The Complete Guide to Hazing at Texas Universities for Cresson Parents

For Cresson Families: When the Pledge Promise Turns to Danger

You sent your son to the University of Houston, Texas A&M, or another Texas campus with pride and hope. You imagined friendships, leadership opportunities, and a memorable college experience. Then the late-night calls start. Your child sounds exhausted, secretive, or afraid. You notice unexplained bruises in family photos, or learn they’ve been hospitalized after a “fraternity event.” The school sends vague emails about “conduct investigations,” while the fraternity’s national headquarters issues a polite statement about “zero tolerance.”

Right now, in Houston, we’re actively fighting this battle for a family just like yours. We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter—a case that exposes the brutal reality behind the Greek letters. According to the complaint filed in Harris County, Bermudez endured months of systematic abuse: forced to carry a degrading “pledge fanny pack,” subjected to hours of sprints and bear crawls at Yellowstone Boulevard Park, sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting. The physical hazing culminated in a November 3rd workout where he was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion. He developed rhabdomyolysis—severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown, he couldn’t stand without help, and he was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter has been shuttered, but the medical and psychological harm continues.

If you’re a parent in Cresson, in Hood County, or anywhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, this isn’t a distant news story. This is happening at campuses where your children study. This guide exists to give you clarity, knowledge, and a path forward when the institution meant to protect your child has failed.

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. 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 in Texas

For families in Cresson and across North Texas, understanding modern hazing requires moving beyond stereotypes of harmless pranks. Today’s hazing is a calculated system of control that exploits digital tools and psychological pressure.

A Modern Definition

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Critically, a student saying “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there exists the profound power imbalance between pledges and active members.

The Four Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadly form. It includes forced “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, “Bible study” trivia where wrong answers mean shots, and coerced consumption of unknown substances. The Texas A&M Sigma Alpha Epsilon case involved pledges being doused with industrial-strength cleaner mixed with other substances, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts.

2. Physical Hazing
This extends beyond paddling to include extreme calisthenics designed to cause injury—like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats that sent Leonel Bermudez to the hospital with rhabdomyolysis. It includes sleep deprivation through mandatory 3 AM meetings, food/water restriction, exposure to extreme temperatures, and dangerous physical “tests” like blindfolded tackles.

3. Psychological and Sexualized Hazing
This includes forced nudity or simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes and roles, racially or sexually charged humiliation, public shaming in group chats, and systematic isolation from non-member friends and family. The psychological damage often outlasts the physical injuries.

4. Digital Hazing
This is the newest frontier: 24/7 group chat monitoring with demands for immediate responses, forced posting of humiliating content on social media, location tracking via apps, and digital “challenges” shared on TikTok or Instagram. Evidence lives digitally—and disappears just as quickly if not preserved.

Where Hazing Happens: Beyond Fraternity Row

While fraternities and sororities dominate hazing headlines, Cresson parents should know these practices infect multiple campus organizations:

Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs at schools like Texas A&M
Athletic teams, from football to swimming
Spirit organizations like cheer squads and marching bands
Academic honor societies and professional clubs
Cultural and service organizations

The common thread is power imbalance, tradition disguised as necessity, and secrecy enforced by group loyalty.

Texas Hazing Law: What Cresson Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing statutes that provide both criminal penalties and civil recourse. Understanding this framework is crucial for Hood County families seeking accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

Definition (§37.151): Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health or safety for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization.

Key Elements for Cresson Parents:

Location doesn’t matter: Hazing at an off-campus house, Airbnb, or retreat is still hazing under Texas law.
“Reckless” is enough: The act doesn’t have to be intentionally malicious—just reckless.
Mental health counts: Psychological trauma qualifies alongside physical injury.

Criminal Penalties (§37.152):

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing without serious injury (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death
Additional crimes: Failure to report hazing, retaliation against reporters

The Most Important Provision (§37.155): Consent is NOT a Defense
Texas law explicitly states that a victim’s “consent” to hazing activities is irrelevant. This directly counters the common defense that “your child agreed to participate.” Courts recognize that power imbalance, peer pressure, and fear of exclusion vitiate true consent.

Organizational Liability (§37.153)

Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can face criminal prosecution if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knowingly failed to report it. Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation and face university expulsion.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Dual Pathways

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (DA’s office)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Charges can include: hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, manslaughter in fatal cases
Example: The criminal convictions in the Penn State Timothy Piazza case

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or families
Aim: Compensation and accountability
Legal theories: negligence, gross negligence, negligent supervision, premises liability, wrongful death, emotional distress
Example: The $10 million settlement in the Stone Foltz case against Pi Kappa Alpha

These cases can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required for a civil case, and vice versa.

Federal Law Overlay

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents transparently, strengthen prevention programs, and maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026).

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger additional university responsibilities and victim protections.

Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain campus crimes; hazing incidents often overlap with reportable offenses like assault or alcohol crimes.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Texas Hazing Case?

For Cresson families pursuing justice, understanding the “defendant universe” is crucial. In our Leonel Bermudez case against University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi, we named 17 defendants across four categories:

1. Individual Students

Those who planned, executed, or covered up hazing
Chapter presidents, pledge educators, risk managers
Example: In the Bowling Green Pi Kappa Alpha case, chapter president Daylen Dunson was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally

2. Local Chapters & House Corporations

The chapter as an entity (if incorporated)
Housing corporations that own fraternity houses
Example: Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation, named in the Bermudez lawsuit

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters

Organizations that set policies, collect dues, and supervise chapters
Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known about patterns
Example: Pi Kappa Alpha national settled for approximately $7 million in the Stone Foltz case

4. Universities & Governing Boards

Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity but can be sued for gross negligence or Title IX violations
Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections
Example: Bowling Green State University settled for nearly $3 million in the Foltz case

5. Third Parties

Property owners/landlords of off-campus houses
Alcohol providers under dram shop laws
Security companies or event organizers

National Hazing Case Patterns: What They Mean for Texas Families

The tragic cases below aren’t just national news—they establish legal precedents and patterns that directly impact cases involving Cresson students at Texas universities.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Repeated Scripts, Repeated Tragedies

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
During a bid-acceptance night, Piazza consumed life-threatening amounts of alcohol through a drinking game, fell multiple times on basement stairs, and suffered fatal brain injuries. Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for 12 hours. The case resulted in the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania, criminal convictions against multiple members, and significant civil settlements.

Texas Connection: The “bid night drinking” script repeats across campuses, including Texas schools. When national fraternities like Beta Theta Pi have established patterns, they can’t claim “we didn’t know this could happen.”

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
During a “Big/Little” event, Foltz was forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey. He died from alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in criminal convictions, a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU), and chapter president Daylen Dunson being ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.

Texas Connection: Pi Kappa Alpha has chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor. The national organization’s settlement establishes their financial exposure—knowledge we use when negotiating Texas cases.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
During a “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers required drinking, Gruver consumed a deadly amount of alcohol (BAC 0.495%). His death led to the Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony in Louisiana, criminal convictions, and confidential civil settlements.

Texas Connection: Phi Delta Theta operates at multiple Texas campuses. The “drinking game” hazing method is recurrent and foreseeable.

Physical Hazing Patterns: Beyond Alcohol

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
During a fraternity retreat in the Pocono Mountains, Deng was blindfolded, weighted with a heavy backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual. He suffered fatal traumatic brain injury. Members delayed calling 911. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter—a rare case of organizational criminal conviction.

Texas Connection: The “retreat” location strategy is common—moving hazing off-campus to avoid detection. Texas courts can still find liability.

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)
Former players alleged systemic sexualized and racist hacing within the football program. The scandal led to head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s firing (and later confidential settlement of his wrongful-termination suit), multiple player lawsuits, and institutional reforms.

Texas Connection: Hazing isn’t limited to Greek life. Major athletic programs at Texas schools carry similar risks.

What These Cases Mean for Cresson Families

Patterns establish foreseeability: When a Texas chapter repeats conduct that caused injury elsewhere, national organizations can’t claim surprise.
Settlement ranges are established: Multi-million dollar outcomes in other states set benchmarks for Texas negotiations.
Legal strategies are proven: Successful approaches in these cases inform our Texas litigation.
Institutional accountability is possible: Universities and nationals have paid substantial sums when properly challenged.

Texas University Focus: Where Cresson Students Actually Attend

Cresson families send students to universities across Texas. Understanding the specific landscape at each major campus is essential. Hood County students frequently attend schools throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and beyond, making this statewide knowledge critical.

University of Houston: Urban Campus, Systemic Challenges

For Cresson Families: While UH is several hours from Hood County, many North Texas students attend, particularly those seeking specific programs in energy, engineering, or business. Hazing cases here typically involve Harris County courts and Houston-based defendants.

Recent Critical Case – Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi:
We are actively litigating this case, which exemplifies modern hazing’s severity. Beyond the physical abuse described earlier, the complaint alleges systematic institutional failures:

UH owned/controlled the Pi Kappa Phi chapter house
The university knew or should have known about hazing patterns
Multiple entities failed to intervene despite obvious risks

UH’s Greek Landscape:

17 IFC fraternities including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha
6 Panhellenic sororities
Active NPHC (Divine Nine) and multicultural councils
Previous hazing incidents involving Pi Kappa Alpha (2016 lacerated spleen case)

UH Hazing Policy & Reporting:

Prohibits hazing on and off campus
Reporting through Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct, UHPD
Publishes some disciplinary information online

If Hazing Happens at UH:

Immediate reporting to UHPD and/or Houston Police Department
Evidence often involves digital communications from GroupMe, Snapchat
Civil cases typically filed in Harris County courts
Multiple insurance policies may apply (university, national fraternity, individual homeowners)

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life Intersection

For Cresson Families: Texas A&M attracts many North Texas students, particularly those interested in engineering, agriculture, or military careers. The Corps of Cadets presents unique hazing risks alongside traditional Greek life.

Notable A&M Cases:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):
Two pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million. The chapter received a two-year suspension.

Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023):
A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth, simulated sexual acts, and other abuse. He sought over $1 million in damages. Texas A&M stated it handled the matter under Corps regulations.

Texas A&M’s Greek & Corps Landscape:

19 IFC fraternities including Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta
14 Panhellenic sororities
Corps of Cadets with approximately 2,300 members
Previous hazing incidents across both systems

A&M Hazing Policy & Reporting:

Separate policies for Greek life and Corps
Reporting through Student Conduct Office, Corps leadership
Historically less public transparency than UT Austin

If Hazing Happens at Texas A&M:

Location determines jurisdiction (Brazos County courts for on-campus, potentially other counties for off-campus events)
Corps cases involve military-style chain of command complications
Evidence preservation is critical as organizations often circle wagons

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

For Cresson Families: UT Austin attracts top students from across Texas, including Hood County. Its relatively transparent hazing violation database provides unique insight into patterns.

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Database:
UT maintains one of Texas’ most transparent hazing records at hazing.utexas.edu. Recent entries include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume large quantities of milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Found to be hazing. Chapter placed on probation and required to implement hazing-prevention education.

Texas Wranglers (2023): Spirit organization sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based practices.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Chapter already under suspension for prior violations faced new allegations involving an Australian exchange student who suffered dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose at a party.

UT’s Greek Landscape:

Approximately 60 fraternity/sorority chapters
Strong IFC and Panhellenic presence
Active multicultural Greek councils
Spirit organizations with hazing histories

If Hazing Happens at UT Austin:

Report to UTPD and/or Austin Police Department
Check the public violations database for organization history
Civil cases typically filed in Travis County courts
Prior violations significantly strengthen negligence claims

Southern Methodist University: Private School Challenges

For Cresson Families: SMU’s proximity to Hood County makes it a common choice for Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex students. Its private status affects transparency and legal strategies.

Notable SMU Cases:

Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, and deprived of sleep. Chapter suspended with recruiting restrictions until approximately 2021.

SMU’s Greek Landscape:

Smaller Greek system than public universities but influential
6 IFC fraternities including Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha
8 Panhellenic sororities
Active NPHC organizations

SMU Hazing Policy & Reporting:

Private university policies with less public disclosure
Reporting through Dean of Students, online anonymous systems
Less transparency than public institutions

If Hazing Happens at SMU:

Dallas County courts typically have jurisdiction
Private university status means different discovery rules
Often involves affluent families and substantial insurance coverage

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Institutional History

For Cresson Families: Baylor attracts students seeking Christian education. Its recent history with institutional scandals affects how it handles hazing allegations.

Notable Baylor Cases:

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation. Suspensions staggered over the early season. Details remained largely internal.

Baylor’s Greek Landscape:

5 IFC fraternities
9 Panhellenic sororities
Active NPHC organizations
Religious identity influences Greek culture

If Hazing Happens at Baylor:

McLennan County courts have jurisdiction
Religious branding complicates public relations and legal strategies
Recent institutional scandals may affect university response patterns

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Why Data Matters for Cresson Families

At Attorney911, we maintain what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a comprehensive database of Greek organizations, their legal entities, and their connections across Texas. This isn’t abstract research; it’s how we identify every potentially liable party in cases like Leonel Bermudez’s.

What Our Data Reveals About Texas Greek Life

Statewide Scope:

1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros
125+ Texas-registered entities in IRS B83 filings (fraternities, sororities, house corporations)
96 Texas universities with campus locations

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro (Relevant to Cresson):

510 Greek organizations in the metro area
Examples from our database:
- Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – EIN 742911848 – Fort Worth, TX 76244
- Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 741380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147
- Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity Gamma Psi Chapter – Fort Worth, TX (TCU)
- Sigma Nu Fraternity Lambda Epsilon Chapter – Fort Worth, TX (TCU)

Organizational Layers Every Cresson Parent Should Understand:

Undergraduate Chapters: The campus group your child joins
House Corporations: Separate legal entities that own fraternity houses (like the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation)
Alumni Chapters: Graduate groups that often provide funding and influence
National Headquarters: Sets policies, collects dues, provides insurance
Educational Foundations: Tax-exempt entities that fund scholarships and operations

Why This Data Matters for Your Case

When we take a hazing case, we don’t start from zero. We already know:

The legal names and EINs of organizations involved
Their insurance carriers and policy structures
Prior incidents in their history
Connections between local chapters and national entities

For example, in the Bermudez case, our data helped identify not just the Pi Kappa Phi chapter, but the housing corporation, national headquarters, and multiple individual defendants.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Realistic Expectations

Critical Evidence Categories for Cresson Families

1. Digital Communications (Most Important)

GroupMe/WhatsApp/iMessage threads: Screenshot entire conversations with timestamps
Social media: Instagram stories, Snapchat memories, TikTok videos, Facebook posts
Deleted messages: Digital forensics can often recover these
Location data: Geo-tags, Find My Friends history, Uber/Lyft receipts

2. Medical Documentation

ER records, hospitalization reports, surgical notes
Lab results (toxicology, kidney function, creatine kinase levels)
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses)
Photographs of injuries progressing over days

3. Organizational Documents

Pledge manuals, “tradition” documents, meeting minutes
Emails between chapter officers and national headquarters
University conduct records obtained through discovery

4. Witness Information

Other pledges who experienced similar treatment
Former members who left the organization
Roommates, RAs, bystanders
Medical personnel who treated injuries

The Damages Recovery Framework

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost educational costs (tuition for withdrawn semesters)
Lost earning capacity (if permanent injury affects career)
Therapy and rehabilitation costs

Non-Economic Damages:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
Loss of enjoyment of life
Humiliation and damage to reputation

Wrongful Death Damages (When Applicable):

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

Punitive Damages:

Available in cases of gross negligence or intentional conduct
Designed to punish defendants and deter future conduct
Subject to Texas statutory caps in many cases

Realistic Case Timeline and Process

Initial Consultation (Days 1-7): We evaluate evidence, explain options, discuss strategy
Evidence Preservation (Days 7-30): Formal evidence requests, digital forensics, witness interviews
Pre-Litigation Demand (Months 1-3): Presenting case to defendants, seeking settlement
Litigation (Months 3-24): Filing lawsuit, discovery process, depositions, expert reports
Mediation/Settlement/Trial (Months 12-36): Most cases settle; we prepare every case as if it will go to trial

Practical Guide for Cresson Parents: Step-by-Step Action Plan

If You Suspect Hazing Is Happening

Warning Signs:

Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Secretive behavior about organization activities
Constant phone checking/responding to group chats
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
Financial requests for unexplained “dues” or “fines”
Academic decline from missed classes or exhaustion

Conversation Starters (Non-Confrontational):

“How are things going with [fraternity/sorority]? Are they respecting your time for studies and sleep?”
“What kinds of activities do they have new members do?”
“Have you seen anything that made you uncomfortable or worried?”
“Do you feel like you could leave if you wanted to, or would there be consequences?”

If Your Child Has Been Hazed: The 48-Hour Action Plan

Hours 1-6 (Immediate Crisis):

Get medical attention for any injuries or intoxication
Remove your child from the dangerous environment
Screenshot any messages they show you
Photograph visible injuries with a ruler for scale
Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911

Hours 6-24 (Evidence Preservation):

Help your child preserve ALL digital communications (do NOT delete anything)
Secure physical evidence (clothing, objects, receipts)
Request complete medical records from hospitals
Write detailed notes of everything your child describes
Identify witnesses and their contact information

Hours 24-48 (Strategic Decisions):

Consult with experienced hazing attorney
Decide on reporting to campus/local police (with attorney guidance)
Refer all university/insurance contacts to your attorney
Back up all evidence to cloud storage and email
Begin documenting your own expenses and impacts

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence: “Cleaning up” embarrassing messages looks like obstruction of justice and eliminates your strongest evidence.

2. Confronting the Organization: Direct confrontation triggers evidence destruction, witness coaching, and defensive preparations.

3. Signing University Agreements: Universities often pressure families to sign “internal resolution” agreements that waive legal rights for minimal compensation.

4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys monitor everything; inconsistencies harm credibility and can waive privileges.

5. Talking to Insurance Adjusters: Recorded statements are used against you; early settlement offers are typically lowball.

6. Waiting for University Investigations: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitation run while universities “investigate.”

Fraternity and Sorority National Histories: Patterns That Matter in Texas Courts

When a Texas chapter repeats conduct that caused injuries elsewhere, that pattern becomes powerful evidence. Here are national organizations with established hazing histories that operate at Texas universities:

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

National History: Stone Foltz death (BGSU, $10M settlement), David Bogenberger death (Northern Illinois, $14M settlement)
Texas Chapters: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol hazing, forced consumption rituals

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

National History: Multiple hazing deaths nationally, traumatic brain injury lawsuit (Alabama), chemical burns case (Texas A&M)
Texas Chapters: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU
Pattern: Physical violence, forced drinking, chemical/substance abuse

Pi Kappa Phi

National History: Andrew Coffey death (Florida State), Leonel Bermudez case (University of Houston)
Texas Chapters: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin
Pattern: Extreme physical hazing, forced consumption, systematic abuse

Phi Delta Theta

National History: Max Gruver death (LSU, $6.1M verdict)
Texas Chapters: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, Baylor
Pattern: Drinking game hazing, “Bible study” rituals

Beta Theta Pi

National History: Timothy Piazza death (Penn State)
Texas Chapters: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
Pattern: Bid night drinking, delayed medical care

Why These National Histories Matter in Texas Courtrooms

Foreseeability: When a national organization has seen deaths from specific hazing methods, they can’t claim surprise when Texas chapters repeat those methods.
Negligence Standards: Prior incidents establish what the organization “knew or should have known.”
Punitive Damages: Repeated patterns despite knowledge support claims for punishment beyond compensation.
Settlement Leverage: Established settlement ranges in other states inform Texas negotiations.

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how universities and national fraternities fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Cases

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 claims, deploy delay tactics, and fight coverage. As he says, “We know their playbook because we used to run it.” This insider knowledge is invaluable when negotiating with the same insurers who cover Texas fraternities.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello):
Our firm was one of the few Texas firms involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We’ve faced billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. National fraternities and major universities use the same tactics—deep pockets, delay strategies, and institutional protection. We’re not intimidated because we’ve beaten these strategies before.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Results:
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, working with economists to establish lifetime values, life care planners to document future needs, and psychologists to quantify emotional trauma. We don’t settle cheap; we build cases that force accountability.

Dual Civil/Criminal Hazing Expertise:
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of hazing cases. We can advise on criminal exposure, navigate dual-track cases, and protect clients when criminal and civil proceedings intersect.

Investigative Depth and Expert Network:
We maintain the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a proprietary database of Greek organizations across Texas. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages, medical experts to document injuries, psychologists to evaluate trauma, and Greek life culture experts to explain institutional dynamics.

Spanish-Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. We serve Hispanic families across Texas who might otherwise face language barriers in seeking justice.

Our Approach: Empathy Meets Aggressive Advocacy

We understand this is one of the hardest experiences a family can face. Our approach balances:

Compassionate support through traumatic moments
Thorough investigation that leaves no stone unturned
Strategic litigation that maximizes leverage
Respect for privacy while pursuing public accountability
Commitment to prevention so other families don’t suffer similarly

Call to Action for Cresson Families

If you’re reading this because hazing has touched your family—whether at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any Texas campus—you don’t have to face this alone.

What to Expect When You Contact Us

Free Confidential Consultation:

We listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you’ve preserved
Explain your legal options clearly
Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
Answer all your questions about process and costs
No pressure to hire us—take time to decide

Our Contingency Fee Structure:

We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation
No upfront costs or hourly fees
We cover case expenses initially
Fees are percentage of recovery, clearly explained upfront

Immediate Next Steps:

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation
Email ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Visit https://attorney911.com for more information

Hablamos Español: Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish.

Serving Cresson and All of Texas

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Cresson, Hood County, and the entire Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Distance doesn’t prevent us from providing full legal representation—we utilize technology for consultations and travel to you as needed.

Final Word to Cresson Parents

The case we’re fighting for Leonel Bermudez at University of Houston shows what’s possible when families refuse to be silenced. The chapter is closed. The university is being held accountable. And while no amount of money undoes the kidney damage or psychological trauma, accountability matters.

Hazing thrives in secrecy and shame. By speaking up, preserving evidence, and pursuing justice, you’re not just helping your own family—you’re protecting future students from suffering the same abuse.

Call us today. Let’s start the conversation about how we can help your family find answers, accountability, and a path forward.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Legal Emergency Lawyers™
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 | lupe@atty911.com (Spanish)

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

Click2Houston investigation: 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 coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
Hoodline summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

Evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Website: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. If you need legal advice regarding a hazing matter, please contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC for a confidential consultation.