The Definitive Hazing Guide for Junction, Texas Families: University of Houston Lawsuits, Texas A&M Corps Cases & Holding Fraternities Accountable

If Your Child Was Hazed in Junction, You Are Not Alone

Imagine this: Your child, excited about starting their college journey, receives a bid from a fraternity at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, or another Texas campus. What begins as camaraderie quickly turns concerning—late-night calls, unexplained exhaustion, defensive answers about “tradition.” Then comes the nightmare: a phone call from a hospital. Your child has been hospitalized with acute kidney failure after being forced through hundreds of squats and push-ups. They were sprayed in the face with a hose “like waterboarding,” forced to consume milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and required to carry a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” 24/7. Their urine was brown. This isn’t hypothetical. This is exactly what happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter in fall 2025—a $10 million hazing lawsuit our firm is litigating right now.

For families in Junction, Kimble County, and across the Texas Hill Country, the reality of campus hazing hits closer than you might think. Whether your child attends nearby Texas Tech University in Lubbock, heads to Central Texas schools like Texas State University, or ventures to major hubs like UT Austin, Texas A&M, or the University of Houston, the risks are real, and the institutional responses often inadequate. The fraternity that nearly killed Leonel Bermudez at UH—Pi Kappa Phi—has chapters across Texas. The patterns of forced drinking, extreme physical abuse, and psychological torment repeat campus to campus, organization to organization.

This comprehensive guide serves Junction parents and Texas families navigating the unthinkable: what to do when your child has been hazed, abused, or injured in connection with fraternities, sororities, Corps of Cadets programs, athletics, or campus organizations. We will demystify what hazing actually looks like in 2025 (far beyond stereotypes), explain Texas and federal law, trace national patterns that directly impact Texas campuses, and provide practical, immediate steps for protecting your child and pursuing accountability. Our firm, The Manginello Law Firm, PLLD (Attorney911), represents hazing victims and families across Texas, including right here in the Hill Country. We are currently leading the litigation in the Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi case—one of the most serious active hazing lawsuits in the country.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES IN JUNCTION

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 Junction families whose college experiences may date back decades, today’s hazing bears little resemblance to occasional pranks. Modern hazing is systematic, psychologically sophisticated, and often digitally documented. It thrives in secrecy while hiding in plain sight through coded language and “tradition.”

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – The “Gateway” Activities
These behaviors establish power imbalances while seeming harmless: mandatory “study hours” that are actually interrogation sessions, enforced dress codes, required chauffeuring of older members at all hours, social isolation from non-members, and the now-infamous “pledge fanny pack” rule seen in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case—where pledges carried condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices, and humiliating items 24/7. For Junction students unaccustomed to Greek life, these initial controls normalize the abuse to come.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – Psychological Warfare
This escalates to sleep deprivation (3 AM wake-up calls for “meetings”), food manipulation (forced consumption of specific items), verbal abuse dressed up as “interviews,” and physically demanding tasks framed as “conditioning.” At UH, pledges were forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass, endure cold-weather exposure in underwear, and participate in “save-your-brother” drills. The psychological goal is breaking down individuality to create blind obedience.

Tier 3: Violent Hazing – Life-Threatening Acts
This is where hospitalization and death occur: forced alcohol consumption (“Big/Little” nights with entire bottles of liquor), extreme physical endurance tests (100+ push-ups, 500 squats as in the UH case), simulated waterboarding (being sprayed in the face with a hose), actual beatings, forced drug use, sexualized acts, and dangerous environments. The rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure suffered by Leonel Bermudez represents the catastrophic medical consequences of this tier.

Digital Hazing: The 24/7 Pressure Cooker

Today’s hazing extends far beyond physical spaces:

Group chat tyranny: Pledges monitored on GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord with instant response demands
Social media humiliation: Forced TikTok challenges, Instagram story dares, public shaming
Location tracking: Required sharing of live location via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
Digital evidence creation: Members film hazing for private groups, creating both evidence and collateral

Where Hazing Happens: Beyond Fraternity Houses

While fraternities and sororities dominate headlines, Junction families should know hazing permeates:

Corps of Cadets programs (especially at Texas A&M with its “roasted pig” incident)
Athletic teams (from football to swimming, as seen in Northwestern University’s $75M scandal)
Spirit organizations (Texas Cowboys, cheer squads, marching bands)
Academic honor societies and cultural organizations
ROTC and military-style groups

The common thread isn’t the type of organization but the power dynamic between new and established members, wrapped in the language of “tradition,” “bonding,” and “earning your place.”

Texas Hazing Law: What Junction Families Must Know About Rights & Recourse

Texas has specific legal frameworks for hazing, but navigating them requires understanding both criminal penalties and civil liability pathways. For families in Junction, cases may involve multiple jurisdictions—the county where the hazing occurred (possibly Harris, Travis, Brazos, or Dallas County), Kimble County if evidence is collected here, and federal courts if Title IX or civil rights claims apply.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Core Hazing Statute

§37.151 Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health or safety for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or membership.

Critical for Junction families to understand:

Location doesn’t matter: Off-campus houses, retreats, Airbnb rentals—all covered
“Reckless” suffices: No need to prove malicious intent
Mental health counts: Psychological trauma qualifies alongside physical injury

§37.152 Criminal Penalties:

Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death (what we’re seeing in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure)

§37.155 The Most Important Protection: “Consent is not a defense to prosecution for hazing.” This directly counters the “they agreed to it” argument fraternities deploy. Texas law recognizes that power imbalances and group coercion invalidate true consent.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Dual Pathways to Accountability

Criminal Cases (State Prosecution):

Brought by district attorneys in the county where hazing occurred
Focus: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Examples: Harris County DA prosecuting UH Pi Kappa Phi members, Brazos County DA investigating Texas A&M incidents
Reality: Under-resourced DAs often prioritize other crimes; outcomes vary widely

Civil Lawsuits (Family-Initiated):

Brought by victims/families for compensation and accountability
Focus: Medical expenses, pain/suffering, lost future earnings, wrongful death
Advantage: Lower burden of proof than criminal cases
Our firm’s approach: We pursue civil claims while cooperating with criminal investigations when appropriate

Federal Overlays: Title IX, Clery Act, Stop Campus Hazing Act

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based discrimination (common in sexualized hazing rituals), universities receiving federal funds must investigate. For Junction families, this means:

UT Austin, Texas A&M, UH, Baylor, SMU all subject to Title IX
Failure to properly investigate can lead to federal complaints
Our firm includes Title IX expertise alongside state claims

Clery Act: Requires universities to report campus crime statistics, including certain hazing incidents. The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024) strengthens these requirements, mandating more transparent hazing reporting by 2026.

Who Can Be Held Liable: The Chain of Accountability

Junction families pursuing hazing cases should understand the full universe of potential defendants:

Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up hazing
Chapter Officers: Presidents, pledgemasters, risk managers (all named in UH Pi Kappa Phi case)
Local Chapters: As legal entities if incorporated
National Fraternities/Sororities: Headquarters that set policies, collect dues, supervise
Housing Corporations: Separate legal entities that own fraternity houses (like the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 462267515, based in Frisco, TX)
Universities: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference
Property Owners: Landlords of off-campus houses where hazing occurs
Alumni Boards & Advisors: Who often enable or ignore hazing cultures

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine we maintain tracks these entities across Texas. For example, our data shows 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations in IRS filings, including:

Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515, 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035-6629) – The housing corporation behind the UH chapter
Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation (EIN 371768785, 4102 Eastshore St, Missouri City, TX 77459-1820)
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc (EIN 741380362, PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147-0061)
Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN 746084905, 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204-3067)

This organizational mapping proves crucial when insurers try to limit liability by claiming chapters are “rogue” or independent.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases making national headlines aren’t isolated—they’re templates that replay with devastating consistency. Junction families should recognize these patterns, as the same organizations operating at Texas campuses have nationwide histories.

Alcohol Poisoning Deaths: The Most Predictable Tragedy

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

Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
Died from alcohol poisoning
$10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, $3M from BGSU)
Takeaway for Texas: Pi Kappa Alpha operates at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, Baylor

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

“Bible study” drinking game – wrong answers meant forced drinking
BAC 0.495% at death
Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act creating felony hazing statute
Takeaway for Texas: Phi Delta Theta has chapters at all five major Texas universities

Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

“Big Brother” night with handle of liquor
Died from acute alcohol poisoning
FSU suspended all Greek life temporarily
Takeaway for Texas: Same Pi Kappa Phi national now sued in our UH case

Physical & Ritualized Violence

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

“Glass ceiling” ritual: blindfolded, weighted down, repeatedly tackled
Fatal traumatic brain injury; delayed 911 call
National fraternity criminally convicted, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
Takeaway for Texas: Off-campus “retreats” don’t protect organizations from liability

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021)

“Pledge dad reveal” night with extreme drinking
Permanent severe brain damage – cannot walk, talk, or see; requires 24/7 care
Settlements with 22 defendants, reportedly multi-million dollar
Takeaway for Texas: Non-fatal injuries can be more costly than deaths in lifetime care

Athletic Program Hazing: Not Just Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)

Sexualized, racist hazing within football program
Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired
Confidential settlement with coach Pat Fitzgerald
Takeaway for Texas: Big-money athletic programs at UT, A&M, Baylor have similar risks

What These Cases Mean for Junction Families

These national precedents establish crucial legal principles:

Foreseeability: Organizations can’t claim “we didn’t know” when patterns repeat
Punitive damages: Especially reckless conduct can warrant punishment beyond compensation
Institutional liability: Nationals and universities aren’t insulated from chapter actions
Statute strengthening: Each tragedy leads to stronger laws (Piazza Law in PA, Gruver Act in LA, Collin’s Law in OH)

When your child is hazed at a Texas school, you’re not starting from zero—you’re building on decades of legal precedent and hard-won accountability.

Texas University Focus: Where Junction Students Attend & What’s Happening

Junction families typically send students to a mix of nearby regional campuses and major Texas universities. Understanding the hazing landscape at each is crucial.

University of Houston: Our Current Ground Zero

The Leonel Bermudez / Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Case – Active Litigation
We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against:

University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents
Pi Kappa Phi National Fraternity Headquarters
Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Housing Corporation Inc.
13 individual fraternity leaders/members (chapter president, pledgemaster, risk manager, etc.)

The Hazing Timeline (Per ABC13 and Click2Houston Reports):

Sept 16, 2025: Bermudez accepts bid
Sept-Oct: Forced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interviews, overnight chauffeuring, “pledge fanny pack” humiliation
Oct 13: Another pledge hog-tied face-down on table with object in mouth for over an hour
Nov 3: Bermudez forced through 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats
Nov 6: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu chapter after receiving hazing reports
Nov 6-9: Bermudez’s condition deteriorates; passes brown urine; hospitalized four days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure (critically high creatine kinase levels)
Nov 14: Chapter members vote to surrender charter; chapter permanently closed

UH’s Greek Ecosystem (From Campus Rosters):

Interfraternity Council: Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Sigma Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Upsilon, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu – now closed), Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Theta Chi
National Pan-Hellenic Council: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho, Zeta Phi Beta
Multicultural Greek Council: Multiple organizations

For Junction Families with Students at UH:

Hazing reports go to UH Dean of Students Office and UHPD
Civil cases typically filed in Harris County courts
Evidence preservation critical: The UH case succeeded because of preserved group chats, medical records, witness statements

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture & Greek Life Intersection

Corps of Cadets Hazing Incident (2023 Lawsuit)

Cadet alleged being bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth
Simulated sexual acts, degradation
Sought over $1 million; A&M claimed handled internally
Takeaway: Corps traditions sometimes cross into hazing

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)

Pledges covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, spit
Severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
Fraternity suspended two years; $1 million lawsuit
Takeaway: Physical hazing takes many dangerous forms

Texas A&M’s Greek Landscape:

Interfraternity Council: Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Sigma Phi, Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Tau Delta, Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Theta Chi
Corps of Cadets: Unique military-style environment with its own risks

For Junction Families with Students at A&M:

Reports to Student Conduct Office and Texas A&M Police Department
Brazos County jurisdiction for local crimes
Dual systems: Greek life and Corps require different reporting strategies

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency & Repeated Violations

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Website (hazing.utexas.edu)
Unlike most schools, UT publishes detailed hazing violations—a resource for families and evidence for lawsuits.

Recent UT Sanctions Include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter probation
Texas Wranglers (spirit organization): Multiple hazing violations
Various fraternities for alcohol-related hazing, forced activities

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (2024)

Australian exchange student assaulted at party
Injuries: dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose
Over $1 million lawsuit; chapter already under suspension for prior violations

For Junction Families with Students at UT:

Use UT’s public violation database to check organization histories
Reports go to UT Dean of Students and UTPD
Travis County courts handle civil cases
Strategic advantage: UT’s transparency provides pre-built evidence patterns

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University: Private School Challenges

SMU’s Greek Dominance:

Higher percentage of Greek participation than public schools
Kappa Alpha Order incident (2017): Paddling, forced drinking, sleep deprivation; chapter suspended
Reporting challenge: Private schools less transparent than public institutions

Baylor’s Institutional History:

Ongoing scrutiny from sexual assault scandal
Baseball hazing (2020): 14 players suspended after investigation
Religious identity complexity: Christian mission doesn’t immune from hazing

For Junction Families at Private Schools:

Different legal standards than public universities
Often quicker to settle quietly to protect reputation
Discovery crucial: Must subpoena records that public schools might disclose voluntarily

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Why Organizational Mapping Matters

When fraternities and insurance companies claim “this was a rogue chapter,” our data tells a different story. We maintain what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a comprehensive directory of Greek organizations across Texas built from public records. For Junction families, this means we don’t start investigations from scratch.

IRS B83 Backbone: 125+ Texas-Registered Greek Organizations

From IRS tax-exempt organization filings (NTEE code B83 for “Student Sororities, Fraternities”), we track entities like:

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro Area (188 total organizations):

Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (Houston, TX – alumni/house corp)
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae (Houston, TX)
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – Alpha Kappa Omega (Houston, TX – grad chapter)
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity – Eta Rho Sigma (Houston, TX – grad chapter)
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter (Houston, TX – undergrad)

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro (510 total organizations):

Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity (12650 N Beach St #30, Suite 114, Fort Worth, TX 76244)
Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) national headquarters (Dallas area)
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation (Fort Worth, TX)
Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity – Gamma Psi Chapter (Fort Worth, TX – TCU)

Austin-Round Rock Metro (154 total organizations):

Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp. (Austin, TX – UT chapter house corp.)
Delta Tau Delta – Gamma Iota Chapter (Austin, TX – UT chapter house)
Building Corporation – Alpha Delta Pi (Delta) (Austin, TX – UT chapter property)

College Station-Bryan Metro (42 total organizations):

Sigma Chi Fraternity – Eta Upsilon (Texas A&M chapter)
Omega Psi Phi – Tau Tau (Texas A&M chapter)
Delta Sigma Theta – Brazos Valley Alumnae

Why This Data Matters for Your Case

Insurance Coverage Identification: Each entity may carry separate insurance policies
Liability Tracing: House corporations often own properties where hazing occurs
Pattern Evidence: Multiple chapters of same national show systemic issues
Asset Discovery: Where to collect judgments if defendants try to hide assets

When we took the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we immediately identified:

The national headquarters (Charlotte, NC)
The Beta Nu housing corporation (Frisco, TX)
Related Texas entities in our database
Prior Pi Kappa Phi incidents nationwide (Andrew Coffey death at FSU)

This isn’t theoretical—it’s how we build leverage against organizations that claim poverty or separation from local chapters.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & What Junction Families Can Expect

Pursuing a hazing case requires methodical evidence collection, strategic defendant selection, and realistic damage assessment. From initial consultation to resolution, here’s what Junction families should understand.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Evidence (Most Important):

Group chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, iMessage screenshots
Social media: Instagram stories, TikTok videos, Snapchat (screenshot before disappears)
Location data: Google Maps timeline, Find My Friends history
Deleted message recovery: Digital forensics can often retrieve “deleted” content
Our video guide: “Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

Medical Documentation:

Immediate care: ER records, ambulance reports
Lab results: Blood alcohol, toxicology, creatine kinase (for rhabdomyolysis)
Specialist evaluations: Nephrology (kidney), psychiatry (PTSD), neurology (brain injury)
Ongoing treatment: Physical therapy, psychological counseling records

Institutional Records:

University files: Prior conduct violations, probation letters, Clery reports
National fraternity records: Risk management files, incident reports (obtained via subpoena)
Insurance policies: Chapter, national, and university coverage details

Physical Evidence:

Injury photographs: Multiple angles, with scale reference (coin/ruler)
Hazing objects: Paddles, “pledge books,” costumes, alcohol containers
Clothing: Unwashed items showing stains, tears, or chemical residue

Witness Information:

Other pledges/members (often cooperative once litigation begins)
Roommates, RAs, bystanders
Former members who quit over hazing concerns

Damage Categories in Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical expenses: Past and future (lifetime care for catastrophic injuries)
Lost earnings: Current and future diminished earning capacity
Educational costs: Tuition for interrupted semesters, lost scholarships
Example: Danny Santulli’s brain injury case requires 24/7 lifetime care costing millions

Non-Economic Damages (Compensatory):

Physical pain & suffering: From injuries, medical procedures
Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment: Can’t participate in college life, sports, activities
Reputational harm: Social stigma, digital footprint

Wrongful Death Damages (If Applicable):

Funeral/burial costs
Loss of financial support: What deceased would have contributed to family
Loss of companionship: Parents’ and siblings’ grief and suffering
Punitive damages: To punish especially reckless conduct

Settlement Ranges from National Cases:

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

The Insurance Battle: Where Most Cases Are Won or Lost

Fraternities and universities don’t write settlement checks from their bank accounts—they draw on insurance policies. Our advantage: Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows how insurers:

Set reserves (the amount they allocate for a claim)
Use IMEs (Independent Medical Exams) to downplay injuries
Delay strategically to pressure financially strained families
Argue exclusions (“hazing is intentional, so not covered”)

We counter by:

Identifying all potential policies (chapter, national, university, homeowners)
Building ironclad medical evidence that withstands IME challenges
Demonstrating trial readiness (insurers settle differently when they know you’ll win at trial)
Using bad faith threats when insurers unreasonably deny claims

Practical Guide for Junction Parents: Step-by-Step Action Plan

Recognizing Hazing Warning Signs

Physical Indicators:

Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts with inconsistent explanations
Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
Weight changes (from forced consumption or deprivation)
Sleep deprivation patterns (constant late nights, early mornings)
Chemical burns, rashes, or skin damage
Signs of alcohol poisoning (even if your child doesn’t typically drink)

Behavioral Changes:

Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family, high school friends, non-Greek activities
Personality shifts: anxiety, depression, irritability
Defensive when asked about the group
Fear of “letting the chapter down” or “getting brothers in trouble”
Obsession with pleasing older members

Academic Red Flags:

Grades dropping precipitously
Missing classes, falling asleep during lectures
Skipping exams/assignments for “mandatory” events
Losing scholarships or academic standing

Digital Patterns:

Constant phone monitoring for group chat demands
Anxiety when phone buzzes
Deleting messages/history obsessively
Receiving calls/texts at all hours requiring immediate response
Social media posts showing concerning activities

The 48-Hour Action Checklist

HOUR 1-6 (Immediate Crisis):

✓ Medical: If injured/intoxicated, get to ER immediately
✓ Safety: Remove from dangerous situation
✓ Evidence: Screenshot messages shown; photograph injuries
✓ Notes: Write down everything they tell you (date, time, details)
✓ Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate legal guidance

HOUR 6-24 (Evidence Preservation):

✓ Digital: Help preserve all group chats, texts (DO NOT DELETE)
✓ Physical: Secure clothing, receipts, hazing objects
✓ Medical records: Request copies of all ER/hospital records
✓ Witnesses: List names/contact info for other pledges, bystanders
✓ University: Note any school communications but don’t respond yet

HOUR 24-48 (Strategic Decisions):

✓ Legal consultation: Speak with experienced hazing attorney
✓ Reporting decision: With lawyer’s guidance, decide on campus/local police reporting
✓ University response: If school contacts you, refer them to your attorney
✓ Insurance: DO NOT talk to insurance adjusters without lawyer present
✓ Evidence backup: Upload all screenshots/photos to cloud storage

Questions to Ask 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 new members typically do? Are there traditions you’re uncomfortable with?”
“Have you seen anyone get hurt, or have you been hurt?”
“Do you feel like you could leave if you wanted to, or would there be consequences?”
“Are they asking you to keep secrets from me or the university?”

If they open up: Listen without judgment, document details
If they shut down: Don’t force it, but monitor closely and stay ready to intervene

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Letting your child delete messages – Looks like cover-up, destroys evidence
Confronting the fraternity directly – Triggers evidence destruction, witness coaching
Signing university “resolution” forms – May waive legal rights for minimal compensation
Posting details on social media – Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Letting your child attend “one last meeting” – Where pressure, intimidation, or damaging statements occur
Waiting for university investigation – Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes run
Talking to insurance adjusters – Recorded statements used against you; early settlements are lowball

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

Fraternity & Sorority National Histories: Patterns That Predict Texas Incidents

The organizations at Texas campuses aren’t local inventions—they’re chapters of nationals with documented hazing histories. This pattern evidence is crucial for establishing “foreseeability” in court.

High-Risk Organizations at Texas Schools

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, Baylor

Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State, alcohol poisoning death, $10M settlement
David Bogenberger: Northern Illinois University, alcohol poisoning death, $14M settlement
Pattern: “Big/Little” drinking nights, forced consumption

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – All Five Texas Universities

Multiple deaths nationwide: Called “the deadliest fraternity” by some publications
Texas A&M chemical burns: Industrial cleaner causing skin graft surgeries
UT Austin assault: Exchange student with multiple fractures
Pattern: Physical violence alongside alcohol hazing

Pi Kappa Phi – UH (now closed), Texas A&M, UT

Andrew Coffey: Florida State University, alcohol poisoning death
Leonel Bermudez: UH, rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, our active case
Pattern: Physical endurance tests, forced consumption, psychological control

Phi Delta Theta – All Five Texas Universities

Max Gruver: LSU, “Bible study” drinking game death
Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act: Created felony hazing statute
Pattern: Academic-themed drinking games

Kappa Sigma – UH, Texas A&M, UT, Baylor

Chad Meredith: University of Miami, drowning after drinking, $12.6M verdict
Florida’s Chad Meredith Law: Criminalized hazing
Pattern: Alcohol-related dangerous activities

What National Histories Mean for Your Case

Foreseeability: Nationals can’t claim “unforeseeable” when same patterns repeat
Notice: Prior incidents put nationals on notice of risks
Punitive damages: Repeated disregard for safety warrants punishment
Insurance coverage: Pattern evidence counters “rogue chapter” defense

When we sue a national organization, we subpoena:

Prior incident reports from other chapters
Risk management meeting minutes
Internal communications about hazing concerns
Insurance claims history

This establishes that the national knew or should have known the risks—and failed to prevent them.

University Accountability: When Schools Fail in Their Duty

Texas universities have legal duties to protect students. When they fail, they can be held liable alongside fraternities.

The Legal Standards

Deliberate Indifference (Title IX): University knows of harassment/abuse and fails to respond adequately
Negligent Supervision: University fails to properly oversee recognized organizations
Premises Liability: Dangerous conditions on campus property
Special Relationship: Universities have heightened duty toward students in their care

How Universities Fail Junction Families

Inadequate Investigations:

Relying on internal Greek life offices with conflicts of interest
Failing to interview key witnesses
Not preserving digital evidence
Closing cases without meaningful resolution

Weak Sanctions:

“Probation” that changes nothing
Short suspensions during summer/low-activity periods
Allowing chapters to continue operating during appeals

Lack of Transparency:

Not informing parents of serious incidents
Hiding prior violation histories
Using FERPA as shield to avoid accountability

Coercive “Resolution” Offers:

Pressuring families to accept minimal settlements
Requiring confidentiality agreements
Threatening student disciplinary action if families pursue legal action

What We Demand from Universities

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we’re seeking:

Full transparency about prior incidents
Policy changes to prevent future hazing
Adequate supervision of Greek organizations
Meaningful sanctions that actually deter misconduct
Cooperation with law enforcement rather than internal cover-ups

About The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911: Why Texas Hazing Families Choose Us

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury firm. You need attorneys who understand how fraternities, universities, and their insurers operate—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña)
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows:

How insurers value (and undervalue) hazing claims
Their delay tactics and negotiation strategies
How to counter “intentional act” exclusions
The actual value of complex injury cases
Learn about Mr. Peña’s background: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

Complex Institutional Litigation (Ralph Manginello)
Ralph’s experience includes:

BP Texas City explosion litigation – taking on billion-dollar corporations
Federal court practice (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
HCCLA membership – elite criminal defense credential crucial for hazing cases
25+ years of high-stakes litigation
Ralph’s complete profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/

Active Hazing Litigation Experience
We’re not theorizing about hazing cases—we’re litigating one of the most serious in the country right now:

Lead counsel for Leonel Bermudez in $10M UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit
Direct experience with fraternity defense tactics
Relationships with hazing experts nationwide
Understanding of digital evidence preservation

Multi-Million Dollar Results Proven

Logging accident brain injury: Multi-million dollar settlement
Car accident amputation: Multi-million dollar settlement
Wrongful death cases: Significant recoveries for families
Complex injury valuation: Working with economists, life care planners

Our Investigation Process for Hazing Cases

Phase 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation (Days 1-7)

Digital forensics to recover deleted messages
Witness interviews before memories fade
Medical record collection
Preservation letters to prevent evidence destruction

Phase 2: Organizational Mapping (Weeks 2-4)

Identify all potential defendants using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine
Trace insurance coverage through multiple entities
Subpoena national fraternity records
Obtain university conduct files

Phase 3: Damage Development (Months 2-4)

Comprehensive medical evaluation
Economic loss calculation with experts
Psychological assessment for trauma
Life care planning for catastrophic injuries

Phase 4: Strategic Litigation (Months 4-24)

Defendant-specific strategy
Insurance coverage battles
Settlement negotiations or trial preparation
Ongoing communication with your family

Why Location Matters: Serving Junction & Texas Hill Country Families

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Junction and Kimble County. We understand:

The community values of Hill Country families
The logistics of cases involving students away at college
The jurisdictional complexities of multi-county cases
How to work effectively with local counsel when needed

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

Your Next Steps: Free Confidential Consultation for Junction Families

If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to navigate this alone. We offer free, confidential consultations to help you understand your options.

What to Expect in Your Consultation

We Listen Without Judgment: Tell us what happened in your own words
Evidence Review: We’ll look at any photos, messages, medical records you have
Legal Options Explained: Criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Realistic Assessment: We’ll give honest evaluation of case strengths and challenges
Cost Transparency: Contingency fee basis – no fee unless we recover for you
No Pressure: Take time to decide what’s right for your family

How to Prepare for Your Consultation

Bring/Have Available:

Any screenshots, photos, or videos
Medical records and bills
Correspondence with university or organization
Names of witnesses or involved individuals
Your list of questions and concerns

Questions We’ll Help Answer:

Is this legally hazing under Texas law?
Who can be held responsible?
What is our case potentially worth?
How long will this process take?
How do we protect our child’s privacy?
What should we do about university disciplinary proceedings?

Contact Us Today

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Legal Emergency Lawyers™

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)

Serving Junction, Kimble County, and All of Texas
Houston • Austin • Beaumont

Watch Our Educational Videos:

“Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
“Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
“How Do Contingency Fees Work?”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
“Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

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

Attorney911 Main Website: https://attorney911.com
Ralph Manginello Profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
Lupe Peña Profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

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 (Spanish)