A Guide to Hazing Laws & Legal Recourse for Families in Ladonia, Texas

For parents in the tight-knit community of Ladonia, Texas, the dream of sending your child to a prestigious Texas university can turn into a nightmare with one phone call. That call might describe your son or daughter being forced to drink to the point of alcohol poisoning, or suffering through brutal physical “workouts” that land them in the emergency room with a life-threatening condition. The campus world of fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, and Corps programs can hide dangerous traditions behind the promise of brotherhood, sisterhood, and tradition.

Right now, in Harris County, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. As detailed in media reports from Click2Houston and ABC13, Bermudez, a transfer student, endured a fall 2025 pledge period filled with humiliation and violence that nearly killed him.

The hazing included carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack” at all times, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and extreme physical drills. The breaking point came on November 3, 2025, when he was forced to perform over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion. Days later, he was hospitalized for four days, diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure after passing brown urine. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was swiftly suspended and then shut down after members voted to surrender its charter.

This case is not an isolated incident. It is a stark warning to every family in Ladonia, Fannin County, and across Northeast Texas. Your child, whether they attend the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any other Texas campus, could be at risk. This guide is written specifically for you—to explain what modern hazing looks like, the legal landscape in Texas, and how to protect your child and hold powerful institutions accountable.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
  • Call 911 for medical emergencies.
  • Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate help—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.
• In the first 48 hours:
  • Get medical attention immediately.
  • Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted: Screenshot group chats, photograph injuries, save physical items.
  • Write down everything (who, what, when, where).
  • Do NOT: Confront the organization, sign anything from the university, or post details on social media.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks or harmless rituals. It is a systematic pattern of coercion, abuse, and humiliation designed to create power dynamics. For parents in Ladonia, whose children may be experiencing this hours away from home, understanding the modern forms is critical.

A Modern Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or holding office in any organization. Crucially, under Texas law, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

Main Categories of Hazing:

• Alcohol & Substance Hazing: Forced or coerced drinking games (“lineups,” “family tree,” “Bible study”), chugging challenges, and pressure to consume unknown substances. This is the most common cause of hazing deaths nationally.
• Physical Hazing: Paddling, beatings, “smokings” (extreme calisthenics), sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements. The UH Pi Kappa Phi case involved forced exercise to the point of rhabdomyolysis.
• Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes or positions, and acts involving racial or sexist slurs.
• Psychological & Digital Hazing: Verbal abuse, isolation, threats, and public shaming. This now extends to digital spaces: mandatory 24/7 monitoring of group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), geo-tracking via apps, and forced participation in humiliating social media “challenges.”

Hazing occurs not only in fraternities and sororities but also in athletic teams, Corps of Cadets programs, spirit groups (like Texas A&M’s Corps or UT’s spirit organizations), marching bands, and other campus clubs. The common thread is the abuse of power in the name of “tradition” or “bonding.”

The Texas & Federal Law Framework for Hazing

Families in Ladonia need to know that Texas has robust laws on the books, but enforcing them requires skilled legal navigation.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

Texas law is clear and strict. The key provisions include:

• § 37.151 – Definition: Hazing is broadly defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for purposes of initiation or affiliation. It can occur on or off campus.
• § 37.152 – Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
• § 37.155 – Consent Not a Defense: This is critical. Even if your child felt pressured to “go along with it,” that does not legalize the conduct or bar a civil lawsuit.
• § 37.153 – Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aim to punish with jail time, fines, and probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, and in fatal cases, manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: Brought by the victim and their family. Aim to secure compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, lost future earnings) and force institutional change. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit. These are the cases we specialize in at Attorney911.

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

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires universities receiving federal funds to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs by 2026.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, it triggers the university’s Title IX obligations for a formal investigation.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Lawsuit?

In a case like the UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, liability can extend to a “universe” of defendants:

1. Individual Students who planned, participated in, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter as an entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters (like Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity) for failing to supervise or for having knowledge of prior patterns.
4. The University (like the University of Houston System) for negligent supervision or deliberate indifference to known risks.
5. Chapter Housing Corporations (like the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Housing Corporation Inc.) that own or control the property where hazing occurs.
6. Third Parties, such as landlords or alcohol providers.

National Hazing Case Patterns: A Roadmap for Texas Families

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not random. They reveal clear, repeating patterns that Texas universities and fraternities are well aware of. For Ladonia families, these cases establish critical legal precedents.

• The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Cases like Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017) and Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021) follow a script: a “Big/Little” or bid-acceptance night, forced rapid consumption of high-proof alcohol, delayed medical care, and death. Foltz’s family secured a $10 million settlement. This pattern shows national organizations know exactly how these events turn deadly.
• The Physical Ritual Pattern: Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013) died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded “glass ceiling” tackle ritual at an off-campus retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania. This proves liability extends off-campus and to nationals.
• The Athletic Hazing Pattern: The Northwestern University football scandal (2023-2025) involved alleged sexualized and racist hazing, leading to multiple lawsuits and confidential settlements. It demonstrates hazing is entrenched in high-profile sports programs.
• The Severe Injury Pattern: Danny Santulli (University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021) suffered permanent brain damage from forced drinking. His family settled with over 20 defendants. This shows catastrophic, non-fatal injuries also result in multi-million-dollar recoveries.

These cases matter in Texas because they create “foreseeability.” When a fraternity at UH or Texas A&M uses the same dangerous practices that have killed kids elsewhere, the national headquarters and university cannot claim they “couldn’t have known.” This pattern evidence is the backbone of a strong civil lawsuit.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: A Public Records Directory for Ladonia Parents

At Attorney911, we don’t start from scratch. We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public IRS records, university data, and commercial databases. We track over 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros. This means when a family from Ladonia comes to us, we already have a map of the entities behind the fraternity or sorority that harmed their child.

For Parents in Ladonia and Fannin County: Your children likely attend or may consider universities across the state. Here is a snapshot of the documented Greek infrastructure connected to major Texas schools.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Texas Families

The organizations below are a sample from public IRS (Business Master File B83) and other filings. This is the type of data we use to identify every potentially liable entity in a hazing case.

Texas-Registered Greek Organizations (IRS B83 Sample):

• Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc., EIN 13-3048786, College Station, TX 77845 (Texas A&M)
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. (Theta Delta Chapter), EIN 47-5370943, Houston, TX 77204 (University of Houston)
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 74-6084905, Houston, TX 77204 (University of Houston)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc., EIN 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Beta Upsilon Chi, EIN 74-2911848, Fort Worth, TX 76244 (Christian fraternity at UT, A&M, others)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (Texas A&M Chapter), EIN 90-0293166, College Station, TX 77843

Major University Campuses Ladonia Families Attend:

• North Texas Region: University of North Texas (Denton), Texas Woman’s University (Denton), Texas A&M University-Commerce.
• Statewide Hubs: University of Houston, Texas A&M University (College Station), University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University (Waco), Southern Methodist University (Dallas), Texas Tech University (Lubbock).

Metro-Level Greek Presence (from Cause IQ Data):

• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510+ Greek organizations.
• Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188+ Greek organizations.
• Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154+ Greek organizations.

This data matters because behind every chapter on campus, there are often separate legal entities—housing corporations, alumni associations, educational foundations—that may hold insurance policies and assets. Finding them all is the first step toward full accountability.

Hazing at Major Texas Universities: What Ladonia Families Must Know

Texas A&M University & The Corps of Cadets

For many in Ladonia, Texas A&M is a point of state pride. Its Corps of Cadets and robust Greek life, however, have faced serious hazing allegations.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged being doused with industrial cleaner and other substances, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The chapter was suspended, and lawsuits were filed.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. He sued for over $1 million.
• For Parents: A&M has specific hazing policies for both Greek life and the Corps. The culture of tradition can sometimes mask abuse. Evidence must be gathered quickly, as internal processes can be insular.

University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin is more transparent than most, publishing an annual hazing violations log. This public record can be a powerful tool in a lawsuit.

• Public Violations: The log shows sanctions against groups like Pi Kappa Alpha (2023) for forced milk consumption and strenuous calisthenics, and Texas Wranglers for alcohol-related hazing.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (2024): An Australian exchange student allegedly suffered a dislocated leg, broken nose, and fractured tibia at an SAE party, leading to a lawsuit.
• For Parents: UT’s published history can help prove a pattern. Cases often involve the UT Police Department and the Travis County court system.

University of Houston

The ongoing Pi Kappa Phi case we are litigating is the most severe recent example, but it is not an isolated event in UH’s history.

• Pi Kappa Alpha Incident (2016): A pledge suffered a lacerated spleen after being slammed during hazing. The chapter faced criminal charges and suspension.
• For Parents: UHPD and Houston Police may have jurisdiction. The university has faced scrutiny for its handling of past incidents. The current Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit demonstrates the severe medical consequences—like kidney failure—that can result.

Baylor University & Southern Methodist University (SMU)

As private institutions, these schools have their own disciplinary processes but are still subject to Texas hazing law.

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players were suspended following a hazing investigation.
• SMU – Kappa Alpha Order (2017): The chapter was suspended for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.
• For Parents: Private schools may be less transparent. Legal discovery is often needed to uncover their internal investigation records and prior complaints.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

If your family is facing this crisis, building a strong case requires immediate and strategic action. This is where our experience as complex litigation attorneys is paramount.

Critical Evidence to Preserve

• Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, and iMessage chats are the #1 source of evidence. Screenshot everything immediately, even if it’s embarrassing. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages. Our video on using your phone to document evidence explains this process.
• Photos/Videos: Injuries, locations, events. Take photos of bruises over several days to show progression.
• Medical Records: Go to the ER. Tell doctors exactly what happened—”I was hazed.” This links the injury directly to the cause in the medical record.
• University Records: Through discovery, we obtain prior conduct reports on the organization, showing a pattern the school knew about.
• National Fraternity Records: We subpoena internal files from the national headquarters, often revealing knowledge of similar incidents at other chapters.

Damages: What Can Be Recovered

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim whole and punish the wrongdoers. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (ER, hospital, surgery, future care), lost wages, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the family’s emotional suffering.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of especially reckless or malicious conduct, to punish the defendants and deter future hazing.

The Insurance Battle

National fraternities and universities have complex insurance policies. Insurers often initially deny coverage, claiming hazing is an “intentional act” that is excluded. This is where our co-founder, Mr. Lupe Peña’s, background as a former insurance defense attorney is invaluable. He knows the tactics insurers use to delay and deny claims, and we fight to secure the full coverage available.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Ladonia Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps

Warning Signs: Unexplained injuries, severe sleep deprivation, drastic mood changes, sudden secrecy about group activities, constant anxiety about group chat notifications, and financial requests for “fines” or “mandatory” purchases.

What to Do:

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: Get medical attention immediately.
2. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot all group chats and photograph injuries.
3. Document: Write down everything your child tells you, with dates and names.
4. Consult a Lawyer BEFORE Reporting: Once you report to the university, they may launch an internal process that can complicate a civil case. Talk to us first to develop a coordinated strategy. Watch our video on client mistakes that can ruin a case.
5. Do Not Confront the Organization: This gives them time to destroy evidence and align their stories.

For Students: Is This Hazing?

If you feel pressured, coerced, endangered, or humiliated as part of joining or staying in a group, it is hazing. “Tradition” is not an excuse. Your safety is more important than any membership.

• Exiting Safely: You can resign at any time via email/text. Have a safe place to go. Tell a trusted adult.
• Reporting: You can report anonymously through campus channels or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). Texas law offers limited immunity for good-faith reports.

Critical Legal FAQs

• “Can we sue the university?” Yes. While public universities have some legal protections, exceptions exist for gross negligence or deliberate indifference. We analyze this in every case.
• “What if it happened off-campus?” Location does not matter. Liability is based on the organization’s sponsorship and control over the activity.
• “How long do we have to file a lawsuit?” In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. However, timing is critical for evidence preservation. Learn more in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.
• “How much will this cost?” We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. This means you pay no upfront fees or hourly costs. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you. See our explanation of how contingency fees work.

Why Attorney911 is the Right Firm for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family is up against a national fraternity or a major university, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need a firm with the specific expertise, resources, and tenacity to win. From our Houston office, we serve families across Texas, including those in Ladonia, Fannin County, and throughout Northeast Texas.

Our Proven Edge in Hazing Litigation:

1. Active, High-Stakes Litigation Experience: We are not theorists. We are currently leading the $10 million Leonel Bermudez vs. UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. We are in the fight right now, deposing fraternity leaders, battling national insurers, and taking on a major Texas university system.
2. Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our associate attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows how fraternity and university insurers value claims, deny coverage, and use delay tactics. We use that insider knowledge to our clients’ advantage.
3. Complex Institutional Litigation Credentials: Founding partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, facing down billion-dollar defendants. We apply the same rigorous investigation and discovery strategies to hazing cases against well-funded national organizations.
4. Data-Driven Investigation: We deploy our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—the same public records directory referenced earlier—from day one. We identify every housing corporation, alumni chapter, and national entity that may share liability.
5. Dual Civil & Criminal Understanding: Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits. We can effectively advise clients navigating both systems.
6. Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. Se habla Español. We are committed to serving the diverse families of Texas.

We approach each case with empathy for the profound trauma hazing causes, and with the relentless drive for accountability that prevents future harm. We don’t just seek a quick settlement; we build cases that force institutional change.

Your Next Step: A Confidential Consultation

If you are a parent in Ladonia, Bonham, Honey Grove, or anywhere in Texas, and you believe your child has been hazed, you do not have to navigate this alone. The universities and national organizations have teams of lawyers. You deserve expert advocates in your corner.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today for a free, confidential consultation.

We will listen compassionately to your story, review any evidence you have, and explain your legal options clearly and honestly. There is no obligation, and everything you tell us is confidential.

• Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Local: (713) 528-9070
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Website: https://attorney911.com

Let us use our experience, data, and determination to help your family find answers, secure justice, and protect other students from enduring the same pain.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Each case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts. For legal advice regarding your specific situation, please contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC for a consultation.