Texas Hazing Lawsuits: A Complete Guide for Parents and Families in City of Holliday, Archer County

The Call You Hope Never Comes: A City of Holliday Parent’s Worst Fear

It starts with a phone call. Your son or daughter, away at a Texas university, their voice strained. They’re hurt, scared, and asking you not to tell anyone. Maybe they mention a “pledge event” that got out of hand. Or perhaps you notice unexplained bruises during a visit home to City of Holliday. The stories don’t add up—exhaustion that goes beyond studying, sudden anxiety about returning to campus, or secretive text messages that buzz at all hours.

For families right here in City of Holliday, this nightmare became reality for one Texas student in late 2025. Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston transfer student and Pi Kappa Phi pledge, was allegedly subjected to months of systematic hazing that ended with him hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine was brown, he couldn’t stand without help, and he faced permanent kidney damage—all for wanting to belong to a fraternity.

Right now, our firm represents Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, their Beta Nu housing corporation, the UH System Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The details are harrowing: forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion; and the degrading “pledge fanny pack” rule requiring 24/7 carrying of condoms, sex toys, and humiliating items.

This isn’t happening somewhere else. This is happening right now at a major Texas university, and it shows what families in City of Holliday and across Archer County are up against when their children join campus organizations.

What This Guide Offers City of Holliday Families

This comprehensive guide explains what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects (or fails to protect) your child, and what legal options exist when universities and fraternities fail in their duty to keep students safe.

We’ll cover:

• What modern hazing actually involves—far beyond the stereotypes
• Texas hazing laws and your family’s rights under Chapter 37 of the Education Code
• Major national hazing cases and what they mean for Texas families
• What’s happening at Texas universities where City of Holliday students attend—UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, and others
• How fraternity and sorority national histories create predictable patterns of abuse
• Practical steps for parents and students facing hazing right now
• Why experienced Texas hazing litigation matters for securing accountability and preventing future harm

If your child attends any Texas university—whether nearby Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas A&M just a few hours south, or any campus across the state—this information could mean the difference between suffering in silence and holding powerful institutions accountable.

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: Coercion Disguised as Tradition

Hazing in 2025 isn’t just about “boys being boys” or harmless pranks. It’s 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. The critical understanding for City of Holliday parents is this: “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance.

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the deadliest form. It includes forced drinking games like “lineups” where pledges drink in rapid succession, “Big/Little” nights where new members are given handles of liquor to finish, and “Bible study” or trivia games where wrong answers mean consuming alcohol. At Texas A&M, Sigma Alpha Epsilon pledges were allegedly forced to consume dangerous amounts leading to hospitalization. The risk isn’t just intoxication—it’s alcohol poisoning leading to brain damage or death.

2. Physical Hazing and “Conditioning”
What organizations call “workouts” or “physical conditioning” are often punishment designed to cause pain and exhaustion. This includes:

• “Smokings”: Extreme calisthenics (hundreds of push-ups, wall sits until collapse)
• Paddling and beatings (still prevalent despite national prohibitions)
• Sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions” or 3 AM wake-up calls
• Food/water restriction or forced consumption of disgusting substances
• Exposure to extreme temperatures (left outside in cold weather, locked in hot rooms)

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Leonel Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, then made to lie in vomit-soaked grass. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” “roasted pig” positions), and degrading costumes designed to shame. At Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets, a cadet alleged being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. These acts cause profound psychological trauma that can last a lifetime.

4. Psychological Hazing and Social Control
Less visible but equally damaging, this includes:

• Verbal abuse, screaming, and threats
• Social isolation from non-members
• Forced confessions of personal information used against them
• Public shaming in meetings or group chats
• Manipulation through fear of exclusion

5. Digital Hazing: The 24/7 Pressure Cooker
Smartphones have created new avenues for control:

• Group chat monitoring with immediate response demands
• Social media humiliation through forced TikTok challenges or Instagram dares
• Location tracking via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
• Digital “scavenger hunts” that endanger or humiliate
• Coerced sharing of compromising photos/videos

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

While Greek organizations dominate headlines, hazing occurs in:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups (especially at Texas A&M)
• Athletic Teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
• Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs (Texas Cowboys, Silver Spurs, etc.)
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups
• Some Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations

For City of Holliday families, this means your child doesn’t need to join a fraternity to be at risk. Any group with power dynamics, tradition, and secrecy can harbor abusive practices.

Texas Hazing Law: What City of Holliday Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Foundation

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in Chapter 37 of the Education Code. The law defines hazing 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 takeaways for City of Holliday parents:

1. Location doesn’t matter—off-campus houses, retreats, and remote locations still count
2. Mental harm qualifies—extreme humiliation, intimidation, or psychological abuse is hazing
3. “Reckless” is enough—they don’t need to intend harm, just disregard obvious risks
4. “Consent is not a defense” (Section 37.155)—even if your child “agreed,” it’s still illegal

Criminal Penalties Under Texas Law

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

1. Additional crimes: Failing to report hazing or retaliating against reporters are also offenses

Organizational Liability: Holding Groups Accountable

Section 37.153 allows organizations to be prosecuted if:

• The organization authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
• An officer or member acting in official capacity knew about hazing and failed to report it

Organizations can face fines up to $10,000 per violation, and universities can revoke recognition.

Good-Faith Reporting Protections

Section 37.154 provides immunity for those who in good faith report hazing to university or law enforcement. This is crucial for bystanders and victims who fear getting in trouble. Additionally, Texas law and most university policies provide amnesty for students who call 911 in medical emergencies, even if they were drinking underage.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases (State vs. Individuals)

• Brought by prosecutors
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Charges can include: hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Outcome: Criminal record, possible incarceration

Civil Cases (Your Family vs. Responsible Parties)

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: Compensation and accountability
• Legal theories: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring/supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
• Outcome: Financial compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost opportunities

Critical insight: You can pursue a civil case even if no criminal charges are filed. The standards of proof are different (preponderance of evidence in civil vs. beyond reasonable doubt in criminal), and many hazing cases result in civil settlements without criminal convictions.

Federal Law Overlay: Additional Protections and Requirements

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

• Report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthen hazing education and prevention
• Maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026)
  For City of Holliday families, this means more transparency about which organizations have violations at your child’s school.

Title IX and Clery Act
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. The Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics. These federal frameworks create additional accountability levers when universities fail to respond appropriately.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
2. Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity/sorority/club itself (if incorporated)
3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: For setting policies, receiving dues, and supervising chapters
4. University or Governing Board: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference, or policy failures
5. Third Parties: Landlords, property owners, bars/alcohol providers, security companies

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we sued all these entities: 13 individuals, the local chapter, Pi Kappa Phi national, the housing corporation, UH, and the UH System Board of Regents. Comprehensive litigation ensures no responsible party escapes accountability.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What History Tells Us

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Fatal Lessons

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
During a bid-acceptance event, 19-year-old Piazza consumed dangerous amounts of alcohol, fell multiple times (captured on chapter cameras), and fraternity brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. He died from traumatic brain injuries. The aftermath: 18 members charged with over 1,000 criminal counts, Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, and the chapter permanently banned.

Takeaway for Texas families: Delay in seeking medical help dramatically worsens outcomes and increases liability. Security cameras in chapter houses now routinely capture hazing.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
During a “Bible study” drinking game, Gruver was forced to drink when answering questions incorrectly. His blood alcohol level reached 0.495%. He died from alcohol toxicity. The result: Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute) and national attention on drinking games disguised as “education.”

Takeaway: “Games” with alcohol penalties are particularly dangerous and legally indefensible.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
The 20-year-old pledge was forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event. He died from alcohol poisoning. The chapter president was later ordered to pay $6.5 million personally. BGSU settled for nearly $3 million, and Pi Kappa Alpha national paid approximately $7 million.

Takeaway: Personal liability extends to chapter leaders. Universities face multi-million dollar exposures.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing: Violence Disguised as Tradition

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
During a fraternity retreat, Deng was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual. He suffered fatal head injuries while members delayed calling 911. The national fraternity was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter—a rare instance of organizational criminal liability.

Takeaway: Off-campus retreats don’t provide immunity. National organizations can face criminal charges.

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021)
During a “pledge dad reveal” night, Santulli was forced to consume excessive alcohol, suffered permanent brain damage, and now requires 24/7 care for life. His family settled with 22 defendants, showing how many parties share responsibility.

Takeaway: Non-fatal injuries can result in lifetime care costs exceeding $10+ million.

Athletic Program Hazing: Beyond Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program over years. Multiple lawsuits followed, head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired (then settled a wrongful-termination suit), and the university faces ongoing litigation. This case proves hazing isn’t limited to Greek organizations—it infiltrates billion-dollar athletic programs.

Takeaway: Universities often prioritize protecting revenue-generating programs over student safety.

What These Cases Mean for City of Holliday Families

1. Patterns repeat: The same dangerous practices (forced drinking games, physical abuse, cover-ups) occur nationwide
2. Settlements are substantial: $1-14+ million in wrongful death cases, multi-million for catastrophic injuries
3. Legislative change follows tragedy: Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Ohio, and Florida strengthened laws after deaths
4. Institutional accountability is possible: Nationals and universities can be forced to change
5. Time is critical: Evidence disappears within days; witnesses are coached; memories fade

Texas University Focus: Where City of Holliday Students Attend

Understanding the Local Landscape

Families in City of Holliday and Archer County send students to various Texas institutions. While some attend nearby Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, many travel to major universities across the state. Understanding the hazing landscape at these schools is crucial for prevention and response.

University of Houston: A Case Study in Systemic Failure

Campus Context for City of Holliday Families
UH serves over 47,000 students with active Greek life including 50+ fraternities and sororities. Many Houston-area and statewide students choose UH for its urban opportunities and growing reputation.

The Bermudez Case: What Went Wrong
Our client Leonel Bermudez’s experience reveals systemic failures:

• Multiple locations: Hazing occurred at the Pi Kappa Phi house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park
• Months of abuse: From September to November 2025, systematic humiliation and physical torture
• Medical catastrophe: Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure requiring hospitalization
• Institutional response: Only after media exposure did UH call conduct “deeply disturbing” and Pi Kappa Phi suspend then close the chapter

UH’s Hazing Policy and Reporting
UH prohibits hazing on and off campus through the Dean of Students Office. They maintain reporting channels, but as the Bermudez case shows, policies only matter if enforced.

Previous UH Incidents

• 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha: Pledges allegedly deprived of food, water, and sleep; one suffered a lacerated spleen
• Various discipline records: Other fraternities suspended for alcohol misuse and policy violations

What City of Holliday Families Should Know

1. UH has Greek life oversight but enforcement gaps
2. Off-campus locations are common hazing venues
3. Medical emergencies require immediate Harris County hospital care
4. Civil cases would be filed in Harris County courts

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

City of Holliday Connection
Many Archer County students choose Texas A&M for its academic reputation and traditional campus life. The drive from City of Holliday to College Station is familiar for local families.

Corps of Cadets Hazing Allegations
In 2023, a former cadet sued A&M alleging degrading hacing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth, seeking over $1 million. A&M stated it handled the matter under its rules, but the lawsuit alleged systemic issues.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case
Around 2021, SAE pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The fraternity was suspended, and pledges sued for $1 million.

A&M’s Dual Systems
Texas A&M has separate hazing policies for:

• General student organizations through Student Conduct
• Corps of Cadets through military-style regulations
  This complexity can create accountability gaps.

Practical Guidance for City of Holliday Families

1. Document everything: Corps and Greek life both have strong internal loyalty codes
2. Medical care: College Station medical facilities may be insufficient for serious injuries
3. Legal jurisdiction: Brazos County courts handle local cases, but statewide counsel may be necessary
4. University relationships: A&M has strong alumni networks that can influence outcomes

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Ongoing Issues

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page
UT maintains one of Texas’ most transparent hazing disclosure systems at hazing.utexas.edu. This public log shows:

Recent Sanctions:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter probation
• Texas Wranglers (multiple years): Sanctions for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
• Various spirit groups: Discipline for physical and psychological abuse

What Transparency Reveals
UT’s public log demonstrates:

1. Hazing continues despite education efforts
2. Certain organizations have repeat violations
3. Sanctions range from probation to suspension
4. Alcohol remains central to many incidents

For City of Holliday UT Families

1. Check the log: Before your child joins an organization, review its violation history
2. Austin jurisdiction: Travis County courts and Austin PD may be involved
3. Medical resources: UT’s proximity to major hospitals aids care but also means rapid evidence collection is crucial
4. University cooperation: UT generally complies with discovery in lawsuits, aiding case development

Southern Methodist University: Private School Complexities

SMU’s Greek Life Profile
As a private university with affluent demographics, SMU has strong Greek participation. Their hazing approach combines:

• Internal judicial processes
• Anonymous reporting via Real Response
• National organization partnerships

Notable SMU Incidents

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended until 2021
• Ongoing investigations: Regular Greek life sanctions for alcohol and initiation violations

Private vs. Public Distinctions

1. Less transparency: SMU isn’t subject to Texas Public Information Act requests
2. Different policies: Honor code and conduct processes vary
3. Alumni influence: Strong donor networks can pressure outcomes

City of Holliday Considerations

1. Dallas jurisdiction: Dallas County courts handle SMU cases
2. Medical facilities: Proximity to Dallas hospitals aids care
3. Legal strategy: Different approaches needed for private institution litigation

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Accountability Challenges

Baylor’s Context
Following major Title IX scandals, Baylor implemented stricter conduct policies. However, challenges remain in athletic and Greek contexts.

Baseball Hazing Incident (2020)
14 players suspended following hazing investigation, with staggered suspensions affecting team performance. The incident highlighted how athletic programs can harbor abuse.

Baylor’s Evolving Approach

• Strengthened conduct office
• Enhanced reporting systems
• Ongoing tension between religious identity and accountability

Waco-Area Implications for City of Holliday Families

1. McLennan County jurisdiction: Local courts handle Baylor cases
2. Medical resources: Baylor Scott & White facilities serve the campus
3. Institutional dynamics: Religious branding affects public relations and legal strategy

Fraternities and Sororities: National Patterns, Local Harm

Why National Histories Matter for City of Holliday Families

When your child joins a chapter at a Texas university, they’re joining a national organization with a documented history. That history creates legal “foreseeability”—if a national knew certain practices caused harm elsewhere, they should have prevented them here.

High-Risk Organizations with Documented Patterns

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

• Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State University, alcohol poisoning death (2021)
• David Bogenberger: Northern Illinois University, alcohol poisoning death (2012)
• Multiple chapters nationwide: Repeated alcohol hazing incidents
• Texas presence: Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
• Legal significance: National paid $7M in Foltz settlement, showing deep liability

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

• Pattern of alcohol deaths: Multiple campuses over decades
• Texas A&M chemical burns: Industrial cleaner causing skin graft injuries
• UT Austin assault: Australian exchange student with broken bones
• University of Alabama TBI: Traumatic brain injury lawsuit
• National response: Eliminated traditional pledge process in 2014 (with limited success)

Pi Kappa Phi

• Andrew Coffey: Florida State University, alcohol poisoning death (2017)
• Leonel Bermudez: University of Houston, rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure (2025)
• Our current litigation: $10M lawsuit showing ongoing issues
• Critical insight: Same national, same patterns, different Texas campus

Phi Delta Theta

• Max Gruver: LSU, “Bible study” drinking game death (2017)
• Louisiana legislation: Max Gruver Act creating felony hazing
• Texas chapters: Multiple campuses with similar ritual structures

Additional Organizations with Patterns

• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI): Danny Santulli permanent brain injury case
• Kappa Sigma: Multiple alcohol-related incidents and lawsuits
• Sigma Chi: College of Charleston $10M+ settlement

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: Public Records Reality

Through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we track 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros. For City of Holliday families, this means we know the organizational landscape before investigation begins.

North Texas Metro Context (closest major metro to City of Holliday):

• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510 Greek organizations tracked
• Wichita Falls Metro: 13 Greek organizations (including Midwestern State University)
• Sample organizations near City of Holliday:
  • Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, Fort Worth, TX (EIN: 742911848)
  • Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, Fort Worth, TX (EIN: 741380362)
  • Kappa Delta Sorority – Gamma Beta Chapter, Denton, TX
  • Phi Chi Theta – Gamma Iota Chapter, Carrollton, TX

Texas-Wide Organizational Backbone (IRS B83 Data):
The IRS records 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations including:

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc, College Station, TX (EIN: 133048786)
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corp, Missouri City, TX (EIN: 371768785)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corp, Frisco, TX (EIN: 462267515)
• Sigma Phi Epsilon Texas Gamma Chapter, Fort Worth, TX (EIN: 911981478)

Why This Data Matters:

1. Identifies liable entities: House corporations, alumni chapters, foundations
2. Shows financial footprint: These organizations own property, collect dues, carry insurance
3. Creates investigation roadmap: We know where to look before filing suit
4. Demonstrates pattern evidence: Same nationals appear across multiple campuses

Campus Rosters: Where These Organizations Operate

University of Houston Chapters Include:

• Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu) – now closed after Bermudez case
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma
• Multiple NPHC (Divine Nine) and multicultural organizations

Texas A&M Chapters Include:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (chemical burns case)
• Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi
• Extensive Corps of Cadets structure with separate oversight

UT Austin Chapters Include:

• Sanctioned Pi Kappa Alpha chapter
• Multiple organizations on public violation log
• Large IFC and Panhellenic systems

Critical Insight for Parents:
The same national organizations with documented hazing histories operate at multiple Texas campuses. What happens at LSU with Phi Delta Theta informs what could happen at Texas A&M with the same fraternity.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Recovery

Evidence Collection: The 48-Hour Window

Digital Evidence (Most Critical)

• Group chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity apps
• Social media: Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook
• Recovery potential: Digital forensics can retrieve deleted messages
• Our video guide: We explain evidence preservation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

Photographic and Video Evidence

• Injuries: Multiple angles, include scale reference, document progression
• Locations: Houses, rooms, venues where hazing occurred
• Events: If safely obtainable, video of hazing in progress

Medical Documentation

• ER/hospital records: Must mention “hazing” for proper documentation
• Lab results: Blood alcohol, toxicology, kidney/liver function
• Psychological evaluation: PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses
• Future care plans: For catastrophic injuries requiring lifelong treatment

Institutional Records

• University files: Prior complaints, discipline, investigation reports
• National fraternity records: Incident reports, risk management files
• Insurance policies: Multiple layers potentially covering different entities

Witness Information

• Other pledges: Often afraid but may cooperate with protection
• Former members: Those who quit or were expelled often willing to testify
• Bystanders: Roommates, neighbors, venue staff

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable)

• Medical expenses: Past and future care, including lifelong needs for catastrophic injuries
• Lost income/earning capacity: Missed education, delayed career entry, reduced lifetime earnings
• Educational costs: Lost tuition, scholarships, transfer expenses
• Other expenses: Therapy, medication, medical equipment

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering: From injuries and recovery
• Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment: Can’t participate in college experience or activities
• Reputational harm: Social stigma and privacy invasion

Wrongful Death Damages (when applicable)

• Funeral/burial costs
• Loss of financial support: Expected contributions to family
• Loss of companionship: For parents, siblings, spouse
• Emotional suffering: Family’s grief and trauma

Punitive Damages (in egregious cases)

• Purpose: Punish reckless/willful conduct and deter future hazing
• When awarded: Prior warnings ignored, particularly cruel conduct, cover-up attempts
• Texas caps: Statutory limits apply but can be substantial

Settlement Realities: National Case Precedents

• Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha): $10M total ($7M national + $3M university)
• David Bogenberger (Pi Kappa Alpha): $14M settlement
• Max Gruver (Phi Delta Theta): $6.1M verdict plus confidential settlements
• Sigma Chi (College of Charleston): $10M+ settlement
• Chad Meredith (Kappa Sigma): $12.6M jury verdict

Confidential vs. Public Settlements
Most hazing cases settle confidentially, but public verdicts set market values. Our experience with multi-million dollar cases informs our valuation of your claim.

Insurance Coverage Battles: The Hidden Fight

Fraternities, nationals, and universities carry various insurance policies that often:

1. Deny coverage citing “intentional act” exclusions
2. Dispute which policy applies (national vs. local vs. university)
3. Delay payments hoping families settle for less

Our Insurance Insider Advantage:
Mr. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows:

• How insurers value (and undervalue) claims
• Their delay tactics and negotiation strategies
• How to counter coverage denial arguments
• Which policy provisions matter most

This insider knowledge frequently makes the difference between a lowball settlement and full recovery.

Practical Guides for City of Holliday Parents and Students

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

1. Physical indicators:

   • Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts
   • Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
   • Weight changes from food/water manipulation
   • Sleep deprivation patterns (late calls, early demands)

2. Behavioral changes:

   • Sudden secrecy about organization activities
   • Withdrawal from family and old friends
   • Personality shifts: anxiety, depression, irritability
   • Defensiveness when asked about the group

3. Academic red flags:

   • Grades dropping suddenly
   • Missing classes for “mandatory” events
   • Losing scholarships or academic standing

4. Digital patterns:

   • Constant phone monitoring for group chats
   • Anxiety about missing messages
   • Deleting messages or browser history obsessively
   • Geo-tracking apps demanded by the organization

Conversation Starters (Non-Confrontational)

1. “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
2. “Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
3. “What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
4. “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
5. “Do you feel like you could leave if you wanted to?”

If You Suspect Hazing: Immediate Steps

1. Prioritize safety: If in danger, call 911 first
2. Medical attention: Even if they resist, get professional evaluation
3. Document everything: Write down what they tell you with dates/times
4. Preserve evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries
5. Contact us: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before confronting anyone

For Students: Self-Protection and Exit Strategies

Is This Hazing? Assessment Questions

• 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 or lie?

How to Exit Safely

1. Immediate danger: Call 911, get to safe location
2. Planning to quit:
   • Tell someone outside the organization first
   • Send written resignation (email/text for record)
   • Don’t attend “one last meeting” where pressure may occur
3. If fearing retaliation:
   • Document any threats
   • Report to Dean of Students and campus police
   • Seek protective order if necessary

Evidence Collection for Students

1. Screenshots: Capture full conversations with timestamps
2. Photos: Injuries from multiple angles with scale reference
3. Recordings: Texas is one-party consent for conversations you’re in
4. Medical records: Tell providers you were hazed for documentation
5. Witness information: Names and contacts of others who saw what happened

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence
Mistake: Letting your child “clean up” embarrassing messages
Consequence: Looks like cover-up, obstruction of justice, case weakness
Solution: Preserve everything immediately

2. Direct Confrontation
Mistake: Yelling at fraternity members or advisors
Consequence: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Solution: Document quietly, call attorney first

3. Signing University Agreements
Mistake: Accepting “internal resolution” or release forms
Consequence: May waive right to sue or accept inadequate settlement
Solution: “I need my attorney to review this first”

4. Social Media Posts
Mistake: Venting details online
Consequence: Defense attorneys screenshot everything, inconsistencies hurt credibility
Solution: Private documentation only, let attorney control messaging

5. Waiting on University Investigation
Mistake: “Let’s see how the school handles it”
Consequence: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
Solution: Parallel track—preserve evidence while university investigates

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

About The Manginello Law Firm: Why Experience Matters for City of Holliday Families

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 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 acts”
• Negotiate settlements behind the scenes

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience
Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar corporations with unlimited legal budgets. That same capability applies when suing national fraternities and universities.

Multi-Million Dollar Results
We’ve recovered millions for clients in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We work with economists, life care planners, and medical experts to build cases that force accountability, not just settle cheaply.

Criminal + Civil Dual Capability
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of hazing cases. We can advise on criminal exposure while pursuing civil accountability—a rare combination.

Investigative Depth
Our network includes:

• Digital forensics experts for recovering deleted messages
• Medical specialists for injury documentation
• Greek life culture experts for understanding organizational dynamics
• Economists for calculating lifetime damages

Spanish Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring Hispanic families in City of Holliday and across Texas receive clear communication and compassionate representation.

Our Current Hazing Litigation: The Bermudez Case

Right now, we’re actively litigating one of Texas’ most serious hazing cases: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi. This $10 million lawsuit involves:

• Months of documented abuse
• Life-threatening injuries (rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure)
• Multiple defendants (university, national, housing corp, individuals)
• Media coverage in Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline

This isn’t historical research—it’s current, active litigation proving our capability and commitment.

Texas-Wide Service with Local Understanding

While based in Houston, we serve families throughout Texas, including City of Holliday and Archer County. We understand:

• The universities City of Holliday students attend
• The legal jurisdictions involved (state courts, federal districts)
• The medical facilities serving different regions
• The community values and concerns of Texas families

Your Next Step: Confidential Consultation

What to Expect When You Call

1. Compassionate Listening: We’ll hear your story without judgment
2. Evidence Review: We’ll assess what you’ve preserved and advise on next steps
3. Legal Options Explained: Criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
4. Realistic Timeline: What to expect in coming weeks and months
5. Cost Discussion: Contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover
6. No Pressure: Take time to decide what’s right for your family

Contact Information

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

Spanish Services: Mr. Lupe Peña available for consultations in Spanish

Additional Resources

Our YouTube Educational Videos:

• Evidence Preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Statute of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes to Avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Contingency Fees Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Practice Area Information:

• Wrongful Death Experience: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
• Criminal Defense Capability: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/

Attorney Profiles:

• Ralph Manginello: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
• Lupe Peña: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit

Click2Houston (KPRC 2) — “‘Urine was brown’: Pledge sues over severe hazing at University of Houston’s shut down Pi Kappa Phi fraternity”

• Published: November 21, 2025 | Authors: Bryce Newberry & Holly Galvan Posey
• URL: 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 Eyewitness News (KTRK) — “Waterboarding, forced eating, physical punishment: Lawsuit alleges abuse faced by injured pledge at UH’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity”

• Published: November 22, 2025 | Author: Nick Natario
• URL: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Hoodline — “University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Face $10M Lawsuit Over Alleged Hazing and Abuse”

• Published: November 22, 2025 | Author: Alyssa Ford
• URL: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational YouTube Videos

“📱 Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case? | Attorney911 Explains”

• Content: How to properly use your smartphone to document evidence after an injury or hazing incident
  -CRITICAL for evidence preservation
• URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

“Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case? | Attorney911 with Injury Lawyer Ralph Manginello”

• Content: Texas statutes of limitations for personal injury cases, deadlines, exceptions
• ESSENTIAL for timing awareness
• URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

“Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case | Attorney911 with Ralph Manginello”

• Content: Common errors that damage personal injury claims, social media pitfalls, insurance statements
• VITAL guidance for hazing victims
• URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

“📢 How Do Contingency Fees Work? Injury Lawyer Explains!”

• Content: Contingency fee model—no upfront costs, no fee unless we win
• IMPORTANT for understanding costs
• URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website

Attorney911 — Main Website & Contact

• Full-service Texas personal injury and criminal defense law firm
• 24/7 free consultations, offices in Houston, Austin, Beaumont
• Spanish-language services available (Se habla Español)
• Over 25 years of courtroom experience
• URL: https://attorney911.com

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