The Complete Guide to Hazing Laws, Cases & Accountability for Kempner, Texas Families
If your child is joining a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or athletic team at a Texas university, you need to know the real risks they face. Right now, in our own state, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country—the Leonel Bermudez University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit—where a young man suffered kidney failure after being forced through extreme workouts, humiliation, and abuse. This isn’t happening in some distant state; it’s happening at University of Houston, at the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter house, at Culmore Drive residences, and at Yellowstone Boulevard Park in Houston. And it’s why families in Kempner, Lampasas County, and across Central Texas need this comprehensive guide to hazing in 2025.
For parents in Kempner whose children attend Texas A&M University in nearby College Station, University of Texas at Austin, or any of Texas’s 96 campuses with Greek life, this guide will explain what hazing really looks like today, how Texas law protects your child, what national patterns tell us about fraternity and sorority risks, and what legal options exist when things go wrong. We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), and we represent hazing victims and their families throughout Texas, including right here in Central Texas.
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
What This Guide Covers for Kempner Families
This is a comprehensive guide to hazing and the law in Texas, written for families in Kempner, Lampasas County, and across Central Texas who need to understand:
- What hazing looks like in 2025 (not just the old stereotypes)
- How Texas and federal law treat hazing
- What we can learn from major national cases and how they apply to Texas families
- What has been happening at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor (and other Texas schools)
- What legal options victims and families in Kempner and throughout Texas may have
Even if your child attends school at Texas A&M in College Station, UT Austin, or any campus hours from Kempner, Texas hazing law and experienced Texas counsel can help. This article is general information, not specific legal advice. We serve families throughout Texas, including Kempner and surrounding communities like Copperas Cove, Killeen, and Lampasas.
Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like
Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing
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. For Kempner families unfamiliar with modern Greek life, it’s critical to understand that “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance.
Main Categories of Hazing
Alcohol and Substance Hazing
- Forced or coerced drinking during “Big/Little” nights, bid acceptance parties, or “family tree” games
- Chugging challenges, “lineups,” games that require rapid consumption
- Being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances
Physical Hazing
- Paddling and beatings (still occurring despite national prohibitions)
- Extreme calisthenics, “workouts,” or “smokings” far beyond normal conditioning
- Sleep deprivation, food/water deprivation
- Exposure to extreme cold/heat or dangerous environments
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
Psychological Hazing
- Verbal abuse, threats, isolation
- Manipulation or forced confessions
- Public shaming on social media or in meetings
Digital/Online Hazing
- Group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation via Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord
- Pressure to create or share compromising images/videos
- 24/7 digital monitoring and control via apps
Where Hazing Actually Happens
For Kempner families, it’s important to know that hazing isn’t just “frat boys”:
- Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
- Corps of Cadets / ROTC / military-style groups (especially relevant at Texas A&M)
- Spirit squads, tradition clubs (e.g., Texas Cowboys-type groups)
- Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer, etc.)
- Marching bands and performance groups
- Some service, cultural, and academic organizations
Social status, tradition, and secrecy keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.
Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)
Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)
Under Texas law—which governs cases involving Kempner families—hazing is broadly defined as intentional, knowing, or reckless acts, on or off campus, directed at a student, for the purpose of initiation/affiliation, that:
- Endanger the physical health or safety (e.g., beating, forced exercise, forced consumption of alcohol/drugs)
- Or substantially affect the mental health or safety (e.g., extreme humiliation, intimidation)
Key Texas Provisions:
- Criminal penalties: Class B misdemeanor (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine) for basic hazing; increases to Class A misdemeanor if injury requires medical treatment; becomes state jail felony if hazing causes serious bodily injury or death
- Reporter protections: Limited immunity for those who report hazing or call for help in good faith
- Consent is NOT a defense: Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that victim “consent” doesn’t matter
- Organizational liability: Fraternities, sororities, and other groups can be fined up to $10,000 per violation and banned from campus
Criminal vs Civil Cases
Criminal Cases
- Brought by the state (prosecutor)
- Aim: punishment (jail, fines, probation)
- Typical hazing-related charges: hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
Civil Cases
- Brought by victims or surviving families
- Aim: monetary compensation and accountability
- Focus on: negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
Both types can run side-by-side, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case.
Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act, Title IX, Clery
Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
- Requires colleges that receive federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently
- Strengthens hazing education and prevention
- Maintains public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)
Title IX / Clery
- When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations can be triggered
- Clery requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing incidents often overlap with those categories
Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit
Individual Students
- Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover them up
Local Chapter / Organization
- The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if it’s a legal entity)
- Individuals acting as officers or “pledge educators”
National Fraternity/Sorority
- Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
- Liability can hinge on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents
University or Governing Board
- The school or regents may be sued under certain negligence or civil-rights theories
- Key questions: prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference
Third Parties
- Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces
- Bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop theories)
- Security companies or event organizers
Every case is fact-specific; not every party is liable in every situation.
National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)
Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern
Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
- Bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking
- Severe falls captured on chapter cameras; hours delayed before medical help
- Dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members; civil litigation; new Pennsylvania anti-hazing law named after him
- Takeaway for Kempner families: Extreme intoxication, delay in calling 911, and a culture of silence can be legally devastating
Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
- “Bible study” drinking game; forced to drink when answering questions incorrectly
- Death led to felony hazing law in Louisiana (Max Gruver Act)
- Family received $6.1 million verdict against individual and insurer
- Takeaway: Legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of hazing
Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
- Pledge night; forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey; died from alcohol poisoning
- Multiple criminal convictions; BGSU agreed to nearly $3 million settlement with the family; other settlements with fraternity/individuals
- Takeaway: Universities can face significant financial and reputational consequences along with fraternities
Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern
Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
- Pledge at a fraternity retreat subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual
- Suffered fatal head injuries; help was delayed
- Multiple members convicted; fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
- Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous or worse than parties, and national orgs can face serious sanctions
Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse
Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
- Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program
- Multiple lawsuits against the university, staff; head coach Pat Fitzgerald fired and later settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially
- Takeaway: Hazing is not limited to Greek life; big-money athletic programs can harbor systemic abuse
What These Cases Mean for Kempner Families
Common threads: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed or denied medical care, cover-ups. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements often follow only after tragedy and litigation. Kempner families facing hazing at Texas A&M, UT, or other Texas schools are not alone and are operating in a landscape shaped by these national lessons.
Texas Focus: UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi
Right now in Texas, we’re actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student, suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after extreme hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. Here’s what happened:
The Hazing Conduct:
- “Pledge fanny pack” rule with degrading contents (condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices)
- Enforced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interviews, overnight driving duties
- Extreme physical hazing: sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, cold-weather exposure in underwear
- Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”
- Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting, then repeated sprints
- The Nov 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, creed recitation under threat of expulsion
Medical Catastrophe:
- Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown)
- Acute kidney failure – passed brown urine, couldn’t stand without help
- Hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels
- Ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage
Defendants & Institutional Response:
- University of Houston, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters
- Beta Nu housing corporation, 13 individual fraternity leaders/members
- Nov 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu chapter
- Nov 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender their charter; chapter shut down
- UH labels conduct “deeply disturbing”, promises disciplinary measures up to expulsion
This $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit shows exactly what we’re fighting in Texas right now. Media coverage includes the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case and ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit.
Texas A&M University (Most Relevant to Kempner Families)
Campus & Culture Snapshot
Located in nearby College Station, Texas A&M is a major destination for Kempner area students. With one of the nation’s largest Greek systems and the prominent Corps of Cadets, A&M presents unique hazing risks that Central Texas families need to understand.
Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels
Texas A&M prohibits hazing through University Rule 24.02.02 and Student Rule 24. The Office of Student Conduct investigates allegations, and the university maintains anonymous reporting options. For Corps-specific issues, the Commandant’s Office has additional oversight.
Documented Incidents & Responses
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)
- Two pledges alleged forced strenuous activity with substances including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, spit poured on them
- Severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
- Pledges sued fraternity for $1 million; fraternity suspended for two years by university
- Case highlights extreme physical hazing risks at A&M
Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023)
- Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth
- Sought over $1 million; A&M stated it handled the matter under its rules
- Demonstrates hazing extends beyond Greek life to military-style programs
How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed
For Kempner families, cases involving Texas A&M may involve:
- Brazos County courts (College Station jurisdiction)
- Texas A&M University Police Department and/or College Station Police Department
- Potential defendants: individual students, chapter, national fraternity/sorority, Texas A&M University System
What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do
- Report to Office of Student Conduct (979-845-3113) or Corps Commandant’s Office if applicable
- Document everything immediately – A&M investigations can move slowly
- Understand that prior incidents at A&M can establish pattern evidence in civil cases
- Contact experienced Texas hazing attorneys who understand A&M’s unique culture and jurisdiction
University of Texas at Austin
Campus & Culture Snapshot
UT Austin’s Greek life includes approximately 60 fraternity and sorority chapters. The university maintains one of Texas’s most transparent hazing violation databases.
Official Hazing Policy & Reporting
UT prohibits hazing under Institutional Rules and maintains a public Hazing Violations page at hazing.utexas.edu. Reports can be made to the Office of the Dean of Students.
Documented Incidents from Public Database
Pi Kappa Alpha (2023)
- New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics
- Found to be hazing; chapter placed on probation and required to implement new hazing-prevention education
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (January 2024)
- Australian exchange student alleged assault by fraternity members at party
- Injuries included dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose
- Student sued SAE chapter for over $1 million; chapter already under suspension for prior violations
How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed
- Travis County courts (Austin jurisdiction)
- UT Police Department and/or Austin Police Department
- UT’s public violation database provides powerful evidence of prior knowledge and patterns
What UT Austin Students & Parents Should Do
- Check UT’s public hazing violations database for prior incidents involving specific organizations
- Report through official UT channels but preserve independent evidence
- Understand that Austin courts see numerous university-related cases
Southern Methodist University
Campus & Culture Snapshot
SMU’s private, affluent campus in Dallas has a strong Greek presence with approximately 20% of undergraduates participating in fraternities and sororities.
Official Hazing Policy & Reporting
SMU prohibits hazing through the Student Code of Conduct and maintains anonymous reporting via the Real Response system.
Documented Incidents
Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017)
- New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep
- Chapter suspended; restrictions on recruiting until around 2021
- Highlights continuing physical hazing risks even at private universities
How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed
- Dallas County courts
- SMU Police Department and/or Dallas Police Department
- Private university status affects transparency but not liability
What SMU Students & Parents Should Do
- Utilize SMU’s anonymous reporting but maintain independent documentation
- Recognize that private universities may resist disclosure during litigation
- Seek counsel experienced with private institution liability
Baylor University
Campus & Culture Snapshot
Baylor’s religious identity and history of scrutiny over football and Title IX issues create unique context for hazing cases.
Official Hazing Policy & Reporting
Baylor prohibits hazing through its Student Policies and Procedures. Reports go through the Office of Student Conduct.
Documented Incidents
Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020)
- 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
- Suspensions staggered over early season
- Demonstrates athletic program hazing risks
How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed
- McLennan County courts (Waco jurisdiction)
- Baylor Police Department and/or Waco Police Department
- Religious affiliation may influence institutional response but not legal liability
What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do
- Document thoroughly as Baylor’s history shows institutional protection tendencies
- Seek independent medical evaluation outside university health services
- Consider both civil and potential Title IX avenues if applicable
Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Kempner Families
As part of our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain detailed data on Texas Greek organizations. For Kempner families, understanding who stands behind these organizations is critical. Below are examples from public records:
Central Texas & Major University Entities
IRS B83-Registered Organizations (Sample):
- KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC, EIN 133048786, College Station, TX 77845 (IRS B83 filing)
- FRANK HEFLIN FOUNDATION, EIN 203507402, Canyon, TX 79015 (IRS B83 filing – Phi Delta Theta alumni fund)
- ALPHA EPSILON PI FRATERNITY, EIN 262025321, Denton, TX 76201 (IRS B83 filing – Mu Gamma Chapter)
- PI KAPPA PHI DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER BUILDING CORPORATION, EIN 371768785, Missouri City, TX 77459 (IRS B83 filing)
- SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER, EIN 746084905, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing)
Cause IQ Metro Organizations (Central Texas Sample):
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp., Austin, TX (University of Texas chapter house corporation)
- Delta Tau Delta – Gamma Iota Chapter, Austin, TX (University of Texas chapter house)
- Beta Xi House Corp. of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Austin, TX (University of Texas chapter house corporation)
- Sigma Chi Fraternity – Eta Upsilon Chapter, College Station, TX (Texas A&M chapter)
- Texas Rho Housing Corporation (ΣAE), Austin, TX
Brand Overlaps (IRS + Cause IQ):
- BETA UPSILON CHI (EIN 742911848) appears in both IRS data (Fort Worth) and Cause IQ Dallas-Fort Worth metro listings
- TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC (EIN 741380362) appears in both IRS data and Cause IQ Dallas-Fort Worth listings
- PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY (EIN 746064445) appears in both IRS data (Nederland) and Cause IQ Houston metro listings
Scope of Texas Greek Life
Our intelligence engine tracks:
- 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations in IRS B83 data
- 1,423 fraternities and sororities across 25 Texas metros according to Cause IQ analysis
- 188 Greek-related organizations in the Houston metro area
- 154 organizations in the Austin-Round Rock metro
- 510 organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro
For Kempner families, this means when hazing occurs at Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any Texas campus, we can identify the specific Texas entities (house corporations, alumni chapters, national organizations) that may bear responsibility and insurance coverage.
Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories
Why National Histories Matter
Many fraternities/sororities on Texas campuses are part of national organizations with documented hazing histories. When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that got another chapter shut down or sued in another state, that shows foreseeability and supports negligence arguments against national entities.
Organization Mapping with National Histories
Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike)
- National History: Stone Foltz death (BGSU 2021 – $10M settlement), David Bogenberger death (NIU 2012 – $14M settlement)
- Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
- Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol hazing events
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE)
- National History: Traumatic brain injury case (Alabama 2023), chemical burns case (Texas A&M 2021), assault case (UT Austin 2024)
- Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
- Pattern: Physical abuse, forced drinking, chemical hazing
Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)
- National History: Andrew Coffey death (FSU 2017)
- Texas Presence: Chapter at UH (Beta Nu – now closed), other Texas campuses
- Pattern: Alcohol hazing, extreme physical workouts (as seen in Bermudez case)
Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)
- National History: Max Gruver death (LSU 2017 – $6.1M verdict)
- Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
- Pattern: “Bible study” drinking games
Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)
- National History: Hazing suspensions including SMU chapter (2017)
- Texas Presence: Chapters at Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU
- Pattern: Paddling, forced drinking, sleep deprivation
Tie Back to Legal Strategy
Patterns across states and campuses show that certain organizations had repeated warnings. Courts consider whether national orgs:
- Meaningfully enforced anti-hazing policies
- Responded to prior incidents aggressively enough
This affects:
- Settlement leverage
- Insurance coverage disputes
- Potential for punitive damages
Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy
Evidence That Wins Hazing Cases
Digital Communications
- GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, fraternity apps
- Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok comments
- Both live and recovered/deleted messages
Our video on using your phone to document evidence explains best practices for preserving this critical evidence.
Photos & Videos
- Content filmed by members during events
- Footage shared in group chats or posted on social media
- Security camera or doorbell footage at houses and venues
Internal Organization Documents
- Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, ritual “traditions” lists
- Emails/texts from officers about “what we’ll do to pledges”
- National policies and training materials
University Records
- Prior conduct files, probation/suspensions, letters of warning
- Incident reports to campus police or student conduct offices
- Clery reports and similar disclosures
Medical and Psychological Records
- Emergency room and hospitalization records
- Surgery and rehab notes
- Toxicology reports
- Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidality)
Witness Testimony
- Pledges, members, roommates, RAs, coaches, trainers, bystanders
- Former members who quit or were expelled
Damages in Hazing Cases
Medical Bills & Future Care
- Immediate care (ER, ICU)
- Surgeries, ongoing treatment, physical therapy, medications
- Long-term care for brain injuries or organ damage
Lost Earnings / Educational Impact
- Missed semesters
- Setbacks in entering workforce
- Reduced earning capacity if injuries are permanent
Non-Economic Damages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Wrongful Death Damages (for families)
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of companionship and support
- Emotional harm to parents and siblings
Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage
National fraternities and universities often have insurance policies that may come into play. Insurers sometimes argue:
- Hazing or intentional acts are excluded
- The policy doesn’t cover certain defendants
Experienced hazing lawyers identify all potential coverage sources and navigate disputes about exclusions. This is where Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney proves invaluable—he knows exactly how these companies fight claims.
Practical Guides & FAQs
For Kempner Parents
Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed
- Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries
- Extreme fatigue, exhaustion beyond normal college stress
- Sleep deprivation (constant late nights, calls at 3 AM)
- Sudden secrecy about fraternity/sorority activities
- Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
- Financial red flags: unexpected large expenses, maxed credit cards
How to Talk to Your Child
- Ask open questions: “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
- “Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
- “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you wish you didn’t have to do?”
- Listen without judgment if they open up
If Your Child Is Hurt
- Get them medical care immediately
- Document everything (photos of injuries, texts, what they tell you)
- Save names, dates, locations
- Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24-48 hours
For Students / Pledges
Is This Hazing or Just Tradition?
If you feel unsafe, humiliated, or coerced; if you’re forced to drink or endure pain; if the activity is hidden from the public or administrators — it probably is hazing.
Exiting and Reporting Safely
- You have the legal right to leave at any time
- Tell someone outside the org first (parent, RA, friend)
- Send email/text to chapter president: “I am resigning my pledge/membership effective immediately”
- Do not go to “one last meeting” where they might pressure or retaliate
Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty
Many schools and laws encourage calling for help by offering protections when someone seeks aid in an emergency, even if they were also involved.
Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case
Letting Your Child Delete Messages or “Clean Up” Evidence
- What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
- Why it’s wrong: Looks like a cover-up; can be obstruction of justice; makes case nearly impossible
- What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately
Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly
- What parents think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
- Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
- What to do instead: Document everything, then call a lawyer before any confrontation
Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms
- What universities do: Pressure families to sign waivers or “internal resolution” agreements
- Why it’s wrong: You may waive your right to sue; settlements are often far below case value
- What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything without an attorney reviewing it first
Posting Details on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer
- What families think: “I want people to know what happened”
- Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
- What to do instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging
Learn more about client mistakes that can ruin your injury case.
Short FAQ for Kempner Families
“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in personal capacity. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts.
“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death.
“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 fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent.
“How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. Watch our video on Texas statutes of limitations for more information.
“What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability.
“Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.
About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action
Why Attorney911 for Hazing Cases
When your Kempner 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)
- Former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
- Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims
- Understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies
- “We know their playbook because we used to run it.”
Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello)
- One of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
- Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
- Not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams
- “We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We know how to fight powerful defendants.”
Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience
- Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases with economist collaboration
- Experience valuing lifetime care needs (brain injury, permanent disability cases)
- “We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.”
Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise
- Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
- Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
- Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure
Investigative Depth
- Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
- Experience obtaining hidden evidence (group chats, chapter records, university files)
- “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”
From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Kempner, Lampasas County, and surrounding Central Texas communities. We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families right here in our region.
Call to Action for Kempner Families
If you or your child experienced hazing at Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any Texas campus, we want to hear from you. Families in Kempner, Lampasas County, and throughout Central Texas have the right to answers and accountability.
Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward.
What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:
- We’ll listen to your story without judgment
- Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
- Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
- Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
- Answer your questions about costs (contingency fee – we don’t get paid unless we win)
- No pressure to hire us on the spot – take time to decide
- Everything you tell us is confidential
Contact Information:
- 24/7 Emergency Line: 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:
- Hablamos Español – Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish
- Servicios legales en español disponibles
Learn more about how contingency fees work.
Whether you’re in Kempner or anywhere across Central Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911.
Plain Text Links to Key Resources
News Coverage of 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”
ABC13 Eyewitness News (KTRK) — “Waterboarding, forced eating, physical punishment: Lawsuit alleges abuse faced by injured pledge at UH’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity”
Hoodline — “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”
“Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case? | Attorney911 with Injury Lawyer Ralph Manginello”
“Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case | Attorney911 with Ralph Manginello”
“📢 How Do Contingency Fees Work? Injury Lawyer Explains!”
Attorney911 Main Website
Attorney911 — Main Website & Contact
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
