The Complete Guide to Hazing in Texas: A Resource for Harlingen Families Seeking Answers & Accountability

If Your Child Was Hurt in a Fraternity, Sorority, or Campus Organization, You Are Not Alone

It starts with a phone call no parent in the Rio Grande Valley ever wants to receive. Your child, a student at a Texas university, sounds different—exhausted, secretive, afraid. There are unexplained injuries, sudden withdrawals from family life, or a hospital visit with a diagnosis like “rhabdomyolysis” or “acute kidney failure” that makes no sense for a healthy young adult. When you piece it together, the truth emerges: your child was subjected to brutal, systematic hazing as part of a campus organization’s initiation.

Right now, just hours from Harlingen in Harris County, we are actively litigating one of the most severe hazing cases in Texas history. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston transfer student, suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after enduring what the lawsuit describes as months of abuse from the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The allegations—documented in extensive media coverage—include forced consumption of food until vomiting, extreme physical workouts, humiliation rituals including a degrading “pledge fanny pack,” and being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” After a November 3, 2025, workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, Bermudez’s urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels, facing ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. This $10 million lawsuit names the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the chapter’s housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

This comprehensive guide exists for you—the parents and families in Harlingen, Cameron County, and throughout the Rio Grande Valley—who need to understand what hazing truly looks like in 2025, what Texas law says about it, and what legal options exist when institutions fail to protect your child. Whether your student attends the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), has traveled north to Texas A&M, UT Austin, UH, or any other Texas campus, the patterns of abuse and institutional cover-up are tragically similar.

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

For Harlingen families, hazing might conjure images of movie fraternities or “boys will be boys” pranks. The reality in 2025 is far more sinister, systematic, and digitally sophisticated. Modern hazing 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. Critically, “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there exists the power imbalance and peer pressure inherent in pledge programs.

The Four Main Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the most common and deadliest form. It includes forced chugging challenges, “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, and pressure to consume unknown or mixed substances. The Leonel Bermudez case alleges forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.

2. Physical Hazing: This extends beyond paddling to include extreme calisthenics or “smokings” designed to cause physical collapse, sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions,” food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme environments. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, pledges were allegedly forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass and perform bear crawls and wheelbarrow races until exhausted.

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 Bermudez case—containing condoms, a sex toy, and other humiliating items carried 24/7—falls squarely in this category.

4. Digital/Online Hazing: A 2025 evolution includes group chat dares, “challenges” shared on Instagram or TikTok, pressure to create compromising content, and 24/7 digital monitoring where pledges must respond instantly to messages at all hours. Geo-tracking via apps like Find My Friends is increasingly common.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just “Frat Boys”

Harlingen families should understand hazing occurs across campus organizations:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural councils)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups
Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading)
Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs (like Texas Cowboys)
Marching Bands and Performance Groups
Some Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations

The common threads are social status, tradition, and secrecy that keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal. For families in the Rio Grande Valley sending students to universities with strong Greek or tradition systems, understanding this landscape is crucial.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability Framework: What Harlingen Families Need to Know

Texas has specific, robust anti-hazing laws that protect students from Harlingen to Houston. Understanding this framework is the first step toward accountability.

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

Under Texas law—which governs cases involving Harlingen students at any Texas university—hazing is broadly defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Key Provisions for Harlingen Families:

§ 37.152 – Criminal Penalties:

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

§ 37.155 – Consent is NOT a Defense:
Texas law explicitly states that the victim’s “consent” to the hazing activity is not a defense to prosecution. This directly counters the common argument that “they wanted to do it.”

§ 37.154 – Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting:
A person who in good faith reports hazing to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result. This “medical amnesty” encourages calling 911 in emergencies.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Pathways

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (district attorney)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
Example: In the Pi Kappa Phi case, University of Houston police and Harris County prosecutors could pursue criminal charges

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
Legal theories: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
Crucially: A criminal conviction is NOT required to pursue a civil case

Federal Law Overlay: Additional Protections

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthens hazing education and prevention
Phases in public hazing data reporting by around 2026

Title IX & Clery Act:

When hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, Title IX obligations trigger
Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes; hazing often overlaps with assault or alcohol crimes

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Understanding the potential defendants is crucial for Harlingen families considering legal action:

Individual Students: Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity/sorority club itself (if a legal entity)
National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: That set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
University or Governing Board: The school or regents under negligence or civil-rights theories
Third Parties: Landlords of event spaces, alcohol providers under dram shop laws, security companies

In the Bermudez case, our lawsuit names all these layers: 13 individual members, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the chapter housing corporation, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons That Apply to Texas Families

The tragic cases below aren’t just national news—they establish legal precedents and patterns that directly affect how Harlingen families can pursue accountability. Each demonstrates how institutions respond (or fail to respond) to systematic abuse.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):
A 20-year-old pledge died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” night. The case resulted in multiple criminal convictions and a $10 million settlement ($7 million from Pi Kappa Alpha national, approximately $3 million from BGSU). For Harlingen families, this shows that universities can face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):
Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%) after a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. The case led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute) and a $6.1 million verdict for the family. This demonstrates how legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of hazing.

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):
Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid acceptance night with extreme drinking; help was delayed for hours. The case resulted in 18 members facing over 1,000 criminal counts total and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. For Texas families, this shows how criminal exposure escalates when medical care is delayed.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):
Died from traumatic brain injury during a violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a fraternity retreat; help was deliberately delayed. The national fraternity was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter—a landmark showing that organizations, not just individuals, face criminal liability.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025):
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program over years. Multiple lawsuits led to head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s firing and confidential settlements. This demonstrates hazing extends far beyond Greek life into major athletic programs.

What These Cases Mean for Harlingen Families

Common threads in all these cases—forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups—mirror what we see in Texas cases. The reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements that followed only happened after tragedy and litigation. Harlingen families facing hazing at UTRGV, Texas A&M, UT, or other schools operate in a legal landscape shaped by these national lessons. The patterns establish foreseeability—when a Texas chapter repeats the same script that caused death elsewhere, the national organization cannot claim “we didn’t know this could happen.”

Texas University Focus: Where Harlingen Families Send Their Students

Harlingen families invest in their children’s education at universities across Texas. Understanding each campus’s hazing landscape—its policies, history, and response patterns—is crucial for prevention and accountability.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV): Your Local Campus

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot for Harlingen Families:
UTRGV, with campuses in Edinburg and Brownsville just minutes from Harlingen, serves as the primary university for many Rio Grande Valley families. While its Greek life is smaller than flagship universities, it includes fraternities and sororities under the Office of Student Involvement. The proximity means Harlingen parents may be their student’s first responders when hazing occurs.

5.1.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting:
UTRGV prohibits hazing in accordance with Texas law and University of Texas System policy. Reporting channels include the Dean of Students Office, UTRGV Police, and online reporting forms. The university emphasizes that hazing “will not be tolerated,” but like many institutions, enforcement depends on reporting and investigation.

5.1.3 How a UTRGV Hazing Case Might Proceed:
For Harlingen families, jurisdiction would involve Cameron County (if incident occurs in Brownsville) or Hidalgo County (if in Edinburg). Civil suits might be filed in corresponding district courts. UTRGV, as part of the UT System, shares the system’s liability protections and defense resources.

5.1.4 What UTRGV Students & Parents Should Do:

Document everything immediately (Harlingen’s proximity allows for quick parental response)
Report to UTRGV Police (956-882-4911) and Dean of Students
Preserve digital evidence before chapter members coordinate stories
Contact an attorney familiar with UT System liability frameworks

Texas A&M University: A Common Destination for Valley Students

5.2.1 The Aggie Culture & Hazing Landscape:
Texas A&M’s unique culture includes the Corps of Cadets and strong Greek life, both with documented hazing issues. For Harlingen families, the distance to College Station (5+ hours) can make detection and response more challenging.

5.2.2 Documented Incidents Involving Harlingen-Area Students:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Two pledges allegedly suffered severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts after substances including industrial-strength cleaner were poured on them during hazing. The fraternity was suspended for two years; pledges sued for $1 million.
Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth, seeking over $1 million in damages.

5.2.3 Texas A&M’s Response Framework:
The university handles hazing through Student Conduct Procedures and separate Corps regulations. Their public stance emphasizes “zero tolerance,” but internal handling often prioritizes institutional protection.

5.2.4 For Harlingen Families with Aggie Students:

Understand both Greek life AND Corps of Cadets hazing risks
Texas A&M’s distance requires proactive communication about wellbeing
If hazing occurs, evidence collection must happen quickly before the Aggie network closes ranks

University of Texas at Austin: Flagship Campus, Systemic Issues

5.3.1 UT Austin’s Transparency & Problem:
UT Austin maintains a public Hazing Violations page—more transparent than many schools. This very transparency reveals systemic issues affecting students from Harlingen and statewide.

5.3.2 Documented Cases Relevant to Valley Families:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation with hazing-prevention education required.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted at party, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose; sued for over $1 million.
Texas Wranglers & Other Spirit Groups: Multiple sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, punishment-based practices.

5.3.3 UT’s Legal Landscape for Harlingen Families:
Civil cases may be filed in Travis County courts. UT Austin, as a public university, asserts sovereign immunity defenses but has settled significant cases to avoid discovery and trial.

5.3.4 Action Steps for UT Austin Families:

Check UT’s public hazing violations page for your student’s organization history
Report to UTPD and Office of the Dean of Students
Document prior violations—they establish pattern and institutional knowledge

University of Houston: The Bermudez Case Ground Zero

5.4.1 UH’s Urban Greek Landscape:
The Leonel Bermudez case places UH at the center of Texas hazing litigation. For Harlingen families, UH represents an urban campus with active Greek life where initiation risks are very real.

5.4.2 The Bermudez Case Timeline & Institutional Response:

Sept 16, 2025: Bermudez accepts Pi Kappa Phi bid
Sept-Oct 2025: Months of alleged abuse including forced dress codes, overnight chauffeuring, humiliation rituals
Nov 3, 2025: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats workout leading to collapse
Nov 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi national suspends chapter
Nov 6-9, 2025: Bermudez hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure
Nov 14, 2025: Chapter votes to surrender charter; UH calls conduct “deeply disturbing”

5.4.3 UH’s Liability in the Bermudez Case:
Our lawsuit alleges UH owned/controlled the chapter house, knew or should have known about systemic hazing, and failed to act. This positions the university as a primary defendant alongside the fraternity.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

SMU’s Private University Dynamics: As a private institution in Dallas, SMU has fewer transparency requirements but faces similar hazing issues, particularly in its affluent Greek system. Kappa Alpha Order was suspended in 2017 for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.

Baylor’s Religious Context: Baylor’s Christian identity coexists with documented hazing issues, including a 2020 baseball team hazing incident resulting in 14 player suspensions. The university’s history with institutional scandal affects how it handles hazing allegations.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories That Predict Local Danger

The national organizations present at Texas universities aren’t blank slates—they come with documented histories of hazing deaths, injuries, and cover-ups. For Harlingen families, understanding these patterns is crucial for assessing risk and building liability cases.

Why National Histories Matter Legally

When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that got a chapter shut down in Ohio or Louisiana, that demonstrates foreseeability. National headquarters with thick anti-hazing manuals have them precisely because they’ve seen deaths and catastrophic injuries before. Their knowledge of patterns—forced drinking nights, paddling traditions, humiliating rituals—can support negligence or punitive damage arguments when they fail to prevent recurrence.

Organization Mapping: National Patterns with Local Chapters

Pi Kappa Alpha (“Pike”):

National History: Stone Foltz death (BGSU, $10M settlement); David Bogenberger death (NIU, $14M settlement)
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol hazing leading to fatal alcohol poisoning

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE):

National History: Traumatic brain injury lawsuit (Alabama); multiple hazing deaths nationwide
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
Pattern: Physical violence combined with alcohol hazing; chemical burns at Texas A&M

Pi Kappa Phi:

National History: Andrew Coffey death (FSU, led to Greek system suspension)
Texas Presence: Chapter at UH (Beta Nu now closed); other Texas campuses
Pattern: Extreme physical hazing leading to medical emergencies (Bermudez case)

Phi Delta Theta:

National History: Max Gruver death (LSU, $6.1M verdict, Louisiana felony law)
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin
Pattern: “Bible study” drinking games with fatal outcomes

Kappa Alpha Order:

National History: Multiple hazing suspensions including SMU chapter
; paddling and forced drinking patterns
Texas Presence: Chapters at Texas A&M, SMU, other campuses
Pattern: Tradition-based physical hazing

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Data-Driven Accountability

Our firm maintains a proprietary database of Texas Greek organizations—the kind of investigative depth that makes the difference in complex hazing litigation. For Harlingen families, this means we don’t start from zero when investigating an incident.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses

The following organizations represent just a sample from our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, showing the network of legally registered entities behind campus Greek life:

For the Rio Grande Valley & UTRGV Context:

Alpha Delta – EIN 812724215, McAllen, TX 78501 (Recorded in IRS B83 filings)
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – University of Texas at El Paso Chapter – EIN 383742830, El Paso, TX 79968 (Academic honor society at UTEP)
Sigma Phi Lambda Inc – Alpha Tau Chapter – EIN 833053639, Corinth, TX 76210 (Christian sorority with Texas chapters)

For Major Universities Harlingen Families Attend:

Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc – EIN 273662583, Lufkin, TX 75904 (Fraternity chapter housing corporation)
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (Kappa Sigma foundation in Fort Worth metro)
Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – EIN 742911848, Fort Worth, TX 76244 (Christian fraternity in Dallas-Fort Worth metro)
Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp. – Austin, TX (House corporation at University of Texas, from Cause IQ metro data)
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Chapter – EIN 746064445, Nederland, TX 77627 (Alumni association near Lamar University)
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Beaumont Alumni – Beaumont, TX (Graduate chapter in Beaumont-Port Arthur metro)

Texas-Wide Organizations from IRS Records:

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas A&M University Chapter – EIN 900293166, College Station, TX 77843 (Academic honor society)
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – EIN 364091267, Waco, TX 76710 (NPHC sorority with Texas chapters)
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc – Sigma Gamma Chapter – EIN 392352450, Houston, TX 77254 (NPHC sorority graduate chapter)
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – Kappa Sigma Chapter – EIN 872222906, El Paso, TX 79968 (Fraternity at UT El Paso)

This data, drawn from IRS B83 filings and Cause IQ metro databases, represents just 15 of the 1,423 Greek-related organizations we track across 25 Texas metros. For Harlingen families, this investigative framework means we can immediately identify all potentially liable entities—undergrad chapters, alumni associations, housing corporations, national headquarters—rather than accepting the “rogue chapter” defense.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & What Recovery Looks Like

For Harlingen families pursuing accountability, understanding how a hazing case is built—from evidence collection to damages calculation—is crucial. This is where experienced counsel makes the difference between a covered-up incident and meaningful accountability.

Critical Evidence Categories: What Wins Cases in 2025

1. Digital Communications (The Most Critical Evidence):

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, fraternity apps: These contain planning discussions, boasts about hazing, and coordination of cover-ups
Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok comments: Where humiliation is shared and celebrated
Recovered/deleted messages: Digital forensics can often retrieve “disappearing” messages

2. Photos & Videos:

Content filmed by members during events (often shared in group chats before being deleted)
Security camera or doorbell footage at houses and venues
Social media posts showing events or injuries

3. Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” lists
Emails/texts from officers about “what we’ll do to pledges”
National policies and training materials showing what should have been prevented

4. University Records (Obtained via Discovery):

Prior conduct files, probation/suspension letters
Incident reports to campus police or student conduct
Clery Act reports and internal investigations
For Harlingen families: These records often reveal patterns the university knew about but failed to address

5. Medical & Psychological Records:

Emergency room and hospitalization records (like Bermudez’s 4-day hospitalization)
Surgery and rehabilitation notes
Toxicology reports and lab results (elevated creatine kinase showing rhabdomyolysis)
Psychological evaluations documenting PTSD, depression, anxiety

6. Witness Testimony:

Other pledges (often afraid initially but may cooperate as case develops)
Former members who quit or were expelled
Roommates, RAs, coaches, bystanders

Damages: What Can Be Recovered in a Hazing Case

For Harlingen families, understanding potential recovery helps assess whether to pursue legal action:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

Medical bills & future care: Emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, ongoing treatment, medications, long-term care for permanent injuries
Lost earnings/educational impact: Missed semesters, delayed graduation, reduced earning capacity from permanent disabilities
Other costs: Property damage, relocation expenses, therapy costs

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective Harm):

Physical pain and suffering from injuries
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life (can’t participate in activities they loved)
Reputational harm from publicized incidents

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families):

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of companionship and support
Emotional harm to parents and siblings
Lost financial support the deceased would have provided

Punitive Damages (When Available):

To punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
Available when defendants had prior warnings and ignored them, or showed callous indifference

In the Bermudez case, the $10 million demand reflects all these categories: past and future medical care for potential permanent kidney damage, pain and suffering from the horrific hazing, emotional trauma, and punitive elements given the systematic nature of the abuse.

Insurance Coverage Battles: The Hidden Front in Hazing Litigation

National fraternities and universities carry insurance policies that often become central to recovery. These insurers frequently argue that hazing or intentional acts are excluded from coverage. Our advantage—Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney—means we know exactly how these arguments are constructed and how to counter them.

For Harlingen families, this insider knowledge translates to:

Identifying all potential coverage sources (national policies, chapter policies, individual homeowner policies)
Navigating exclusion arguments about “intentional conduct”
Pursuing bad faith claims when insurers wrongfully deny coverage
Maximizing recovery within available policy limits

Practical Guides & FAQs: For Harlingen Parents, Students & Witnesses

For Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Harlingen Student May Be Being Hazed:

Physical: Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries; extreme fatigue; weight changes; sleep deprivation; signs of alcohol poisoning
Behavioral: Sudden secrecy about organization activities; withdrawal from family/friends; personality changes (anxiety, depression, irritability); defensive when asked; obsession with pleasing older members
Academic: Grades dropping suddenly; missing classes; skipping assignments for “mandatory” events
Digital: Constant phone use for group chat monitoring; anxiety when phone buzzes; deleting messages obsessively; receiving calls/texts at all hours

How to Talk to Your Child (Non-Confrontationally):

“How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
“Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
“What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
“Do you feel like you can leave if you want to, or would there be consequences?”

If You Suspect Hazing:

Immediate safety: If in physical danger, call 911 or campus police
Document everything: Write down dates/times of what your child says; screenshot texts; photograph injuries
Medical attention: Get professional evaluation even if they insist they’re “fine”
Legal consultation: Contact an experienced hazing attorney early (1-888-ATTY-911)

For Students: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide:

Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would the university or my parents approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this from outsiders?

If you answered YES to any, it’s likely hazing.

How to Exit Safely:

Immediate danger: Call 911 or campus police; get to a safe location
Quitting/de-pledging: You have the legal right to leave at any time. Send an email/text to chapter leadership: “I am resigning my pledge/membership effective immediately.” Do NOT go to “one last meeting.”
Protection from retaliation: Document any threats; report harassment to Dean of Students; in Texas, stalking/harassment are crimes—protective orders are available.

Evidence Collection for Students:

Screenshots of group chats with timestamps and participant names visible
Photos/videos of injuries (multiple angles, include scale like coin/ruler)
Voice memos/recordings (Texas is one-party consent—you can record conversations you’re part of)
Save everything digital—don’t delete even if embarrassed
Medical documentation—tell providers you were hazed so it’s in records
Witness information—names/contacts of others who saw what happened

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

MISTAKES HARLINGEN FAMILIES MUST AVOID:

Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence
- Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction of justice; makes case nearly impossible
- What to do: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content
Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly
- Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
- What to do: Document everything, call a lawyer BEFORE any confrontation
Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms
- Why it’s wrong: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often far below case value
- What to do: Do NOT sign anything without an attorney reviewing
Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer
- Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
- What to do: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging
Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”
- Why it’s wrong: They pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that hurt the case
- What to do: Once considering legal action, all communication goes through your lawyer
Waiting “to see how the university handles it”
- Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs, university controls narrative
- What to do: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately; university process ≠ real accountability
Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer
- Why it’s wrong: Recorded statements are used against you; early settlements are lowball
- What to do: Politely decline: “My attorney will contact you”

Frequently Asked Questions for Harlingen Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UTRGV, Texas A&M, UT, UH) have sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals personally. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case-specific analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report hazing.

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving cover-ups (like deleted messages, coached witnesses), the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

“What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, Sigma Pi unofficial house) occurred off-campus and still resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments.

“Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability. In the Bermudez case, media coverage occurred because the lawsuit was filed, but many details remain protected.

About The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911: Why Harlingen Families Choose Us for Hazing Cases

When your Harlingen 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. You need attorneys who know that hazing cases involve unique challenges: institutional cover-ups, digital evidence that disappears within hours, insurance companies that deny coverage for “intentional acts,” and defendants with unlimited legal budgets.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Advantage – Mr. Lupe Peña’s Defense Background:
Mr. Peña (he/him) spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
Use delay tactics to pressure families
Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional conduct”
Set reserves and negotiate settlements
For Harlingen families: This means we know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions – Ralph Manginello’s Experience:

One of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation (taking on billion-dollar corporations)
Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
Not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams
For Harlingen families: We’ve taken on the deepest-pocketed defendants and won. We know how to fight powerful institutions.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Experience:

Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases with economist collaboration
Experience valuing lifetime care needs (brain injury, permanent organ damage like Bermudez’s kidney injury)
Network of medical experts, psychologists, life care planners, vocational specialists
For Harlingen families: We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise – HCCLA Membership:

Ralph Manginello’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
Understanding how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
Ability to advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure
For Harlingen families: We navigate both tracks simultaneously when criminal charges are involved.

Investigative Depth & The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:

Proprietary database tracking 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros
Network of digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages
Experience obtaining hidden evidence: group chats, chapter records, university files, national headquarters documents
For Harlingen families: We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

Spanish-Language Services – Critical for Rio Grande Valley Families:

Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish
Consultations, documents, and court proceedings available in Spanish
Cultural understanding of Texas Hispanic families’ needs
For Harlingen families: We serve you in your preferred language with cultural sensitivity.

Our Approach: Empathy, Thoroughness & Accountability

We know this is one of the hardest things a Harlingen family can face. Our approach balances:

Empathy First: We listen without judgment. We understand the shame, fear, and confusion victims and families experience. Your child’s wellbeing is our first concern.

Thorough Investigation: We pursue every lead—digital forensics for deleted messages, subpoenas for national fraternity records, public records requests for university files. In the Bermudez case, this meant identifying all 13 individual defendants, the housing corporation, nationals, and the university.

Strategic Accountability: We target all responsible parties, not just the obvious ones. We understand that real change comes from holding institutions accountable, not just individual members.

Prevention Focus: Many families want to ensure no other student suffers as theirs did. We help achieve this through settlement terms that mandate policy changes, transparency requirements, and sometimes chapter closures.

Call to Action: If Hazing Has Impacted Your Harlingen Family, We Want to Help

If you or your child experienced hazing at UTRGV, Texas A&M, UT Austin, UH, SMU, Baylor, or any Texas campus, we want to hear from you. Families in Harlingen, Cameron County, and throughout the Rio Grande Valley have the right to answers and accountability. The distance from Harlingen to these universities doesn’t diminish your rights or our ability to help.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

We’ll listen to your story without judgment, review any evidence you have, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward. Here’s what to expect:

In Your Free Consultation:

We listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
Answer your questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
No pressure to hire us on the spot—take time to decide
Everything you tell us is confidential

Contact Information:

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 or lupe@atty911.com

Spanish-Language Services:

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

Whether you’re in Harlingen, Brownsville, McAllen, or anywhere in South Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions behind these abuses count on silence and fear. We provide the expertise, resources, and determination to break that silence and achieve accountability.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s discuss how we can help your family find answers, secure the care your child needs, and work toward ensuring no other family endures what yours has.

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 | lupe@atty911.com