A Comprehensive Guide to Hazing Laws, Cases, and Accountability for Families in Crowell and Across Texas

If you are a parent in Crowell, Foard County, watching your child leave for college is a moment of immense pride and quiet worry. You imagine them embarking on a journey of growth and new friendships at a Texas university. But what if that journey takes a dark turn? What if the pursuit of belonging leads to a late-night phone call, a rushed trip to a distant hospital, or the devastating news that your child was hurt in the name of “tradition”?

Right now, in our own state, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country on behalf of a young man and his family. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the national Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, and 13 individual members on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a UH student. The allegations are harrowing: forced consumption of food until vomiting, extreme physical workouts, sleep deprivation, and being sprayed in the face with a hose in a manner “similar to waterboarding.” This culminated in Mr. Bermudez developing rhabdomyolysis—a severe muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure, requiring four days of hospitalization with the ongoing risk of permanent damage. This is not a story from somewhere else; this is happening now at a major Texas university.

This guide is written for you—families in Crowell, Foard County, and across the rolling plains of North Texas. Whether your child attends Midwestern State University in nearby Wichita Falls, has ventured to Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any other campus, you deserve to know the reality of modern hazing, the laws designed to protect students, and the paths to accountability when those protections fail. We will explain what hazing truly looks like in 2025, unpack Texas and federal law, examine patterns from national tragedies, and provide a clear, actionable roadmap for families facing this nightmare.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
  • Call 911 for medical emergencies.
  • Then call us, Attorney911, at 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, and 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, or team directly.
    • Sign anything from the university or an 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 a free, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks or harmless initiation. It is a systematic pattern of coercion and abuse designed to assert power and create loyalty through fear and degradation. For families in Crowell, whose children may be experiencing this hours away from home, understanding its modern forms is the first step to recognizing danger.

A Modern Definition of Hazing

At its core, hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, maintaining membership in, or gaining status within a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. The critical legal and practical point is that “I agreed to it” or “I wanted to fit in” does not make it safe or legal. Consent given under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of social exclusion is not true consent in the eyes of Texas law.

Main Categories of Hazing Today

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadliest form. It includes forced or coerced rapid consumption during “lineups,” “family tree” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights where a pledge is given a bottle of liquor, or challenges where incorrect answers to trivia lead to drinking. The goal is often intentional over-intoxication.

Physical Hazing
This extends beyond traditional paddling to include extreme, punitive calisthenics (“smokings” with hundreds of push-ups), sleep deprivation for nights on end, food or water restriction, exposure to extreme elements, and dangerous “tests” like blindfolded tackles or prolonged physical restraint.

Psychological and Humiliating Hazing
This involves systematic degradation: verbal abuse and threats, social isolation, forced nudity or wearing degrading costumes, simulated sexual acts, and public shaming rituals. It is designed to break down a person’s sense of self.

Digital and Covert Hazing
This is the new frontier. It includes 24/7 demands via group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), forced sharing of live location data, social media humiliation through “challenges,” coerced creation of compromising content, and the use of encrypted apps to hide planning. Hazing is often moved to off-campus Airbnbs or rural properties to avoid campus oversight.

The Texas and Federal Legal Framework for Hazing

For families in Crowell seeking accountability, understanding the legal landscape is crucial. Texas has specific statutes, and federal law adds important layers of protection and obligation.

Texas Hazing Law (Chapter 37 of the Education Code)

Texas law provides a strong foundation for holding individuals and organizations accountable.

• Definition: Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act,
  on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.
• Criminal Penalties:
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that does not cause serious injury.
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
• 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.
• Critical Protections:
  • Consent is NOT a Defense (Sec. 37.155): Even if a student “agreed,” it is still a crime.
  • Good-Faith Reporting Immunity (Sec. 37.154): Individuals who report hazing or call for help in an emergency are protected from civil or criminal liability related to that report.

Civil Lawsuits vs. Criminal Prosecution

It is vital to distinguish between these two paths:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). The goal is punishment (jail, fines, probation). Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, or manslaughter.
• Civil Lawsuits: Brought by the victim or their family. The goal is compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, lost future earnings) and accountability. A criminal conviction is not needed to file a civil case. In fact, the burden of proof in civil court (“preponderance of the evidence”) is lower than in criminal court (“beyond a reasonable doubt”).

Federal Law Overlay

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new law requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs, increasing transparency.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, it triggers a university’s Title IX obligations for investigation and support.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including some hazing-related assaults, in annual security reports.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Case?

A thorough investigation aims to identify every responsible party, which can include:

1. Individual Students who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter as an entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, or having knowledge of prior similar incidents.
4. The University for deliberate indifference to a known, substantial risk or for negligent supervision of recognized organizations.
5. Third Parties, such as property owners who allowed dangerous activities on their premises.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons from Tragedy

The heartbreaking cases that make national headlines are not isolated incidents; they reveal predictable, repeating patterns. Understanding these patterns is key to proving foreseeability and gross negligence in court. For Crowell families, these cases show that what happened to Leonel Bermudez at UH is part of a national crisis.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid-acceptance night of forced drinking. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case led to Pennsylvania’ Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event; died of alcohol poisoning. His family reached a $10 million settlement with the fraternity and university.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died after a “Bible study” drinking game. Louisiana passed the Max Gruver Act, creating felony hazing penalties.

The Physical and Ritualized Violence Pattern

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

The Athletic and 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 Texas Families: These cases establish that the dangers of forced drinking, violent rituals, and institutional cover-ups are well-known and foreseeable. When a fraternity at UH or Texas A&M engages in similar conduct, the national organization cannot claim ignorance. This “pattern evidence” is powerful in civil litigation.

Texas Universities: A Focus on Campuses Relevant to Crowell Families

Families in Crowell and Foard County often have students at a mix of regional institutions and major state universities. Here is what you need to know about hazing landscapes at schools your children may attend.

Regional and Nearby Campuses

• Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls): As the closest four-year university to Crowell, MSU has active Greek life. Texas law applies fully to incidents here. Jurisdiction would involve Wichita Falls police and courts, but the legal principles remain the same.
• Texas A&M University-Central Texas (Killeen) & Tarleton State University (Stephenville): Other regional options with Greek systems subject to Texas hazing statutes.

Major Texas Universities Crowell Families Attend

Students from Crowell commonly venture to the flagship campuses of Texas. Each has its own Greek ecosystem and history of hazing incidents.

University of Houston (UH)

The Active Case: As detailed, we are actively litigating the severe Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case. This lawsuit alleges brutal physical and psychological hazing leading to kidney failure. The chapter has been shut down.
UH’s Greek Landscape: UH has a large, diverse Greek community with Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations. Past incidents include a Pi Kappa Alpha case where a pledge suffered a lacerated spleen.
For Crowell Families: A case at UH would typically involve Houston Police and Harris County courts. The University’s own policies prohibit hazing both on and off-campus.

Texas A&M University

Culture & Incidents: Beyond a robust Greek system, Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets has faced hazing allegations, including a lawsuit alleging cadets were bound in a “roasted pig” position. Fraternity cases have involved severe chemical burns from substances poured on pledges.
Relevant to Crowell: With A&M being a top destination for Texas students, families should be aware of risks in both Greek and Corps environments. The university’s disciplinary processes are detailed, but civil liability exists independently.

University of Texas at Austin

Transparency and Patterns: UT maintains a public online log of hazing violations, a valuable resource. Entries show patterns: Pi Kappa Alpha sanctioned for forced milk consumption and calisthenics; spirit groups disciplined for forced drinking and humiliation.
Key Takeaway: This public record can be crucial evidence in a civil suit, demonstrating a pattern of known conduct that the university or national organization failed to curb.

Other Major Hubs (Texas Tech, Baylor, SMU):

• Texas Tech University (Lubbock): A major Greek life hub in West Texas.
• Baylor University (Waco): Has faced hazing issues within its baseball program.
• Southern Methodist University (Dallas): A private university with a strong Greek presence and past hazing suspensions.

The Greek Ecosystem: Connecting Local Chapters to National Histories

When hazing occurs at a Texas chapter, the national organization’s history is directly relevant. We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public records, to map this ecosystem. For Crowell families, this means we don’t start from scratch; we know the entities involved.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Texas Families

Our investigative work includes analyzing data from IRS filings (Form B83), which lists tax-exempt Greek organizations in Texas. This is not an accusation, but a demonstration of the complex, legally-recognized network behind campus letters. Examples of entities in the public record include:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 462267515 – Frisco, TX 75035
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc – EIN 133048786 – College Station, TX 77845
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 741380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter – EIN 746084905 – Houston, TX 77204
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – EIN 900293166 – College Station, TX 77843 (Texas A&M Chapter)

Statewide, our data tracks over 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros. In the Wichita Falls metro area relevant to Crowell, there are documented Greek organizations, including chapters at Midwestern State University.

Why National Histories Matter in Court

If a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at a Texas school forces dangerous drinking, the national organization’s history with the deaths of Stone Foltz and others becomes evidence that this risk was foreseeable. The same applies to Sigma Alpha Epsilon (multiple deaths and injury cases), Phi Delta Theta (Max Gruver), and others. We use this pattern evidence to challenge defenses like “we didn’t know” or “this was a rogue chapter.”

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Pursuing accountability requires a meticulous, strategic approach. As Texas hazing litigation attorneys, we deploy a comprehensive method informed by our experience in complex institutional cases, like the BP Texas City explosion litigation.

Critical Evidence in a Modern Hazing Case

1. Digital Evidence: The #1 source. This includes preserved screenshots of GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, and Discord chats planning events, bragging about acts, or coordinating cover-ups. Even deleted messages can often be recovered through forensic analysis.
2. Social Media & Multimedia: Photos/videos of injuries, degrading acts, or parties posted on Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok. Metadata can confirm times and locations.
3. Medical Records: Official documentation is irreplaceable. ER reports, hospitalization records, lab tests (like elevated creatine kinase showing rhabdomyolysis), and psychological evaluations for PTSD or trauma.
4. Institutional Records: Obtained through discovery, these include the national fraternity’s prior incident reports, the university’s disciplinary history with the chapter, and internal emails.
5. Witness Testimony: Statements from other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders who saw what happened.

Understanding Damages: What Can Be Recovered

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim whole and hold wrongdoers accountable through financial compensation for:

• Economic Damages: Past and future medical expenses, lost wages, costs of therapy, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, mental anguish, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (in tragic cases): Funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship for the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly egregious or reckless conduct, damages meant to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Overcoming Common Institutional Defenses

We anticipate and counter standard defenses:

• “The Pledge Consented”: Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense. We demonstrate the coercive power imbalance.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We use national pattern evidence and records to show the national organization knew or should have known of the risks.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: Liability is not limited by geography. Universities and nationals can be responsible for off-campus conduct of their recognized organizations.
• “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”: We show the gap between paper policies and lax enforcement or a culture of non-compliance.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Crowell Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries, constant exhaustion, or drastic weight change.
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities or fear of missing “mandatory” events.
• Personality shifts: increased anxiety, depression, or withdrawal.
• Financial stress from unexplained charges for “fines,” alcohol, or gifts for older members.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
2. Listen & Document: Talk to your child without judgment. Write down dates, details, and names. Help them screenshot damaging messages.
3. Seek Medical Care: A medical exam documents injuries and provides care.
4. Consult an Attorney Early: Before reporting to the university or police, speak with a lawyer. We can help you navigate the process to protect your child’s rights and preserve evidence. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

For Students: Is This Hazing?

Ask yourself: Is this activity secret? Would I do this if I truly had a free choice without fear of being kicked out? Is it dangerous, degrading, or illegal? If the answer is yes, it is hazing. Your “consent” under pressure is not a legal defense for them.

How to Exit Safely & Report:

• Your safety comes first. You have the right to leave any situation.
• You can report anonymously through campus conduct offices or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE.
• Texas law provides immunity for good-faith reporting, especially when calling for medical help.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

• Deleting Digital Evidence: Preserve all messages and photos.
• Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
• Signing University Settlement Papers Prematurely: These often waive your right to full legal recourse.
• Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys scour social media for inconsistencies.
• Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, and statutes of limitation expire.

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, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity barriers. The specific facts of your case determine the strategy.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury, including hazing injury, is generally two years from the date of the incident. For wrongful death, it is two years from the date of death. However, complex rules regarding discovery of harm or fraudulent concealment can affect this. Do not delay.

“What if it happened at an off-campus house?”
Location does not eliminate liability. Nationals and universities can still be responsible for the foreseeable actions of their chapters.

“Will our name be in the news?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy throughout the legal process.

Why Attorney911 for Your Texas Hazing Case

When your family faces the trauma of hazing, you need advocates who understand both the profound human cost and the complex legal battlefield against well-resourced institutions. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) brings a unique combination of insider knowledge, relentless investigation, and a proven track record in catastrophic injury litigation to hazing cases across Texas, including those affecting families in Crowell and Foard County.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense attorney for national insurance companies. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers strategize to deny, delay, and undervalue claims. We use their playbook against them. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.
• Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by national fraternities or large universities with deep pockets; we have faced them before. Learn about Ralph’s experience at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.
• Data-Driven Investigation: We don’t start from zero. We utilize our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from public IRS data, university records, and national case histories—to immediately identify all potentially liable entities, from the local chapter to the national housing corporation.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Insight: Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits, allowing us to effectively advise clients navigating both.
• A Network of Experts: We work with medical specialists, forensic psychologists, digital evidence experts, and economists to build the full picture of harm, from physical injury to lifelong trauma and financial loss.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.

Our approach is built on a foundation of empathy and relentless advocacy. We know this is one of the most difficult experiences a family can endure. Our mission is to secure the compensation your child needs to heal, hold every responsible party accountable, and fight to ensure no other family suffers the same way.

Call to Action for Crowell Families

If hazing has impacted your child at Midwestern State, Texas A&M, UH, or any Texas campus, you do not have to navigate this crisis alone. The path to accountability and healing begins with a conversation.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today for a free, completely confidential consultation. We serve families throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.

During your consultation, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your family’s legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline the investigation process and potential strategies.
• Answer all your questions about the legal process, timelines, and costs.

We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we secure a recovery for you.

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

Let us help you fight for the justice, accountability, and security your family deserves.

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 and university policies 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 specific facts, evidence, and applicable law. If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney to review your specific situation.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Website: https://attorney911.com