Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Legal Guide for Families in Big Sandy

1. Hook & Case Anchor: The Unthinkable Can Happen to Your Child

In the quiet, close-knit community of Big Sandy, Texas, we send our children to college with hopes and dreams. We trust that universities will keep them safe. But what happens when that trust is shattered not by a stranger, but by a system—a fraternity, a sorority, an athletic team, or a spirit group sworn to be their “brothers” or “sisters”?

Imagine your child, a student from Upshur County, excited to join a campus organization. The pressure builds: late-night calls, sudden secretiveness, exhaustion that goes beyond studying. Then, the call no parent wants: your child is in the hospital. They were forced to drink until they vomited, subjected to extreme physical punishment, or humiliated until they broke. The organization is circling the wagons. The university’s response feels cold and bureaucratic. You feel alone, angry, and powerless.

This is not a hypothetical nightmare. It is happening right now in Texas. Our firm, The Manginello Law Firm (Attorney911), is currently leading one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in the state, representing Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

According to a Click2Houston report on the UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case, Bermudez, a transfer student and pledge in Fall 2025, was subjected to months of systematic abuse. He was forced to carry a degrading “pledge fanny pack” 24/7, endure brutal early-morning workouts at Houston’s Yellowstone Boulevard Park, and was sprayed in the face with a hose in a manner “similar to waterboarding.” The physical hazing culminated in a November 3rd workout where he was forced to do over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

The result was catastrophic: rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, could not stand without help, and was hospitalized for four days. As reported by ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit, the fraternity chapter was suspended on November 6th and voted to surrender its charter on November 14th. The university called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

This $10 million lawsuit is active, ongoing, and a stark reminder: hazing is not just “boys being boys.” It is a dangerous, illegal, and often life-altering form of abuse. If it can happen at a major university like UH, it can happen anywhere—including at the schools where your children from Big Sandy may be studying.

This guide is written specifically for parents and families in Big Sandy, Upshur County, and across East Texas. Our goal is to arm you with knowledge: what hazing looks like today, what the law says, what history tells us about repeat offenders, and what your family’s legal rights are. You are not alone, and you do not have to navigate this crisis without experienced guidance.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES IN TEXAS

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW: Call 911 for medical emergencies. Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.
• In the first 48 hours: Get medical attention. Preserve evidence: screenshot group chats, photograph injuries, save physical items. Write down everything. Do NOT confront the organization, sign anything from the university, or let your child delete messages.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney: Evidence disappears fast. We provide immediate, confidential consultations. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).

2. Hazing in 2025: It’s Not Just “Hell Week” Anymore

For families in Big Sandy, the term “hazing” might conjure images of outdated, Hollywood-style pranks. The reality in 2025 is far more sinister, sophisticated, and digitally enabled. Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group. Consent is not a defense under Texas law.

The abuse often follows a predictable escalation, moving from subtle coercion to outright violence:

Subtle Hazing (Tier 1): This establishes power imbalance and sets the stage. It includes forced servitude (being an on-call driver, cleaning members’ rooms), social isolation, being given derogatory nicknames, and mandatory events that interfere with sleep and academics. In the digital age, this includes 24/7 group chat monitoring, required location-sharing apps, and social media policing.

Harassment Hazing (Tier 2): This causes clear distress and discomfort. It includes verbal abuse, sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, forced physical exercise (“smokings”), and public humiliation. Modern evolutions include “voluntary” but socially mandatory events, digital humiliation via TikTok or Instagram challenges, and live-streaming of degrading acts.

Violent Hazing (Tier 3): This has a high potential for catastrophic injury or death. It is what we see in cases like Leonel Bermudez’s.

• Forced Alcohol Consumption: “Big/Little” nights, “family tree” drinking games, lineups, and forced chugging. This remains the single most common cause of hazing deaths.
• Physical Brutality: Paddling, beatings, dangerous “tests” like the “glass ceiling” ritual that killed Chun Deng at a Pi Delta Psi retreat.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault.
• Extreme Environmental Exposure: Being locked in freezing rooms, left outside in extreme cold or heat.

Hazing is not confined to fraternities. It occurs in sororities, Corps of Cadets programs (like at Texas A&M), athletic teams, spirit groups (like the Texas Cowboys), marching bands, and other campus organizations. The common thread is an abuse of power disguised as “tradition” or “bonding.”

3. Law & Liability Framework: How Texas and Federal Law Protect Your Child

Understanding the legal landscape is crucial for Big Sandy families seeking accountability. Multiple layers of law can apply to a hazing incident.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37 (Hazing):
Texas has a strong anti-hazing statute. Key provisions include:

• Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for purposes of initiation or affiliation.
• Criminal Penalties: A Class B misdemeanor, escalating to a State Jail Felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing or retaliating against reporters.
• Organizational Liability: The organization itself (fraternity, sorority, team) can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (§ 37.155) explicitly states that the victim’s “consent” is irrelevant.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Those who report hazing in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aim is punishment (jail, fines, probation). Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: Brought by the victim/family. Aim is compensation for damages and accountability. We pursue claims for negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, and emotional distress. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil suit. In fact, the civil discovery process often uncovers the evidence that criminal prosecutors need.

Federal Law Overlay:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents transparently and maintain public hazing data by 2026.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, the university has specific obligations to investigate and address it.
• Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes on campus; hazing that involves assault or alcohol crimes may trigger Clery reporting.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Lawsuit?
We build cases to identify every responsible party, which can include:

1. Individual Students who planned, carried out, 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, and prior knowledge of patterns.
4. The University for deliberate indifference, negligent supervision, or premises liability.
5. Third Parties like landlords of off-campus houses or alcohol providers.

4. National Hazing Case Patterns: The Script Repeats Itself

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not isolated. They follow scripts, and the same organizations appear again and again. This “pattern evidence” is powerful in court, proving that national headquarters and universities were on notice.

• The Alcohol Poisoning Script: Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021) died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. His family secured a $10 million settlement. Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017) died in a “Bible study” drinking game, leading to Louisiana’s felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.” Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017) died after a “Big Brother” night.
• The Physical Brutality Script: Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013) died from traumatic brain injury after a violent “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted.
• The Catastrophic Injury Script: Danny Santulli (University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021) suffered permanent, severe brain damage from forced drinking. His family settled with 22 defendants.
• The Athletic Hazing Script: The Northwestern University football scandal (2023-2025) involved allegations of sexualized and racist hazing, leading to multiple lawsuits and confidential settlements, proving hazing extends far beyond Greek life.

These national precedents matter for Big Sandy families. They show how courts and juries respond. They show that universities and national organizations often pay multi-million dollar settlements after failing to act on clear warnings. The same organizations involved in these national cases—Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi—have chapters at Texas universities.

5. Texas Universities: A Focus on Where Big Sandy Families Send Their Kids

Families in Big Sandy and Upshur County often have students at a mix of regional schools and major state universities. Whether your child attends a nearby campus like the University of Texas at Tyler or a larger hub like Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston, Southern Methodist University (SMU), or Baylor University, hazing is a documented risk.

5.1 The University of Texas at Tyler & East Texas Campuses

• Campus Snapshot: As the closest major public university to Big Sandy, UT Tyler serves many East Texas families. It has growing Greek life and student organizations.
• Hazing Policy: Like all UT System schools, it prohibits hazing under the UT System’s strict policies and Texas law.
• For Big Sandy Families: An incident at UT Tyler would likely involve the Smith County court system. Evidence must be preserved quickly, and reporting should be made to both UT Tyler’s Dean of Students and, if crimes occurred, to the Tyler Police Department.

5.2 Texas A&M University

• Campus Snapshot: A flagship institution with a powerful tradition, including a large Corps of Cadets and over 60 Greek chapters.
• Documented Incidents: Texas A&M has faced serious hazing allegations in both Greek life and the Corps.
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): In 2021, a lawsuit alleged pledges were subjected to strenuous activity and had substances including industrial-strength cleaner poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The chapter was suspended.
  • Corps of Cadets: In 2023, a lawsuit alleged a freshman cadet was subjected to degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth.
• For Big Sandy Families: A&M’s culture of tradition can sometimes obscure abusive behavior. Investigations require an understanding of both Greek and Corps structures. Jurisdiction would be in Brazos County.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin

• Campus Snapshot: A massive Greek system and hundreds of student organizations.
• Transparency: UT Austin maintains a public Hazing Violations page, a resource we use to establish pattern evidence.
• Documented Incidents: The public log shows repeated violations. For example, in 2023, the Pi Kappa Alpha chapter was placed on probation for hazing that included forced milk consumption and strenuous calisthenics. Sigma Alpha Epsilon has also faced lawsuits and suspensions for assault and hazing allegations.
• For Big Sandy Families: UT’s public log is a double-edged sword—it shows accountability but also repeated problems. A case here would involve Travis County courts.

5.4 University of Houston

• Campus Snapshot: A large, diverse commuter and residential campus in the heart of Houston.
• The Flagship Case: As detailed above, the Leonel Bermudez vs. Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu) case is our active, $10 million lawsuit alleging horrific physical and psychological hazing leading to kidney failure. This case exemplifies the extreme dangers present even at urban campuses.
• For Big Sandy Families: UH is a common destination. This active case proves the university and national fraternities can be held accountable for systemic failures. Harris County courts have jurisdiction.

5.5 Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

• Private School Context: As private universities, SMU and Baylor have their own disciplinary processes but are still subject to Texas hazing law.
• Documented Incidents: SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended for paddling and forced drinking. Baylor has faced hazing incidents within its baseball program.
• For Big Sandy Families: These schools market a tight-knit community, which can increase pressure to conform and silence reports. Civil lawsuits can compel discovery that internal investigations might not reach.

6. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Unveiling the Organizations Behind the Letters

One of our firm’s greatest strengths in serving Texas families is our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine. We don’t start from scratch. We maintain a proprietary database built from public records—IRS filings (Form B83), university registries, and corporate data—that maps the complex network of Greek organizations in Texas. This allows us to immediately identify every potentially liable entity behind a chapter: the local house corporation, the alumni association, the educational foundation, and the national headquarters.

For families in Big Sandy, this means we already know the landscape. Below is a snapshot of the kind of public records data we track to build your case. This directory illustrates the vast, interconnected system of Greek organizations operating across Texas, including those connected to the campuses your children may attend.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Entities Serving Texas Families

This is a sample of verified public records we maintain. Being listed does not imply wrongdoing; it demonstrates the network of organizations we investigate for liability and insurance coverage.

Organizations in the Greater East Texas Region & Statewide Hubs:

• Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches) – Local for Big Sandy:
  • Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. (EIN: 300517788) – Nacogdoches, TX 75965. IRS B83 filing.
  • Phi Kappa Psi Texas Epsilon Chapter (EIN: 452729519) – Nacogdoches, TX 75965. IRS B83 filing.
  • Chi Omega Fraternity – Epsilon Zeta (EIN: 756041410) – Nacogdoches, TX 75965. IRS B83 filing.
• University of Texas at Tyler:
  • Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, University of Texas at Tyler (EIN: 352335400) – Tyler, TX 75799. IRS B83 filing.
• Texas A&M University System:
  • Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc. (EIN: 133048786) – College Station, TX 77845. IRS B83 filing.
  • Beta Upsilon Chi (EIN: 742911848) – Fort Worth, TX 76244. Cause IQ Metro Listing & IRS B83 filing.
  • Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Texas A&M University (EIN: 900293166) – College Station, TX 77843. IRS B83 filing.
• University of Texas at Austin System:
  • Chi Omega Fraternity – Chi Omega House Corporation (EIN: 740555581) – Austin, TX 78705. IRS B83 filing.
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity – Texas Rho Corp. – Austin, TX. Cause IQ Metro Listing.
  • Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi (EIN: 746047117) – Austin, TX 78705. IRS B83 filing.
• University of Houston System:
  • Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation (EIN: 371768785) – Missouri City, TX 77459. IRS B83 filing. (Related to active litigation)
  • Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN: 746084905) – Houston, TX 77204. IRS B83 filing.
• Statewide & National Brands with Texas Presence (Pattern Evidence):
  • Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Chapter (EIN: 746064445) – Nederland, TX 77627. IRS B83 filing. (National brand with multiple hazing deaths)
  • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (EIN: 364091267) – Waco, TX 76710. IRS B83 & Cause IQ Metro Listing overlap.
  • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (EIN: 237279532) – Prairie View, TX 77446. IRS B83 filing.

This is just a fraction of the 1,423 Greek-related organizations we track across 25 Texas metro areas. When your child is hazed, we use this data to immediately identify the legal entities, their tax IDs (EINs), and their insurance carriers. We don’t just sue the chapter name; we sue the corporate structures that empower and fund them.

7. Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Building a winning hazing case requires a swift, meticulous, and strategic approach. From the moment you contact us, we initiate a protocol designed to secure evidence and establish maximum leverage.

Critical Evidence We Pursue:

• Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, and fraternity-specific app messages. We use digital forensics to recover deleted messages. Our video on using your phone to document evidence covers best practices.
• Social Media: Instagram stories, Snapchat saves, TikTok videos, and Facebook posts that document events or show intent.
• Internal Records: Pledge manuals, chapter meeting minutes, emails from national headquarters, and risk management reports obtained through discovery.
• University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same organization (obtained via public records requests or discovery), Clery Act reports, and internal investigation files.
• Medical Evidence: ER records, hospitalization reports, lab results (like creatine kinase levels for rhabdomyolysis), and psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

Our Legal Strategy and How We Overcome Defenses:
We anticipate the standard defenses and dismantle them with evidence and legal argument.

• Defense: “The Pledge Consented.” Our Response: Texas law voids consent in hazing. We show coercion through group chat pressure, power imbalances, and fear of social exclusion.
• Defense: “This Was a Rogue Chapter; National Didn’t Know.” Our Response: We use our Intelligence Engine and discovery to prove national had prior notice of same patterns at other chapters, and their policies were inadequately enforced.
• Defense: “It Happened Off-Campus.” Our Response: Jurisdiction for hazing extends off-campus. Nationals and universities maintain control and benefit from chapters regardless of location.
• Defense: “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts.” Our Response: We argue negligent supervision by nationals and universities is a covered claim. We identify all possible insurance policies and fight bad faith denials.

Damages: What Families Can Recover
We fight for full compensation, which can include:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical bills, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and educational costs (like transferring schools).
• Non-Economic Damages: Physical pain, emotional distress, humiliation, PTSD, loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship and guidance for parents and siblings.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious conduct or cover-ups, we seek damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

8. Practical Steps & FAQs for Big Sandy Parents and Students

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Listen & Support: If your child opens up, listen without judgment. Their safety and mental health are the priority.
2. Seek Medical Care: Even if injuries seem minor, get a professional evaluation. Tell the doctor the injuries are from hazing.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot ALL group chats and social media posts. Photograph injuries. Save any physical items. Do not delete anything.
4. Document: Write down a timeline with everything your child remembers—names, dates, locations, specific acts.
5. Consult an Attorney BEFORE Reporting: Once you report to the university, their institutional response begins. We can guide you on how to report while protecting your rights. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 before you sign anything or give a formal statement.
6. Avoid Common Mistakes: Do not confront the organization. Do not post on social media. Do not let your child go to a “mediation” meeting alone. Watch our video on client mistakes that can ruin your case.

For Students:

• Is This Hazing? If you feel coerced, unsafe, humiliated, or are being forced to do something illegal or dangerous, it is hazing.
• Exiting Safely: You have the right to quit. Send a clear text or email resigning. Have a safe place to go. Tell a trusted adult.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots. Record voice memos (Texas is a one-party consent state). Save everything.
• Report Anonymously: You can call the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE.

Frequently Asked Questions

• “Can we sue the university?” Yes, depending on the facts. Public universities have some immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence. Private universities like SMU and Baylor can also be sued.
• “What is the statute of limitations?” In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a civil suit. However, the clock can be paused in certain circumstances. Time is critical; learn more in our video.
• “How much does a lawyer cost?” We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and wrongful death cases. You pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we win your case. See how contingency fees work.
• “Will my child’s name be public?” We strive for confidential settlements. Most cases settle out of court. If a lawsuit is filed, we can use protective orders and pseudonyms to protect privacy.

9. About The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911: Why We Are Texas Hazing Litigation Specialists

When your family in Big Sandy faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury firm. You need attorneys with specific, proven expertise in taking on powerful institutions—national fraternities, sororities, and universities. You need Attorney911.

Our Competitive Advantages for Your Hazing Case:

1. Active, High-Stakes Hazing Litigation: We are not theorists. We are right now leading the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi ($10M) lawsuit. This gives us current, insider knowledge of how these institutions fight and how to beat them.
2. Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows the exact tactics fraternity and university insurers use to deny, delay, and underpay claims. We know their playbook because we used to run it.
3. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by deep-pocketed opponents. We have the complex litigation experience to match their teams.
4. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: As shown above, we start with data. We already know the organizational landscape, saving crucial time in identifying all liable parties and their insurance coverage.
5. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal side of hazing investigations. We can effectively advise clients navigating parallel criminal and civil proceedings.
6. Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish (Se habla Español), ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.
7. A Mission for Accountability: We take these cases not just for compensation, but to force change. As we said in the Bermudez case: “We’re almost in 2026. This has to stop.”

Call to Action for Big Sandy and Upshur County Families

If you suspect or know that your child has been hazed at any Texas campus—whether it’s UT Tyler, Texas A&M, UT Austin, UH, SMU, Baylor, or any other school—time is your most critical asset. Evidence disappears within days. Witnesses are coached. Universities begin their internal processes.

We offer a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation to every family. We will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, explain your legal options in plain English, and help you decide the best path forward. There is no pressure to hire us.

You are not alone. Let us help you fight for your child’s wellbeing and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) Today:

• 24/7 Hazing Case Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com (for Spanish)

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, and we are committed to helping families in Big Sandy, Gilmer, Longview, and throughout East Texas find justice and peace of mind.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and law. For advice on your specific situation, please contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC for a consultation. Hazing laws and university policies are subject to change.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

• Click2Houston UH Hazing Case 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 UH Hazing Case Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Attorney911 Evidence Documentation Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Attorney911 Statute of Limitations Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Attorney911 Client Mistakes Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Attorney911 Contingency Fee Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
• Attorney911 Main Website: https://attorney911.com