The Ultimate Guide to Hazing & Campus Abuse for Manor, Texas Families: Rights, Laws, & Legal Action

If Your Student at UT Austin, Texas A&M, or Any Texas Campus Was Hazed—You Are Not Alone

For parents in Manor, the nightmare often begins with a late-night phone call from your student at UT Austin, a text message that doesn’t sound right, or the growing realization that your child is coming home from college changed—exhausted, anxious, or injured from what they describe as “just how things are done” in their fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or campus organization.

Right now, just a short drive from Manor in Houston, we at Attorney911 are actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas: the $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. This case represents exactly what Manor families need to understand about modern hazing: it is not harmless tradition but systematized abuse that can cause permanent physical damage, psychological trauma, and, as in Leonel’s case, life-threatening medical emergencies.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Manor and across Travis County. We will explain what hazing truly looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, what’s happening at the universities where Manor students enroll, and what legal options exist for accountability, compensation, and preventing future harm.

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 evidence, coached witnesses). We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like Beyond the Stereotypes

For Manor families sending students to UT Austin, Texas State, or other campuses, understanding that hazing has evolved beyond “Hell Week” stereotypes is critical. Today’s hazing combines physical abuse, psychological manipulation, and digital coercion—often disguised as “team building” or “tradition.”

The Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. The key legal principle that every Manor parent must understand: “I agreed to it” or “I wanted to fit in” is not a defense under Texas law. When there is peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion, the law recognizes this as coercion, not consent.

Main Categories of Hazing in 2025

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
The most common and deadly form, responsible for numerous fatalities nationwide. This includes forced or coerced drinking through “lineups,” chugging challenges, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, and games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mean drinking. At the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi chapter, Leonel Bermudez was allegedly forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then made to sprint immediately afterward.

Physical Hazing
This extends beyond paddling to include extreme calisthenics called “smokings,” sleep deprivation through all-night meetings, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements. In the UH case, Bermudez was allegedly forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in a single session, sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and made to lie in vomit-soaked grass.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, and racial or sexist role-playing. Another pledge in the UH case was allegedly hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour while members prepared for a meeting.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members, manipulation, and public shaming. The “pledge fanny pack” rule at UH—requiring constant carrying of humiliating items including condoms and sex toys—was designed for psychological control and degradation.

Digital/Online Hazing
The newest frontier includes group chat dares, social media humiliation through TikTok or Instagram challenges, location tracking via apps, and pressure to share compromising content. Chapters now use digital tools for 24/7 control and evidence destruction.

Where Hazing Actually Happens in Texas

While fraternities receive most attention, hazing occurs across campus organizations:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural chapters)
• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading)
• Spirit and Tradition Groups (like Texas Cowboys at UT Austin)
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups
• Some Academic, Cultural, and Service Organizations

This expansion means your UT Austin student involved in any organization—not just Greek life—could be at risk.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability Framework: What Manor Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing statutes in the Education Code that provide both criminal penalties and civil liability pathways. Understanding this framework helps Manor families recognize their rights and the seriousness with which Texas treats these offenses.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

§ 37.151 Definition
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
• Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Key Points for Manor Families:

• Location doesn’t matter—hazing on or off campus is illegal
• Harm can be mental or physical
• “Reckless” conduct qualifies—they don’t need to intend harm, just disregard the risk
• This law applies to UT Austin, Texas State, and all Texas institutions

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties

• 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

§ 37.155 Consent is NOT a Defense
This is crucial: “It is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the hazing activity.” Even if your child “agreed” under peer pressure, it’s still a crime.

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability
Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report it.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases

• Brought by the state (Travis County DA for UT Austin incidents)
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Example: Following the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, criminal referrals were made to law enforcement

Civil Cases

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
• Focus: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress
• Critical fact: A criminal conviction is NOT required to pursue a civil case

Both can proceed simultaneously, and our firm has experience navigating this dual-track approach.

Federal Law Overlay: Additional Protections

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
Requires colleges receiving federal aid (including all Texas public universities) to:

• Report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthen hazing education and prevention
• Maintain public hazing data (phasing in by 2026)

Title IX & Clery Act
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. Clery requires reporting certain crimes that often overlap with hazing incidents.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students
Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover them up. In the UH case, 13 individual fraternity leaders/members were named, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and risk manager.

2. Local Chapter/Organization
The fraternity/sorority itself if incorporated. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation was named in the UH lawsuit.

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters
National organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters is a defendant in the UH case because they had oversight responsibility.

4. University or Governing Board
Schools may be liable under negligence or civil rights theories. The University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents were sued for allegedly knowing about systemic hazing and failing to intervene.

5. Third Parties
Landlords of event spaces, alcohol providers (under dram shop laws), security companies, or event organizers.

Every case is fact-specific, but comprehensive investigation—like what we conducted in the UH case—identifies all potentially liable parties.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Manor Families

Major national cases establish patterns that repeat at Texas campuses and provide legal precedents for accountability. These cases show what’s at stake and how institutional resistance is overcome.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
Bid-acceptance event with forced drinking, multiple falls captured on chapter cameras, hours delayed before calling 911. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, civil litigation, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Lesson for Manor families: Delayed medical response dramatically increases liability.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
“Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking; died with 0.495% BAC. Result: Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony in Louisiana. Lesson: Legislative change follows public outrage and clear proof.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Pledge forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night; died from alcohol poisoning. Result: $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). Lesson: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Pledge subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat; fatal head injuries; help delayed. Result: National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Lesson: Off-campus retreats don’t eliminate liability—they often increase it.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the program over years. Result: Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired, confidential settlement. Lesson: Hazing extends beyond Greek life into athletic programs with significant institutional protection.

What These Cases Mean for Manor Families

Common threads in all major cases: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, and cover-ups. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements typically follow only after tragedy and litigation. Manor families facing hazing at UT Austin or other Texas schools are operating in a legal landscape shaped by these national precedents.

Texas Focus: Universities Where Manor Students Enroll

Manor families primarily send students to University of Texas at Austin, with others attending Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas A&M University, and institutions throughout the state. Each campus has unique hazing dynamics and histories.

University of Texas at Austin: The Flagship Campus for Manor Students

Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT Austin’s vibrant Greek life, prestigious spirit organizations, and competitive athletic programs create environments where hazing can occur. With Manor just 15 miles northeast, many local students join UT organizations where tradition and status sometimes override safety.

Official Hazing Policy & Transparency

UT maintains one of Texas’s most transparent hazing violation pages at hazing.utexas.edu, listing organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions. This public record becomes crucial evidence in civil cases.

Documented Incidents & Responses

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023 Violation)
New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; found to be hazing; chapter placed on probation with required hazing-prevention education.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (January 2024)
Australian exchange student alleged assault by fraternity members at party; injuries included dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose; student sued for over $1 million; chapter already under suspension for prior violations.

Texas Wranglers & Spirit Organizations
Multiple sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based practices documented on UT’s public log.

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Proceeds

• Jurisdiction: Travis County courts (serving Manor families), potentially federal court for Title IX claims
• Police Agencies: UTPD for on-campus incidents, Austin Police Department for off-campus
• Evidence Sources: UT’s public violation log, internal conduct files obtained via discovery, digital evidence from students

What UT Austin Students & Parents in Manor Should Do

1. Report Immediately: Dean of Students Office, UTPD, online reporting forms
2. Document Everything: UT’s public violation log can establish pattern evidence
3. Preserve Digital Evidence: GroupMe chats are common at UT organizations
4. Seek Medical Care at University Health Services or local hospitals: Ensure hazing is documented in medical records
5. Consult Experienced Counsel: UT’s size and legal resources require equivalent firepower

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture & Greek Life

Campus & Culture

The Corps of Cadets’ tradition-heavy environment and strong Greek life create dual hazing risks. Manor students attending A&M may encounter both systems.

Documented Incidents

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)
Two pledges alleged forced strenuous activity with substances including industrial-strength cleaner poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries; pledges sued for $1 million; fraternity suspended for two years.

Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023)
Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth; sought over $1 million; A&M stated it handled matter under Corps regulations.

Kappa Sigma Rhabdomyolysis Case (2023, ongoing)
Allegations of extreme physical hazing resulting in rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown)—the same condition suffered by Leonel Bermudez at UH.

Practical Guidance for A&M Families

• Corps and Greek life require different reporting strategies
• Medical documentation at A&M Health Services is critical
• Texas A&M’s institutional culture affects how cases are handled

University of Houston: The Active Litigation Example

The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi

Currently represented by Attorney911, this case exemplifies modern hazing’s severity:

• Hazing Conduct: “Pledge fanny pack” humiliation, forced consumption rituals, extreme workouts including 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, hose spraying “similar to waterboarding,” hog-tying of another pledge
  • Medical Catastrophe: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passed brown urine, hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels, faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage
  • Defendants: University of Houston, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, Beta Nu housing corporation, 13 individual fraternity leaders
  • Institutional Response: Chapter suspended November 6, 2025, charter surrendered November 14, 2025; UH called conduct “deeply disturbing”
  • Media Coverage: Detailed in Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline

Lessons for All Texas Families

This active litigation shows: (1) hazing causes catastrophic medical harm, (2) multiple entities share liability, (3) media attention accelerates accountability, and (4) experienced hazing counsel makes the difference.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

SMU’s Affluent Greek Culture

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended until approximately 2021. SMU’s private status affects transparency but not liability.

Baylor’s Unique Challenges

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation. Baylor’s religious identity and prior scandals create complex institutional dynamics.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: How We Track Organizations Behind the Letters

For Manor families, understanding that fraternities and sororities operate through complex legal structures is crucial. We maintain a proprietary database—the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—that maps the organizational landscape behind campus Greek life.

Public Records Directory: Fraternity/Sorority Entities in Texas

Our investigation of the UH case and others relies on public records showing the legal entities behind Greek organizations. For example:

IRS B83 Registered Organizations (Texas Entities)

• EIN 133048786: KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC, 3007 EARL RUDDER FWY S, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845
• EIN 462267515: BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC, 10601 BIG HORN TRL, FRISCO, TX 75035 (related to UH case housing entity)
• EIN 746064445: PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY, 1855 HIGHWAY 69 N, NEDERLAND, TX 77627
• EIN 741130606: LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC, 1908 SAN GABRIEL ST, AUSTIN, TX 78705
• EIN 742911848: BETA UPSILON CHI, 12650 N BEACH ST STE 114 PMB 305, FORT WORTH, TX 76244

Cause IQ Metro Organizations (Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154 Total)

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp. (Austin – UT chapter house corporation)
• Delta Tau Delta – Gamma Iota Chapter (Austin – UT chapter house)
• Beta Xi House Corp. of Kappa Kappa Gamma (Austin – UT chapter house corporation)
• Building Corporation – Alpha Delta Pi (Delta) (Austin – UT chapter property)

Brand Overlap: Cross-Validated Organizations
Organizations appearing in both IRS and metro data include Beta Upsilon Chi, Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation, and multiple Phi Kappa Phi honor society chapters, showing how national brands operate through various legal entities across Texas.

Why This Data Matters for Manor Families

When hazing occurs, multiple entities may share liability:

1. Undergraduate Chapter (often unincorporated association)
2. Housing Corporation (owns/manages property)
3. Alumni Chapter (may provide oversight/funding)
4. National Headquarters (sets policies, collects dues)
5. Educational Foundation (may hold assets)

Our directory helps identify all potential defendants and insurance coverage sources—critical for adequate compensation in serious injury cases.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories That Matter in Texas Courts

National organizations’ hazing histories establish “foreseeability”—the legal concept that they knew or should have known certain activities were dangerous based on prior incidents elsewhere. This pattern evidence is crucial for overcoming defense arguments.

Organization-Specific National Patterns

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ)

• Stone Foltz (BGSU 2021): $10M settlement for alcohol poisoning death
• David Bogenberger (NIU 2012): $14M settlement for alcohol poisoning death
• Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol hazing repeatedly caused deaths

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ)

• University of Alabama (2023): Traumatic brain injury lawsuit
• Texas A&M (2021): Chemical burns case with $1M lawsuit
• UT Austin (2024): Assault case with over $1M lawsuit
• Pattern: Physical violence and dangerous substances

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

• Max Gruver (LSU 2017): $6.1M verdict plus confidential settlements
• Pattern: Drinking games presented as “education”

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

• Andrew Coffey (FSU 2017): Confidential settlement for alcohol death
• Leonel Bermudez (UH 2025): Active $10M lawsuit for rhabdomyolysis
• Pattern: Extreme physical conditioning combined with forced consumption

How National Histories Strengthen Texas Cases

When a Texas chapter repeats conduct that caused injury or death elsewhere, courts may find:

1. National had constructive notice of the danger
2. Policies were inadequately enforced
3. Punitive damages may be justified for reckless disregard

Our investigation into the UH Pi Kappa Phi case examines whether national headquarters received prior warnings about similar conduct at other chapters.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & What Manor Families Can Expect

Successful hazing litigation requires systematic evidence collection, strategic defendant identification, and understanding both legal and medical complexities.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Communications (Most Important Today)

• Group Messaging: GroupMe (most common), WhatsApp, iMessage groups, Discord servers
• Social Media: Instagram stories/saved snaps, TikTok challenges, Facebook events
• Recovery Methods: Even deleted messages can often be recovered through digital forensics or cloud backups

Visual Documentation

• Injury Photos: Multiple angles with scale reference, progression shots over days
• Location Photos: Houses, rooms, specific areas where hazing occurred
• Video Evidence: Security cameras, doorbell cams, member-recorded videos

Medical Records

• Immediate Care: ER reports, ambulance records, toxicology results
• Ongoing Treatment: Specialist reports, physical therapy, psychological evaluations
• Critical Documentation: Ensure providers note “hazing” or “forced participation” in records

Institutional Records

• University Files: Prior conduct violations, probation letters, Clery reports
• Fraternity Records: Pledge manuals, risk management policies, national communications
• Obtained Via: Discovery requests, subpoenas, public records laws

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

• Medical Expenses: Past and future care, including lifelong needs for catastrophic injuries
• Lost Earnings: Missed semesters, delayed career entry, diminished earning capacity
• Educational Costs: Lost scholarships, transfer expenses, tutoring

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain & Suffering: Physical pain from injuries
• Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
• Loss of Enjoyment: Inability to participate in college life, damaged relationships

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

• Funeral/burial costs
• Loss of companionship, guidance, financial support
• Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages (When Available)
To punish especially reckless or malicious conduct and deter future hazing. Available when defendants had prior warnings and ignored them.

The Strategic Timeline

First 48 Hours: Evidence preservation, medical care, initial legal consultation
First Week: Comprehensive evidence collection, witness identification, preservation letters
First Month: Formal demand, initial negotiations, investigative phase
Months 2-6: Litigation if necessary, discovery process, expert retention
Resolution: Settlement typically 12-24 months; trial if settlement fails

Practical Guides & FAQs for Manor Parents, Students & Witnesses

For Parents: Warning Signs & Response Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Hazed

• Physical: Unexplained bruises/burns, extreme exhaustion, weight changes, sleep deprivation
• Behavioral: New secrecy, withdrawal from family/friends, personality changes, defensiveness
• Academic: Grades dropping, missing classes, losing scholarships
• Digital: Constant phone monitoring, anxiety about messages, deleting history

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally)

1. “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
2. “Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
3. “What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
4. “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
5. “Do you feel like you can leave if you want to?”

If You Suspect Hazing

1. Prioritize Safety: Call 911 if in immediate danger
2. Document Everything: Write down what your child says, screenshot messages, photograph injuries
3. Report Strategically: Campus authorities (Dean of Students), local police if crimes involved
4. Consult Attorney Early: Before confronting organization or signing university documents

For Students: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

• Am I being forced or pressured to do something unsafe or humiliating?
• Would I do this if I had a real choice without social consequences?
• Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about activities?
• Are older members making me do things they don’t have to do?

How to Exit Safely

1. Immediate Danger: Call 911, get to safe location
2. Planning to Quit: Tell someone outside the organization first, send written resignation, avoid “one last meeting”
3. Document Retaliation: Screenshot threats, report to university/police

Evidence Collection for Students

• Screenshots: Capture full threads with timestamps and names
• Recordings: Texas is one-party consent—you can record conversations you’re part of
• Medical Care: Tell providers you were hazed so it’s documented
• Save Everything: Don’t delete embarrassing content—it’s evidence

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence
What families think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up, can be obstruction of justice
Instead: Preserve everything immediately

2. Confronting the Organization Directly
What families think: “I’ll give them a piece of my mind”
Why it’s wrong: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Instead: Document everything, call a lawyer first

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms
What universities do: Pressure families to sign waivers or internal agreements
Why it’s wrong: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often lowball
Instead: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review

4. Posting on Social Media Before Talking to Lawyer
What families think: “I want people to know what happened”
Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

5. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”
What universities promise: “We’re investigating internally”
Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
Instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

Watch our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case for more guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UT Austin, Texas A&M) have sovereign immunity protections with exceptions for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer protections. Every case is fact-specific.

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

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to it?”
Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense. Courts recognize “consent” under peer pressure isn’t voluntary.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from injury or death in Texas, but the discovery rule may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately known. In cover-up cases, statute may be tolled. Time is critical. Watch our statute of limitations video.

“What if hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Many major cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, Sigma Pi unofficial house) occurred off-campus with multi-million-dollar judgments.

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

About Attorney911: Why Texas Hazing Families Choose Our Firm

When your family faces a hazing case, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. At Attorney911, we bring unique qualifications specifically suited to hazing litigation.

Our Competitive Advantages for Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Knowledge (Lupe Peña’s Defense Background)
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

• Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
• Use delay tactics to pressure families
• Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
• Deploy independent medical exams to minimize injuries
  “We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello’s Experience)

• BP Texas City Explosion Litigation: One of few Texas firms involved against billion-dollar defendants
• Federal Court Experience: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas admission
• Not Intimidated: We’ve taken on corporations with unlimited legal budgets
  “We’ve faced defendants with deeper pockets than any university. We know how to fight institutional resistance.”

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Experience

• Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases
• Economist collaboration for lifetime care valuation
• Experience with brain injury, permanent disability, and lifelong medical needs
  “We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force real accountability.”

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise

• Ralph’s HCCLA membership signals elite criminal defense capability
• Understands how criminal charges interact with civil litigation
• Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure
  “We navigate both tracks because hazing cases often involve both.”

Investigative Depth & Expert Network

• Digital Forensics: Recovering deleted messages, social media evidence
• Medical Experts: Rhabdomyolysis specialists, toxicologists, psychologists
• Greek Life Experts: Understanding organizational culture and patterns
• Economists: Valuing lifetime impacts of catastrophic injuries
  “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

Spanish-Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, serving Hispanic families throughout Texas. Hablamos Español.

How We Apply These Skills to Hazing Cases

Evidence Mastery
We secure and analyze group chats, chapter records, university files, and digital evidence with the same rigor we apply to trucking ELD data and maritime logs. Missing records aren’t dead ends—they’re leverage.

Economic Truth for High-Value Cases
We present full economic models—life-care plans, vocational impacts, earnings forecasts—so financial reality drives negotiations, not cursory estimates.

Institutional Accountability Tracing
Like in our BP litigation, we trace failures to training, policy, staffing, and institutional knowledge—the actual causes juries believe.

Trial Readiness
Universities and fraternities know which lawyers will actually go to trial. Our federal court experience and readiness change how they negotiate.

Our Contingency Fee Structure

We work on a contingency fee basis—we don’t get paid unless we win your case. This makes quality legal representation accessible to families who couldn’t otherwise afford to take on wealthy institutions. Watch our contingency fee explanation video.

Call to Action: Your Next Steps as a Manor Family

If you or your child experienced hazing at UT Austin, Texas State, or any Texas campus, we want to hear from you. Families in Manor, Travis County, and throughout Central Texas have the right to answers and accountability.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you contact Attorney911:

• We Listen: Your story, without judgment, in complete confidence
• We Review: Any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
• We Explain: Your legal options—criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
• We Discuss: Realistic timelines and what to expect
• We Answer: Your questions about costs (contingency fee—no win, no fee)
• No Pressure: Take time to decide; everything is confidential

Contact Attorney911 Today

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
Spanish Services: Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com

Serving Manor & All of Texas

From our Houston, Austin, and Beaumont offices, we serve families throughout Texas. Whether you’re in Manor, Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, or anywhere in Travis County, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone.

Evidence disappears fast. Witnesses get coached. Statutes run.
Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate help.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Case

• Click2Houston Investigation: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Detailed Timeline: 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

• Evidence Preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Statute of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes to Avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Contingency Fees Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website

• Homepage & Contact: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

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

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many 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 | Spanish: lupe@atty911.com