McMullen County Hazing Law Guide: Legal Help for Texas Families

If you are a parent in McMullen County, the moment your phone rings and you hear your child’s voice, strained and distant, you know something is wrong. The story unfolds: what started as excitement about joining a fraternity, sorority, or campus spirit group at a Texas university has turned into a nightmare of forced drinking, physical exhaustion, psychological torment, and silence. You feel a mix of rage, fear, and helplessness. You’re told it’s “tradition,” that your child “agreed to it,” or that the university is “handling it internally.” But your child is hurt—emotionally scarred, physically injured, or worse. You need answers, accountability, and a path forward for your family.

Right now, in Harris County, our firm is actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who was hazed by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The alleged conduct is a textbook example of modern hazing: a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, enforced sleep deprivation and chauffeuring duties, extreme physical workouts, and being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” This abuse led Bermudez to develop rhabdomyolysis—a severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. He was hospitalized for four days, passes brown urine, and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. This $10 million lawsuit names the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the local housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

This case is not an isolated incident. It is proof of a systemic problem within Greek life and campus organizations across Texas. For families in McMullen County, whose children may attend UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other Texas campus, understanding the reality of hazing, the legal framework for accountability, and your family’s rights is critical.

This guide is written specifically for you—parents and families in McMullen County and across South Texas. We will explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, break down Texas and federal law, analyze patterns at major Texas universities, and show you how experienced legal counsel can help your family seek justice and prevent this from happening to another student.

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).
• In the first 48 hours:
  • Get medical attention immediately.
  • Preserve evidence: Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, texts), photograph injuries, save any physical items.
  • Write down everything your child tells you (who, what, when, where).
  • Do NOT confront the organization, sign anything from the university, or post details on social media.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney: Evidence disappears fast. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, free consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025

Hazing is no longer just about paddling or “hell week.” It has evolved into a multifaceted form of abuse that exploits digital tools, psychological pressure, and off-campus secrecy. For McMullen County parents, recognizing the signs is the first step to intervention.

Texas law (Education Code Chapter 37) defines hazing broadly: 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. Consent is not a defense.

Modern hazing typically falls into three escalating categories:

1. Subtle Hazing: Behaviors that emphasize power imbalance and create conditions for worse abuse.

• Servitude: Acting as a 24/7 designated driver, cleaning members’ rooms, running personal errands.
• Social Control: Being “on call” via group chat, requiring permission to socialize with non-members, isolation from friends and family.
• Deception: Being told to lie to parents, RAs, or university officials about activities.
• Mandatory Interference: Required events that conflict with academics, like late-night meetings during exam week.

2. Harassment Hazing: Causes emotional or physical discomfort and creates a hostile environment.

• Sleep Deprivation: 3 AM wake-up calls, all-night “study sessions,” multi-day events with minimal sleep.
• Verbal Abuse: Yelling, screaming, humiliation, threats of expulsion from the group.
• Forced Consumption: Eating excessive amounts of bland food (milk, hot dogs, bread) or disgusting substances until vomiting.
• Strenuous Activity: “Smokings” or workouts far beyond normal conditioning—hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits until collapse, prolonged calisthenics.
• Public Humiliation: Wearing degrading costumes, performing embarrassing acts in public, being “grilled” or roasted.

3. Violent Hazing: Activities with a high potential for severe injury, sexual assault, or death.

• Forced Alcohol Consumption: The most common fatal hazing method. “Lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mean drinking.
• Physical Assault: Paddling, beatings, kicks, punches. “Branding” with burns or cuts.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk”), sexual assault.
• Dangerous “Tests”: Blindfolded tackles (“glass ceiling” ritual), kidnapping, exposure to extreme cold/heat, forced drug use.
• Digital/Destructive Hazing: Being set on fire during a “skit” (San Diego State Phi Kappa Psi, 2024), having industrial cleaner poured on skin causing chemical burns (Texas A&M SAE, 2021).

Hazing occurs in fraternities, sororities, Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, spirit groups (like Texas Cowboys), marching bands, and other campus organizations. The common threads are power imbalance, secrecy, and the exploitation of a desire to belong.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What McMullen County Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws governing hazing. Understanding this framework is crucial for McMullen County families navigating a crisis.

The Texas Hazing Statute (Education Code Chapter 37)

• Definition: An intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or membership.
• Criminal Penalties:
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Organizational Liability: Fraternities, sororities, and other groups can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law explicitly states that the victim’s “consent” is irrelevant (§37.155).
• Immunity for Reporting: Individuals who in good faith report hazing or seek emergency medical assistance are generally immune from civil or criminal liability for their own minor involvement (e.g., underage drinking).

Civil Liability vs. Criminal Charges

It is vital to understand the two parallel legal paths:

• Criminal Case: Brought by the state (DA’s office) to punish wrongdoing. Results can include jail, fines, probation. The victim/family has little control.
• Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim/family to recover compensation (damages) and hold parties accountable. This is where our firm helps families seek justice for medical bills, pain and suffering, and future care needs.

In a civil hazing case, multiple parties can be held liable:

1. Individual Perpetrators: The students who planned, carried out, or directed the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As an organization, for fostering a culture that allowed hazing.
3. The National Organization: For failing to adequately supervise, train, or discipline chapters despite knowing patterns of hazing. Their national hazing history becomes critical evidence.
4. The University: For negligent supervision, failing to enforce policies, or showing “deliberate indifference” to known risks. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist.
5. Third Parties: Property owners, landlords, or alcohol providers.

Federal Laws That Apply

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and strengthen prevention programs. Public data reporting is phased in by 2026.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, the university has specific obligations to investigate and address it.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including some hazing-related assaults, in annual security reports.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

Major hazing deaths and injuries across the country follow predictable scripts—scripts that are repeated at Texas schools. These cases provide the legal precedent and “pattern evidence” that helps hold organizations accountable.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern:

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injury after a bid-acceptance night of forced drinking. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. Resulted in the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died from alcohol toxicity after a “Bible study” drinking game. Led to Louisiana’ Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute.
• Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Died after a “Big Brother” night. FSU suspended all Greek life.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. Family secured a $10 million settlement ($7M from PIKE national, ~$3M from BGSU).

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern:

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from head injuries during a blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking. Settlements with 22 defendants underscore the multi-party liability in these cases.

The Athletic Hazing Pattern:

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

What This Means for McMullen County Families: The fraternities involved in these national tragedies—Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi—all have active chapters at Texas universities. The same dangerous “traditions” migrate from campus to campus. When we investigate a hazing case at a Texas school, we subpoena the national organization’s records to show they knew these patterns and failed to stop them.

Texas Universities: A Guide for McMullen County Families

McMullen County families often have children at multiple Texas universities. Each campus has its own culture, Greek ecosystem, and history of hazing incidents. Our firm maintains detailed intelligence on these schools through public records, campus disclosures, and our own investigative work.

University of Houston (UH)

For McMullen County Families: UH is a major destination for local students and a commuter hub for the region. Hazing incidents here are under the jurisdiction of Harris County courts.

Recent Major Case – The Flagship Example:
The ongoing Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case is the most severe. Allegations include the degrading “pledge fanny pack,” forced overconsumption of milk and hot dogs, being sprayed with a hose, and extreme workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park that caused rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. The chapter was suspended and then voted to surrender its charter. This case demonstrates the extreme physical and psychological abuse that can occur.

UH’s Greek Landscape & Public Records:
UH hosts a large Greek community. Through IRS public filings (Form B83), we track Texas-registered Greek entities connected to the Houston area. For example:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 46-2267515), Frisco, TX 75035
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN 74-6084905), Houston, TX 77204
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter (Cause IQ Listing), Houston, TX
  These entities, along with national headquarters, can be part of the liability chain in a hazing lawsuit.

What UH Parents Should Do:

1. Report to both UHPD and the Dean of Students Office.
2. Document everything. Hazing often occurs at off-campus houses on Culmore Drive or other nearby residences.
3. Understand that UH, as part of a public university system, has certain legal immunities, but exceptions for gross negligence or Title IX violations may apply.

Texas A&M University

For McMullen County Families: Texas A&M’s culture is defined by both its powerful Greek system and its Corps of Cadets. Hazing risks exist in both.

Documented Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Lawsuit (2021): Pledges alleged being covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The chapter was suspended.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged being bound between beds in a degrading, simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth as part of hazing.
• Kappa Sigma Rhabdomyolysis Allegations (2023): Ongoing litigation involving allegations of extreme physical hazing leading to the severe muscle-breaking condition.

Texas A&M’s Greek & Corps Ecosystem:
The Brazos Valley hosts numerous Greek housing and alumni corporations. Public records show entities like:

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN 13-3048786), College Station, TX 77845
• Gentlemen of Aggie Tradition (EIN 88-0537463), College Station, TX 77845
  The close-knit, tradition-heavy environment can sometimes enable and conceal hazing.

What Texas A&M Parents Should Do:

1. Be aware of both Greek life and Corps of Cadets hazing risks.
2. Reports can go to Texas A&M Student Conduct, Corps leadership, or University Police.
3. Immediate medical care is critical, especially for conditions like rhabdomyolysis, which can cause permanent kidney damage.

University of Texas at Austin (UT)

For McMullen County Families: UT Austin boasts one of the most transparent hazing disclosure policies in the nation, providing a public database of violations.

Public Hazing Violations (from UT’s Website):
UT’s public log shows a pattern of recurring issues:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation.
• Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): Multiple violations for alcohol-related hazing and forced physical activity.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Assault Lawsuit (2024): An Australian exchange student alleged assault at a party, resulting in a broken nose, dislocated leg, and fractured tibia. The chapter was already on suspension.

UT’s Greek Network in Public Records:
The Austin metro area has 154 Greek organizations according to our data engine. Examples include:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity – Texas Rho Corp. (Cause IQ Listing), Austin, TX
• Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi (EIN 74-6047117), Austin, TX 78705
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (EIN 46-3831593), Austin, TX 78723 (Texas State University)

What UT Parents Should Do:

1. Check UT’s public hazing violations database to see if your child’s organization has a prior record.
2. Report to UTPD and the Office of the Dean of Students.
3. Utilize UT’s relative transparency; prior violations can significantly strengthen a civil case by proving the university or national org had knowledge of a pattern.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

• SMU: As a private university in Dallas, SMU has a prominent Greek life culture. Incidents like the Kappa Alpha Order suspension (2017) for paddling and forced drinking highlight ongoing risks. Private schools have fewer immunity barriers than public institutions.
• Baylor: The university’s history with institutional responses to crisis is relevant. Hazing incidents within Baylor’s baseball team (2020) that led to multiple suspensions show hazing extends beyond Greek life.

For McMullen County Families: Students at private universities may face different disciplinary processes, but the legal theories for civil liability against the organizations and national headquarters remain strong.

Fraternities & Sororities: The National Playbook and Local Chapters

When a hazing incident occurs at a Texas chapter, the national organization’s decades-long history of similar incidents becomes central to the case. This “pattern evidence” proves they knew the risks and failed to prevent them.

How We Use National Hazing Histories:
Our firm maintains a database of national hazing incidents. For example, if a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at a Texas school forces dangerous drinking, we point to the Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green and the David Bogenberger death at Northern Illinois (which led to a $14 million settlement) to show the national organization was on notice. This pattern can establish negligence and support claims for punitive damages.

Connecting National Brands to Texas Entities:
Using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—which cross-references IRS data, university rosters, and metro organization lists—we can trace the network of liability. For instance, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter involved in the Texas A&M chemical burns case is part of the same national brand that faced a traumatic brain injury lawsuit in Alabama and an assault lawsuit at UT Austin. This network often includes:

• The undergraduate chapter.
• A local housing corporation (a separate legal entity that owns the house).
• An alumni chapter or advisory board.
• The national headquarters, which collects dues and sets policy.

By identifying all these entities early, we ensure no responsible party escapes accountability and we maximize potential insurance coverage for our clients.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

If your family is considering legal action, understanding the process can demystify it. Our approach is thorough, evidence-driven, and strategic.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

1. Digital Evidence (Most Critical):
   • Group Chats: Screenshots of GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage threads showing planning, coercion, or bragging about the hazing.
   • Social Media: Instagram stories, Snapchats, TikTok videos from the event.
   • Recovered Data: Digital forensics can often retrieve deleted messages and photos.
2. Medical Evidence:
   • ER records, hospitalization reports, lab tests (e.g., high creatine kinase levels proving rhabdomyolysis).
   • Psychological evaluations diagnosing PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
3. Institutional Records:
   • Prior complaints or discipline against the chapter from the university (obtained via discovery).
   • National fraternity risk management files and incident reports.
4. Witness Testimony:
   • Other pledges, former members, roommates, or bystanders.

Types of Damages in a Hazing Case

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

• Economic Damages: Medical bills (past and future), lost wages, cost of therapy, diminished future earning capacity if permanently disabled.
• Non-Economic Damages: Physical pain, emotional distress, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering of the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly egregious or reckless conduct, to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Overcoming Common Defense Tactics

We anticipate and counteract the standard defenses:

• “They Consented”: Texas law §37.155 states consent is not a defense. We demonstrate the power imbalance and coercion.
• “Rogue Individuals”: We show pattern evidence from the national organization and lack of meaningful supervision.
• “It Was Off-Campus”: Liability is based on duty and control, not just location. Nationals and universities still have obligations.
• “We Have an Anti-Hazing Policy”: We prove the policy was a “paper shield” that was not enforced.

Practical Guide for McMullen County Parents & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Immediate Steps

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation.
• Sudden secrecy about organizational activities.
• Personality changes: anxiety, withdrawal, depression.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Requests for large sums of money with vague explanations.

What to Do in the First 48 Hours:

1. Prioritize Health: Get medical/psychological care immediately.
2. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot ALL group chats and social media posts. Photograph injuries. Do not delete anything.
3. Document: Write down everything your child tells you, with names, dates, and locations.
4. Secure Advice: Contact a hazing attorney before reporting to the university or speaking to insurance adjusters. We can guide you on how to report while protecting your rights.
5. Avoid Common Mistakes: Do not confront the organization, post on social media, or sign any documents from the university.

For Students: Is This Hazing? How to Get Help

Ask Yourself:

• Am I being pressured or coerced?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or secret?
• Would I do this if there was no threat of social exclusion?
• If the answer is yes, it is hazing.

How to Exit Safely & Report:

• Your safety comes first. If in immediate danger, call 911.
• You can report anonymously to university conduct offices or use the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE).
• Texas law provides immunity for good-faith reporting in emergencies.
• You have the right to resign your membership at any time. Send a clear email or text to the chapter president to create a record.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case

1. Deleting Evidence: Preserve all digital communications.
2. Confronting the Organization: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms: These often contain waivers of your right to sue.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys scour social media for inconsistencies.
5. Waiting for the University to “Handle It”: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitations run.

Why Choose The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911?

When your McMullen County family faces the trauma of hazing, you need advocates who understand both the emotional weight of your situation and the complex legal battlefield you are entering. You need attorneys who have faced billion-dollar institutions and won.

We are not just personal injury lawyers; we are hazing litigation specialists. Here’s what sets us apart:

1. Active, High-Stakes Texas Hazing Litigation:
We are currently leading the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit—a $10 million case involving rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, and allegations of waterboarding-like abuse. We are in the fight right now against a major Texas university and a national fraternity. We know the tactics they use because we are actively dismantling them in court.

2. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:
We don’t start from scratch. We maintain a proprietary database of over 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros, built from IRS public filings, university rosters, and corporate records. When we take your case, we already know how to identify every potentially liable entity—from the local housing corporation (EIN 46-2267515 in Frisco) to the national headquarters. This data-driven approach gives us immediate leverage.

3. Insider Insurance Knowledge:
Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies evaluate claims, deny coverage, and drag out settlements. We use this insider knowledge to counter their tactics and fight for full value. Learn more about Lupe Peña’s background.

4. Experience Against Massive Institutions:
Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City Refinery Explosion litigation. We have faced corporations with unlimited legal budgets and deep-pocketed insurance companies. Suing a national fraternity or a state university system requires the same level of tenacity, resources, and proven skill. See Ralph Manginello’s full profile.

5. Comprehensive Investigative Resources:
We have a network of experts we deploy: digital forensics specialists to recover deleted messages, medical experts to explain the lifelong impact of injuries like rhabdomyolysis or TBI, economists to calculate lost earning capacity, and psychologists to document trauma.

6. Dual Civil & Criminal Capability:
With Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits. We can effectively advise clients navigating both systems.

For McMullen County families, we offer compassionate, determined representation from a firm that knows how to win these complex cases. We serve clients throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.

Take the Next Step: Confidential Consultation for McMullen County Families

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor, or any other Texas campus—you do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved have teams of lawyers; you deserve expert advocates on your side.

We offer a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation to every family we speak with.

In your consultation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story and answer your questions.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain the legal options available to you in plain English.
• Discuss the investigative process and potential strategies.
• Explain our contingency fee structure—you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.

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

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Se habla Español: Mr. Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish-language legal services.

Time is critical. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and statutes of limitations apply. Protect your child’s rights and your family’s future. Call us now.

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