A Comprehensive Guide to Hazing Laws & Litigation for Trinity, Texas Families: What Every Parent Must Know

If you are a parent in Trinity, Texas, you know the dreams you hold for your child’s college experience: academic growth, lifelong friendships, and a safe environment to build their future. But what if the very groups meant to foster community become a source of danger? Imagine your child, eager to belong at a Texas university, is instead subjected to late-night workouts until they collapse, forced to consume food until they vomit, or sprayed in the face with a hose as a twisted form of “tradition.” Their urine turns brown from muscle breakdown. They are hospitalized for days with acute kidney failure. This is not a hypothetical nightmare—it is the reality for Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student, right now.

At Attorney911, we are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ representing Leonel in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, and numerous individuals. This case is a stark reminder that severe, life-altering hazing is not a relic of the past; it is a present and active threat on Texas campuses. For families in Trinity and across Trinity County, this guide exists to arm you with the knowledge, legal context, and resources you need if your child faces the unthinkable. We serve families throughout Texas, including right here in the East Texas region, and we understand the specific concerns of Trinity parents whose children may attend nearby universities like Sam Houston State University or Stephen F. Austin State University, or who venture to major hubs like Texas A&M or the University of Texas.

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.

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 an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing has evolved far beyond crude stereotypes. It is a calculated pattern of abuse that exploits power imbalance and the human need to belong. For Trinity families, understanding its modern forms is the first step in recognizing danger.

A Modern Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or holding office in any organization. It endangers mental or physical health or safety. Critically, under Texas law, consent is not a defense.

Main Categories of Hazing Today:

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing: The most common and deadliest form. This includes forced chugging, “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor (as in the Stone Foltz case), and coerced consumption of drugs or unknown substances.
2. Physical Hazing: This ranges from paddling and beatings to extreme, punitive calisthenics. In the active UH Pi Kappa Phi case, pledges were forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, leading to rhabdomyolysis. It also includes sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements.
3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes or roles, and acts with racist or sexist overtones designed to strip away dignity.
4. Psychological Hazing: Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from friends and family, forced confessions, and public shaming.
5. Digital Hazing: A 2025 hallmark. This includes group chat dares, forced participation in humiliating social media “challenges,” constant monitoring via location-sharing apps, and the threat of exposure through compromising photos or videos.

Where Hazing Happens: While fraternities and sororities are often in the spotlight, hazing pervades many groups: Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs, athletic teams (from football to cheer), spirit organizations like Texas Cowboys, marching bands, and even some academic or service clubs. The common threads are tradition, secrecy, and an imbalance of power.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas Statutes and Your Rights

Texas has specific laws governing hazing, and federal statutes create additional layers of accountability. Understanding this framework is crucial for Trinity families seeking justice.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

The Texas Legislature defines hazing clearly and treats it as a serious offense. Key provisions include:

• Definition (§37.151): Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152): Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes injury and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The organization itself (fraternity, sorority, team) can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized or encouraged the hazing.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): This is a critical protection. Even if your child “agreed” under intense peer pressure, it does not excuse the conduct.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§37.154): Individuals who report hazing or call for medical help in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability related to that report.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

These are two distinct paths, and a family may pursue both.

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (e.g., Trinity County District Attorney or Harris County DA). The goal is punishment: fines, probation, or jail time for individuals. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: Brought by the victim and their family. The goal is compensation for damages and institutional accountability. This is where families can recover costs for medical bills, ongoing therapy, lost educational opportunities, and pain and suffering. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil suit.

Federal Law Overlay

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and strengthen prevention programs. This will increase public data by 2026.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, federal Title IX obligations are triggered, creating another avenue for institutional accountability.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain campus crimes, which can include hazing-related assaults.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Lawsuit?

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

• Individual students who planned, participated, or covered up the hazing.
• The local chapter as an entity.
• The national fraternity or sorority headquarters, which often had prior knowledge of similar risks across the country.
• The university or its board of regents for negligent supervision or deliberate indifference to known dangers.
• Third parties like property owners, landlords of off-campus houses, or alcohol providers.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Repeat

Tragically, hazing follows predictable patterns. Major national cases are not just news stories; they are legal precedents that demonstrate foresight and establish the standard of care owed to students. These patterns repeat at Texas schools.

The Alcohol Poisoning Death Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): A bid-acceptance night with catastrophic drinking led to fatal falls. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case resulted in massive criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.”
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant forced drinking. Gruver died with a 0.495% BAC. This led to Louisiana’s felony Max Gruver Act.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A pledge forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. His family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from the national fraternity, ~$3M from the university).

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): A blindfolded pledge was Tackled repeatedly during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat, suffering fatal head injuries. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

The Athletic Program 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 Trinity Families: These cases show that institutions and national organizations are repeatedly put on notice about specific, dangerous practices. When those same practices surface at a Texas school, it powerfully supports claims that the harm was foreseeable and preventable.

Texas University Focus: Where Trinity Students May Attend

Trinity families often send students to both nearby regional universities and major statewide hubs. Understanding the landscape at these schools is essential.

For Trinity Families: Nearby & Regional Campuses

Students from Trinity and Trinity County frequently attend universities in the East Texas and surrounding region. These include:

• Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, TX): A major public university with active Greek life and athletic programs, located less than an hour from Trinity.
• Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, TX): Another significant regional university with a traditional campus culture and Greek system.
• Angelina College (Lufkin, TX): A community college with student organizations.
• Texas A&M University System campuses and other state schools are also common destinations.

The hazing laws and principles discussed here apply equally at these institutions. Incidents may be investigated by local police (e.g., Huntsville PD, Nacogdoches PD) or campus police, and civil cases would typically be filed in the corresponding county district court.

Major Texas Hubs: Statewide Patterns

While your child may attend school hours away, the patterns of institutional response and Greek life dynamics are consistent across the state’s largest campuses.

University of Houston (UH) – Active Litigation Hub

The ongoing case of Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi is a flagship example of severe hazing. The allegations include a degrading “pledge fanny pack,” forced overconsumption of milk and hot dogs, being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and extreme workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park that caused rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. The chapter was swiftly suspended and surrendered its charter. This case, litigated by our firm, demonstrates the serious physical and psychological harm possible and the complex web of defendants, including 13 individual members, the housing corporation, the national fraternity, and the university itself.

Texas A&M University – Corps & Greek Life Intersection

Texas A&M’s unique culture includes a large Corps of Cadets and a powerful Greek system.

• Corps of Cadets: A 2023 lawsuit alleged a cadet was subjected to degrading hazing, including being bound in a “roasted pig” position.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): A 2021 lawsuit alleged pledges were doused with industrial-strength cleaner among other substances, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts.
• These cases show liability can extend beyond traditional fraternities to military-style programs and that physical harm can be extreme.

University of Texas at Austin – Public Transparency Model

UT Austin maintains a public Hazing Violations page, offering a degree of transparency.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): Sanctioned for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
• This public record can be a valuable tool in litigation, demonstrating a pattern of known violations that the university and national organizations were aware of.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

As private institutions, their processes differ but the risks are the same. SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended for paddling and forced drinking. Baylor has faced hazing allegations within its baseball program. These schools emphasize their internal conduct processes, but families retain the right to pursue independent civil action.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories and Local Chapters

When a hazing incident occurs, it is rarely an isolated “rogue” act. It is often a manifestation of a national pattern. Our firm utilizes a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from public IRS records, university data, and organizational profiles—to map these connections. This investigative depth is critical for Trinity families.

Why National Histories Matter in Court

National fraternity and sorority headquarters create risk management policies precisely because they have seen deaths and injuries for decades. When a Texas chapter repeats a known dangerous practice—like a “Big/Little” drinking night—it becomes much harder for the national organization to claim it was unforeseeable. This pattern evidence is crucial for establishing negligence and overcoming defenses.

Public Records Directory: Greek Organizations Relevant to Trinity Families

To illustrate the depth of our investigative approach, below is a snapshot of the kind of public data we analyze. These are not accusations against these organizations, but examples of registered entities within the Texas Greek ecosystem that may be connected to campuses Trinity students attend.

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc, EIN 133048786, College Station, TX 77845 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation, EIN 371768785, Missouri City, TX 77459 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 746084905, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, EIN 237279532, Prairie View, TX 77446 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated – Sigma Gamma Chapter, EIN 392352450, Houston, TX 77254 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc (Theta Delta Chapter), EIN 475370943, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (Lamar University Chapter), as recorded in public Cause IQ data, Beaumont, TX.
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (Mu Epsilon Chapter), as recorded in public Cause IQ data, Beaumont, TX.

This directory, part of our larger engine tracking over 1,400 Greek-related entities in Texas, helps us identify every potentially liable party—from local house corporations to national alumni groups—ensuring no responsible entity is overlooked in our investigation for your family.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Pursuing a hazing case requires a meticulous, strategic approach against defendants who often have significant resources. Our experience from complex litigation like the BP Texas City explosion cases informs our method.

Critical Evidence Categories

1. Digital Evidence: The most critical evidence in 2025. This includes GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, and Discord chats showing planning, coercion, and bragging. Social media posts, DMs, and even deleted messages recoverable via digital forensics are key.
2. Photos & Videos: Content filmed by participants, surveillance footage from houses, and photographs of injuries.
3. Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” scripts, emails between chapter officers, and national fraternity risk management policies.
4. University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same chapter, incident reports, and Clery Act reports obtained through discovery.
5. Medical Records: Documenting the direct physical and psychological harm, from ER reports diagnosing rhabdomyolysis to psychologist evaluations diagnosing PTSD.
6. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders.

Recoverable Damages

In a civil lawsuit, families may seek compensation for:

• 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 distress, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the worst cases, families can seek funeral costs, loss of financial support, and compensation for grief and loss of companionship.

Our Strategic Advantages

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows how fraternity and university insurers value claims, employ delay tactics, and fight coverage. We know their playbook.
• Complex Institutional Litigation: Managing partner Ralph Manginello has taken on billion-dollar defendants in federal court. We are not intimidated by the deep pockets of national fraternities or universities.
• Dual Civil/Criminal Insight: Mr. Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of a hazing case, allowing us to effectively advise clients when criminal charges are also involved.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Trinity Families

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Recognize the Signs: Unexplained injuries, severe exhaustion, drastic mood changes, secretive phone use, and withdrawal from family.
2. Talk Openly: Ask non-judgmental questions. Focus on safety: “Are you being asked to do anything that makes you feel unsafe or humiliated?”
3. Act on Injury: Seek medical care immediately. Document everything with photos and notes.
4. Deal with the University: Communicate in writing. Ask direct questions about the organization’s prior conduct history.
5. Consult a Lawyer Early: Before evidence disappears. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

For Students

• Trust Your Gut: If it feels dangerous, coercive, or degrading, it likely is hazing.
• “Consent” Isn’t a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card: Texas law explicitly rejects this defense due to power imbalances.
• Exit Safely: Your safety comes first. You have the right to leave any situation and any organization.
• Report & Preserve: Use anonymous campus tip lines if needed. Screenshot everything before it’s deleted.

Critical Mistakes That Can Undermine a Case

• Deleting digital evidence.
• Confronting the organization directly, prompting them to destroy evidence.
• Signing university settlement offers without legal advice.
• Posting about the incident on social media.
• Waiting too long, allowing statutes of limitations to run and memories to fade.

Frequently Asked Questions

• “Can we sue a university in Texas?” Yes. While public universities have certain immunity defenses, exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and more. Every case is fact-specific.
• “Is hazing a felony?” In Texas, it becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
• “What if it happened off-campus?” Location does not absolve liability. Universities and nationals can still be responsible based on their knowledge and control.
• “How long do we have to file a lawsuit?” Generally, two years from the date of injury in Texas, but this can vary. Do not delay.
• “Will our name be public?” Most cases settle confidentially. We prioritize your family’s privacy throughout the process.

Why Attorney911 for Trinity Hazing Cases

When your family is in crisis, you need advocates who combine deep legal expertise with genuine compassion and a relentless investigative drive. From our Houston office, we serve families across Texas, including Trinity, Huntsville, Lufkin, and throughout the surrounding counties.

We are not just personal injury lawyers; we are hazing litigation specialists. The active Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case is not a historical reference for us—it is our current, high-stakes work. We understand the playbooks used by national fraternities and university defense counsel because Mr. Peña used to write them for insurance companies. We know how to deploy our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine to trace liability through local chapters, housing corporations, alumni groups, and national headquarters.

We approach every case with the gravity it deserves. We investigate to find the truth, we fight to secure the resources your child needs for recovery, and we pursue accountability to prevent other families from suffering the same pain.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If you suspect or know your child has been hazed at any Texas university, you do not have to navigate this alone. The path to accountability and recovery begins with a conversation.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today.

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Se habla Español: Mr. Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish-language consultations.

In your free, confidential consultation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain the legal options and processes clearly.
• Discuss our contingency-fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
• Help you make an informed decision about the best path forward for your family.

You have the right to answers. You have the right to accountability. You have the right to help your child heal. Call us now.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

• Click2Houston (KPRC 2) Report: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Eyewitness News (KTRK) Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational YouTube Videos:

• Using Your Cellphone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Understanding Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website & Contact:

• 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