The Complete Guide to Hazing Laws, Fraternity Accountability & Texas Family Rights: A Resource for City of Kress & Swisher County Parents

Imagine a typical Thursday night at a fraternity house near a major Texas university. Your son, a promising student you raised right here in the Texas Panhandle, is there for a “pledge brother reveal” event. What starts as laughter and camaraderie shifts. Older members produce handles of liquor. A game begins where wrong answers mean forced drinking. Peer pressure mounts in the crowded room. Hours later, your child is unconscious on a vomit-stained floor, his “brothers” debating whether to call 911 because they fear getting the chapter shut down. This hypothetical is a daily reality for families across our state, and it recently unfolded with devastating consequences at the University of Houston.

If you are a parent in City of Kress, in Hale Center, or anywhere across Swisher County, and your child is joining a fraternity, sorority, Corps of Cadets unit, athletic team, or campus organization at any Texas university, this guide is for you. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, how Texas law protects your child, what major cases tell us about institutional accountability, and—most importantly—what steps you can take if harm occurs. At Attorney911, we are currently fighting one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in Texas history on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi, and we use that experience to protect families statewide.

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:

1. Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine.”
2. Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
   • Screenshot group chats, texts, and DMs immediately.
   • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
   • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects).
3. Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where).
4. 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. We can help preserve it and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing is no longer just about “hell week” paddling. It is a sophisticated, often digitally-enabled pattern of coercion that endangers mental and physical health under the guise of tradition or bonding. For Swisher County families, understanding its modern forms is the first step to protection.

A Clear, Modern Texas Definition

Under Texas law, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of joining, affiliating with, or maintaining membership in any organization. The act must endanger the student’s mental or physical health or safety. Crucially, the victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

Main Categories of Hazing Today

Alcohol & Substance Hazing: This remains the most deadly. It includes forced consumption during “lineups,” “family tree” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights (like the one that killed Stone Foltz at Bowling Green), or coercive trivia where wrong answers mandate drinks.

Physical Hazing: This extends beyond paddling to extreme, punishment-based calisthenics (“smokings”), sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, forced consumption of vile food combinations, and dangerous physical tests. In our active Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case, our client was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and made to lie in vomit-soaked grass.

Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: This involves forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes or roles, and acts with racist or sexist overtones designed to shame and break down the individual.

Psychological & Digital Hazing: This is the 24/7 control enabled by smartphones. Pledges are subjected to constant group chat monitoring, mandatory immediate responses at all hours, sleep disruption via late-night calls, public shaming on social media, and geo-tracking demands. The psychological torture is relentless.

Where Hazing Happens

While fraternities and sororities are often the focus, hazing pervades many groups:

• Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural)
• Corps of Cadets & ROTC units
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading)
• Marching Bands & Performance Groups
• “Spirit” Organizations and Tradition Clubs
• Some academic, service, and cultural organizations

The common thread is an imbalance of power, a culture of secrecy, and the toxic belief that enduring abuse confers belonging.

The Texas & Federal Law Framework for Hazing

Understanding your legal rights is critical. Texas has specific statutes, and federal law adds important layers of protection and obligation.

Texas Hazing Law: Education Code Chapter 37

The Texas hazing statute provides clear definitions and penalties:

• Definition (§37.151): As noted above, a broad definition covering intentional, knowing, or reckless endangerment for initiation purposes.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152): Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It escalates to a Class A misdemeanor if it causes injury and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 and lose university recognition.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): This is a powerful provision that directly counteracts the common excuse that “they wanted to do it.”
• Good-Faith Reporter Immunity (§37.154): Individuals who report hazing in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability stemming from the report. This protects those who call for help.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA or county attorney). Aim is punishment (jail, fines, probation). Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to a minor, assault, or even manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: Brought by the victim or their family. Aim is financial compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, wrongful death) and institutional accountability. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil suit. Our work on the Bermudez case is a civil lawsuit seeking damages and change.

Federal Law Overlay

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing transparently and maintain public data, strengthening prevention.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, a school’s Title IX obligations are triggered.
• Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain campus crimes; hazing incidents often overlap with Clery reportable offenses like assault.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A thorough investigation aims to identify every responsible party, which may include:

1. Individual Students who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter as a legal entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, or having knowledge of prior incidents.
4. The University or Its Regents for deliberate indifference, negligent supervision, or premises liability.
5. Third Parties like property owners, landlords of off-campus houses, or alcohol providers.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What History Teaches Us

Tragic national cases are not abstract—they create legal precedents and reveal patterns that directly impact Texas families. They show how courts, juries, and legislatures respond to institutional failure.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): A bid-acceptance night led to fatal falls and a delayed 911 call, captured on chapter cameras. Results: Dozens of criminal charges, civil suits, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): A “Bible study” drinking game led to a fatal BAC of 0.495%. Results: Criminal convictions and Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A “Big/Little” night forced consumption of a bottle of liquor. Results: A $10 million settlement ($7M from nationals, ~$3M from university) and criminal convictions.

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): A blindfolded, violent “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat caused fatal brain injury. Results: The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

The Athletic Program Hazing Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread allegations of sexualized and racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements, proving hazing extends far beyond Greek life.

What This Means for Swisher County Families: These cases prove that forced drinking, cover-ups, and institutional knowledge are recurring themes. They show that multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements are possible, and that national organizations can be held accountable. The same fraternities involved in these national cases—Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta—have active chapters at Texas universities your children may attend.

Texas University Focus: Where Swisher County Students Go

While Swisher County is a tight-knit agricultural community, its students often venture to large universities across Texas with significant Greek life and campus organization cultures. Understanding the landscape at these schools is vital for parents in Kress, Hale Center, and Tulia.

University of Houston (UH) – The Active Case in Our Courtroom

For Swisher County Families: UH is a major destination for Texas students seeking an urban, diverse academic experience. Its significant Greek life community is currently under the microscope due to our active litigation.

The Flagship Case – Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi:
Right now, we represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, its Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The facts, as reported in media like the Click2Houston investigation and ABC13 coverage, are harrowing:

• Hazing Methods: A degrading “pledge fanny pack,” enforced dress codes, overnight driving duties, and extreme physical abuse including bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, and being sprayed with a hose.
• The Culmination: On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was forced through over 100 push-ups and 500 squats. He deteriorated, began passing brown urine, and was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
• Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended the chapter on Nov. 6; members voted to surrender their charter on Nov. 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

This case is not history—it is active, current proof of severe hazing at a Texas public university and the complex litigation required to fight it.

Texas A&M University – Corps Culture & Greek Life

For Swisher County Families: Texas A&M is a cornerstone of Texas higher education. Its unique Corps of Cadets culture and robust Greek life present specific hazing risks.

Documented Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The chapter was suspended, and lawsuits were filed.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, highlighting that hazing risks exist within the Corps tradition.

Key Takeaway: Vigilance is required for students entering both Greek life and the Corps at A&M. The university’s tradition-heavy environment can sometimes obscure abusive behaviors.

University of Texas at Austin – Transparency & Repeated Violations

For Swisher County Families: UT Austin sets a standard for transparency with its public online hazing violations log. This very resource can help parents research organizations.

From UT’s Public Log:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): Sanctioned for directing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
• Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
  These public records are powerful evidence in civil cases, demonstrating a pattern or prior knowledge that an organization was dangerous.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

For Swisher County Families: These private, prominent universities have active Greek communities but different reporting environments than public schools.

• SMU: A 2017 Kappa Alpha Order incident involving paddling and forced drinking led to a multi-year suspension. SMU uses tools like anonymous reporting systems.
• Baylor: A 2020 baseball team hazing incident resulted in 14 player suspensions, reminding us that hazing permeates athletics at even faith-based institutions.

The Common Thread: No university—public or private, large or small—is immune. Each has had serious incidents, and each requires diligent parental oversight.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: A Data-Driven Look for Parents

We maintain a proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public records, to understand the true scope of Greek organizations in our state. This isn’t abstract—it’s about knowing exactly who may be responsible if something goes wrong.

Statewide Snapshot: Public records show over 125 Texas-registered Greek organizations (house corporations, alumni chapters, honor societies) with IRS tax-exempt status. Broader data indicates over 1,400 Greek-related entities operating across 25 Texas metro areas.

What This Means for Your Case: When hazing occurs, liability doesn’t stop with the 20-year-old pledge master. We investigate to identify the housing corporation that owns the property, the alumni chapter that may fund it, and the national headquarters that insures it. These entities often have deeper pockets and insurance policies. For example, in the Bermudez case, defendants include the Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc. (EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX) and the national Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity.

Public Records Examples Relevant to Texas Campuses:

• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (EIN 74-606445, Nederland, TX 77627) – The national organization behind chapters at UT, A&M, and others.
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc. (EIN 74-138036, Fort Worth, TX 76147) – A foundation supporting Kappa Sigma chapters across Texas.
• Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi (EIN 74-604711, Austin, TX 78705) – A house corporation for a UT sorority.

This data forms the backbone of a serious investigative strategy. We don’t start from scratch; we start with a map of the organizational landscape.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages

If your family is facing this crisis, understanding the process can reduce fear and empower action. Our approach is methodical, victim-centered, and designed to secure accountability.

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

1. Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram DMs, and fraternity apps. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages. As we explain in our video on using your phone to document a case, this evidence is paramount.
2. Photos & Videos: Content shot by participants, security camera footage, social media posts.
3. Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” lists, emails between officers.
4. University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same group, obtained through discovery.
5. Medical Records: Documenting the physical and psychological harm, from ER reports to PTSD diagnoses.
6. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and RAs.

Categories of Damages & Recovery

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim whole and hold defendants accountable through:

• Economic Damages: Past and future medical bills, lost wages, cost of therapy, diminished future earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
• Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, damages intended to punish the defendant and deter future conduct.

The $10 million demand in the Bermudez case reflects the severe, life-altering nature of his kidney injury and the need for future care. Outcomes vary, but national cases show settlements and verdicts ranging from $1 million to over $14 million in fatal hazing cases.

Practical Guide for Swisher County Parents & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation.
• Sudden personality changes: withdrawal, anxiety, depression.
• Secretive behavior about group activities.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Requests for unusual amounts of money.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “How are things really going with your fraternity/sorority? Is anything making you uncomfortable?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages and photograph injuries. Write down a timeline.
4. Seek Medical & Mental Health Care: Get a professional evaluation.
5. Consult an Attorney Before Reporting: We can guide you on how to report to the university or police in a way that protects your child’s rights and evidence. Do not confront the organization directly first.

For Students: Your Rights & Safety

• You Have the Right to Be Safe. Any activity that endangers you is hazing, regardless of “tradition.”
• “Consent” is Not a Defense in Texas. You cannot legally agree to be abused.
• You Can Leave. Your safety is more important than any membership.
• Report Safely. You can report anonymously through university hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE).
• Call for Help Without Fear: Texas law and most university policies offer amnesty for those who call 911 in a medical emergency.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

We detail this in our video on client mistakes that ruin injury cases. Key errors include:

1. Deleting evidence (texts, photos).
2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority before preserving evidence.
3. Signing university settlement offers without legal advice.
4. Posting about the incident on social media.
5. Waiting too long and allowing evidence to vanish or the statute of limitations to expire (generally 2 years in Texas, as we explain in our statute of limitations video).

Why Attorney911 for Your Texas Hazing Case

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. From our Houston office, we serve families across Texas, including those in Swisher County, City of Kress, and the entire Panhandle region.

Our Proven Advantage in Hazing Litigation:

1. We Are Fighting a Major Texas Hazing Case Right Now. Our active representation of Leonel Bermudez against UH and Pi Kappa Phi is not a past example—it is current proof of our frontline expertise in complex, high-stakes Texas hazing litigation.
2. Insurance Insider Knowledge. Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, deploy delay tactics, and fight coverage. We know their playbook because we used to run it.
3. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience. Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced billion-dollar defendants with endless legal resources. We are not intimidated by national fraternities or university legal teams.
4. Data-Driven Investigation. We employ our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—the same system that tracks over 1,400 Greek entities—to immediately identify all potentially liable parties, from local house corporations to national headquarters.
5. Dual Civil & Criminal Capability. Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal charges that often accompany hazing, allowing us to advise families and witnesses through both legal tracks.
6. Spanish-Language Services. Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.

We approach each case with empathy, recognizing the trauma your family has endured. Our mission is to secure the compensation you need for recovery and, crucially, to force the institutional changes that will prevent this from happening to another family.

A Call to Action for Swisher County Families

If you suspect your child has been hazed at any Texas campus—whether it’s a fraternity at Texas Tech, a sorority at West Texas A&M, the Corps at A&M, or a spirit group at UT—you do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved have teams of lawyers and PR professionals. You deserve expert advocates in your corner.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, explain your legal options clearly, and help you decide the best path forward for your family. We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). You can also visit our website at https://attorney911.com or email Ralph Manginello directly at ralph@atty911.com. For Spanish-speaking families, contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com.

Hablamos Español.

Let us help you turn a moment of crisis into a pursuit of justice, accountability, and prevention.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

• Click2Houston Investigation: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Eyewitness News Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Using Your Cellphone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website & Contact:

• https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | lupe@atty911.com (Se habla Español)