Texas Hazing Lawsuits: A Complete Guide for Jonestown Families & All Texas Parents

If you’re a parent in Jonestown, Texas, your worst nightmare might be receiving a call that your child has been hurt while away at college. When that injury comes not from an accident, but from intentional abuse disguised as “tradition” or “initiation,” the confusion, fear, and anger can be overwhelming. Right now, in Harris County, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history—representing Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. This case shows with brutal clarity what Texas families are up against: forced degradation, extreme physical abuse, and institutional systems that too often fail to protect students.

This guide is written specifically for you—parents and families in Jonestown, Travis County, and across Central Texas. We’ll explain what modern hazing really looks like, how Texas law applies, what’s happening at universities where Jonestown families send their children, and what legal options exist when prevention fails. Whether your child attends the University of Texas at Austin just minutes from Jonestown, Texas A&M, Baylor, or any Texas campus, you have the right to answers and accountability.

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 in Texas

For Jonestown families unfamiliar with modern Greek life or campus organizations, hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypes of “boys will be boys” pranks. Today’s hazing is sophisticated, digitally enabled, and often disguised as “team building” or “tradition.”

The Modern Definition of Hazing in Plain English

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. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance. Under Texas law, consent is explicitly not a defense.

Five Main Categories of Hazing Jonestown Parents Should Recognize

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing

• Forced or coerced drinking games (“lineups,” “Big/Little” nights, “bid acceptance” parties)
• Chugging challenges with hard liquor
• Being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances
• The Stone Foltz case at Bowling Green State University shows the lethal reality: a 20-year-old pledge forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol during a Pi Kappa Alpha “Big/Little” event, leading to his death from alcohol poisoning

2. Physical Hazing

• Paddling and beatings (common in some NPHC traditions, though officially prohibited)
• Extreme calisthenics or “smokings” far beyond normal conditioning
• Sleep deprivation, food/water deprivation
• Exposure to extreme cold/heat or dangerous environments
• In the current University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi case, Leonel Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, then made to lie in vomit-soaked grass and sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

• Forced nudity or partial nudity
• Simulated sexual acts, “roasted pig” positions, degrading costumes
• Acts with racial or sexist overtones, slurs, or role-play
• The Texas A&M Corps of Cadets “roasted pig” case involved a cadet allegedly bound between beds with an apple in his mouth

4. Psychological Hazing

• Verbal abuse, threats, isolation
• Manipulation or forced confessions
• Public shaming in meetings or rituals
• Social isolation from non-members

5. Digital/Online Hazing

• Group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation via Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok
• Pressure to create or share compromising images/videos
• 24/7 digital control through messaging apps like GroupMe
• Geo-tracking demands via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps

Where Hazing Happens Across Texas Campuses

Hazing is not just “frat boys.” In Texas, we see it in:

• Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC (particularly at Texas A&M)
• Spirit squads and tradition clubs (Texas Cowboys, Texas Angels, etc.)
• Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Some service, cultural, and academic organizations

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

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

When hazing occurs at a Texas university, multiple layers of law come into play—from state criminal statutes to federal civil rights protections. Understanding this framework is crucial for Jonestown families evaluating their options.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37: The Foundation

Under Texas law—which governs cases in Jonestown, Travis County, and throughout the state—hazing has a specific legal definition:

§ 37.151 Definition:
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, 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.

Plain English Translation for Jonestown Parents:
If someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they meant to do it or were reckless about the risk, that’s hazing under Texas law.

Key Points That Matter for Your Case:

• Location doesn’t matter: Can happen on or off campus (at houses, Airbnbs, retreats)
• Harm can be mental or physical: PTSD, humiliation, and psychological trauma count
• “Reckless” is enough: They don’t need malicious intent—just disregard for known risks
• “Consent is not a defense”: Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing (Texas Education Code § 37.155)

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases (Brought by the State):

• Purpose: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Who files: District Attorney or County Attorney
• Typical charges:
  • Hazing offenses (Class B misdemeanor to state jail felony)
  • Furnishing alcohol to minors
  • Assault, battery
  • Manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide in fatal cases
• Penalties under Texas law:
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Default hazing charge (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causes injury requiring medical treatment
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing causes serious bodily injury or death

Civil Cases (Brought by Victims/Families):

• Purpose: Compensation and accountability
• Who files: Your family with an attorney
• Typical claims:
  • Negligence and gross negligence
  • Wrongful death
  • Negligent hiring/supervision
  • Premises liability
  • Intentional infliction of emotional distress
• Key difference: A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case

Both can run simultaneously. In the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi case, there could be criminal charges against individual members while we pursue civil compensation for Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and four-day hospitalization.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

• Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents transparently
• Strengthens hazing education and prevention
• Phased-in public hazing data reporting (by approximately 2026)
• Impact for Jonestown families: More university accountability and publicly available data

Title IX:

• Triggered when hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility
• Creates additional legal avenues against universities
• Example: If hazing includes forced nudity or sexualized acts, Title IX may apply

Clery Act:

• Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics
• Hazing incidents often overlap with assault or alcohol/drug crimes
• Practical impact: You can request Clery reports showing prior incidents

Who Can Be Liable in a Texas Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students:

• Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
• In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case: 13 individual fraternity leaders/members named, including chapter president, pledgemaster, risk manager

2. Local Chapter/Organization:

• The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if it’s a legal entity)
• Chapter officers acting in official capacity
• Example: Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation (also named in Bermudez lawsuit)

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters:

• Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
• Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents
• In the UH case: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters is named for failing to prevent known hazing patterns

4. University or Governing Board:

• Schools may be sued under negligence or civil-rights theories
• Key questions: prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference
• In the UH case: University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents are defendants

5. Third Parties:

• Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces
• Bars or alcohol providers (under Texas dram shop laws)
• Security companies or event organizers

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys investigate all potential defendants to ensure full accountability.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Jonestown Families

The tragic stories from other states aren’t just news—they’re legal precedents that show what can happen, what institutions knew, and what juries will award. These cases demonstrate patterns that repeat at Texas campuses.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):

• Bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking
• Severe falls captured on chapter security cameras
• 19-year-old died from traumatic brain injuries
• 18 fraternity members charged with over 1,000 criminal counts
• Takeaway for Texas parents: Delayed medical care + security camera evidence = devastating liability

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):

• “Big/Little” night; pledge forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey
• 20-year-old died from alcohol poisoning
• Multiple criminal convictions
• $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
• Takeaway: National organizations pay when their chapters repeat known deadly patterns

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):

• “Bible study” drinking game; forced to drink when answering incorrectly
• 19-year-old died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%)
• Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)
• Takeaway: One tragedy can change state law and create stronger protections

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):

• Pledge at fraternity retreat subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual
• Fatal head injuries from repeated tackling
• Help delayed for hours
• Multiple members convicted; national fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
• Takeaway for Jonestown families: Off-campus “retreats” can be particularly dangerous, and national organizations face serious sanctions

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025):

• Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within football program
• Multiple lawsuits against university
• Head coach Pat Fitzgerald fired, later settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially
• Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to big-money athletic programs

What These Cases Mean for Jonestown Families

• Common threads: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups
• Reforms happen only after tragedy and litigation
• Multi-million dollar settlements are common in serious injury/death cases
• Texas families facing hazing at UT Austin, Texas A&M, or other schools operate in a landscape shaped by these national lessons

Texas Focus: Where Jonestown Families Send Their Kids

Jonestown’s location in Travis County places families in the heart of Central Texas’s educational landscape. Many students attend the University of Texas at Austin, while others choose Texas A&M, Baylor, or schools across the state. Here’s what’s happening at major Texas universities.

University of Texas at Austin: In Jonestown’s Backyard

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Just minutes from Jonestown, UT Austin hosts approximately 60 fraternity and sorority chapters serving over 6,000 students. The university’s Greek life is among the largest in the nation, with historic traditions and significant campus influence.

Official Hazing Policy & Transparency

UT Austin maintains one of Texas’s most transparent hazing reporting systems:

• Public Hazing Violations page (hazing.utexas.edu) listing organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions
• Mandatory hazing prevention education for Greek organizations
• Multiple reporting channels: Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct, UT Police Department

Documented Incidents & Responses from Public Records

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023 Violation):

• New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics
• Conduct found to be hazing
• Sanction: Chapter probation, required hazing-prevention education

Texas Wranglers (Spirit Organization – 2022 Violation):

• New members subjected to forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
• Sanction: Organizational suspension, mandatory reforms

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Ongoing Concerns):

• January 2024: Australian exchange student alleged assault resulting in dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose
• Lawsuit seeks over $1 million
• Chapter already under suspension for prior violations

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed for Jonestown Families

• Jurisdiction: Travis County courts (where Jonestown is located)
• Police involvement: UTPD and/or Austin Police Department depending on location
• Court venue: Travis County District Courts or federal court if federal claims apply
• Practical consideration: Jonestown families have local access to legal proceedings

What UT Austin Students & Jonestown Parents Should Do

1. Report immediately: Dean of Students (512-471-2841), UTPD (512-471-4441)
2. Document prior incidents: Check UT’s public hazing log for the organization’s history
3. Preserve digital evidence: Group chats often use GroupMe at UT Austin
4. Seek medical care at UT University Health Services or local Travis County hospitals
5. Contact experienced counsel: Universities move quickly to control narratives

Texas A&M University: A Common Choice for Central Texas Families

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Many Jonestown families choose Texas A&M for its academic programs and tradition. The university’s Corps of Cadets and large Greek system create multiple environments where hazing can occur.

Documented Incidents & Legal Actions

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):

• Two pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner
• Severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
• Pledges sued fraternity for $1 million
• Fraternity suspended by university for two years

Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023):

• Cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds with apple in mouth
• Simulated sexual acts reported
• Lawsuit sought over $1 million
• Texas A&M stated it handled matter under Corps regulations

Kappa Sigma Rhabdomyolysis Case (2023, ongoing):

• Allegations of extreme physical hazing causing severe muscle breakdown
• Specialized medical and legal attention required
• Case highlights specific injury patterns from over-exertion hazing

Texas A&M’s Hazing Response Framework

• Student Conduct office handles Greek life violations
• Corps of Cadets has separate disciplinary system
• Public reporting less transparent than UT Austin
• Challenge for families: Navigating dual systems with different standards

University of Houston: Current Ground Zero for Texas Hazing Litigation

The Leonel Bermudez/Pi Kappa Phi Case – Texas’s Flagship Hazing Lawsuit

Right now, we’re leading what may become Texas’s most significant hazing precedent. Here are the documented facts from media coverage:

The Parties:

• Plaintiff: Leonel Bermudez, UH transfer student, Fall 2025 pledge
• Defendants: University of Houston, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, Beta Nu housing corporation, 13 individual fraternity leaders/members
• Legal Team: Attorney911 (Ralph Manginello & Lupe Peña) representing Bermudez

The Hazing Timeline & Methods:

• September 2025: Bermudez accepts bid to Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter
• September-October: Enforced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interviews, overnight chauffeuring duties
• “Pledge fanny pack” rule: Must carry 24/7 containing condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices, humiliating items
• Physical abuse: Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, “save-your-brother” drills
• Extreme acts: Cold-weather exposure in underwear, lying in vomit-soaked grass, sprayed in face with hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk/hot dogs/peppercorns until vomiting
• November 3, 2025: Bermudez forced through 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under threat of expulsion

Medical Catastrophe:

• Developed rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown)
• Acute kidney failure requiring four-day hospitalization
• Passed brown urine (classic rhabdomyolysis symptom)
• Lab tests showed critically high creatine kinase levels
• Ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage

Institutional Response:

• November 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu chapter
• November 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender charter; chapter shut down
• UH statement: Conduct “deeply disturbing,” promises disciplinary measures up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement

Legal Significance for All Texas Families:
This case demonstrates:

• How quickly hazing can cause permanent organ damage
• The comprehensive defendant approach needed (university + national + individuals + housing corp)
• The importance of immediate medical documentation
• Why experienced hazing attorneys matter against institutional defendants

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University: Additional Texas Context

SMU’s Greek Culture:

• Private university with affluent student body
• Strong Greek presence with historical hazing incidents
• Kappa Alpha Order incident (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, sleep-deprived; chapter suspended

Baylor’s Unique Environment:

• Religious identity with historical scrutiny over football/Title IX issues
• Baseball hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following investigation
• Challenge of navigating religious branding with accountability

The Greek Ecosystem Around Jonestown: Public Records Reality

For Jonestown families, understanding the organizational landscape behind campus Greek life is crucial. Through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from IRS filings, university records, and metro databases—we maintain an unmatched directory of Texas Greek organizations.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations in the Austin-Round Rock Metro

The Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area, which includes Jonestown in Travis County, hosts 154 Greek-related organizations according to Cause IQ data. These include undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, housing corporations, and honor societies.

Sample Organizations from IRS B83 Filings (Public Records):

1. Chi Omega Fraternity – EIN: 740555581

   • 2711 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
   • Data source: IRS B83 filing – Chi Omega House Corporation

2. Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – EIN: 463831593

   • 2307 Vanderbilt Cir, Austin, TX 78723
   • Role: Academic honor society chapter at Texas State University
   • Data source: IRS B83 public filing

3. Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Inc – EIN: 741130606

   • 1908 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705
   • Role: Alpha Mu chapter housing corporation
   • Data source: IRS B83 filing

4. Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi – EIN: 746047117

   • 2620 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
   • Role: UT Austin sorority housing corporation
   • Data source: IRS B83 filing

5. Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority Inc – EIN: 851262394

   • PO Box 302701, Austin, TX 78703
   • Role: Beta Mu chapter organization
   • Data source: IRS B83 filing

Cause IQ Metro Listings for Austin-Round Rock:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp. (University of Texas chapter house corporation)
• Delta Tau Delta – Gamma Iota Chapter (UT Austin chapter house)
• Beta Xi House Corp. of Kappa Kappa Gamma (UT Austin chapter house corporation)
• Texas Rho Housing Corporation (ΣΑΕ)
• Texas Alpha Phi House Corporation (Alpha Phi UT chapter house corp.)

Texas-Wide Greek Organization Snapshot

Our database tracks 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros, including:

Major Metro Concentrations:

• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington: 510 organizations
• Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land: 188 organizations
• Austin-Round Rock: 154 organizations
• San Antonio: 86 organizations

Why This Directory Matters for Jonestown Families:

1. Insurance identification: Each organization may carry liability insurance
2. Liability tracing: Multiple entities may share responsibility
3. Discovery roadmap: We know where to look for records and assets
4. Pattern evidence: National brands appear across multiple campuses

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

The organizations at UT Austin, Texas A&M, and other Texas campuses don’t exist in isolation. They’re chapters of national brands with histories—and liabilities—that span states and decades.

Why National Histories Matter in Texas Courts

When a Texas chapter repeats the same deadly pattern that got a chapter shut down in Ohio or Louisiana, that shows foreseeability. Courts consider whether national headquarters:

• Knew or should have known the risks
• Failed to enforce their own policies
• Didn’t learn from prior tragedies

National Organizations with Documented Hazing Histories

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike) – Multiple Texas Chapters

• National history: Stone Foltz death (BGSU), David Bogenberger death (NIU)
• Texas presence: Chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, UH, SMU, Baylor
• Legal significance: $10M Foltz settlement shows national liability reach

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE) – Widespread Texas Presence

• National history: Multiple alcohol-related deaths, traumatic brain injury cases
• Texas incidents:
  • UT Austin: 2024 assault lawsuit
  • Texas A&M: 2021 chemical burns case
  • Multiple campuses under investigation
• Pattern: Known for alcohol hazing despite “national reform” efforts

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ) – Currently in UH Litigation

• National history: Andrew Coffey death (Florida State University)
• Current Texas case: Leonel Bermudez rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• Key fact: Same national organization, same dangerous patterns

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ) – Texas Campuses

• National history: Max Gruver death (LSU) led to Louisiana felony hazing law
• Texas chapters: Multiple campuses including UT Austin
• Legal precedent: $6.1M verdict in Gruver case shows jury willingness to hold organizations accountable

Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ)

• National history: Timothy Piazza death (Penn State) – landmark prosecution
• Texas presence: Chapters at major universities
• Significance: Security camera evidence was crucial in Piazza case

Connecting National Patterns to Jonestown Families’ Cases

When we take a case like Bermudez’s against Pi Kappa Phi, we:

1. Investigate national history: What did headquarters know about hazing risks?
2. Review prior incidents: Same organization, other campuses
3. Analyze policies vs. practice: Were anti-hazing manuals actually enforced?
4. Trace liability: National + local + university = comprehensive approach

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages & Strategy

For Jonestown families considering legal action, understanding how cases are built is crucial. Here’s what happens behind the scenes in serious hazing litigation.

Evidence Collection: The Digital Crime Scene

1. Digital Communications (Most Critical Evidence):

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage: Screenshot immediately before deletion
• Social media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat (screenshot before disappearance), TikTok
• Fraternity-specific apps: Many nationals have custom communication platforms
• Email chains: Chapter communications, national correspondence
• Recovery capability: Digital forensics can often recover deleted messages

2. Photos & Videos:

• Content filmed by members during events (often shared in group chats)
• Social media posts/stories showing hazing activities
• Security camera or doorbell footage at houses
• In the UH case: Evidence from multiple locations (chapter house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park)

3. Internal Organization Documents:

• Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” documents
• Risk management files from national headquarters
• Meeting minutes referencing hazing or “traditions”
• Financial records showing alcohol purchases

4. University Records (Obtained via Discovery):

• Prior conduct files on the same organization
• Incident reports to campus police or conduct offices
• Clery Act reports showing prior incidents
• Internal emails among administrators

5. Medical Documentation:

• Emergency room and hospitalization records
• Toxicology reports (blood alcohol, drug screens)
• Specialist evaluations (nephrology for kidney damage, psychiatry for PTSD)
• In rhabdomyolysis cases: Creatine kinase levels, kidney function tests

6. Witness Testimony:

• Other pledges (often afraid but may cooperate with protection)
• Former members who quit or were expelled
• Roommates, RAs, bystanders
• Medical personnel who treated injuries

Damages: What Families Can Recover in Texas Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

• Medical expenses: ER, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment
• Future medical care: Lifelong needs for permanent injuries
• Lost educational costs: Tuition for withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships
• Lost earning capacity: Reduced lifetime earnings from disabilities

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Can’t participate in college experience
• Disfigurement or permanent disability

Wrongful Death Damages (When Applicable):

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship, love, guidance
• Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages (When Conduct is Egregious):

• To punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
• To deter future hazing
• Available under certain Texas statutes

Settlement Realities from National Precedents

Recent Hazing Settlement & Verdict Ranges:

• Death cases: $1M–$14M (Foltz $10M, Bogenberger $14M, Gruver $6.1M)
• Severe injury cases: $375K–multi-million (varies by injury severity)
• Individual officer liability: Personal judgments up to $6.5M

Confidential vs. Public Settlements:

• Most cases settle confidentially before trial
• Public verdicts create precedent but also publicity
• We work with families to balance accountability with privacy needs

Practical Guides & FAQs for Jonestown Families

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your College Student May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Sleep deprivation (constant late nights, 3 AM calls)
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities
• Withdrawal from family, old friends, or non-members
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
• Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
• Financial requests for unexplained expenses

How to Talk to Your Child (Non-Confrontational Approach):

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 can leave if you want to?”

If Your Child Opens Up About Hazing:

1. Listen without judgment – they’re likely scared and ashamed
2. Prioritize safety – remove from dangerous situation if needed
3. Get medical attention – even if they insist they’re “fine”
4. Document everything – write down what they tell you
5. Preserve evidence – screenshot messages, photograph injuries
6. Contact an attorney – before reporting to university or police

For Students: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Quick Assessment:

• Am I being forced or pressured to do something unsafe?
• Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would my parents or university approve if they knew?
• Am I being told to keep secrets or lie?

If You Want to Exit Safely:

1. Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
2. Send written resignation to chapter president (email/text for record)
3. Do NOT go to “one last meeting” – that’s when pressure intensifies
4. If threatened, report to campus police and Dean of Students
5. Texas law protects those who report hazing in good faith

Evidence Collection for Students:

• Screenshot group chats with timestamps and participant names visible
• Record conversations (Texas is one-party consent state)
• Photograph injuries immediately and over several days
• Save everything – don’t delete even embarrassing content
• Medical documentation: Tell providers you were hazed so it’s in records

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

MISTAKE #1: Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

• Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction of justice; destroys case
• What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately—embarrassing content is evidence

MISTAKE #2: Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly

• Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
• What to do instead: Document everything, call a lawyer before any confrontation

MISTAKE #3: Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms

• Why it’s wrong: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often inadequate
• What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review

MISTAKE #4: Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer

• Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
• What to do instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

MISTAKE #5: Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”

• Why it’s wrong: They pressure, intimidate, or extract damaging statements
• What to do instead: Once considering legal action, all communication through your lawyer

MISTAKE #6: Waiting “to see how the university handles it”

• Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
• What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

MISTAKE #7: Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer

• Why it’s wrong: Recorded statements are used against you; settlements are lowball
• What to do instead: “My attorney will contact you”

Short FAQ for Jonestown Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UT Austin, Texas A&M, UH) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case is fact-specific—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case 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 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 and power imbalance isn’t true voluntary consent.

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

“What if hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals 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 with 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. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

About The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911: Why We Handle Hazing Cases Differently

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. From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Jonestown in Travis County and across Central Texas.

Our Unique Qualifications for Texas Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña’s Defense Background):
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
• Deploy coverage exclusion arguments
• “We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello’s Experience):
Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. This experience directly applies to hazing cases against:

• National fraternities with deep-pocketed insurers
• University systems with institutional protection instincts
• Defense firms that specialize in protecting organizations

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Experience:
We’ve recovered millions for families in complex wrongful death cases, working with economists to value:

• Lifetime care needs for brain injuries or permanent disabilities
• Lost earning capacity over decades
• Comprehensive damage models that drive serious settlements

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand:

• How criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
• How to advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure
• Defense strategies from both sides of the courtroom

Investigative Depth & Expert Network:
For hazing cases, we deploy:

• Medical experts: Rhabdomyysis specialists, nephrologists, psychiatrists
• Digital forensics: Recovering deleted messages and social media evidence
• Greek life culture experts: Understanding organizational dynamics
• Economists: Valuing lifelong impacts of injuries
• Life-care planners: Documenting future needs for serious injuries

How We Investigate Hazing Cases for Jonestown Families

Immediate Evidence Preservation:
Within hours of contacting us, we guide families through:

• Screenshot protocols for disappearing messages
• Medical documentation requirements
• Witness identification and protection
• University communication strategies

Comprehensive Defendant Investigation:
We don’t just sue the obvious parties. We investigate:

• All organizational layers: National HQ, housing corporations, alumni associations
• Insurance coverage: Multiple policies across defendants
• Prior incidents: Pattern evidence from same organization
• University knowledge: What administrators knew and when

Digital Forensics & Evidence Recovery:

• Working with experts to recover deleted group chats
• Subpoenaing social media platform records
• Analyzing metadata and digital footprints
• Preserving evidence before it’s destroyed

Why Hazing Cases Are Different

Powerful Institutional Defendants:
Universities and national fraternities have:

• Unlimited legal budgets
• Experienced defense firms on retainer
• Institutional protection instincts
• Insurance coverage battles

Complex Insurance Coverage Fights:
Insurers often argue:

• Hazing is “intentional conduct” excluded from coverage
• Multiple policies create coverage gaps
• We navigate these arguments with insider knowledge

Balancing Privacy with Accountability:
We help families navigate:

• Confidential settlement options
• Public accountability when needed
• Protecting your child’s privacy while seeking justice
• Media relations if case becomes public

Call to Action for Jonestown Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether at UT Austin just minutes from Jonestown, Texas A&M, UH, or any school—we want to hear from you. Families in Jonestown, Travis County, and throughout Central Texas have the right to answers and accountability.

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

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

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

Clear 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

Spanish-Language Services Available:
Hablamos Español – Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish

Our Commitment to Jonestown Families

We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families in Jonestown and across the region. Whether your child attends school in Austin, College Station, Houston, or beyond, you don’t have to face this alone. We bring:

• Texas-specific hazing law expertise
• Institutional litigation experience (BP Texas City explosion cases)
• Insider insurance knowledge from defense-side experience
• Compassionate, family-focused representation

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let us help you get answers, hold the right people accountable, and prevent this from happening to another family.

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

Plain Text Links to Key Resources:

News Coverage of Current Texas Hazing Case:

1. Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing 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/
2. ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:
3. How to use your cellphone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
4. Texas statutes of limitations explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
5. Client mistakes that can ruin your injury case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
6. How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:
7. Contact for free consultation: https://attorney911.com