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A Comprehensive Guide to Hazing Lawsuits, Fraternity Accountability, and Legal Rights for Families in Grand Saline, Texas

For parents in Grand Saline and across Van Zandt County, sending your child to college is a time of pride and hope. The dream is of academic success, lifelong friendships, and a bright future. The nightmare, one that no family in our tight-knit East Texas community ever expects, is a phone call in the middle of the night. It’s the news that your son or daughter—a student at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, or another Texas campus—has been hospitalized because of a brutal hazing ritual. They’re not just hurt; they’re suffering from kidney failure, traumatic brain injury, or severe psychological trauma inflicted by an organization they trusted.

Right now, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly lost his life to hazing at the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter in fall 2025. According to the lawsuit and extensive media coverage, his “pledge education” involved being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced to consume copious amounts of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and subjected to extreme workouts that gave him acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown—a classic sign of rhabdomyolysis—and he was hospitalized for four days. The case is a stark, current example of how dangerous and degrading modern hazing can be. It is also proof that experienced Texas attorneys are actively fighting to hold powerful institutions accountable.

This guide is for you—the parents, families, and students in Grand Saline, Van Zandt County, and throughout East Texas. If hazing has touched your family, you are not alone, and you do not have to navigate this crisis without expert guidance. We will explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, the specific Texas laws that protect your child, the national patterns that local chapters often repeat, and the legal path toward accountability and recovery.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
  • Call 911 for medical emergencies.
  • Then call us immediately: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.
• In the first 48 hours:
  • Get medical attention immediately, even if your child resists.
  • Preserve evidence BEFORE it vanishes:
    • Take screenshots of all group chats (GroupMe, iMessage, WhatsApp), texts, and social media DMs.
    • Photograph any visible injuries from multiple angles.
    • Save any physical items involved (clothing, paddles, bottles).
  • Write down everything your child tells you while their memory is fresh.
  • 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” their phone.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast. We can help you secure it and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Part 1: Hazing in 2025 – What It Really Looks Like in Grand Saline and Beyond

For parents in Grand Saline, the word “hazing” might conjure images of silly pranks or harmless traditions from decades past. The reality in 2025 is far more sinister, systematic, and digitally enabled. Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in a group. Crucially, under Texas law, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

Modern hazing tactics have evolved into several dangerous categories:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the deadliest form. It includes forced “chugging,” “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, and games like “Bible Study” where wrong answers mandate drinking. The goal is rapid, dangerous intoxication.
• Physical Hazing: This extends beyond paddling to include extreme, punitive calisthenics (“smokings” with hundreds of push-ups), sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme weather, forced consumption of unpalatable foods, and dangerous physical tests.
• Psychological and Humiliating Hazing: This involves verbal abuse, threats, social isolation, forced nudity, degrading costumes, and demeaning roles. A hallmark is the “pledge fanny pack,” as seen in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, filled with humiliating items that must be carried at all times.
• Digital Hazing: This is the new frontier. Pledges are subjected to 24/7 control via GroupMe or Discord, required to share their live location, forced to post embarrassing content on social media, and harassed if they don’t respond to messages instantly, day or night.
• Sexualized Hazing: This includes simulated sexual acts, forced nudity, and degrading rituals designed to shame and assert dominance.

Hazing is not confined to fraternities. It occurs in sororities, athletic teams (like the recent Northwestern University football scandal), Corps of Cadets programs, spirit groups, marching bands, and other campus organizations. The common thread is an abuse of power, cloaked in “tradition,” that prioritizes group loyalty over individual safety.

Part 2: Texas Hazing Law & Liability – What Grand Saline Families Need to Know

Texas has a robust legal framework to combat hazing, primarily under Chapter 37, Subchapter F of the Texas Education Code. Understanding these laws is the first step toward accountability.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37):

• Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): Even if your child “agreed,” it does not matter legally. The law recognizes the coercive power imbalance in these situations.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152): Hazing is a crime. It can range from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§37.154): Students who call for help in a medical emergency are generally protected from university discipline and minor legal charges related to underage drinking. This “Good Samaritan” policy is critical—saving a life must come first.

Civil Lawsuits vs. Criminal Charges:
It is vital to understand the difference, as both may proceed simultaneously.

• Criminal Case: Brought by the state (DA’s office) to punish wrongdoing with jail time, fines, or probation. This does not provide financial compensation to your family.
• Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim and their family to recover damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses. This is where we hold all responsible parties financially accountable.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Case?
A thorough investigation aims to identify every entity that failed in its duty.

1. Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, ordered, or carried out the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: The fraternity, sorority, or team as an entity.
3. The National Organization: Headquarters that collect dues, set policies, and have a history of similar incidents at other chapters (making the risk “foreseeable”).
4. The University: Schools can be liable for negligent supervision, failing to enforce their own policies, or showing “deliberate indifference” to known risks.
5. Property Owners & Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, alumni housing corporations, and even alcohol providers may share liability.

Part 3: The National Hazing Epidemic – Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic case at UH is not an isolated event. It fits a decades-long pattern of institutional failure. Major national cases have shaped the legal landscape and show exactly what we’re up against.

• The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: 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 during a “Bible study” drinking game, leading to Louisiana’ felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.”
• The Physical Brutality Pattern: 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 and banned from Pennsylvania.
• The Catastrophic Injury Pattern: Danny Santulli (University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021) suffered permanent brain damage from forced drinking. His family reached multi-million-dollar settlements with over 20 defendants.
• The Athletic Hazing Pattern: The Northwestern University football scandal (2023-2025) involved alleged sexualized and racist hazing, resulting in numerous lawsuits and confidential settlements, proving abuse extends far beyond Greek life.

Why These Cases Matter for Grand Saline Families: They create legal precedent. They show that national fraternities have known about these deadly rituals for years. When a chapter at UT, Texas A&M, or UH repeats the same dangerous “tradition,” it demonstrates that the national organization failed to take meaningful action to stop it. This “pattern and practice” evidence is powerful in court.

Part 4: Texas Universities Under the Microscope – Where Grand Saline Students Attend

Families in Van Zandt County send their students to universities across our state. Here is what you need to know about hazing at major Texas campuses.

University of Houston – The Current Ground Zero

Our active litigation in the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case places us at the center of Houston’s hazing reality. This case alleges a campaign of abuse culminating in life-threatening kidney failure. Key details every parent should know:

• The Hazing: The “pledge fanny pack,” forced cold-weather exposure, being sprayed with a hose, hog-tying of another pledge, and the Nov. 3 workout that caused Bermudez’s medical crisis.
• The Response: Pi Kappa Phi national suspended the chapter on Nov. 6, 2025. Members voted to surrender their charter on Nov. 14, 2025. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”
• The Aftermath: This is an active, $10 million lawsuit we are litigating in Harris County. It is a clear signal that institutions will be held to account. Media coverage includes the Click2Houston 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/) and ABC13 coverage (https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/).

Texas A&M University – Corps Culture and Greek Life

For families with students in College Station, the combination of a powerful Greek system and the Corps of Cadets presents unique risks.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case: In 2021, pledges alleged they were doused with industrial-strength cleaner and other substances, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. A lawsuit sought $1 million.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit: A 2023 lawsuit alleged a cadet was subjected to degrading hazing, including being bound in a “roasted pig” position. These cases highlight that abusive traditions can permeate many types of organizations.

University of Texas at Austin – A Public Record of Violations

UT Austin maintains a public online log of hazing violations, offering a rare window into recurring problems.

• Public Log: Organizations like Pi Kappa Alpha have been sanctioned for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Other spirit groups and fraternities appear for alcohol hazing and physical abuse.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case: In 2024, a lawsuit alleged an international student was brutally assaulted at an SAE party, suffering a broken nose, dislocated leg, and fractured tibia.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

These private institutions have their own histories. SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended for paddling and forced drinking. Baylor has faced hazing allegations within its baseball program. The private status of these schools often means less public transparency, making aggressive legal discovery even more critical.

Part 5: The Texas Greek Ecosystem – A Web of Organizations and Liability

Hazing lawsuits succeed by piercing the veil of a simple chapter name to find every entity with responsibility and, crucially, insurance coverage. Through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain a directory of the complex network of Greek organizations registered in our state. This is not guesswork; it’s built on public records.

For Grand Saline families, this means we already know how to find the organizations connected to your child’s campus. For example, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area—which includes Van Zandt County—has over 510 Greek-related organizations. Here is a snapshot of the kind of entities we track:

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – Fort Worth, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc – EIN 45-3325054, Mansfield, TX 76063 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – EIN 36-4091267, Waco, TX 76710 (IRS B83 Filing)

These entities include house corporations (which own property), alumni chapters, educational foundations, and national headquarters. When hazing occurs, we investigate this entire ecosystem to identify all potentially liable parties. This deep, data-driven approach is what separates a serious hazing litigation firm from a general practice.

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

If your family is facing this crisis, you need to understand the process. Our approach is meticulous and strategic.

1. Evidence Preservation is Everything.
Digital evidence is now paramount. We immediately work to secure:

• Group Chats: From GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, and iMessage. Even deleted messages can often be recovered.
• Social Media: Posts, Stories, DMs, and hidden “Finsta” accounts.
• Photographs/Videos: Of injuries, events, and locations.
• Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, chapter bylaws, and correspondence with national headquarters.
• University Records: Prior disciplinary reports on the same organization, obtained through discovery.
• Medical Records: Comprehensive documentation of all physical and psychological injuries.

We have a detailed video on using your phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs.

2. Recovering Full and Fair Damages.
Hazing inflicts profound harm. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (ER, hospital, surgery, therapy), future medical care, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the ultimate tragedy, families can seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering.
• Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, courts may award damages to punish the defendants and deter future conduct.

3. Navigating Insurance and Institutional Defenses.
National fraternities and universities have high-powered defense lawyers and insurers who will argue:

• “The victims consented.”
• “This was a rogue chapter; the national didn’t know.”
• “It happened off-campus, so it’s not our responsibility.”
• “Our insurance doesn’t cover intentional acts like hazing.”

Our experience is our advantage. Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how these companies evaluate claims, fight coverage, and employ delay tactics. We use that insider knowledge to build unassailable cases that maximize recovery.

Part 7: Practical Guides for Grand Saline Parents, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

• Warning Signs: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, sudden secrecy, personality changes (anxiety, withdrawal), constant phone monitoring for group chats, declining grades, and unexpected financial requests.
• How to Talk to Your Child: Be calm, non-judgmental, and focused on safety. Say, “I’m concerned about you. My only goal is your wellbeing. You can tell me anything.”
• First 48-Hour Checklist:
  1. Ensure medical safety.
  2. Help your child screenshot ALL digital communications.
  3. Photograph injuries.
  4. Write a timeline of events.
  5. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 before reporting to the university. We can help you navigate that process strategically.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• Is This Hazing? If you feel coerced, unsafe, or humiliated, it probably is. Trust your instinct.
• How to Exit Safely: You have the right to quit. Send a simple text/email: “I resign my membership effective immediately.” Tell a trusted friend or parent first. Do not attend a “final meeting.”
• Evidence Collection: Screenshot everything. In Texas, you can legally record conversations you are part of. Seek medical care and tell the doctor exactly what happened.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case

1. Deleting messages or social media posts. This looks like a cover-up.
2. Confronting the organization directly. This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
3. Signing university-offered agreements without an attorney. You may waive crucial legal rights.
4. Posting about the incident online. Defense attorneys will mine social media for contradictions.
5. Waiting too long. Evidence vanishes, witnesses scatter, and the statute of limitations runs. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Learn more in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c.

Part 8: Why Attorney911 for Your Grand Saline Hazing Case

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates with the specific skill set to take on national fraternities and university systems. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) brings a unique combination of experience to hazing litigation.

• Active, High-Stakes Litigation: We are currently leading the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit—a $10 million case against a major university and national fraternity. We are in the fight right now.
• Insurance Insider Expertise: Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) is a former insurance defense attorney. He knows how fraternity and university insurers think, strategize, and try to deny claims. This insider knowledge is invaluable.
• Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing Attorney Ralph Manginello was involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on one of the world’s largest corporations. We are not intimidated by deep-pocketed opponents.
• Data-Driven Investigation: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine means we don’t start from scratch. We understand the organizational landscape and know how to find every liable entity.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. Se habla Español. We are committed to serving all Texas families.
• A Record of Results: We have secured multi-million-dollar settlements in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We work with economists, life-care planners, and medical experts to build the strongest possible case for our clients.

We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. Watch our video explaining how this works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.

Part 9: Your Path Forward – A Confidential Consultation

If you are a parent in Grand Saline, Van, Wills Point, or anywhere in Van Zandt County dealing with the aftermath of hazing, the time to act is now. You deserve answers, accountability, and the resources to help your child heal.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today for a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation.

In your consultation, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline the investigation process and potential strategies.
• Answer all your questions about timelines, costs, and what to expect.

Take the first step toward accountability and recovery. Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

Contact Us:

• Phone: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com (Se habla Español)

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. The law is complex and constantly evolving. The outcome of any case depends on its specific facts and applicable law. If you believe you or your child has been a victim of hazing, we strongly advise you to consult immediately with an experienced attorney to discuss your legal rights and options.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston | Austin | Beaumont
1-888-ATTY-911

Plain Text Links to Key Resources:

• Click2Houston coverage of UH Pi Kappa Phi case: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez lawsuit: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Attorney911 video on documenting evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Attorney911 video on statutes of limitation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Attorney911 video on contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
• Attorney911 main website: https://attorney911.com