lasting psychological harm.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members, forced confessions, public shaming. The psychological pressure to conform, combined with fear of social exclusion, creates coercive environments where “choice” is meaningless.

Digital/Online Hazing
This is the new frontier. Group chat monitoring 24/7 with instant response demands. Social media humiliation via TikTok challenges or Instagram story dares. Geo-tracking through Find My Friends. Forced creation of compromising content. Digital evidence, while critical for cases, also enables more sophisticated coercion.

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

While fraternities and sororities get most attention, hazing permeates campus life:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
Corps of Cadets/ROTC/military-style groups
Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer, etc.)
Spirit squads and tradition clubs
Marching bands and performance groups
Some service, cultural, and academic organizations

For Leon County families, this means your child could be at risk whether they’re joining Sigma Chi at Texas A&M, trying out for the basketball team at UT, or entering the Corps of Cadets.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas and Federal

Understanding the legal landscape is crucial for Texas families. Here’s what you need to know in plain English.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in the Education Code. Hazing is broadly defined as intentional, knowing, or reckless acts, on or off campus, directed at a student, for purposes of initiation/affiliation, that:

Endanger physical health or safety (beating, forced exercise, forced alcohol consumption)
OR substantially affect mental health or safety (extreme humiliation, intimidation)

Key Provisions:

§37.152 Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor by default, but becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also face charges for failing to report hazing or retaliating against reporters.
§37.153 Organizational Liability: Organizations (fraternities, sororities, clubs) can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing or if officers knew and failed to report.
§37.155 Consent Not a Defense: This is critical—even if the victim “agreed,” it’s still hazing under Texas law. Courts recognize that consent under peer pressure isn’t voluntary.
§37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Those who report hazing in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability. Many universities extend this to alcohol amnesty in medical emergencies.

Criminal vs Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases

Brought by the state (prosecutor)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
Example: In the Max Gruver case at LSU, a fraternity member was convicted of negligent homicide

Civil Cases

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
Focus: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
Example: The Stone Foltz family secured a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from Bowling Green State University)

Both can proceed simultaneously, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. In fact, many hazing cases settle civilly even without criminal charges.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently, strengthen prevention programs, and maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026). This will eventually give families better information about which organizations have violations.

Title IX
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. Universities must investigate and take prompt action.

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?

Individual Students
Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we named 13 individual members including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and risk manager.

Local Chapter/Organization
The fraternity/sorority or club itself as a legal entity. Many have housing corporations or alumni associations that hold assets.

National Fraternity/Sorority
Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Their liability often hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents. In the Stone Foltz case, Pi Kappa Alpha national paid $7 million.

University or Governing Board
Schools may be sued under negligence or civil-rights theories. Key questions: Did they have prior warnings? Did they enforce policies? Were they deliberately indifferent? Public universities like UH and Texas A&M have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist.

Third Parties
Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces, bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop laws), security companies.

Every case is fact-specific. Our investigation in the UH case identified multiple layers of potential liability—that’s how we build strong cases.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What They Mean for Texas Families

These aren’t just headlines from other states. They’re blueprints for what happens in Texas courts and what we can expect in your case.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
Bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking, severe falls captured on chapter cameras, hours delayed before calling 911. Dozens of criminal charges, civil litigation, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law resulted. Takeaway for Texas families: The delay in calling 911 and culture of silence are legally devastating patterns we see repeatedly.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
Big/little event where pledge was given a handle of liquor, drank to dangerous levels, and died. Criminal hazing charges, FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life. Takeaway: The “Big/Little” drinking night is a repeating script for disaster—the same fraternity (Pi Kappa Phi) we’re currently suing at UH.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
“Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. Death led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute). Takeaway: Legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of hazing. Texas could see similar reforms after cases like ours.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Pledge forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey, died from alcohol poisoning. Multiple criminal convictions, $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). Takeaway: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities. Public universities are not immune.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Pledge at fraternity retreat subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual, suffered fatal head injuries, help was delayed. Multiple members convicted, fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous as parties, and national organizations face serious sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hacing within the football program. Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired, confidential settlements. Takeaway: Hazing is not limited to Greek life; big-money athletic programs harbor systemic abuse too.

What These Cases Mean for Leon County Families

Common threads run through all these cases: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements typically follow only after tragedy and litigation. Your family facing hazing at a Texas school is operating in a landscape shaped by these national lessons. The precedents set in Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and Ohio courts influence how Texas judges and juries view hazing cases.

Texas University Focus: Where Leon County Students Attend

Leon County families typically send students to major Texas universities. Here’s what’s happening at the schools your children likely attend.

University of Houston (UH) – Current Active Litigation

Campus & Culture Snapshot
As an urban commuter and residential mix campus, UH has active Greek life with multiple fraternities and sororities. For Buffalo families, UH is about 150 miles away—close enough for regular visits, far enough that parents might miss warning signs.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting
UH prohibits hazing on or off campus, including forced consumption of alcohol/food/drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and mental distress as initiation. Reporting channels go through the Dean of Students, conduct offices, and campus police.

Current Case: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi
This isn’t history—it’s active litigation we’re handling right now. The allegations against Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter include:

“Pledge fanny pack” rule with degrading contents (condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices)
Enforced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, overnight driving duties
Extreme physical hazing: sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, cold-weather exposure in underwear
Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”
Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting, then immediate sprints
The Nov 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats
Medical consequences: rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, brown urine, 4-day hospitalization

Defendants include UH, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The chapter was suspended Nov 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter Nov 14, 2025. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds
Involved agencies may include UHPD and/or Houston Police depending on location. Civil suits typically filed in Harris County courts. We identify all potential defendants through what we call our “Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine”—tracking not just the chapter but housing corporations, alumni associations, and national entities.

What UH Students & Parents Should Do

Report to UH Dean of Students AND Houston Police (campus police have limited jurisdiction off-campus)
Preserve digital evidence immediately (GroupMe chats disappear fast)
Request prior conduct files for the organization through public records
Contact an attorney experienced in Houston-based hazing litigation who knows local courts and procedures

Texas A&M University – Corps Culture and Greek Life

Campus & Culture Snapshot
For many Leon County families, Texas A&M is the natural choice. Its Corps of Cadets tradition and strong Greek life create unique hazing risks. Buffalo is about 100 miles from College Station—close enough that hazing incidents directly affect our community.

Documented Incidents & Responses

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. Fraternity suspended for two years; pledges sued for $1 million.
Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. Sought over $1 million; A&M stated it handled the matter under its rules.
Corps “March Back” Tradition: Has faced scrutiny for excessive physical demands on new cadets.

How Texas A&M Cases Proceed
College Station PD and Texas A&M University Police Department have jurisdiction. Civil cases often filed in Brazos County. The Corps adds complexity—military-style traditions versus illegal hazing. We work with experts who understand this distinction.

What A&M Families Should Know

The Corps has its own command structure and disciplinary processes parallel to university systems
Greek life at A&M is massive—over 60 fraternities and sororities
Evidence preservation is critical: Corps and fraternity traditions are often undocumented “oral traditions”
Buffer for parents: The “Aggie Family” culture can make reporting feel like betrayal

University of Texas at Austin – Transparency and Patterns

Campus & Culture Snapshot
UT’s size and Greek life presence create significant hazing risks. For Leon County families, UT is about 180 miles away—many local students attend.

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page
UT maintains unusual transparency with a public hazing violations log. Recent entries show patterns:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation.
Texas Wranglers (spirit organization): Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
Multiple organizations show repeated violations despite probation.

How UT Cases Proceed
UTPD and Austin PD share jurisdiction. Travis County courts handle civil cases. The public violations log becomes powerful evidence in civil suits—showing the university knew about patterns.

What UT Parents Should Do

Check the public hazing log (hazing.utexas.edu) for your child’s organization
Understand that “probation” often means little actual change
Austin’s off-campus housing market means hazing often occurs in private rentals beyond UT’s direct control
The “Keep Austin Weird” culture sometimes normalizes excessive behavior

Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Private University Dynamics

Campus & Culture Snapshot
SMU’s affluent, Greek-dominated culture presents unique risks. While fewer Leon County students attend SMU, those who do face particular pressures.

Documented Incidents

Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended until 2021.
Private university status means less public transparency about violations.

How SMU Cases Differ
As a private university, SMU has fewer sovereign immunity protections but more control over internal processes. Dallas PD and SMU PD share jurisdiction. Civil cases typically in Dallas County.

What SMU Families Should Know

SMU’s Greek life is central to social life—pressure to join is intense
The university’s reputation management can be aggressive
Private settlement terms are often more confidential
Wealthy defendant families can afford prolonged litigation

Baylor University – Religious Identity and Scrutiny

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Baylor’s religious identity and history of Title IX scrutiny create complex dynamics. Waco is about 80 miles from Buffalo—within driving distance for concerned parents.

Documented Incidents

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation; staggered suspensions.
Occurs against backdrop of Baylor’s broader cultural and oversight challenges.

How Baylor Cases Proceed
Baylor PD and Waco PD share jurisdiction. McLennan County courts handle civil cases. Baylor’s religious branding interacts complexly with hazing claims.

What Baylor Parents Should Consider

“Faith-based” doesn’t mean hazing-free—sometimes it means different justifications
Baylor’s recent history means they’re sensitive to scandal
Internal processes may prioritize reconciliation over accountability
The Baylor “family” narrative can discourage reporting

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: What We Know About Greek Organizations

As part of our hazing litigation practice, we maintain what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a database of Greek organizations across Texas compiled from public records. This isn’t theoretical; it’s concrete data we use in cases.

Public Records: Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses

From IRS filings (B83 organizations), we track entities like:

KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC, EIN 133048786, College Station, TX 77845-6681 (IRS B83 filing)
BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC, EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035-6629 (IRS B83 filing)
SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER, EIN 746084905, Houston, TX 77204-3067 (IRS B83 filing)
TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC, EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147-0061 (IRS B83 filing)
PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY, EIN 746064445, Nederland, TX 77627-8843 (IRS B83 filing)

From Cause IQ metro data in the Dallas-Fort Worth area (the metro nearest to Leon County):

Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, Fort Worth, TX – 12650 N Beach St #30, Suite 114, Fort Worth, TX 76244
Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta), Arlington, TX
Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity – Tau Deuteron Chapter, Waco, TX (Baylor University chapter)
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation, Fort Worth, TX

Why This Matters for Leon County Families
When hazing occurs, multiple entities may share liability: the undergraduate chapter, the housing corporation that owns the house, the alumni association that oversees it, and the national headquarters. Our database helps identify all potential defendants from day one. You don’t start from scratch.

National Histories: Why Patterns Matter in Court

When a Texas chapter repeats behaviors that got chapters shut down in other states, that shows foreseeability—the national organization knew or should have known this would happen. This supports negligence claims and can justify punitive damages.

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ/Pike)

Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green State ($10M settlement)
David Bogenberger death at Northern Illinois ($14M settlement)
Multiple chapters suspended nationwide
Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol hazing events

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ/SAE)

Traumatic brain injury case at University of Alabama
Chemical burns case at Texas A&M ($1M lawsuit)
Assault case at UT Austin
Pattern: Physical violence combined with substances

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

Max Gruver death at LSU (Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act)
Pattern: “Bible study” drinking games

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

Andrew Coffey death at Florida State
Current: Our UH case with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
Pattern: Extreme physical hazing combined with forced consumption

These patterns matter because in civil litigation, we can argue the national organization had prior notice and failed to take adequate preventive measures. This isn’t about punishing all members—it’s about holding accountable those who enable dangerous systems.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

When your family faces a hazing incident, understanding how cases are built demystifies the process and helps you make informed decisions.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Communications (Most Important Today)

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, fraternity apps
Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok comments
Recovery capability: Even deleted messages can often be retrieved through digital forensics
In our UH case, group chats showed planning, threats, and coordination

Photos & Videos

Content filmed by members during events (often shared in group chats)
Security camera or doorbell footage at houses and venues
Important: Timestamps and metadata are crucial

Internal Organization Documents

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” lists
Emails/texts from officers about activities
National policies and training materials that were ignored

University Records

Prior conduct files, probation/suspension letters
Incident reports to campus police or conduct offices
Clery Act reports
Public records requests: We use these to uncover patterns

Medical and Psychological Records

Emergency room and hospitalization records (mention hazing to doctors!)
Toxicology reports
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses)
Ongoing treatment documents the long-term impact

Witness Testimony

Other pledges, members, roommates, RAs, bystanders
Former members who quit or were expelled
Timing matters: Memories fade, witnesses graduate

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable)

Medical bills & future care: Emergency care, surgeries, ongoing treatment, medications, long-term care for permanent injuries
Lost earnings/educational impact: Missed semesters, reduced earning capacity if injuries are permanent
Other costs: Therapy, tutoring, relocation if transferring schools

Non-Economic Damages

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life
Method for parents: Daily journal documenting emotional impact

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of companionship and support
Emotional harm to parents and siblings
Financial analysis: Economists calculate lifetime support loss

Punitive Damages
When defendant conduct is especially reckless or malicious. In Texas, caps often apply except for certain intentional conduct.

Insurance Coverage Complexities

National fraternities and universities have insurance policies that often try to exclude “intentional acts” like hazing. Our strategy involves:

Identifying all potential policies (chapter, national, university, individual homeowners)
Arguing that negligent supervision (failing to prevent intentional acts) is covered
Pursuing bad faith claims if insurers wrongfully deny coverage
This is where Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney is invaluable—he knows their playbook.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Leon County Families

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

Physical: Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts; extreme fatigue; weight changes; sleep deprivation
Behavioral: Sudden secrecy about activities; withdrawal from family/friends; personality changes; defensiveness; fear of “letting the chapter down”
Academic: Grades dropping; missing classes; skipping assignments for “mandatory” events
Digital: Constant phone use for group chats; anxiety when phone buzzes; deleting messages obsessively; location tracking apps

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally)

“How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
“Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
“What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
“Do you feel like you can leave if you want to?”

48-Hour Action Checklist

Hours 1-6: Medical attention, safety, initial evidence preservation, call Attorney911 (1-888-ATTY-911)
Hours 6-24: Digital evidence preservation, medical records request, witness list
Hours 24-48: Legal consultation, reporting decisions, university communication strategy
Week 1: Medical follow-up, evidence gathering, witness interviews, protection planning

For Students: Self-Assessment & Safety

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide
Ask yourself: Am I being forced or pressured? Would I do this with no social consequences? Is it dangerous, degrading, or illegal? Would my parents/university approve? Am I told to keep secrets?

How to Exit Safely

If in immediate danger: Call 911
To quit: Tell someone outside the org first, send written resignation, do NOT go to “one last meeting”
Protection from retaliation: Document threats, report to university/police, seek protective order if needed

Evidence Collection for Students

Screenshots: Full conversations with timestamps
Recordings: Texas is one-party consent (you can record conversations you’re part of)
Photos: Injuries (multiple angles with scale), locations, objects
Medical: Tell providers you were hazed for documentation
Save everything: Don’t delete even if embarrassed

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Letting your child delete messages: Looks like cover-up; obstruction of justice; makes case nearly impossible
Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Signing university “release” forms: May waive right to sue; settlements are often lowball
Posting details on social media: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”: Pressure, intimidation, extracted statements hurt case
Waiting “to see how the university handles it”: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer: Recorded statements used against you; early settlements are lowball

FAQ: Leon County-Specific Questions

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some 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 depends on specific facts—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 or fraud, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, organizations destroy records. 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 (Pi Delta Psi retreat, Sigma Pi unofficial house) 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.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

Why Attorney911 for Leon County Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing case, 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)
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims. He understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. As he says: “We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello)
Mr. Manginello is one of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar corporations and winning. He has federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas). He’s not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams. “We’ve faced defendants with unlimited budgets before. We know how to fight.”

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases with economist collaboration. We understand how to value lifetime care needs for brain injuries, permanent disabilities, and ongoing trauma. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force accountability.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise
Mr. Manginello’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure. This dual capability is rare and valuable.

Investigative Depth: The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine
We maintain a database of over 1,400 Greek organizations across Texas, compiled from IRS filings, campus rosters, and public records. We know how to obtain hidden evidence: deleted group chats, chapter records, university files. We work with digital forensics experts, medical experts, psychologists, and economists. “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

Spanish-Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. We serve Hispanic families throughout Texas with culturally competent representation.

Our Commitment to Leon County Families

From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Buffalo, Centerville, Oakwood, and all of Leon County. We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families in our region deeply. Whether your child attends Texas A&M (100 miles away), UT (180 miles), UH (150 miles), or any Texas campus, we’re here to help.

We’ve seen how hazing devastates families—not just physically and financially, but emotionally. The betrayal when an organization your child trusted causes harm. The frustration when institutions circle the wagons. The isolation of feeling alone in your fight.

Our approach is different: thorough investigation, clear communication, and relentless advocacy. We’re not about quick settlements—we’re about real accountability and preventing this from happening to another family.

Call to Action for Buffalo, Leon County Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus, we want to hear from you. Families in Buffalo, Centerville, Marquez, and throughout Leon County have the right to answers and accountability.

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

What to expect in your free consultation:

We listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
Answer your questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
No pressure to hire us on the spot—take time to decide
Everything you tell us is confidential

Contact Information:

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

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

Whether you’re in Buffalo or anywhere across Leon County, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The same organizations that harmed students in Houston, College Station, and Austin operate across Texas. The same insurance companies will try to deny responsibility. The same institutional cover-ups happen everywhere.

But you have rights. Texas has strong hazing laws. And you have advocates who understand this fight. We’re currently litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We know what it takes to hold powerful institutions accountable.

Call us today. Let us help you get answers, seek justice, and protect your child’s future.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

Attorney911 Educational YouTube 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 that can ruin your case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website: 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