The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits in Texas for Village of Pleak Families: University of Houston, Texas A&M, and Campus Accountability

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Need to Read This

For families in Village of Pleak, the nightmare often starts with a late-night phone call. Your son or daughter—the student you sent off to University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor with such pride—is now whispering about things that don’t sound right. Forced drinking. Humiliating rituals. “Mandatory” overnight sessions that leave them exhausted and injured. They sound scared, but they’re also afraid to talk—afraid of getting the chapter in trouble, afraid of retaliation, afraid of losing the friends they’ve made.

Right now, less than an hour from Village of Pleak in Fort Bend County, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The allegations are horrific: forced consumption until vomiting, extreme physical workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park, a “pledge fanny pack” containing humiliating items, and simulated waterboarding with a hose. Our client developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—his urine was brown, and he was hospitalized for four days with potentially permanent kidney damage.

This isn’t an isolated incident. It’s happening right here in Texas, to students from communities like Village of Pleak. This comprehensive guide explains what Texas families need to know about hazing: what it really looks like in 2025, your legal rights under Texas law, the national patterns repeating at our universities, and how to hold organizations accountable when they’ve harmed your child.

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 (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses). 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 Beyond the Stereotypes

The Modern Definition of Hazing

For Village of Pleak parents who didn’t grow up with today’s Greek life, understanding hazing requires updating old stereotypes. Hazing in 2025 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.

Crucially, “I agreed to it” or “they wanted to fit in” does not make it legal or safe when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common—and most deadly—form. It includes forced chugging challenges, “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given entire bottles of liquor, and games where wrong answers mean forced drinking. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.

2. Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, today’s physical hazing includes extreme calisthenics disguised as “workouts”—like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in the UH case. Sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, exposure to extreme temperatures, and dangerous physical tests are common.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” “roasted pig” positions), degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. The “pledge fanny pack” in the UH case containing condoms and sex toys represents this category.

4. Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming in meetings or on social media. This creates the psychological pressure that keeps victims silent.

5. Digital/Online Hazing
The newest frontier includes group chat dares, social media “challenges,” pressure to create compromising content, 24/7 digital monitoring, and location tracking via apps like Find My Friends. Messages can be deleted in seconds, making immediate evidence preservation critical.

Where Hazing Happens at Texas Schools

Contrary to stereotypes, hazing isn’t limited to fraternities:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC at Texas A&M and other military-style programs
Athletic Teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs (like Texas Cowboys)
Marching Bands and Performance Groups
Some Academic and Service Organizations

The common thread across all groups: social status, tradition, and secrecy keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law: What Village of Pleak Families Must Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute

Texas has one of the nation’s clearest anti-hazing laws. Under Chapter 37 of the Education Code, hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

Endangers mental or physical health or safety, AND
Occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership

Key Provisions Village of Pleak Families Should Understand:

§37.151 Definition: Location doesn’t matter—on or off campus is covered. Mental OR physical harm qualifies. “Reckless” is enough—they don’t need malicious intent.

§37.155 Consent Not a Defense: Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing. Texas recognizes that power imbalance and peer pressure negate true consent.

§37.152 Criminal Penalties:

Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (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

§37.153 Organizational Liability: Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation and lose university recognition.

§37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Those who report hazing in good faith are immune from civil/criminal liability, and many schools offer amnesty for calling 911 in emergencies.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (prosecutor)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims/families
Aim: Compensation and accountability
Focus: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress

Both can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required for a civil case, and the evidence standards differ. Many families pursue civil cases even when prosecutors decline to file criminal charges.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing transparently, strengthen prevention, and maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026). This will eventually make patterns more visible to families.

Title IX:
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. Universities must investigate and take prompt action.

Clery Act:
Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics. Hazing incidents often overlap with reportable crimes when assaults or alcohol violations occur.

Who Can Be Liable in a Texas Hazing Lawsuit?

The Full Defendant Universe

In serious cases like Leonel Bermudez’s UH lawsuit, we name everyone with responsibility:

1. Individual Students
Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up. In the UH case, we named 13 individual fraternity leaders including the president, pledgemaster, and risk manager.

2. Local Chapter/Organization
The fraternity/sorority or club itself if it’s a legal entity. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation is a defendant in our UH case.

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters
Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters is named in our lawsuit. Liability often hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents elsewhere.

4. University or Governing Board
UH, the UH System Board of Regents, and potentially other entities that own/control property or have supervision duties. Universities may be liable for negligence, premises liability, or Title IX violations.

5. Third Parties
Landlords of houses or event spaces, bars/alcohol providers (under dram shop laws), security companies, or event organizers.

The University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi Case: A Live Example

Our active case against UH and Pi Kappa Phi demonstrates how multi-defendant strategy works:

The Allegations:

Forced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, overnight chauffeuring
“Pledge fanny pack” with condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices
Extreme physical hazing: sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, cold-weather exposure
Simulated waterboarding with hose spraying
Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting
Nov 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats
Another pledge hog-tied face-down with object in mouth for over an hour

Medical Consequences:
Leonel Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, couldn’t stand without help, and was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels. He faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Defendant Universe:
University of Houston, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders/members.

Institutional Response:
Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended the chapter on Nov 6, 2025. Members voted to surrender their charter on Nov 14, shutting down the chapter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary measures up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement.

This case shows how comprehensive litigation targets every responsible entity—exactly the approach Village of Pleak families need when facing similar situations.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What History Teaches Us

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):
Bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking led to fatal falls captured on chapter cameras. Help was delayed for hours. Dozens of criminal charges, civil litigation, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law resulted.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017):
“Big/Little” event where pledge was given a handle of liquor. Died from alcohol poisoning. Criminal charges filed, FSU suspended Greek life temporarily.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):
“Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. Died with 0.495% BAC. Led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute).

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):
Forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during pledge night. Family reached $10 million settlement ($7M from national, $3M from university).

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):
Blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at Pocono Mountains retreat caused fatal head injuries. Help was delayed. National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter. Pi Delta Psi banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025):
Allegations of sexualized, racist hazing within the football program. Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired, confidential settlements. Shows hazing extends beyond Greek life into big-money athletics.

What These Cases Mean for Village of Pleak Families

Common threads emerge: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements often follow only after tragedy and litigation. Texas families facing hazing at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor aren’t alone—they’re operating in a landscape shaped by these national lessons.

The same national organizations involved in these cases—Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon—have chapters at Texas universities. Their national histories create foreseeable risks that Texas chapters repeat.

Texas University Focus: Where Village of Pleak Students Attend

University of Houston: The Active Litigation Frontline

For Village of Pleak Families:
Located just miles from Fort Bend County, UH attracts many Village of Pleak students. As our active Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates, serious hazing occurs here despite university policies.

Campus Culture:
Large urban campus with active Greek life across IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and multicultural councils. Over 40 fraternity/sorority chapters create both opportunity and risk.

Documented Incidents Beyond Our Current Case:

2016 Pi Kappa Alpha Case: Pledges allegedly deprived of food, water, and sleep; one suffered lacerated spleen after being slammed onto a table. Chapter faced misdemeanor charges and suspension.
Regular disciplinary actions for alcohol violations, “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort” behaviors, and policy violations resulting in probation/suspension.

UH Hazing Policy:
Prohibits hazing on or off-campus, including forced consumption, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and mental distress. Reporting channels: Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct, UHPD.

How a UH Case Affects Village of Pleak Families:

Jurisdiction: UHPD and/or Houston Police Department may investigate
Civil suits typically filed in Harris County courts
University records obtainable via discovery can show prior incidents
Distance from Village of Pleak is minimal for consultations and court appearances

What UH Students & Village of Pleak Parents Should Do:

Report immediately to Dean of Students AND UHPD (campus police reports create official record)
Document everything before UH begins internal investigation
Request prior conduct files for the organization involved
Consult with Houston-based hazing attorneys who know UH’s patterns and procedures

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

For Village of Pleak Families:
Many Village of Pleak students choose Texas A&M for its traditions and reputation. Both Greek life and Corps of Cadets present hazing risks.

Corps of Cadets Context:
Military-style environment with reported discipline issues. 2023 lawsuit alleged cadet was bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth during degrading hazing. Family sought over $1 million.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):
Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. Pledges sued for $1 million; fraternity suspended for two years.

Texas A&M Hazing Response:
Student Conduct office handles investigations. Corps has separate regulations. University statements emphasize zero tolerance but prior incidents show recurring problems.

For Village of Pleak Families with A&M Students:

Distance requires planning for consultations but we serve families statewide
Both College Station PD and university police may have jurisdiction
Corps cases involve unique military-style culture and chain of command issues
Early evidence preservation is critical as organizations circle wagons quickly

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Recurring Violations

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page:
UT maintains unusual transparency with public listings of organizations, conduct, and sanctions. This helps families but also shows recurring problems.

Documented Violations Include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Chapter placed on probation with required hazing-prevention education.
Various spirit groups and organizations sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, punishment-based practices.

UT Hazing Policy & Reporting:
Comprehensive prohibition with multiple reporting channels. Public log suggests more consistent enforcement than some schools.

For Village of Pleak Families Considering UT:

Austin’s distance requires travel but we handle cases statewide
UTPD and Austin PD jurisdiction depends on location
Public violation records provide powerful evidence of prior notice and patterns
University’s transparency doesn’t prevent incidents but helps prove institutional knowledge

Southern Methodist University: Private School Challenges

SMU’s Greek Life Profile:
Private, affluent campus with strong Greek presence. Different dynamics than public universities but similar risks.

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

SMU’s Approach:
Hazing prevention includes anonymous reporting via Real Response system. Private status affects transparency—fewer public records than state schools.

For Village of Pleak Families at SMU:

Dallas location is accessible for our Houston-based team
Private university status means different records procedures
Alumni networks and donor relationships can create pressure to minimize incidents
Civil discovery becomes crucial to uncover what’s not publicly reported

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Athletic Scandals

Baylor’s Context:
Religious identity and prior football/Title IX scandals create complex environment for hazing accountability.

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020):
14 players suspended following hazing investigation. Suspensions staggered over early season.

University Statements vs. Reality:
“Zero tolerance” policies exist alongside recurring misconduct. Religious branding can complicate reporting and accountability.

For Village of Pleak Families at Baylor:

Waco location requires travel but we serve all Texas
Religious context may affect victim willingness to report
Prior institutional scandals show pattern of minimizing problems
Legal strategies must account for university’s particular culture and history

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: What Village of Pleak Families Are Up Against

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Tracking the Organizations

Our firm maintains what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a comprehensive database of Greek organizations across Texas. This isn’t theoretical; it’s built from public records including IRS filings, university rosters, and metro-level data. Here’s what Village of Pleak families are facing:

Statewide Scale:

1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros
125+ Texas-registered entities in IRS B83 filings (house corporations, alumni chapters, honor societies)
96 Texas university campuses with Greek life presence

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro (Including Village of Pleak Area):
188 Greek organizations in the metro area. Examples from public records:

Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Houston
Alpha Phi Omega – Bayou City Alumni, Houston
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – Alpha Kappa Omega (grad chapter), Houston
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity – Eta Rho Sigma (grad chapter), Houston
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter, Houston
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity – Theta Chi Chapter, Houston

These organizations have legal identities, EINs, and addresses we can locate immediately when building a case.

Why National Histories Matter for Village of Pleak Cases

The same national organizations with deadly histories elsewhere operate chapters at Texas universities. When a Texas chapter repeats patterns that caused deaths in other states, that shows foreseeability—a critical legal concept.

Pi Kappa Alpha National Pattern:

Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green ($10M settlement)
David Bogenberger death at Northern Illinois ($14M settlement)
Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

Sigma Alpha Epsilon National Pattern:

Multiple hazing-related deaths nationwide
Traumatic brain injury lawsuit at University of Alabama
Chemical burns case at Texas A&M
Assault case at UT Austin
Chapters at all five major Texas universities

Pi Kappa Phi National Pattern:

Andrew Coffey death at Florida State
Active UH case with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT

Legal Significance:
When national headquarters know about these patterns but fail to implement meaningful prevention, they can be liable for “negligent supervision.” Their thick policy manuals exist because they’ve seen deaths before—making future incidents foreseeable.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

The Evidence That Wins Cases

Digital Communications (Most Critical):

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack
Instagram DMs, Snapchat (screenshot before disappearance)
Fraternity-specific apps and platforms
Action for Village of Pleak families: Screenshot EVERYTHING immediately. Messages disappear within hours.

Photos & Videos:

Content filmed during events (often shared in group chats)
Social media posts/stories showing activities
Security camera/doorbell footage at houses
Preservation tip: Use our video guide at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts
Emails/texts about “traditions” or plans
National policies and training materials (obtained via discovery)

University Records:

Prior conduct files, probation/suspension letters
Incident reports to campus police
Clery Act reports
Village of Pleak strategy: Request these early via public records or discovery

Medical & Psychological Records:

ER/hospitalization records (must mention “hazing”)
Surgical/rehab notes
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
Critical: Tell medical providers it was hazing for proper documentation

Witness Testimony:

Other pledges (often afraid but may cooperate)
Former members who quit
Roommates, RAs, bystanders
Approach: Attorney contact is safer than family contact

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy)
Future medical care (lifetime calculations for permanent injuries)
Lost earnings/educational impact (missed semesters, delayed career)
Property damage

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life
Psychological harm: PTSD, depression, anxiety often diagnosed

Wrongful Death Damages (If Applicable):

Funeral/burial costs
Loss of companionship and support
Emotional harm to family
Lost future earnings

Punitive Damages (When Available):

Punish especially reckless/willful conduct
Deter future hazing
Available when defendants show callous indifference

Insurance Coverage Battles: Why Insider Knowledge Matters

Fraternities, sororities, and universities carry insurance. Insurers frequently argue:

Hazing is “intentional act” excluded from coverage
Policies don’t cover certain defendants
Claims exceed policy limits

Our Advantage:
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how insurers value claims, use Independent Medical Exams to reduce settlements, deploy delay tactics, and fight coverage. We anticipate their moves because we used to make them.

Practical Guides for Village of Pleak Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Immediate Actions

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Hazed:

Unexplained injuries or repeated “accidents”
Extreme exhaustion/sleep deprivation
Drastic mood changes, anxiety, withdrawal
Constant secret phone use for group chats
Fear of missing “mandatory” events
Sudden financial needs without clear explanation

How to Talk to Your Child:

“I’m concerned about you, not angry”
“Your safety matters more than any organization”
“We’ll figure this out together”
Avoid judgmental language that might make them defensive

If Your Child Is Injured:

Medical care FIRST (even if they resist)
Document injuries with photos (multiple angles, include scale)
Write down everything they tell you (date, time, details)
Preserve evidence BEFORE discussing with organization

Dealing with the University:

Document every communication
Ask specifically about prior incidents involving same organization
Don’t sign anything without legal review
Remember: University’s interest ≠ Your child’s interest

When to Consult an Attorney:

Significant physical/psychological harm
University minimizing or hiding what happened
Organization pressuring your child to stay quiet
Before giving any statements to police or investigators

For Students: Recognizing and Escaping Hazing

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would my parents/university approve if they knew details?
Am I being told to keep secrets?

Exiting Safely:

Tell someone outside the org first (parent, RA, friend)
Send email/text to chapter leadership: “I resign effective immediately”
Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where pressure may occur
If threatened, report to campus police AND local police

Evidence Preservation:

Screenshot group chats WITH timestamps and names visible
Take photos of injuries immediately and over several days
Save clothing/items from events (don’t wash)
Record conversations if safe (Texas is one-party consent state)

Reporting Options:

Campus: Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct, campus police
Local: City police if crimes occurred
National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (anonymous)
Remember: Good-faith reporters often have immunity protections

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Your Child Delete Evidence
What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction of justice
Instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly
What parents think: “I’ll give them a piece of my mind”
Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Instead: Document everything, call lawyer FIRST

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms
What universities do: Pressure families to sign waivers or internal agreements
Why it’s wrong: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often lowball
Instead: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review

4. Posting on Social Media Before Legal Advice
What families think: “I want people to know what happened”
Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt case
Instead: Document privately; let lawyer control public messaging

5. Waiting “to See How University Handles It”
What universities promise: “We’re investigating internally”
Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
Instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without Lawyer
What adjusters say: “We just need your statement”
Why it’s wrong: Recorded statements are used against you
Instead: “My attorney will contact you”

Watch our video on client mistakes at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

Frequently Asked Questions for Village of Pleak Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have sovereign immunity but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case is fact-specific.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Default is Class B misdemeanor, but becomes state jail felony if causing serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report.

“My child ‘agreed’ to it—do we have a case?”
Yes. Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense. Courts recognize “consent” under peer pressure isn’t voluntary.

“How long do we have to file?”
Generally 2 years from injury or death, but discovery rule may extend if harm/cause wasn’t immediately known. In cover-up cases, statute may be tolled. TIME IS CRITICAL.

“What if it happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities/nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, foreseeability.

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed records and confidential settlements. We prioritize privacy while pursuing accountability.

Why The Manginello Law Firm for Village of Pleak Hazing Cases

Our Texas Hazing Litigation Credentials

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

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):

Former insurance defense attorney at national firm
Knows exactly how fraternity/university insurers value (and undervalue) claims
Understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, settlement strategies
“We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Institutional Litigation (Ralph Manginello):

One of few Texas firms in BP Texas City explosion litigation
Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
Not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams
“We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations. We know how to fight powerful defendants.”

Multi-Million Dollar Results:
aaa- Logging accident brain injury: multi-million dollar settlement

Car accident amputation: millions recovered
Trucking wrongful death: millions for families
Maritime back injury: significant cash settlement

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:

Ralph’s HCCLA membership (elite criminal defense credential)
Understands criminal hazing charges and civil litigation interaction
Can advise witnesses/former members with dual exposure

Investigative Depth:

Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
Experience obtaining hidden evidence (group chats, chapter records, university files)
“We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine in Action

Our proprietary database tracks 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. When you come to us with a hazing case, we don’t start from zero. We already know:

The organization’s legal name, EIN, and registered address
Related entities (house corporations, alumni chapters)
Metro-level presence and patterns
Cross-referenced data from IRS, university, and public records

For Village of Pleak families, this means faster investigation, comprehensive defendant identification, and leverage in negotiations. We know the organizational landscape because we’ve mapped it.

Our Active Litigation: The UH Pi Kappa Phi Case

We’re not just talking about what we would do—we’re showing what we are doing. Our active $10 million lawsuit against UH and Pi Kappa Phi demonstrates:

Willingness to take on major universities and national fraternities
Comprehensive defendant strategy (university, national, housing corp, individuals)
Medical investigation depth (rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure documentation)
Media engagement to raise awareness and encourage other victims

This case is living proof of our approach for Village of Pleak families facing similar situations.

Contact Us for a Confidential Consultation

What to Expect When You Call

For Village of Pleak Families:
We serve families throughout Texas from our Houston, Austin, and Beaumont offices. Distance is no barrier—we handle cases statewide and have represented clients from communities across Texas.

Your Free Consultation Includes:

Listening without judgment to your story
Reviewing any evidence you’ve preserved
Explaining your legal options clearly
Discussing realistic timelines and expectations
Answering questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
No pressure to hire—take time to decide

Contact Information:

24/7 Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Lupe Peña)

Spanish Language Services:
Hablamos Español—Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

Why Choose Attorney911?

Immediate Response:
We’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason. When you call, you reach an attorney—not a receptionist or answering service.

Proven Track Record:
From BP Texas City explosion litigation to multi-million dollar wrongful death settlements, we’ve faced the toughest defendants and won.

Village of Pleak Understanding:
We know Texas universities, Texas laws, and Texas families. We understand the unique pressures and challenges facing Village of Pleak students at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor, and other campuses.

No Fee Unless We Win:
Contingency fee basis means no upfront costs. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

Take Action Today

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any Texas campus—you don’t have to face this alone.

The organizations responsible for hazing have lawyers, insurance, and crisis management teams. Your family deserves equal representation.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let us help you:

Preserve critical evidence before it disappears
Navigate university processes and investigations
Identify all potentially liable parties
Pursue accountability and compensation
Protect your child’s future

Right now, we’re fighting for Leonel Bermudez against UH and Pi Kappa Phi. We’re ready to fight for your family too.

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 specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many 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

Plain Text Links to Key Resources:

News Coverage of UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

Evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
Contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:

https://attorney911.com