The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Resource for Lynn County Families

A Lynn County Parent’s Nightmare: When Campus “Tradition” Becomes Abuse

Your child made it. They were accepted to a prestigious Texas university—perhaps the University of Houston, Texas A&M, or UT Austin. They were excited to join a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or athletic team, seeing it as a path to friendship, leadership, and lifelong connection. Then, the calls home changed. They sounded exhausted, secretive, or afraid. You notice unexplained bruises, or they mention “mandatory” events that keep them out until 3 AM. When you ask what’s wrong, they dismiss it as “just how it is” or “something all pledges do.”

For families right here in Lynn County, this scenario is not hypothetical. It is happening right now at campuses across Texas, and the consequences can be catastrophic. In late 2025, on our doorstep at the University of Houston, a young man named Leonel Bermudez suffered exactly this nightmare. As a pledge of the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, he was allegedly subjected to a regime of abuse that culminated in a life-threatening medical crisis. His story—and our firm’s ongoing fight for his justice—exposes the brutal reality of modern hazing and the complex legal battle families face.

This comprehensive guide is written for every parent in Lynn County and across Texas who needs to understand what hazing truly looks like in 2025, how Texas law applies, and what legal recourse exists when institutions fail to protect our children. We will dissect the landmark cases, analyze the fraternity and sorority ecosystems at major Texas schools, and explain the path to accountability. If you are reading this because you fear your child is in danger, you are not alone, and you have found the right advocates.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES IN LYNN COUNTY:

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 legal guidance—that’s why we are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.
In the first 48 hours:
1. Get Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor or your child resists, seek professional evaluation. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) may not be immediately apparent.
2. Preserve Digital Evidence: Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), text messages, and social media posts related to the incident. Photograph any physical injuries from multiple angles.
3. Document Everything: Write down a detailed timeline of events while memories are fresh, including names, dates, locations, and witness information.
4. Do NOT:
  - Confront the fraternity, sorority, or university directly.
  - Sign any documents from the school or an insurance company.
  - Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” their phone.
  - Discuss specifics on public social media.

We serve families throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. If your child attends a Texas university and has been harmed by hazing, our experienced team is ready to help you navigate this crisis.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks or harmless initiation. It is a calculated pattern of coercion, humiliation, and physical risk designed to assert power and force compliance. For Lynn County families, understanding its modern forms is the first step in recognizing danger.

A Modern Definition: Coercion, Not Consent

Under Texas law, hazing is broadly defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership in any organization. The critical legal principle in Texas, as in most states, is that consent is not a defense. A student’s “agreement” to participate under peer pressure, fear of exclusion, or desire to belong is legally meaningless when power imbalances and coercion are present.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – The Foundation of Control
This establishes power dynamics and often precedes more severe abuse. It includes:

Servitude: Mandatory chauffeuring, cleaning members’ rooms, running personal errands at all hours.
Social Control: Strict dress codes, required “check-ins,” prohibition from speaking unless spoken to, isolation from non-members.
Digital Monitoring: Being required to share live location 24/7, instant response mandates in group chats, social media policing.
Deception: Being coached to lie to parents, university officials, or outsiders about activities.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – Psychological and Physical Strain
These acts cause clear discomfort and harm, creating a hostile environment:

Sleep Deprivation: Late-night “meetings,” 3 AM wake-up calls for pointless tasks, multi-day events with minimal rest.
Forced Consumption: Drinking excessive amounts of water, milk, or eating specific foods (like raw onions or hot dogs) until ill.
Humiliation: Wearing degrading costumes or “pledge fanny packs” with humiliating contents in public, being subjected to verbal “roasts” or berating sessions.
Extreme Calisthenics: “Smokings” involving hundreds of push-ups, squats, or wall-sits framed as “conditioning.”

Tier 3: Violent Hazing – Life-Threatening Conduct
This is criminal assault with high potential for permanent injury or death:

Forced Alcohol/Drug Consumption: “Lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, coerced ingestion of unknown substances.
Physical Assault: Paddling, beating, tackling, or “wrestling” matches designed to injure.
Dangerous Environments: Exposure to extreme cold while underdressed (a common Texas Corps tactic), being locked in confined spaces, forced into dangerous drives while exhausted.
Sexualized Abuse: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault.
Professional-Grade Abuse: As seen in the Leonel Bermudez case at UH, this includes being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” being hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour, and forced physical exertion leading to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just “Frat Parties”

While fraternities and sororities are high-risk environments, hazing permeates many campus organizations that Lynn County students join:

Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC Programs (especially at Texas A&M)
Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading)
Spirit & Tradition Organizations (like Texas Cowboys, song leaders)
Marching Bands & Performing Groups
Academic, Service, and Cultural Clubs

The common thread is a toxic combination of social status, insular tradition, and a code of silence that protects abusers and silences victims.

Texas Law & Legal Liability: What Lynn County Families Need to Know

Navigating the aftermath of hazing requires understanding the dual-track legal system: criminal prosecution by the state and civil lawsuits for compensation and accountability. Here is how Texas law protects—and sometimes limits—victims and their families.

The Texas Hazing Statute: Education Code Chapter 37

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws designed to deter this conduct and punish perpetrators.

Definition (Sec. 37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation that endangers mental or physical health or safety.
Criminal Penalties (Sec. 37.152):
- Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
- Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes bodily injury.
- State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
Organizational Liability (Sec. 37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.
Consent is NOT a Defense (Sec. 37.155): This is critical. Even if your child “went along with it,” the law recognizes they were not in a position to give meaningful consent.
Immunity for Reporters (Sec. 37.154): Individuals who in good faith report hazing or seek medical help are protected from civil or criminal liability for their own minor involvement (like underage drinking).

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Justice

Criminal Cases

Brought by: The State of Texas (county or district attorney).
Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation).
Charges: Can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and in fatalities, manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide.
Outcome for Families: While conviction provides moral vindication, it does not provide financial compensation for medical bills, therapy, or other losses.

Civil Lawsuits

Brought by: The victim and their family.
Goal: Financial compensation (damages) and institutional accountability.
Claims: Can include negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Key Advantage: Civil discovery allows us to subpoena internal documents, group chats, and witness testimony that criminal prosecutors may not pursue, revealing cover-ups and systemic failures.

These two paths can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction can strengthen a civil case, but a civil case can succeed even if criminal charges are never filed.

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

Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, or is motivated by gender-based hostility, the university has specific legal duties to investigate and remedy the situation. Failure can lead to federal investigations and loss of funding.
Clery Act: Requires universities to disclose campus crime statistics and issue timely warnings. Serious hazing incidents often overlap with reportable crimes like assault.
Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs. It increases transparency, helping families see patterns of misconduct.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A strategic lawsuit targets every entity with responsibility and insurance coverage.

Individual Perpetrators: The students who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing. Their parents’ homeowner insurance may provide coverage.
The Local Chapter: As a legal entity (often a corporation or housing association), it can be sued directly. See our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine data below for examples.
The National Organization: Headquarters that collect dues, set policies, and oversee chapters. They can be liable for negligent supervision if they knew or should have known about dangerous traditions. The national Pi Kappa Phi organization is a defendant in the Bermudez case for this reason.
The University: Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT have sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, or when suing employees in their individual capacity. Private schools like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity barriers. Universities can be liable for failing to act on known dangers.
Third Parties: Property owners of off-campus houses, landlords, bars that overserved alcohol (under Texas dram shop law), and security companies.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Script Repeats Itself

The tragic stories from other states are not abstract; they are a playbook that foreshadows what happens in Texas. These cases established legal precedents and show how juries respond to institutional failure.

The Alcohol Poisoning Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): A bid-acceptance night of extreme drinking led to fatal falls caught on chapter security cameras. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case resulted in dozens of criminal charges and the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania.
Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers mandated drinking. Gruver died with a 0.495% BAC. The Max Gruver Act made hazing a felony in Louisiana.
Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A “Big/Little” night where the pledge was forced to drink a bottle of whiskey. He died of alcohol poisoning. The family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from the national fraternity, ~$3M from the university).
Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Another “Big Brother” night with a handle of liquor, leading to death and the temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU.

The Lesson for Texas: The “Big/Little” or “bid acceptance” drinking night is a predictable, repeated script. When a Texas chapter follows it, national headquarters cannot claim ignorance.

The Physical & Ritualized Violence Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Pledge blinded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote retreat. He died from brain injuries. The national fraternity was convicted of manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): Forced to drink an entire bottle of vodka during a “pledge dad reveal.” He survived but suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage, requiring 24/7 care for life. His family settled with 22 defendants.

The Lesson for Texas: Off-campus “retreats” and violent physical rituals are known, documented dangers. Nationals that fail to eradicate them face severe consequences.

The Athletic & Institutional Hazing Pattern

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): A scandal involving alleged sexualized and racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements. It proved hazing is endemic in big-money sports programs.
University of Maryland (2024): A wave of fraternity suspensions for beatings, forced drinking, and cold exposure showed hazing is systemic, not isolated.

The Lesson for Texas: No organization is immune. Accountability requires investigating the entire culture, not just punishing a few “bad apples.”

Texas University Hazing Focus: Where Lynn County Students Are at Risk

Lynn County families send their children to universities across our great state. The following breakdown of major campuses provides a clear-eyed view of the hazing landscape, official policies, and historical incidents. This knowledge is power.

University of Houston (UH)

For Lynn County families, UH is a prime destination and the site of our firm’s active, high-stakes hazing litigation.

Campus Snapshot: A large, diverse, urban university with a significant Greek life presence and hundreds of student organizations. The proximity of off-campus housing to university facilities creates jurisdictional complexities when incidents occur.

Official Policy & Reporting: UH prohibits hazing on and off-campus. Reporting channels include the Dean of Students Office, Campus Safety, and online portals. UH has stated that hazing allegations are “deeply disturbing” and warrant cooperation with law enforcement.

Documented Incident – The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi
In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a UH student and Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu chapter) pledge. The complaint, detailed in coverage by Click2Houston and ABC13, alleges a months-long campaign of abuse:

Humiliation: A “pledge fanny pack” rule requiring constant carrying of condoms, sex toys, and other degrading items.
Physical Torture: Sprints, bear crawls, being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” lying in vomit-soaked grass, and forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.
The Breaking Point: A November 3 “workout” of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion left him unable to stand. Days later, he was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, his urine brown from muscle tissue breakdown.
Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi national suspended the chapter on November 6. On November 14, members voted to surrender their charter, shutting it down. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

This case is live proof of the severe, ongoing hazing risk at Texas campuses and the level of litigation required to fight it.

How a UH Case Proceeds: Investigations may involve UHPD, Houston Police, and Harris County authorities. Civil suits are typically filed in Harris County district courts. Defendants can include individual members, the chapter housing corporation (like the “Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc.” listed in IRS records), Pi Kappa Phi nationals, and the UH System.

Texas A&M University

Campus Snapshot: Home to a massive Greek system and the renowned Corps of Cadets, A&M’s culture of tradition and hierarchy can, when corrupted, foster severe hazing.

Official Policy & Reporting: A&M has strict anti-hazing rules applicable to all student organizations. Reports go to the Student Conduct Office or the Corps Commandant’s Office. The university emphasizes “respect and dignity.”

Documented Incidents:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged they were forced into strenuous activity and doused with substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and a lawsuit sought over $1 million.
Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages, highlighting abuse within the military-style program.

For Lynn County Parents: The Corps and Greek life at A&M are powerful draws. Understanding these documented risks is crucial for having informed conversations with your student.

University of Texas at Austin

Campus Snapshot: UT boasts one of the largest and most transparent Greek life systems in the country, with a publicly available hazing violation log—a resource we use extensively in building cases.

Official Policy & Transparency: UT’s “Hazing at UT” website publicly lists organizations found responsible for hazing, the misconduct, and sanctions. This transparency is a powerful tool for families and attorneys.

Documented Incidents (From Public Log):

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, constituting hazing. The chapter was placed on probation.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): A lawsuit filed by an Australian exchange student alleged assault at a party resulting in a dislocated leg, broken nose, and fractured tibia. The chapter was already under suspension for prior violations.
Various spirit groups and fraternities have been sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, and psychological abuse.

How We Use UT’s Transparency: This public record provides “prior notice” evidence. We can show that national organizations and the university itself were aware of specific, dangerous patterns but failed to prevent recurrence.

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Campus Snapshot: A private, affluent university with a dominant Greek life culture. The private status affects transparency but not liability.

Official Policy & Reporting: SMU prohibits hazing and provides anonymous reporting tools. As a private institution, it has fewer public records disclosure requirements than public universities.

Documented Incident:

Kappa Alpha Order (2017): The chapter was suspended for multiple hazing violations including paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation. It remained under recruitment restrictions for years.

Considerations for Civil Cases: The lack of public data means our investigative discovery process is even more critical. We subpoena internal university and fraternity records to uncover prior complaints and institutional knowledge.

Baylor University

Campus Snapshot: A private Christian university with active Greek life and a recent history of institutional crisis management related to campus sexual assault.

Official Policy: Baylor has a “zero tolerance” hazing policy, but its recent history requires families to scrutinize institutional follow-through.

Documented Incident:

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players were suspended following a hazing investigation, with staggered suspensions affecting the team’s season. Details were kept largely internal.

The Baylor Context: Any hazing case at Baylor must be understood within the framework of its previous Title IX failures. We approach such cases with a sharp focus on institutional accountability and pattern evidence.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Mapping the Organizational Landscape

For Lynn County families, it’s vital to understand that behind every fraternity or sorority name are layers of legal entities, insurance policies, and national networks. We maintain a proprietary data engine built from public records to map this landscape. This isn’t abstract—it’s how we identify every potentially liable party in a case.

The IRS Backbone: Texas-Registered Greek Organizations

The IRS grants tax-exempt status (code B83) to fraternities, sororities, and related entities. Our directory includes over 125 such organizations in Texas. These are not social clubs; they are legal entities with Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), mailing addresses, and often, insurance policies. For example, entities listed in public filings include:

Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc. – EIN 462267515 – Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 Filing). This is the housing corporation for the very UH chapter involved in the Bermudez case.
Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc. – EIN 133048786 – College Station, TX 77845 (IRS B83 Filing).
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. (Theta Delta) – EIN 475370943 – Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 Filing).
Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi – EIN 746047117 – Austin, TX 78705 (IRS B83 Filing).

These listings illustrate that the Greek organizations connected to campuses where your child may be are real, trackable entities. When hazing occurs, these corporations, their national affiliates, and their insurers are part of the liability puzzle.

The Campus Connection: Where Lynn County Students Go

Based on Texas higher education data, Lynn County students attend universities across the state. Campuses with significant Greek life where we have handled cases or maintain investigative data include:

Major Hubs: University of Houston, Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, Baylor University.
Other Texas Campuses: Texas State University, Texas Tech University, University of North Texas, Texas Christian University, Sam Houston State University, and others.

The Metro-Level Web: Hundreds of Interconnected Entities

By analyzing data from sources like Cause IQ, we can see the scale of the Greek ecosystem in Texas metros:

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: Over 510 Greek-related organizations.
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: Over 188 Greek-related organizations.
Austin-Round Rock Metro: Over 154 Greek-related organizations.
Statewide: 1,423 fraternity and sorority organizations tracked across 25 Texas metropolitan areas.

This means the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH is not an island. It is part of a vast, interconnected network of undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, housing corporations, and national foundations—all of which can be investigated and, if the evidence shows negligence, held accountable.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

When a family comes to us after a hazing incident, we initiate a meticulous, multi-phase process designed to secure justice and maximum accountability. This is how we transform a personal tragedy into a powerful legal action.

Phase 1: Evidence Preservation & Investigation

Digital evidence disappears within hours. Physical evidence is destroyed. Witnesses are coached. Our first step is to lock down the story.

Critical Evidence We Secure:

Digital Footprint: We use digital forensics to recover deleted GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, and social media chats. These messages often show planning, bragging, threats, and cover-up attempts.
Photographic/Video Evidence: Photos and videos from parties or events, often shared in group chats or posted to social media (even briefly), are crucial.
Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” documents, meeting minutes, and emails between members and national headquarters.
University Records: Through discovery, we obtain prior conduct reports, warning letters, and internal investigation files related to the same organization.
Medical Records: Comprehensive documentation of all injuries, from ER reports diagnosing rhabdomyolysis (as in the UH case) to psychologist evaluations diagnosing PTSD.
Witness Testimony: We interview roommates, other pledges, former members, and bystanders. Often, others are desperate to come forward but fear retaliation.

Phase 2: Legal Strategy & Defendant Identification

Using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we identify every possible defendant to ensure no responsible party escapes accountability and to maximize available insurance coverage.

Individual Perpetrators: Named for their direct actions.
Local Chapter & Housing Corporation: Sued as legal entities (like those in our IRS listing above).
National Headquarters: Sued for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and for maintaining dangerous traditions known to cause harm.
The University: Sued for negligent supervision, premises liability, and (if applicable) Title IX violations.
Third Parties: Landlords of unsafe properties, alcohol providers.

Our insider knowledge is key here. Mr. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny claims, undervalue injuries, and drag out cases. We anticipate and counter these tactics from day one.

Phase 3: Damages & Recovery

We work with experts to build a comprehensive picture of our client’s losses, ensuring we seek full and fair compensation.

Economic Damages (Calculable Losses):

Past & Future Medical Care: Hospitalization, surgery, therapy, medications, and lifelong care for permanent injuries like kidney damage or traumatic brain injury.
Lost Wages & Earning Capacity: Time off work for recovery, and if injuries are permanent, the lifetime reduction in earning potential.
Educational Costs: Lost tuition, fees, scholarships, and delayed graduation.

Non-Economic Damages (The Human Cost):

Physical Pain & Suffering: From the acute trauma of the incident to chronic pain.
Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of companionship, and parental grief.

Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness or cover-ups (like destroying evidence), we may seek punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future conduct.

Our record in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases—including our involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation—proves we have the experience to value and fight for these serious claims.

Practical Guides for Lynn County Families, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

Listen & Support: If your child confides in you, listen without judgment. Your priority is their safety and health, not assigning blame.
Seek Medical Care: Insist on a medical evaluation. Internal injuries or psychological trauma may not be visible.
Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot ALL relevant digital communications. Photograph injuries. Secure any physical objects involved.
Document: Create a written timeline with names, dates, times, and locations.
Consult an Attorney BEFORE Reporting: Once you involve the university, they control the narrative. Talk to us first at 1-888-ATTY-911. We can advise on how to report while protecting your child’s rights and evidence.
Avoid Common Pitfalls: Do not confront the organization, sign university settlements, or post on social media. Refer all insurance company calls to your lawyer.

For Students/Victims: Your Safety & Rights

Your Safety Comes First: If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Texas law provides immunity for those seeking medical help in good faith.
You Have the Right to Leave: You can quit or de-pledge at any time. Send a simple text or email: “I resign my membership effective immediately.” You do not owe them a meeting.
Document Secretly: If safe, take screenshots, record conversations (Texas is a one-party consent state), and keep a private journal.
Know Your Resources: You can report anonymously to the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE) or to your university’s Dean of Students. For legal advice and true advocacy, contact us.

For Witnesses/Former Members: Doing the Right Thing

If you participated in or witnessed hazing and are burdened by guilt, you have a path forward. Coming forward can prevent future harm. We can help you navigate your legal exposure and work with authorities to tell the truth. Your testimony can be the key to holding powerful institutions accountable.

Critical Mistakes That Can Damage a Hazing Case

Deleting Evidence: “Cleaning up” group chats destroys your case. Preserve everything.
Confronting the Organization: This triggers their defense lawyers and evidence destruction.
Signing University Paperwork: Universities often offer quick, low-value “resolutions” that waive your right to sue.
Posting on Social Media: Defense investigators monitor everything. Inconsistencies can be used against you.
Waiting Too Long: Evidence vanishes, witnesses disappear, and the statute of limitations passes. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit.

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

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Lynn County Hazing Case?

When your family is facing the aftermath of hazing, you need advocates who are not intimidated by powerful institutions, who understand the intricate Greek life landscape, and who have a proven record of success in the most complex litigation. We are those advocates.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

1. Active, High-Stakes Litigation Experience:
We are not theorists. Right now, we are lead counsel in the Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi case—a $10 million lawsuit against a major Texas university and a national fraternity. We are in the fight.

2. Insider Insurance Knowledge:
Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance defense firm. He knows the exact tactics fraternity and university insurers use to deny, delay, and diminish claims. We use their playbook against them.

3. Proven Institutional Litigation Capability:
Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on a billion-dollar corporation. We have the resources, expert network, and tenacity to face national fraternities and university legal teams.

4. Data-Driven Investigation:
Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from IRS data, university records, and national case databases—means we never start from scratch. We know the organizations, their histories, and their potential liabilities before we even take your case.

5. Comprehensive Compassionate Advocacy:
We handle the entire legal burden so you can focus on healing. We collaborate with medical experts, life-care planners, economists, and psychologists to build the strongest possible case for full compensation. We also provide Spanish-language legal services through Mr. Peña.

Our Commitment to Lynn County Families

We serve clients throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. If your child has been hazed at any Texas university, we are here to help. We offer a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation to listen to your story, review your evidence, and explain all your legal options clearly.

Free Confidential Consultation for Lynn County Families

You do not have to navigate this crisis alone. The path to accountability begins with a conversation.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) Today:

24/7 Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Office: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
Email Lupe Peña (Se habla Español): lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com

In your free consultation, we will:

Listen compassionately to your experience.
Explain your rights under Texas hazing law.
Discuss the investigation process and legal strategies.
Answer your questions about timelines, costs, and what to expect.
We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases—you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.

Learn more about our contingent fee structure here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

If hazing has impacted your family in Lynn County or anywhere in Texas, take the first step toward justice. Call us now.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

Click2Houston (KPRC 2) Coverage: 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 (KTRK) Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
Hoodline Summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

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

Attorney911 Main Website & Contact:

Main Website: 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
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