Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Complete Guide for Carmine Families Seeking Justice & Accountability

As parents in Carmine, you’ve worked hard to give your children the opportunity to pursue higher education at schools like Blinn College, Texas A&M University, or other Texas campuses. The dream is a bright future, but a hidden danger persists in the very organizations meant to foster community: hazing. Right now, in a courtroom just hours from Fayette County, our firm is fighting for a young man named Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. His story—involving forced consumption, brutal physical abuse, and a resulting medical crisis that nearly destroyed his kidneys—is not an isolated incident. It’s a stark warning and a call to action for every family in Carmine, Round Top, Ledbetter, and across Texas.

This guide is for you. If you suspect your child is being mistreated in connection with a fraternity, sorority, Corps of Cadets program, athletic team, or any campus group, you need facts, not fear. We will explain what modern hazing really looks like, the powerful Texas laws designed to protect your child, the sobering national patterns of injury and death, and what true legal accountability involves. For families in Carmine and throughout Fayette County, knowledge is your first defense.

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. We can help preserve it and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing is not a relic of the past or “boys will be boys” horseplay. It is a calculated pattern of coercion and control that adapts to avoid detection. For Carmine families, understanding its modern forms is critical to recognizing the warning signs.

Hazing is legally defined in Texas as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership in an organization. The key is that “consent” is not a defense. The power dynamic between pledges and members, and the fear of social exclusion, means true voluntary consent rarely exists.

Today’s hazing often falls into three escalating categories:

1. Subtle Hazing: Behaviors that emphasize power imbalance and normalize control. This includes forced servitude (being an on-call driver, cleaning members’ rooms), mandatory attendance at late-night meetings that interfere with sleep and studies, social isolation from non-members, and being assigned derogatory nicknames. Digitally, it manifests as mandatory 24/7 monitoring of group chats (like GroupMe or WhatsApp), required location-sharing, and social media policing.

2. Harassment Hazing: Acts that cause emotional or physical discomfort. This includes verbal abuse and screaming sessions, sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and forced physical activity branded as “workouts” or “conditioning”—think hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits until collapse, or sprints. Public humiliation, such as forced embarrassing performances or wearing degrading costumes, is also common.

3. Violent Hazing: Activities with a high potential for serious injury or death. This is what we see in the worst cases:

• Forced/Coerced Alcohol Consumption: “Big/Little” nights, “family tree” drinking games, lineups, or penalties that involve chugging handles of liquor.
• Physical Beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking, or “branding.”
• Dangerous Physical Tests: Blindfolded tackle rituals, extreme exposure to heat or cold, or forced ingestion of harmful substances (like the industrial cleaner used in a Texas A&M SAE case).
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, or sexual assault.
• Kidnapping & Restraint: Being bound, transported to remote locations, or held against one’s will.

The hazing that injured Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston included nearly all these elements: a humiliating “pledge fanny pack,” enforced dress codes and interviews, overnight driving duties, extreme workouts in a park, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and a final brutal workout that led to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. This is the brutal reality happening on Texas campuses.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: A Framework for Carmine Families

Texas has a strong legal framework to combat hazing, governed primarily by Chapter 37, Subchapter F of the Texas Education Code. Understanding this law is the foundation for holding organizations accountable.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code §37.151-§37.156):

• Definition: Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed at a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation that endangers mental or physical health or safety.
• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing or retaliating against someone who does.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): This is crucial. It doesn’t matter if your child “agreed” to participate. The law recognizes the coercive environment.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§37.154): Students who report hazing or call for medical help in an emergency are protected from civil or criminal liability related to that report, even if they were drinking underage.

Civil vs. Criminal Cases:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office) to punish offenders with jail time, fines, or probation. A Fayette County family may interact with local police, campus police, or the county sheriff.
• Civil Lawsuits: Brought by the victim and their family to seek financial compensation and accountability. These cases can proceed even if criminal charges are never filed. They target a wider range of defendants and aim to make the victim whole.

Federal Law Overlay: The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024) now requires universities receiving federal funds to report hazing incidents more transparently and strengthen prevention programs. Furthermore, if hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, Title IX obligations are triggered, and the Clery Act may require certain crime reporting.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students who planned, executed, or concealed the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter as a legal entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, or having prior knowledge of dangerous patterns.
4. The University (like Texas A&M or Blinn) for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to a known risk, or premises liability.
5. Third Parties like landlords of off-campus houses or alcohol providers.

Our current case against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters exemplifies this multi-defendant approach, seeking to hold every responsible entity accountable.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Mirror Texas Realities

The tragedies that make national headlines are not distant abstractions; they are blueprints for the risks facing Texas students. They establish legal precedents and patterns of negligence that directly inform cases here in Texas.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern:

• Stone Foltz, Bowling Green State (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A pledge died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. Result: $10 million in total settlements ($7M from national PiKA, ~$3M from university).
• Max Gruver, LSU (Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died after a “Bible study” drinking game. Result: Spurred Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute) and a $6.1 million verdict.
• Andrew Coffey, Florida State (Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Died after a “Big Brother” night with excessive alcohol. His case led to a system-wide Greek life suspension at FSU.

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern:

• Danny Santulli, Univ. of Missouri (Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking. Result: Confidential multi-million-dollar settlements with 22 defendants.
• Chun “Michael” Deng, Baruch College (Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from traumatic brain injury after a violent, blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted.

The Athletic & Institutional Hazing Pattern:

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread allegations of sexualized and racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements, proving hazing is not confined to Greek life.

What This Means for Carmine Families: These cases prove that juries and courts will hold powerful institutions accountable with multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. They create a legal landscape where patterns of prior incidents can be used to show a national fraternity or university knew or should have known the risks. The same national organizations involved in these cases—Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi—have active chapters at Texas schools your children may attend.

The Texas University Landscape: Where Carmine Families Send Their Kids

Carmine is at the heart of a region with deep educational ties. Families here have children at local institutions like Blinn College and flagship universities across the state. Understanding the hazing environment at these schools is critical.

Blinn College & Regional Campuses

For many in Carmine, the educational journey begins close to home. Blinn College, with campuses in Bryan and Brenham, serves as a gateway for thousands of students, many of whom transfer to Texas A&M. While community colleges typically have less formal Greek life, student clubs, athletic teams, and off-campus affiliations with university fraternities can still present hazing risks. Reporting concerns to Blinn’s Dean of Students office and documenting any incidents is essential. Families should be aware that activities tied to groups based at other universities can still create liability for those organizations.

Texas A&M University

As a primary destination for Carmine and Fayette County students, Texas A&M’s scale and traditions demand close attention.

• Culture & Context: Home to a massive Greek system and the renowned Corps of Cadets, a military-style program with its own deep traditions and documented hazing risks.
• Documented Incidents:
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged being doused with industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The lawsuit sought $1 million.
  • Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million in damages.
• How a Case Here Proceeds: Investigations may involve Texas A&M University Police, the Bryan/College Station PD, or the Brazos County Sheriff. Civil suits would be filed in Brazos County. Defendants can include individual cadets/members, the local chapter, the national fraternity (e.g., SAE nationals), Texas A&M University, and the Texas A&M System.
• For Carmine Parents: The proximity to Texas A&M means the legal and medical resources of Brazos County will be central to any case. Early consultation with a firm experienced in Brazos County courts and A&M’s unique institutional dynamics is key.

University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin is another major draw for high-achieving Texas students, with a large and active Greek life.

• Culture & Context: UT has a highly visible Greek community and a relatively transparent public Hazing Violations log on its website.
• Documented Incidents: UT’s public log shows repeated violations. For example, Pi Kappa Alpha was sanctioned for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Other spirit groups like the Texas Wranglers have been disciplined for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
• How a Case Here Proceeds: Jurisdiction may involve UT Police or Austin PD. Travis County courts would handle civil litigation. UT’s own public violation history can be powerful evidence in a civil suit to show prior notice and pattern.
• For Carmine Parents: While farther from Carmine, UT cases often have statewide implications. The transparency of UT’s records can work in a victim’s favor during discovery and litigation.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

These private, prominent universities have their own significant Greek life and hazing histories.

• SMU: A 2017 Kappa Alpha Order incident involved paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation, leading to a multi-year suspension. As a private institution, SMU has less public reporting but is still subject to Texas hazing law.
• Baylor: Known for its religious affiliation, Baylor has faced scrutiny across its programs. A 2020 baseball team hazing incident led to 14 player suspensions. Its history with institutional response to misconduct is a factor in any hazing case there.

For families with students at these schools, it’s important to understand that while they are private, Texas hazing law still applies, and civil discovery can uncover internal records that are not publicly available.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories & Local Chapters

When a hazing incident occurs at a Texas chapter, the national organization’s history is directly relevant. These nationals create policies because they know the dangers—their past is a record of foreseeable risk.

Why National Histories Matter in Court:
In litigation, we can subpoena a national fraternity’s internal records to show a pattern of similar incidents across the country. This proves they had constructive knowledge that their chapters were engaging in dangerous behaviors and that their policies were inadequate or unenforced. This pattern evidence is pivotal for establishing negligence and seeking punitive damages.

A Sample of National Organizations with Documented Hazing Histories Present at Texas Schools:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): National pattern of alcohol-related hazing deaths (Stone Foltz at BGSU). Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Multiple deaths and severe injury cases nationwide, including the chemical burns case at Texas A&M and a traumatic brain injury lawsuit at Alabama. Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): National pattern includes the death of Andrew Coffey at FSU. Our firm’s flagship case involves their University of Houston chapter. Active at UH and UT.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): National pattern includes the death of Max Gruver at LSU. Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor.
• Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ): History of physical hazing and suspensions, including at SMU. Active at Texas A&M and SMU.

This is not an accusation against every member of these organizations. It is a legal fact that these nationals have been on notice for years about the lethal risks of specific hazing activities—risks that have materialized repeatedly, including here in Texas.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages

Winning a hazing case requires converting painful experience into compelling legal proof. Our approach is built on a foundation of rigorous investigation and strategic litigation.

The Evidence That Wins Cases:

1. Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Instagram DMs, and Snapchat messages. We use digital forensics to recover deleted conversations that show planning, coercion, and cover-ups.
2. Photos & Videos: Content filmed by participants, social media posts, and surveillance footage from houses or nearby businesses.
3. Internal Organization Records: Obtained through subpoenas, these include national fraternity risk management files, prior incident reports, pledge manuals, and chapter communications.
4. University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same group, Clery Act reports, internal investigative files, and emails between administrators—obtained through discovery or public records requests.
5. Medical & Psychological Records: Documenting the physical injury (e.g., hospital records for rhabdomyolysis, surgical reports for burns) and the psychological trauma (diagnoses of PTSD, depression, anxiety from a treating psychologist).
6. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders. Early, confidential interviews are crucial.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine – A Strategic Advantage for Carmine Families:
Our firm maintains a proprietary database built from Texas public records to map the Greek ecosystem. This means when a Carmine family comes to us, we don’t start from zero. We already understand the network of liable entities. For example, public IRS records show Texas-registered Greek organizations that may hold insurance or assets, such as:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN: 46-2267515) in Frisco, TX.
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Chapter (EIN: 74-6064445) in Nederland, TX.
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc (EIN: 74-1380362) in Fort Worth, TX.
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN: 74-6084905) in Houston, TX.

This deep, data-driven understanding allows us to immediately identify all potential defendants and their resources.

Recoverable Damages in a Hazing Case:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, costs of psychological care, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• 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 particularly egregious or reckless conduct, courts may award damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Carmine Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation.
• Sudden secrecy about group activities or fear when their phone buzzes.
• Personality changes: withdrawal, anxiety, depression, or anger.
• Decline in academic performance.
• Constant, stressed communication via group chats at all hours.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly & Listen: Ask open-ended questions. “What does pledge ‘education’ actually involve?” “Is there anything that’s made you uncomfortable?”
2. Prioritize Medical Care: If there is any injury or signs of alcohol poisoning, seek medical attention immediately. Tell the doctor the cause.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot every relevant group chat, text, and social media post. Photograph injuries. Do not let them delete anything.
4. Document Everything: Write down a timeline with names, dates, locations, and what was said.
5. Contact an Attorney Before Reporting: Before you notify the university or chapter, speak with us. We can help you navigate reporting in a way that protects your child and preserves legal claims.
6. Do Not Confront the Organization: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.

For Students: Your Rights & Safety

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No tradition is worth your life or health.
• “Consent” is Not a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card: Texas law says your agreement under pressure is not a valid defense for them.
• How to Exit Safely: You can quit at any time. Send a simple text or email: “I resign my membership/pledgeship effective immediately.” Tell a trusted adult first.
• How to Report Anonymously: You can call the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE. For medical emergencies, **call 911—**Texas law provides protections for those who call for help in good faith.

Critical Mistakes That Can Undermine a Case

1. Deleting Digital Evidence: This is the #1 mistake. It looks like a cover-up and destroys your best proof.
2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly: This gives them a head start to destroy evidence and lawyer up.
3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms: Universities may offer quick, low-dollar settlements that require you to waive all future rights. Do not sign anything without an attorney.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys scour social media for inconsistencies. Let your lawyer control the narrative.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence vanishes, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations ticks away.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue a university in Texas for hazing?”
Yes. While public universities have some sovereign immunity, exceptions exist for gross negligence or deliberate indifference. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer protections. Our case against the University of Houston is actively testing these boundaries.

“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 involving minors, discovery of harm, and fraudulent concealment can affect this. Do not wait. Call us immediately to protect your rights.

“What if it happened off-campus at a house or Airbnb?”
Location does not shield liability. Universities and nationals can still be responsible based on their supervision and knowledge. Many of the worst national cases happened at off-campus retreats or unofficial houses.

“Will our name be all over the news?”
Most civil cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy and will seek protective orders and sealed settlements whenever possible.

Why Carmine Families Choose Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

When your family faces the betrayal and trauma of hazing, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the intricate playbooks of institutions and insurers, and who fight with equal parts compassion and tenacity. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) brings a unique set of advantages to hazing litigation in Texas.

Our Flagship Case: Active, Texas-Based Expertise.
Right now, attorneys Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are leading the $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi on behalf of Leonel Bermudez. This isn’t a past victory; it’s a current, high-stakes battle that demonstrates our firm’s commitment to taking on powerful universities and national fraternities. We are in the trenches on this issue today.

Insider Knowledge of Insurance Defense Tactics.
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny claims, undervalue injuries, and delay proceedings. We know their strategies because we used to help build them. This insider perspective is invaluable in securing just compensation for our clients.

Proven Experience Against Massive Institutions.
Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the complex BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have no fear of battling well-funded, institutional defendants with deep-pocketed insurance. We apply the same rigorous, expert-driven investigation to hazing cases, uncovering systemic failures and prior knowledge.

A Data-Driven Investigative Advantage.
As detailed in this guide, we don’t rely on luck. We deploy our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a proprietary analysis of public records tracking over 1,400 Greek entities across Texas. From Fayette County to Harris County, we can quickly identify the web of organizations, their assets, and their insurance behind any chapter.

Full-Spectrum Legal Capability.
With Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), we understand both the criminal and civil sides of hazing cases. We can effectively advise clients who may be navigating parallel criminal investigations or concerned about witness exposure.

We Serve Carmine and All of Texas.
While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas, including those in Carmine, Fayette County, and throughout Central Texas. We understand the communities, courts, and campuses that matter to you. Se habla Español—Mr. Peña provides fluent Spanish-language legal services.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If you are a parent in Carmine, La Grange, Schulenburg, or anywhere in Texas, and you believe your child has been hazed, you do not have to navigate this crisis alone. The path to accountability begins with a conversation.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm today for a free, confidential case evaluation.

What to expect when you call 1-888-ATTY-911:

• We will listen compassionately to your story.
• We will explain your family’s legal rights and options under Texas law.
• We will provide straightforward advice on evidence preservation.
• We will outline our investigative process and how we build cases.
• We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.

Don’t let time erase critical evidence or allow institutions to control the narrative. Let us help you protect your child and pursue the justice and accountability your family deserves.

Call Attorney911 now: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)

Website: https://attorney911.com | Email: ralph@atty911.com | Spanish Services: lupe@atty911.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 | Se habla Español: lupe@atty911.com