The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits for Leander & Williamson County Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone

Imagine this scenario, one that has unfolded for families right here in Leander, Cedar Park, Georgetown, and across Williamson County: Your child, excited to join a fraternity, sorority, or campus organization at the University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, or another Texas school, begins the “pledge” process. What starts as team-building evolves into something darker—forced drinking games, humiliating tasks, sleep deprivation, and extreme physical workouts. Your child comes home injured, traumatized, or worse, doesn’t come home at all.

Right now, in Texas, our firm is actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after enduring systematic abuse from the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to detailed media reports, his ordeal included being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced to consume excessive amounts of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and subjected to extreme workouts of over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion. He was hospitalized for four days, passing brown urine from severe muscle breakdown. The chapter has been shut down, and we have filed a $10 million lawsuit against the university, the national fraternity, and individual members.

This is not an isolated incident. It is part of a dangerous pattern affecting Texas families, including those right here in Williamson County who send their students to universities across the state.

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 Offers Leander & Williamson County Families

This comprehensive Texas hazing guide was written specifically for parents and students in Leander, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Round Rock, and throughout Williamson County. We understand that local families send their children to universities across Texas—from the University of Texas at Austin (just 30 miles from Leander) to Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas A&M in College Station, and schools throughout the state.

In this guide, you will learn:

What modern hazing really looks like in 2025 (far beyond old stereotypes)
How Texas and federal law protect—or fail to protect—your child
What we’ve learned from major national hazing deaths and injuries that apply to Texas cases
What’s happening at UT Austin, Texas State, Texas A&M, University of Houston, and other Texas campuses where Williamson County students enroll
The complete legal options available to hazing victims and their families
Why national fraternity/sorority histories matter for your case
How to build a strong case with evidence that stands up in court
Practical steps for parents, students, and witnesses
Why Attorney911 brings unique Texas-based expertise to hazing litigation

If your child attends any Texas university and has experienced hazing, you don’t have to navigate this crisis alone. We serve families throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, bringing local understanding of Texas courts, universities, and legal systems.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Texas Students

Hazing is not just “boys will be boys” or “harmless tradition.” For Williamson County families with students at UT Austin, Texas State, or other campuses, understanding the modern reality of hazing is critical. Today’s hazing combines digital surveillance, psychological coercion, and dangerous physical rituals that often fly under university radars until tragedy strikes.

A Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

Under Texas law and common sense, hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not make it legal or safe when there is peer pressure and power imbalance. The Texas Education Code explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing charges.

The Five Main Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common—and most deadly—form of hazing. It includes forced “power hours” or chugging challenges, drinking games with punishment for wrong answers (like the “Bible study” game that killed Max Gruver at LSU), and “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor. Recently, we’ve seen cases where pledges are forced to consume dangerous mixtures or unknown substances.

2. Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, modern physical hazing includes extreme calisthenics called “smokings” (like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case), sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions,” food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme temperatures. At Texas A&M, we’ve seen Corps of Cadets hazing involving being bound in “roasted pig” positions.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walks”), degrading costumes or roles, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. These create lasting psychological trauma and often involve recording for further humiliation.

4. Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats of expulsion from the group, isolation from friends and family, forced confessions, and public shaming in meetings. This “breaking down” is designed to create dependency on the group.

5. Digital/Online Hazing
The newest frontier includes group chat dares, social media challenges, pressure to create compromising content, and 24/7 availability demands via apps like GroupMe, WhatsApp, and Discord. Geo-tracking through apps like Find My Friends creates constant surveillance.

Where Hazing Happens at Texas Universities

Contrary to popular belief, hazing isn’t limited to fraternities:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural councils)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC at Texas A&M and other military-style programs
Spirit Squads and Tradition Groups like the Texas Cowboys at UT Austin
Athletic Teams from football to cheerleading
Marching Bands and Performance Groups
Academic Clubs and Honor Societies

The common thread is social status, tradition, and secrecy—these practices survive because members fear exclusion if they speak out, and organizations fear losing their charter or funding.

The Texas Legal Framework: Hazing Laws and Liabilities

For Leander families pursuing justice, understanding Texas law is essential. Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions, but navigating them requires experienced legal guidance.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health or safety and occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Key provisions Williamson County families should know:

Criminal Penalties (Texas Education Code §37.152):
- Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (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
Organizational Liability (§37.153):
- Organizations can be prosecuted if they authorized or encouraged hazing OR if officers knew and failed to report
- Fines up to $10,000 per violation
- Universities can revoke recognition and ban organizations
Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155):
- Even if the victim “agreed,” it’s still hazing under Texas law
- This directly counters the common defense: “They wanted to do it”
Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§37.154):
- Those who report hazing in good faith are immune from civil/criminal liability
- Many Texas universities have medical amnesty policies for alcohol-related emergencies

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (prosecutor)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
Burden of proof: Beyond a reasonable doubt

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
Focus: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
Burden of proof: Preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not)

Critical Insight: These cases can run simultaneously, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. In fact, many families achieve justice through civil litigation when criminal charges aren’t filed or don’t result in meaningful consequences.

Federal Law Overlay: Additional Protections and Requirements

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents transparently
Strengthens hazing education and prevention
Mandates public hazing data reporting (phased in by 2026)
Applies to all Texas public universities and most private ones

Title IX and Clery Act:

When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger
Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics
These federal frameworks can provide additional avenues for accountability

Who Can Be Liable in a Texas Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students:

Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
Including chapter presidents, pledge educators, risk managers

2. Local Chapter/Organization:

The fraternity/sorority or club as a legal entity
Chapter housing corporations (many have separate legal status)

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters:

Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents

4. University or Governing Board:

The school or regents under negligence or civil-rights theories
Key questions: Prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference
This includes UT System, Texas A&M System, etc.

5. Third Parties:

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

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys know how to identify all potentially liable parties to ensure full accountability.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families

The tragedies that have unfolded on campuses nationwide provide both warning and precedent for Williamson County families. These cases show patterns that repeat across states and organizations—patterns we see here in Texas.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern: Repeated Scripts

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):
A bid-acceptance event with extreme drinking led to Piazza falling multiple times, captured on chapter cameras. Brothers delayed calling for help for hours. The case resulted in dozens of criminal charges, massive civil litigation, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Takeaway: Delay in calling 911 and culture of silence prove devastating legally.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):
Forced to participate in a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant drinking, Gruver died with a 0.495% BAC. The case led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony. Takeaway: Legislative change often follows tragedy with clear evidence.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):
During a “Big/Little” event, Foltz was forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey. He died from alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in multiple criminal convictions and a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). Takeaway: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):
At a fraternity retreat, Deng was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual. He suffered fatal head injuries while help was delayed. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Takeaway: National organizations face criminal liability, not just civil.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025):
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program over years. Multiple lawsuits led to head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s firing and confidential settlements. Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life into major athletic programs with systemic abuse.

What These Cases Mean for Williamson County Families

Common threads in all major cases:

Forced drinking and substance abuse
Humiliation and psychological pressure
Violence or dangerous physical acts
Delayed medical care and cover-up attempts
Institutional knowledge or willful blindness

Texas families facing hazing at UT Austin, Texas State, or other campuses operate in a legal landscape shaped by these national lessons. The precedents set in these cases—particularly regarding national organization liability and university duty—directly apply to Texas litigation.

Texas University Focus: Where Williamson County Students Attend

Williamson County families send their children to universities throughout Texas. Understanding the specific landscapes, policies, and histories of these campuses is crucial for protecting your student or seeking accountability if harm occurs.

University of Texas at Austin: The Closest Major Campus

For Leander, Cedar Park, and Georgetown Families: UT Austin is less than an hour from most Williamson County communities, making it a primary destination for local students. Its size and Greek life presence create both opportunities and risks.

Campus & Culture Snapshot:

Enrollment: Over 50,000 students
Greek Life: ~60 fraternity/sorority chapters with thousands of members
Unique Elements: Texas Cowboys, Spirits, and other traditional organizations with hazing histories
Location: Urban campus with extensive off-campus housing in West Campus

Official Hazing Policy & Transparency:
UT Austin maintains one of Texas’s most transparent hazing reporting systems at hazing.utexas.edu. The university publishes detailed violation reports including:

Organization name and type
Date and description of conduct
Sanctions imposed
Whether alcohol was involved

Documented Incidents & Responses:
Recent UT Austin hazing violations from public records include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation, hazing prevention education.
Texas Wranglers (2023): Forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing. Sanction: Suspension.
Delta Kappa Epsilon (2022): Alcohol hazing, sleep deprivation. Sanction: Suspension.
Kappa Alpha Order (2021): Physical hazing, alcohol violations. Sanction: Probation.

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Proceeds:

Jurisdiction: Travis County courts (where UT is located) or Williamson County (where victim resides)
Police: UTPD for on-campus incidents, Austin PD for off-campus
Potential Defendants: Individuals, chapters, nationals, UT System Board of Regents
Key Evidence: UT’s public violation history shows pattern evidence

What UT Austin Students & Williamson County Parents Should Do:

Report immediately to Dean of Students (512-471-2841) and UTPD (512-471-4441)
Document everything—UT’s transparency helps but doesn’t guarantee accountability
Consult an attorney familiar with UT’s specific processes and prior cases
Preserve evidence before university “investigation” begins

Texas State University: The San Marcos Connection

For South Williamson County Families: Texas State in San Marcos is easily accessible for many Leander area families, with significant Greek life and organizational presence.

Campus & Culture:

Growing Greek system with traditional and multicultural organizations
Active athletic programs
River culture contributing to off-campus party risks

Documented Concerns:
While less transparent than UT, Texas State has faced hazing incidents including:

Fraternity suspensions for alcohol hazing
Organizational probations for violation of conduct codes
Ongoing challenges with off-campus housing incidents

Texas A&M University: Corps and Greek Life Complexities

For Families with Aggie Traditions: Many Williamson County families have generations of Aggie affiliation, making Texas A&M’s hazing landscape particularly relevant.

Corps of Cadets Culture:

Tradition-heavy, military-style environment with reported discipline issues
2023 lawsuit: Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose
A&M stated it handled the matter under Corps regulations

Greek Life Incidents:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (2021): Pledges allegedly covered with industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. Chapter suspended.
Multiple fraternity suspensions for alcohol hazing violations

Unique Aspects for Williamson County Families:

Distance: College Station is further but many local students attend
Traditions: Deep-seated customs that sometimes blur into hazing
Dual Systems: Corps and Greek life create multiple potential hazing environments

Other Texas Universities with Williamson County Connections

University of Houston:
Our firm’s active litigation in the Leonel Bermudez case demonstrates serious hazing risks. UH has faced multiple chapter suspensions and continues to grapple with off-campus hazing incidents.

Baylor University:

Religious identity alongside Greek life and athletics
Baseball team hazing suspensions (2020)
Broader cultural challenges following prior scandals

Texas Tech, University of North Texas, UTSA:
Each has faced hazing incidents, chapter suspensions, and the patterns seen statewide.

The Greek Ecosystem: National Histories Meet Local Chapters

For Williamson County families, understanding that local fraternity chapters are part of national organizations with documented hazing histories is crucial. These national patterns create legal liability when repeated at Texas campuses.

Why National Histories Matter in Texas Lawsuits

When a Texas chapter repeats behaviors that caused deaths or injuries at other campuses, that demonstrates foreseeability—the national organization knew or should have known the risks. This strengthens negligence claims and can support punitive damages arguments.

National fraternities maintain anti-hazing policies precisely because they’ve seen tragedies before. When they fail to enforce these policies meaningfully, they become legally responsible.

Major Organizations with Documented Hazing Histories

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike):

Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State (2021) – death from forced drinking, $10M settlement
David Bogenberger: Northern Illinois University (2012) – alcohol poisoning death, $14M settlement
Texas Presence: Chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas State, UH
Pattern: “Big/Little” drinking nights, alcohol hazing traditions

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ):

Multiple hazing-related deaths nationwide
University of Alabama: Traumatic brain injury lawsuit (2023)
Texas A&M: Chemical burns lawsuit (2021)
UT Austin: Assault lawsuit (2024)
Pattern: Physical hazing, dangerous initiations

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

Max Gruver: LSU (2017) – “Bible study” drinking game death
Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act named after victim
Pattern: Drinking games as initiation

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

Andrew Coffey: Florida State (2017) – Big Brother night death
Leonel Bermudez: University of Houston (2025) – our active litigation
Pattern: Extreme physical hazing alongside alcohol

Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ):

Timothy Piazza: Penn State (2017) – delayed medical care death
Criminal charges against 18 members
Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law
Pattern: Alcohol excess with failure to seek help

How National Patterns Become Texas Liability

When we investigate hazing cases at Texas universities, we subpoena national organization records to establish:

Prior Incidents: Similar conduct at other chapters
Policy Enforcement: Whether anti-hazing policies were meaningful or window-dressing
Knowledge: What nationals knew about chapter behaviors
Response: Whether prior violations resulted in real consequences

This pattern evidence is powerful in settlement negotiations and at trial, showing that tragedies were preventable if organizations had learned from their own histories.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

For Williamson County families considering legal action, understanding how hazing cases are built and won is essential. These cases require sophisticated investigation, strategic legal positioning, and careful handling of both digital and physical evidence.

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

1. Digital Communications (The #1 Evidence Source):

Group Messaging: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, fraternity-specific apps
Social Media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok messages, Facebook groups
Recovery: Digital forensics can retrieve deleted messages—don’t assume deletion means lost
Pattern Evidence: Messages showing planning, coordination, cover-up attempts

2. Photos & Videos:

Content filmed during events (often shared in group chats)
Social media posts and stories
Security camera footage from houses, venues, or doorbell cameras
Timestamped evidence placing individuals at scenes

3. Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals, “tradition” documents, initiation scripts
Chapter meeting minutes
Risk management reports
Communications with national headquarters

4. University Records (Obtained via Subpoena):

Prior conduct files and disciplinary history
Incident reports to campus police
Clery Act reports and annual security reports
Internal emails about the organization or prior incidents

5. Medical & Psychological Records:

Emergency room and hospitalization records
Toxicology and lab reports (critical for alcohol/drug cases)
Psychological evaluations documenting PTSD, depression, anxiety
Ongoing treatment records showing long-term impact

6. Witness Testimony:

Other pledges or new members
Former members who left due to hazing
Roommates, friends, significant others
Advisors, coaches, or faculty

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

Medical Expenses: Past and future care, including therapy, medications, surgeries
Lost Income/Earning Capacity: Missed work, delayed education, reduced future earnings
Educational Costs: Lost tuition, scholarships, transfer expenses

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective but Compensable):

Physical Pain & Suffering: From injuries and recovery
Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
Loss of Enjoyment: Inability to participate in college life, activities
Reputational Harm: Social stigma, digital footprint consequences

Wrongful Death Damages (When Tragedy Strikes):

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of financial support and companionship
Emotional suffering of family members
Parents’ and siblings’ mental health treatment

Punitive Damages (When Available):

Designed to punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
Available when defendants show conscious indifference or intentional harm
Texas has statutory caps but exceptions exist for certain intentional conduct

The Role of Insurance in Hazing Cases

National fraternities and universities typically carry liability insurance, but insurers often fight coverage using arguments like:

“Intentional acts” exclusions
Failure to follow risk management procedures
Lack of timely notice

Our firm’s unique advantage: Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how insurers value claims, set reserves, and develop defense strategies. This insider knowledge is invaluable when negotiating with fraternity and university insurance companies.

Strategic Considerations for Williamson County Families

Timing is Critical:

Texas generally has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury
Evidence disappears quickly (deleted messages, graduated witnesses)
Universities move to control narratives immediately

Jurisdiction Matters:

Cases can be filed where the injury occurred or where defendants are located
Williamson County courts may have jurisdiction if the victim resides here
Federal court may be appropriate for Title IX or multi-state defendant cases

Privacy vs. Accountability:

Many cases settle confidentially before trial
Families can request sealed court records
We balance public accountability with family privacy needs

Practical Guides & FAQs for Williamson County Families

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and non-group friends
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Financial requests for unexplained “dues” or purchases
Academic performance decline

How to Talk to 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 they ask you to do as a new member?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
“Do you feel like you can leave if you want to?”

If Your Child Opens Up About Hazing:

Prioritize Safety: Remove from danger, get medical care
Preserve Evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries
Document Everything: Write down what they tell you (date, time, details)
Contact an Attorney: Before reporting to university or police
Do NOT: Confront the organization, post on social media, sign university agreements

For Students: Self-Assessment and Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

Am I being forced or pressured to do something dangerous or degrading?
Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
Would my parents or the university approve if they knew exactly what happens?
Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about activities?
Are older members making new members do things they don’t do themselves?

If You’re in Immediate Danger:

Call 911 or campus police
Get to a safe location (dorm, friend’s place, public area)
Texas law provides immunity for good-faith calls for help

How to Exit Safely:

Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
Send an email/text to chapter leadership: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
Document any threats or harassment
Report retaliation to campus authorities

Evidence Collection for Students:

Screenshots: Capture full conversations with timestamps
Photos: Injuries from multiple angles, locations, objects used
Recordings: Texas is a one-party consent state—you can record conversations you’re part of
Medical Care: Tell providers you were hazed so it’s documented
Witnesses: Names and contact information for others who saw what happened

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

1. Letting Evidence Be Destroyed

Mistake: Allowing deletion of group chats or social media posts
Why It’s Wrong: Looks like cover-up; makes case nearly impossible to prove
Better Approach: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Organization Directly

Mistake: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
Why It’s Wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Better Approach: Document everything, then let your attorney handle communication

3. Signing University “Resolution” Agreements

Mistake: Accepting quick settlements offered by university administrators
Why It’s Wrong: You may waive legal rights; settlements are often far below case value
Better Approach: Have an attorney review ANYTHING before you sign

4. Posting on Social Media

Mistake: Venting on Facebook or Instagram about what happened
Why It’s Wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Better Approach: Keep details private; let your attorney control public messaging

5. Waiting Too Long to Act

Mistake: “Let’s see how the university handles it first”
Why It’s Wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute of limitations runs
Better Approach: Consult an attorney immediately; university process ≠ real accountability

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue a Texas university for hazing?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UT, Texas A&M, etc.) have sovereign immunity protections but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case-specific analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report hazing.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
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 isn’t true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but exceptions exist. If the harm wasn’t immediately discovered, or if there was fraud/cover-up, the timeline may be extended. Time is critical—call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911.

“What if hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Many major hazing cases occurred off-campus and still resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments.

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases

When your Williamson County family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, bringing local understanding of Texas courts, universities, and legal systems.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, deploy delay tactics, and fight coverage. As he says, “We know their playbook because we used to run it.” This insider knowledge is invaluable when negotiating with billion-dollar insurers.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello):
Our firm was one of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on a corporation with unlimited resources. That same experience applies to national fraternities and university systems. We’re not intimidated by powerful defendants; we’ve faced them before and won.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience:
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, working with economists to value lives and future potential. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force real accountability and prevent future harm.

Dual Civil/Criminal Capability:
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of hazing cases. We can advise on criminal exposure while pursuing civil accountability, a crucial advantage when cases involve potential criminal charges.

Investigative Depth and Resources:
We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine with data on over 1,400 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. This includes IRS records, university affiliations, and national patterns. When we take your case, we don’t start from scratch—we already understand the organizational landscape.

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Data-Driven Advocacy

For Williamson County families, our data advantage means we can quickly identify:

All legally registered entities behind a chapter (house corporations, alumni groups)
Prior incidents and disciplinary history
Insurance coverage sources
National organization patterns and prior settlements

This investigative depth transforms cases. While other firms are still figuring out who to sue, we’re already building evidence showing patterns of negligence and foreseeability.

How We Investigate Hazing Cases

Immediate Evidence Preservation:
Within hours of your call, we’ll guide you through preserving digital evidence before it disappears. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages and social media content.

Comprehensive Discovery:
We subpoena university records, national fraternity files, insurance policies, and individual communications. We leave no stone unturned in uncovering the full truth.

Expert Collaboration:
We work with medical experts, psychologists, economists, Greek life culture experts, and digital forensics specialists to build irrefutable cases.

Strategic Litigation:
We know when to negotiate and when to prepare for trial. Our trial readiness changes how defendants approach settlement discussions.

Our Commitment to Williamson County Families

We understand that hazing cases are about more than money. They’re about:

Getting answers when institutions want silence
Preventing the next tragedy
Helping victims heal with dignity
Holding all responsible parties accountable

As Ralph Manginello says, “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

Call to Action: Your Next Step as a Williamson County Family

If you or your child has experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether UT Austin, Texas State, Texas A&M, UH, or any other school—we want to hear from you. Families in Leander, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Round Rock, and throughout Williamson County have the right to answers and accountability.

What to Expect When You Contact Us

Your Free, Confidential Consultation:

We’ll listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you’ve preserved
Explain your legal options clearly
Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
Answer questions about costs (we work on contingency—no fee unless we win)
No pressure to hire us—take time to decide with all the information

How to Reach Us:

24/7 Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com

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

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Evidence disappears quickly. Witnesses graduate or are coached. Statutes of limitations run. Universities and organizations move quickly to protect themselves.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Whether you’re in Leander or anywhere in Williamson County, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone.

Legal Disclaimer

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

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

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

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

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

NEWS COVERAGE OF THE LEONEL BERMUDEZ / UH PI KAPPA PHI HAZING LAWSUIT

1. Click2Houston (KPRC 2) — “‘Urine was brown’: Pledge sues over severe hazing at University of Houston’s shut down Pi Kappa Phi fraternity”

Published: November 21, 2025 | Authors: Bryce Newberry & Holly Galvan Posey
Key Content: Exclusive KPRC 2 investigation. Attorney Ralph Manginello’s quote “His urine was brown” describes the rhabdomyolysis symptoms. Details hazing locations (Pi Kappa Phi house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park). Describes the “pledge fanny pack” humiliation (condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices). Lists physical abuse (sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, vomiting rituals, cold-weather workouts). Confirms medical findings: critically elevated creatine kinase, rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, multi-day hospitalization. Names all 13 defendants including chapter officers. Includes UH statement calling conduct “deeply disturbing” and confirming Nov 14, 2025 charter surrender.
URL: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/

2. ABC13 Eyewitness News (KTRK) — “Waterboarding, forced eating, physical punishment: Lawsuit alleges abuse faced by injured pledge at UH’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity”

Published: November 22, 2025 | Author: Nick Natario
Key Content: Most detailed timeline of hazing events. Sept 16 bid acceptance → Sept-Oct forced dress codes, interviews, overnight chauffeuring → Oct 13 another pledge hog-tied face-down with object in mouth → Nov 3 Bermudez forced through 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats → Nov 6 chapter suspension → Nov 6-9 hospitalization. Describes “waterboarding” tactics (hose spraying in face). Details forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting. Includes Attorney Lupe Peña quote: “If this prevents harm to another person…Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” Notes Bermudez declined interviews due to fear of retaliation.
URL: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

3. Hoodline — “University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Face $10M Lawsuit Over Alleged Hazing and Abuse”

Published: November 22, 2025 | Author: Alyssa Ford
Key Content: Emphasizes the $10 million damage demand. Confirms rapid chapter suspension (Nov 6) and Nov 14 charter surrender. Summarizes allegations: extreme workouts, forced overeating, sleep deprivation, simulated waterboarding, humiliating fanny-pack requirements, strict interview schedules, punishment threats. Confirms rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure diagnoses. Notes complaint alleges UH and fraternity leadership knew about systemic hazing and failed to intervene. Includes Attorney911 messaging urging other pledges to come forward.
URL: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

ATTORNEY911 EDUCATIONAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS

4. “📱 Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case? | Attorney911 Explains”

Content: Attorney911 educational video explaining how to properly use your smartphone to document evidence after an injury or incident. Covers best practices for photographing scenes, recording witness statements, preserving digital evidence, and what to capture immediately after an accident or hazing incident. Critical for parents and victims who need to preserve evidence before it disappears.
When to Link: When discussing evidence preservation, documentation, or what to do immediately after discovering hazing abuse.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

5. “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case? | Attorney911 with Injury Lawyer Ralph Manginello”

Content: Attorney Ralph Manginello explains Texas statutes of limitations for personal injury cases. Covers filing deadlines, exceptions, tolling provisions, and why timing is critical. Essential information for hazing victims and families who need to understand their legal window to take action.
When to Link: When discussing time limits for filing hazing lawsuits, deadlines, or urgency of legal action.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

6. “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case | Attorney911 with Ralph Manginello”

Content: Attorney Ralph Manginello identifies common mistakes that can damage or destroy personal injury claims. Covers social media pitfalls, recorded statements to insurance companies, gaps in medical treatment, and other errors that defense attorneys exploit. Vital guidance for hazing victims navigating the legal process.
When to Link: When advising families on what NOT to do after discovering hazing, or when discussing case preparation.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

7. “📢 How Do Contingency Fees Work? Injury Lawyer Explains!”

Content: Attorney911 explains the contingency fee model for personal injury cases—no upfront costs, no fee unless the firm wins. Breaks down how fees are calculated, what expenses are covered, and why this model makes justice accessible to families who couldn’t otherwise afford representation against wealthy fraternities and universities.
When to Link: When discussing costs, affordability, or the firm’s “no fee unless we win” policy.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

ATTORNEY911 MAIN WEBSITE

8. Attorney911 — Main Website & Contact

Content: Full-service Texas personal injury and criminal defense law firm. 24/7 free consultations. Offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Practice areas include hazing litigation, wrongful death, catastrophic injury, 18-wheeler accidents, offshore/maritime, construction injuries, refinery/plant accidents, toxic torts, and insurance claims. Contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. Spanish-language services available (Se habla Español). Over 25 years of courtroom experience. Admitted to federal courts in the Southern District of Texas.
When to Link: Always include in CTA sections.
URL: https://attorney911.com