Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Guide for City of Burke Families & Students

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone

The call comes late at night. Your child, a promising student at a respected Texas university, is in the emergency room. Their urine is brown. They cannot stand without help. The diagnosis: rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—severe muscle breakdown caused by extreme physical strain. When you ask what happened, the story emerges in fragments: forced workouts in the cold, a humiliating “pledge fanny pack,” threats of expulsion, older fraternity brothers spraying him in the face with a hose “like waterboarding.” This is not a hypothetical scare story. This is what happened to Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student at the University of Houston, in the fall of 2025 during his pledge period for the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter.

Right now, in Harris County and in courts that serve families across Texas, we are actively fighting this case. We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, its housing corporation, the UH System Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The hazing he endured—detailed in Click2Houston and ABC13 reports—included being forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints; completing over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion; and suffering through sleep deprivation and constant humiliation. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended in November 2025 and its members voted to surrender their charter. The University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

If you are a parent, family member, or student in City of Burke, Angelina County, or anywhere in East Texas, this case is critical proof: severe, life-altering hazing is happening right now on Texas campuses. Whether your child attends Stephen F. Austin State University in nearby Nacogdoches, commutes to Texas A&M, or studies at the University of Houston hours away, the dangerous traditions of forced belonging can reach them.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for you—families in City of Burke and across Texas. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the Texas laws designed to protect your child, the national patterns that repeat here, and what has occurred at universities where Texas students enroll. We will also outline the legal options available to hold organizations accountable and help your family recover.

Immediate Steps If This Just Happened

If your child is in danger or injured RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies.
• Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911. We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.

In the first 48 hours, preservation is everything:

1. Get Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” seek a medical evaluation. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis or internal injuries may not be immediately apparent.
2. Preserve Digital Evidence: Screenshot every group chat (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), text thread, and social media post (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok) related to the incident. Do not let your child delete anything out of embarrassment or fear.
3. Document Physically: Photograph any injuries from multiple angles, with a ruler or coin for scale. Save the clothing worn and any objects involved (paddles, bottles, props).
4. Write It Down: Have your child write a detailed account of what happened, including names, dates, times, and locations, while their memory is fresh.
5. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
   • Sign any documents from the university or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Allow evidence to be “cleaned up” or deleted.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24-48 hours. Evidence disappears rapidly—messages are deleted, witnesses are coached, and institutions move to control the narrative. We can help you preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights from the outset. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Part 1: Hazing in 2025 – What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing is not a relic of the past or mere “horseplay.” It is a calculated, often escalating series of acts designed to assert power, enforce loyalty, and test commitment through the degradation and endangerment of new members. For families in City of Burke who may be unfamiliar with the intensity of modern Greek life or athletic traditions, understanding its forms is the first step to identifying it.

Texas law (Education Code Chapter 37) defines hazing broadly as 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. Crucially, the victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

Modern hazing typically falls into three interconnected tiers:

1. Subtle Hazing (The Foundation)

This establishes power imbalance and conditioned obedience. It includes:

• Servitude: Being on-call 24/7 for errands, cleaning, or chauffeuring older members.
• Social Control: Mandatory, late-night meetings that interfere with sleep and academics; requiring permission to socialize with non-members.
• Deception & Secrecy: Being told to lie to parents, RAs, or university officials about activities.
• Digital Monitoring: Required instant responses in group chats; forced location-sharing via apps.

2. Harassment Hazing (The Escalation)

This causes emotional and physical discomfort, normalizing abuse. It includes:

• Verbal Abuse: Yelling, insults, and degrading language.
• Sleep & Deprivation: All-night “study sessions,” waking pledges at 3 AM for tasks.
• Forced Consumption: Eating excessive amounts of bland food (like gallons of milk) or disgusting items until vomiting.
• Purposeful Exhaustion: “Smokings” or extreme calisthenics framed as “conditioning.”
• Public Humiliation: Wearing degrading costumes or performing embarrassing acts in public.

3. Violent Hazing (The Catastrophic Risk)

These acts have a high potential for severe injury, sexual assault, or death. They include:

• Forced/Coerced Alcohol Consumption: “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, drinking games like “Bible Study” where wrong answers mandate drinking.
• Physical Beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking, or “tackle” rituals.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault.
• Dangerous Environments: Exposure to extreme cold/heat; being restrained or kidnapped; dangerous physical “challenges.”

The Leonel Bermudez case at UH is a textbook example of this escalation: It began with subtle control (the mandatory “pledge fanny pack”), moved to harassment (enforced dress codes, interviews, overnight driving), and culminated in violent hazing (the hose spraying, forced overeating, and extreme Nov. 3 workout that caused rhabdomyolysis).

Part 2: The Texas Legal Framework – Criminal and Civil Avenues for Justice

Families in City of Burke have powerful legal tools. Hazing is not just a violation of university policy; it is a crime and a civil wrong under Texas law.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute

• Definition: Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or membership. It applies on or off campus.
• Criminal Penalties:
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that does not cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical attention.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing causing 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:
  • §37.155 – Consent is NOT a Defense. Even if your child “agreed,” it is still hazing under the law.
  • §37.154 – Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting. Those who report hazing or call for medical help in an emergency are protected from liability.

Civil Lawsuits: The Path to Accountability and Recovery

A criminal case is brought by the state to punish. A civil lawsuit is brought by the victim and family to recover damages and demand accountability. They can proceed simultaneously. In a civil hazing case, we seek to hold every responsible party liable, which can include:

1. The Individuals: The members who planned, carried out, or facilitated the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: The campus organization as a legal entity.
3. The National Organization: Headquarters that collect dues, set policies, and supervise chapters. Their knowledge of prior incidents nationwide is crucial.
4. The University: Schools can be liable for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or Title IX violations if the hazing is sex-based.
5. Third Parties: Property owners, landlords, or alcohol providers.

Federal Law Overlay: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Campus Hazing Act

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, it triggers the university’s Title IX obligations to investigate and provide remedies.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including assaults that may occur during hazing.
• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to publish more transparent hazing data and strengthen prevention programs by 2026, increasing institutional accountability.

Part 3: The Greek Ecosystem Serving Texas Students – A Data-Driven View

When we take a case for a family from City of Burke, Angelina County, or Lufkin, our investigation doesn’t start from zero. We maintain a proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public records, to map the organizations behind the Greek letters. This data shows the scale of the system your child is entering.

For families in East Texas, students often attend nearby institutions like Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches) or travel to major hubs like the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, UT Austin, Baylor, or Texas Tech. Each of these campuses hosts dozens of fraternities and sororities, each backed by a network of legal entities.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Entities Across Texas

Below is a snapshot of the kind of organizational data we track. These are real entities recorded in IRS and state filings that may hold insurance, own property, or bear legal responsibility.

Greek Organizations with Texas Filings (Examples):

• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. – EIN 75-381060, San Marcos, TX 78666. Cause IQ lists this as the Theta Iota chapter house corporation at Texas State University.
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc. – EIN 27-3662583, Lufkin, TX 75904. An IRS B83 filing for a fraternity chapter entity in your region.
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation – EIN 37-1768785, Missouri City, TX 77459. A housing corporation for a Pi Kappa Phi chapter.
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc. – EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035. The housing corporation for the very UH chapter involved in the Bermudez lawsuit.
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc. – EIN 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147. A foundation supporting Kappa Sigma activities in Texas.
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Multiple EINs including 26-3170920 (Denton), 35-2335400 (Tyler), 90-0293166 (College Station). Academic honor society chapters at universities statewide.

Major Texas Universities & Their Greek Life Reach:

• Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County): A major regional university with active Greek life, where many East Texas students enroll.
• University of Houston (Houston, Harris County): Over 40 fraternity and sorority chapters across four Greek councils.
• Texas A&M University (College Station, Brazos County): One of the nation’s largest Greek communities, alongside its Corps of Cadets.
• University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Travis County): Hosts approximately 60 fraternity and sorority chapters.
• Baylor University (Waco, McLennan County): A significant Greek system within a private, religious institution.

This directory illustrates a key point: behind every campus chapter, there are often Texas-registered corporations, alumni associations, and national networks. When hazing occurs, our job is to identify every entity in this chain that failed in its duty, as we are doing in the Bermudez case against Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters and its housing corporation.

Part 4: National Hazing Cases – The Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragedies that make national headlines are not isolated. They are patterns—recipes for disaster that fraternities and sororities have tragically followed for decades. Texas families are not immune to these scripts.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): A bid-acceptance night with forced drinking led to fatal falls. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case resulted in the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant drinking. Gruver died of alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%). Louisiana passed the Max Gruver Act, creating felony hazing.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol on “Big/Little” night. His family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from the national fraternity, ~$3M from the university).
• Connection to Texas: The “Big/Little” night, the drinking game, the handle of liquor—these are the same rituals alleged in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case and reported at chapters across Texas.

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Pledge died from traumatic brain injury after a violent, blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Forced to drink a bottle of liquor during a “pledge dad reveal.” Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage. Settlements with 22 defendants.
• Connection to Texas: The extreme physical workouts, the off-site “retreat” mentality, and the risk of rhabdomyolysis are directly mirrored in the Bermudez allegations and other Texas cases.

The Institutional Knowledge & Foreseeability

These national cases create what the law calls “foreseeability.” When Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters received a report about the UH Beta Nu chapter, they should have known the severe risks based on their own history with the Andrew Coffey death at Florida State. When a university hears about forced drinking, they should know the potential for another Timothy Piazza. This pattern evidence is a powerful tool in civil litigation to defeat defenses like “we didn’t know” or “this was unforeseeable.”

Part 5: The Texas University Landscape – Where City of Burke Families Send Their Kids

Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches)

For many families in City of Burke and Angelina County, SFA is a primary destination. Its Greek community is active and governed by university policies that prohibit hazing.

• Parent Action Point: SFA’s Dean of Students and Office of Student Conduct manage hazing reports. Document any reports you make.
• Local Legal Context: A civil case arising from SFA would involve courts in Nacogdoches County, part of the broader East Texas legal community we serve.

University of Houston – The Active Litigation Frontline

As home to the flagship Bermudez case, UH is a current epicenter of hazing accountability.

• Recent History: Beyond the Pi Kappa Phi case, UH has suspended chapters like Pi Kappa Alpha in the past for hazing resulting in injuries like a lacerated spleen.
• UH’s Hazing Policy: Prohibits hazing on and off-campus. Reports go to the Dean of Students or UHPD.
• The Legal Arena: Cases involve the Harris County civil court system and the University of Houston System, a state agency. Our firm’s Houston office is at the heart of this jurisdiction.

Texas A&M University – Greek Life and Corps Traditions

Texas A&M’s massive Greek system and unique Corps of Cadets culture present distinct hazing risks.

• Notable Cases:
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021): Pledges allegedly doused with a mixture including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. A $1 million lawsuit was filed.
  • Corps of Cadets (2023): A lawsuit alleged cadets were subjected to degrading hazing, including being bound in a “roasted pig” position. The case sought over $1 million.
• Parent Action Point: The Corps operates under its own stringent regulations, but hazing is still illegal. Reporting can go to the Corps Commandant’s Office and Student Conduct.

University of Texas at Austin – Public Transparency Leader

UT Austin publishes an online “Hazing Violations” log, offering more public transparency than most schools.

• Public Record Examples: The log shows sanctions for chapters like Pi Kappa Alpha (2023) for forcing new members to drink milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, and other groups for forced workouts and alcohol hazing.
• Strategic Value: This public record is a gift for investigators. It documents a university’s prior knowledge of specific organizations’ conduct, which can be used to prove negligence in a civil case.

Baylor University & Southern Methodist University

As private institutions, SMU and Baylor have their own disciplinary processes, but they are not immune.

• Baylor: Faced a baseball team hazing scandal in 2020 resulting in multiple player suspensions.
• SMU: Has suspended chapters, including Kappa Alpha Order, for paddling and forced drinking.
• Key Difference: Sovereign immunity protections for public universities do not apply to private schools like SMU and Baylor, which can alter legal strategy.

Part 6: Building a Hazing Case – Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

When you contact us from City of Burke, we immediately begin a strategic, multi-phase process built on our experience with complex institutional litigation, like our work on the BP Texas City explosion cases.

Phase 1: Evidence Preservation & Investigation

Digital evidence is often the most critical. We act fast to secure:

• Group Chats & Messages: From GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord. We use methods to recover even deleted messages.
• Social Media: Posts, stories, DMs, and hidden archives from Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok.
• Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” lists, emails between members and nationals.
• University Records: Prior conduct files for the chapter obtained through discovery or public information requests.
• Medical Evidence: Complete records detailing the injury, from ER reports to long-term psychological care for PTSD.

Our video on using your cellphone to document evidence outlines critical first steps families can take.

Phase 2: Identifying All Liable Parties & Insurance Coverage

We map the entire liability chain, as seen in the Bermudez suit which names 17 defendants. A key advantage is Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney. He knows how fraternity and university insurers fight claims, argue exclusions, and lowball settlements. We identify every potential insurance policy—from national headquarters liability coverage to individual homeowners’ policies.

Phase 3: Calculating Full Damages

Hazing causes profound harm. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost wages, diminished earning capacity if injuries are permanent, and educational costs (missed semesters, lost scholarships).
• 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 recover for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and their own emotional suffering.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of especially reckless or malicious conduct, courts can award damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Phase 4: Navigating Defense Strategies

We anticipate and counter common defenses:

• “They Consented”: We cite Texas Education Code §37.155 and explain the coercive power imbalance.
• “It Was Off-Campus”: We establish liability through sponsorship, control, and foreseeability.
• “The National Didn’t Know”: We use pattern evidence from other chapters to prove they should have known.
• “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”: We show the gap between paper policies and actual enforcement or supervision.

Part 7: Practical Guidance for City of Burke Families & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Immediate Steps

Watch for:

• Unexplained injuries, burns, or bruises.
• Extreme exhaustion, drastic weight change, or sleep deprivation.
• Sudden secrecy about group activities or fear of talking about them.
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.

If you suspect hazing:

1. Talk to your child calmly, without judgment. Ask open-ended questions.
2. If there is any injury, seek medical care immediately and tell the doctor about the hazing.
3. Preserve Evidence. Follow the steps in our evidence documentation video.
4. Contact an attorney before reporting. We can advise on how to report to the university or police in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves evidence.
5. Do not confront the organization. This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You have the right to be safe. “Tradition” is not an excuse for abuse.
• You can leave. You have the legal right to resign from any organization at any time.
• Texas is a “one-party consent” state. You can legally record conversations you are a part of if you feel unsafe or need evidence.
• Good-Faith Reporting Protections: Texas law and most university policies protect those who call for medical help in an emergency, even if underage drinking was involved.
• You are not to blame. The law recognizes that “consent” under peer pressure is not real consent.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

We detail this in our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case. Key errors include:

• Deleting evidence (messages, photos) out of shame or fear.
• Confronting the fraternity/sorority before speaking with a lawyer.
• Signing university settlement or waiver forms without legal advice.
• Posting details on social media, which defense attorneys will scour for inconsistencies.
• Waiting too long. Texas generally has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Learn more in our statute of limitations video.

Part 8: Why Attorney911 for Your Texas Hazing Case

When your family in City of Burke, Lufkin, or anywhere in Texas faces the aftermath of hazing, you need advocates who understand the depths of this fight. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) is not a general practice firm. We are Texas complex litigation specialists with a proven record of taking on powerful institutions.

Our Insurer’s Playbook – Because Lupe Peña Wrote It

Associate Attorney Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as a defense attorney at a national insurance defense firm. He knows precisely how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, deploy delay tactics, and argue coverage exclusions. This insider knowledge is invaluable in maximizing recovery for our clients. As he said of the Bermudez case: “If this prevents harm to another person…Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Proven Against Billion-Dollar Defendants – The BP Texas City Standard

Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation, facing down one of the world’s largest corporations. That same resolve and resource-intensive approach is applied to hazing cases. National fraternities and university systems have deep pockets and elite defense teams. We are not intimidated. We are prepared.

A Comprehensive, Victim-Centered Approach

• Full Damages Analysis: We work with economists, life-care planners, and vocational experts to ensure every future need is accounted for, not just immediate bills.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Insight: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. Se habla Español.
• Statewide Reach: From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas, including all of East Texas and Angelina County.
• Contingency Fee Basis: You pay nothing unless we win your case. Learn how this works in our contingency fee video.

Call to Action for City of Burke and Texas Families

If hazing has hurt your child, you are facing grief, anger, and confusion. You may feel pressure from the university to “let us handle it internally” or fear from your child about retaliation. You do not have to navigate this alone.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, today for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, and explain your legal options clearly and honestly. We serve families throughout Texas, and we understand the specific concerns of parents and students in City of Burke, Angelina County, and the East Texas region.

Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com (Se habla Español)

Let us help you seek the answers, accountability, and recovery your family deserves.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Each case is fact-specific, and outcomes depend on the unique circumstances. The information is current as of late 2025. If you have been affected by hazing, please contact an attorney to discuss the specific details of your situation. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911. Principal office in Houston, Texas.