The Complete Guide to Hazing Laws & Lawsuits for Encinal Families: Protecting Your Student at Texas Universities

If you are a parent in Encinal, La Salle County, the call you never want to receive is the one where your college student whispers, “I don’t think I can do this anymore,” or worse, doesn’t call at all because they’re in a hospital bed. Right now, in Houston, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history—proof that the terrifying stories you hear are not just rumors. They are real, they are happening at Texas universities, and they are causing catastrophic, life-altering injuries to students.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for families in Encinal, Cotulla, and across La Salle County who need to understand the harsh reality of modern hazing, Texas law, and what legal options exist when tradition turns into trauma. Whether your child attends a local community college, a major university hours away, or one of Texas’s flagship campuses, the information here can help you recognize the signs, understand the legal landscape, and take decisive action to protect your student.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate help—that’s why we are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

In the first 48 hours:

• Get medical attention immediately, even if your student insists they are “fine.”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it disappears:
  • Take screenshots of all group chats, texts, and direct messages immediately.
  • Photograph any injuries from multiple angles.
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects used).
• Write down everything while memories are 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.
  • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence vanishes quickly—deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses. Universities often move to control the narrative. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

The Texas Case That Changed Everything: A Warning for Encinal Families

Before we delve into the legal framework, it is crucial to understand that the dangers are not theoretical. They are happening now, in our state, to students who could be from any Texas town, including Encinal.

We are currently leading the litigation in Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu Chapter), a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit filed in Harris County in late 2025. This case is the starkest possible example of what modern hazing entails and the severe consequences it can have.

The Hazing: Bermudez, a transfer student, endured a fall 2025 pledge period rife with abuse. This included being forced to carry a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” 24/7, subjected to enforced dress codes and overnight driving duties, and brutal physical hazing. Specific acts included sprints, bear crawls, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” lying in vomit-soaked grass, and being forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints. On November 3, 2025, he was forced through over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

The Medical Catastrophe: This relentless abuse led Bermudez to develop rhabdomyolysis—a severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, could not stand without help, and was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels. He faces an ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

The Response & Our Role: The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter was suspended on November 6, 2025, and its members voted to surrender their charter on November 14. The University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” We represent Bermudez in holding accountable all responsible parties: the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the chapter’s housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

This case, covered by Click2Houston and ABC13, is not an isolated incident. It is a pattern. For families in Encinal, it underscores a critical point: the universities where you send your children, and the national organizations present there, can harbor dangerous environments. We use this active, high-stakes litigation as proof of our serious commitment to fighting for hazing victims in Texas.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: What Encinal Parents Need to Know

When your child joins a fraternity or sorority, they are not just joining a group of students. They are entering a complex network of legally recognized organizations with insurance, national oversight, and property holdings. Understanding this ecosystem is the first step in understanding liability.

Through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain detailed data on over 1,423 Greek-related organizations operating across 25 Texas metropolitan areas. This isn’t just a list; it’s an investigative map. For example, in the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area (which influences South Texas), public records show numerous active Greek entities. This data allows us to immediately identify every potentially liable organization behind a local chapter.

A Snapshot of Texas Greek Organizations from Public Records:

• Sigma Phi Lambda Inc. (EIN 83-1053639) – Corinth, TX 76210
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc. (EIN 27-3662583) – Lufkin, TX 75904
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. (EIN 47-5380943) – Houston, TX 77204 (Theta Delta Chapter)
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation (EIN 37-1768785) – Missouri City, TX 77459
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc. (EIN 74-1380362) – Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (EIN 26-3170920) – Denton, TX 76204 (Texas Woman’s University Chapter)

These entities, recorded in IRS B83 filings and other public records, often hold insurance policies, own property, and can be named in lawsuits alongside individual students. For an Encinal family, this means the path to accountability often leads beyond the campus house to corporate offices and national headquarters.

Where Encinal Families Send Their Kids: The Campus Connection

Parents in Encinal and La Salle County often have students attending a mix of local institutions, regional universities, and major state flagship schools. Hazing risks exist across this spectrum.

Local & Regional Campuses for South Texas Families:

• Texas A&M University-Kingsville (Kleberg County) – A major regional institution with active Greek life.
• Coastal Bend College (Beeville, Alice) – While primarily a community college, student organizations exist.
• Southwest Texas Junior College (Uvalde) – Serving a wide region of South Texas.

Major Texas Universities with Significant Greek Life: These are the schools where many Encinal students aspire to attend or transfer, and where national Greek organizations have a strong presence:

• University of Texas at Austin (Travis County)
• Texas A&M University (Brazos County) – Including its Corps of Cadets.
• University of Houston (Harris County) – The site of our flagship Bermudez case.
• Texas State University (Hays County)
• Texas Tech University (Lubbock County)
• Baylor University (McLennan County)
• Southern Methodist University (Dallas County)

The fraternities and sororities on these campuses are frequently chapters of the same national organizations involved in high-profile hazing deaths and lawsuits across the country. The pattern is national, but the injury is local—it happens to a student from a family in a community like yours.

Texas Hazing Law Explained: A La Salle County Perspective

Texas has clear, strong laws against hazing, but they are only effective if enforced and invoked by families who know their rights.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F – The Hazing Law:

• Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation that endangers the student’s mental or physical health or safety. This applies on or off campus.
• Criminal Penalties: 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.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (§37.155) explicitly states that the victim’s consent is not a defense. This counters the common argument that “they wanted to be part of it.”
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 and lose its university recognition.
• Immunity for Reporting: Individuals who in good faith report hazing or seek medical help are generally immune from prosecution for minor related violations (like underage drinking).

Criminal vs. Civil Cases:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the State of Texas (e.g., La Salle County District Attorney or a university county DA). The goal is punishment (fines, jail, probation).
• Civil Cases: Brought by the victim and their family. The goal is compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, lost future earnings) and accountability. You can pursue a civil case even if no criminal charges are ever filed.

Potential Defendants in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit:

1. The individuals who planned, participated in, or supervised the hazing.
2. The local chapter as an entity.
3. The national fraternity/sorority headquarters for negligent supervision and failure to enforce its own policies.
4. The university for negligent supervision, if it knew or should have known about a dangerous pattern and failed to act.
5. Property owners (e.g., housing corporations, landlords) of where the hazing occurred.

National Patterns, Local Injuries: Why History Matters

The hazing that injured Leonel Bermudez at UH is not unique to Pi Kappa Phi or to Texas. It is part of a tragic, repeating national script. When we take a case for an Encinal family, we research these national patterns to prove that the harm was foreseeable.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): National pattern of forced drinking leading to deaths like Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University ($10M settlement).
• Beta Theta Pi: Timothy Piazza’s death at Penn State led to the landmark Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania.
• Phi Delta Theta: Max Gruver’s death at LSU from a “Bible study” drinking game resulted in the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Has faced numerous lawsuits, including a Texas A&M case where pledges suffered severe chemical burns from industrial cleaner.

These national histories matter in court. They show that the national organization was on notice—it knew its chapters were engaging in specific, dangerous behaviors. When a Texas chapter repeats that behavior, the national can be held liable for failing to prevent it.

Building a Hazing Case: The Attorney911 Data-Driven Approach

For families in Encinal facing this nightmare, the path forward requires a meticulous, evidence-based strategy. This is where our unique approach makes the difference.

1. Evidence Preservation & Investigation:
We act with urgency to secure evidence before it vanishes. This includes:

• Digital Forensics: Recovering deleted group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, Snapchat), social media posts, and emails.
• Document Collection: Obtaining chapter meeting minutes, pledge manuals, and risk management reports through subpoenas.
• Witness Interviews: Speaking with other pledges, former members, and roommates who may be fearful but have critical information.
• Medical Analysis: Working with medical experts to document the full extent of injuries like rhabdomyolysis, TBI, or PTSD.

2. Identifying All Liable Parties Using Our Intelligence Engine:
We don’t just sue the obvious names. We use our proprietary data to find every entity with potential liability and insurance coverage. This includes:

• Local chapter housing corporations (like the “Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc.” in Frisco, TX).
• Alumni associations and educational foundations.
• National headquarters and their insurers.

3. Calculating Full Damages:
We fight for complete compensation, which can include:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, suffering, mental anguish, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the worst cases, families can seek damages for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering.

4. Our Unique Firm Advantages for Encinal Families:

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers try to deny, delay, and minimize claims. This insider knowledge is invaluable in negotiation and litigation.
• Complex Institutional Litigation: Managing partner Ralph Manginello has experience in some of Texas’s most complex cases, including the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by battling wealthy universities or national fraternities with deep-pocketed defense teams.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring that Spanish-speaking families in South Texas can navigate this complex process with comfort and clarity.

We leverage every tool, from our video guide on documenting evidence to our deep Texas legal networks, to build the strongest possible case for your family.

Practical Steps & Critical Advice for Encinal Parents & Students

For Parents – Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation that doesn’t align with academics.
• Sudden personality changes: withdrawal, anxiety, depression, or defensiveness.
• Secrecy about group activities (“I can’t talk about it”).
• Constant, anxious monitoring of group chats.
• Financial requests for unexplained “fines,” dues, or purchases.

For Students – If You’re Being Hazed:

• Your safety is the priority. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
• You have the right to leave. “Consent” is not a legal defense for hazing.
• Preserve evidence. Take screenshots, photos of injuries, and save any physical objects. Do not delete anything.
• Report it. Tell a trusted adult, the university’s Dean of Students, or use an anonymous reporting hotline.
• Seek medical care. Get documented treatment and tell the doctor exactly what happened.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case:

1. Deleting Evidence: “Cleaning up” group chats or social media destroys your strongest proof.
2. Confronting the Chapter First: This alerts them to destroy evidence and lawyer up.
3. Signing University Papers Without Counsel: Universities may offer quick “resolutions” that waive your right to sue.
4. Waiting Too Long: Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury, but evidence and memories fade fast. Understand the timelines here.
5. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Alone: Their goal is to settle for the least amount possible. Let us handle them.

Why Encinal Families Choose Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need a dedicated team with the specific expertise, resources, and determination to take on powerful institutions. From our Houston base, we serve families across Texas, including those in Encinal, Cotulla, and throughout La Salle County.

We are currently in the fight. Our leadership in the Leonel Bermudez $10M hazing lawsuit against UH and Pi Kappa Phi is not just a case we talk about—it’s a case we are actively litigating. We know what it takes to build a hazing case from the ground up because we are doing it right now.

We invest in intelligence. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—tracking thousands of Greek entities—means we never start an investigation from zero. We know how to find the organizations behind the letters and the insurance policies behind the organizations.

We have faced giants before. Our experience with catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and complex litigation against corporate defendants like BP means we have the skill and tenacity to stand up to university regents and national fraternity executives.

We operate on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront legal fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. This ensures our goals are perfectly aligned with yours.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, Free Consultation

If hazing has impacted your child and your family, you do not have to navigate this alone. The university may be conducting its own investigation, but its goal is often institutional protection. Your goal is your child’s health, well-being, and justice.

We offer free, confidential consultations to families in Encinal and across Texas. In this meeting, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline a potential path forward.
• Answer all your questions about the process, including how contingency fees work.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 today.

Call our Legal Emergency Lawyers™ 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (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 turn this moment of crisis into a pursuit of accountability and prevention, so no other family in our state has to endure what yours is facing.

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