The Complete Guide to Hazing in Texas: A Resource for Meridian Parents and Families

We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLD, operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. For over two decades, our Texas-based firm has been a relentless advocate for victims of catastrophic injuries and institutional negligence. Today, we are leading the fight against one of the most insidious threats on college campuses: hazing. We serve families across Texas, including right here in Meridian, Bosque County, and throughout Central Texas. If the unthinkable has happened to your child, this guide is for you.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for immediate medical emergencies.
• Then call us: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).
• We provide immediate, aggressive, professional help—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

In the First 48 Hours:

1. Get Medical Care Immediately: Even if your child insists they’re “fine.” Injuries like rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) or internal trauma can be delayed and fatal.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It’s Deleted:
   • Screenshot ALL group chats, texts, and social media DMs immediately.
   • Photograph any visible injuries from multiple angles.
   • Save physical items (clothing, paddles, receipts).
3. Document Everything: Write down who, what, when, and where while memories are fresh.
4. DO NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or university directly.
   • Sign anything presented by the university or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Allow your child to delete messages.

Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Within 24–48 Hours. Evidence disappears fast. Universities and national organizations move quickly to control the narrative. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential, no-obligation consultation.

Hazing Is Not Just “Hazing” Anymore: The Shocking Reality in 2025

For parents in Meridian and across Central Texas, the word “hazing” might evoke outdated images of silly pranks or minor initiations. The reality in 2025 is a calculated, often brutal, system of abuse that leverages technology, psychology, and secrecy to inflict harm while evading detection. It is not limited to fraternities; it occurs in sororities, Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, spirit groups like the Texas Cowboys, and even academic clubs. Understanding its modern forms is the first step in recognizing if your child is at risk.

The Three-Tiered System of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – The “Gateway” Acts
These behaviors establish power imbalances and normalize control. They are often dismissed as “tradition” but set the stage for escalation:

• Digital Servitude: Pledges required to be on 24/7 call via GroupMe, responding instantly to any demand at any hour. Failure results in punishment.
• Mandated Chauffeuring: Acting as unpaid, overnight drivers for members, severely disrupting sleep and academics.
• Forced Secrecy & Deception: Being coached to lie to parents, university officials, and outsiders about activities.
• Social Isolation: Cutting off contact with non-members, requiring permission to socialize outside the group.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – Psychological and Physical Torment
This is where coercion turns to overt abuse, creating a hostile environment:

• Sleep Deprivation: Mandatory late-night “meetings,” 3 AM wake-up calls, multi-day events with minimal rest.
• Humiliation Rituals: Forced wearing of degrading “pledge fanny packs” containing condoms, sex toys, or other humiliating items; public “roasts” or “interviews.”
• Food/Water Manipulation: Forced consumption of spoiled food, excessive amounts of bland substances (milk, bread, hot dogs), or deprivation.
• “Corrective” Exercise: Punitive “smokings” or “workouts” involving hundreds of push-ups or squats under threat of expulsion, framed as “conditioning.”

Tier 3: Violent Hazing – Catastrophic Injury and Death
These acts have the highest potential for permanent harm or fatality. This is where we see cases like the one we are actively litigating at the University of Houston:

• Forced/Coerced Alcohol Consumption: “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, “Bible study” drinking games where wrong answers mean drinking, lineups, and funneling.
• Physical Torture: Beatings, paddling, “glass ceiling” tackle rituals, being hog-tied, exposure to extreme cold while underdressed, and chemical exposure (e.g., industrial cleaner poured on skin causing burns).
• Simulated Torture: Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” with threats of actual waterboarding.
• Sexualized Violence: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault, and coerced ingestion of bodily fluids.

The line between these tiers is often blurred, and progression can be rapid. What starts as “mandatory study hours” can devolve into a life-threatening ordeal in a single night.

The Case That Changed Everything in Texas: Leonel Bermudez vs. UH & Pi Kappa Phi

Right now, we are leading one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in the country, right here in Texas. This is not a historical example; it is a live, active case demonstrating what families in Meridian are up against. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student and Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter pledge.

What Happened: Bermudez’s fall 2025 pledge period was a months-long campaign of abuse. He was forced to carry a humiliating “pledge fanny pack,” subjected to enforced dress codes and overnight driving duties, and endured extreme physical hazing at locations including the Pi Kappa Phi chapter house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park.

The abuse culminated on November 3, 2025, when he was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion. In the days that followed, his condition deteriorated until he was passing brown urine and could not stand without help. Rushed to the hospital, he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring a four-day hospitalization with critically high creatine kinase levels. He faces an ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Who We Are Holding Accountable: Our lawsuit names a full universe of defendants, because accountability must be comprehensive:

• The University of Houston and the UH System Board of Regents
• Pi Kappa Phi National Fraternity Headquarters
• The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Housing Corporation
• 13 individual fraternity leaders, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and risk manager

The Institutional Response: The national fraternity suspended the chapter on November 6, 2025. On November 14, chapter members voted to surrender their charter, shutting it down. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing,” promised disciplinary action up to expulsion, and pledged cooperation with law enforcement. This case, covered extensively by Click2Houston and ABC13, is the flagship proof that we are engaged in the highest-stakes hazing litigation in Texas. For families in Meridian, it shows that the threat is real, the injuries are catastrophic, and holding every responsible party accountable requires a specialized, data-driven legal team.

Texas Hazing Law: The Legal Framework Protecting Your Child

Parents in Meridian need to understand that Texas has robust legal tools to combat hazing, but they must be activated through prompt and decisive action. The governing statute is the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F.

The Texas Definition of Hazing (Sec. 37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or maintaining membership in any organization. The act must endanger the student’s mental or physical health or safety. Crucially, it can occur on or off campus.

Key Provisions Every Meridian Parent Must Know:

• Consent is NOT a Defense (Sec. 37.155): Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it is not a legal defense. The law recognizes the coercive power of peer pressure and hierarchy.
• Criminal Penalties Are Serious (Sec. 37.152):
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing.
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes bodily injury.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Organizations Can Be Prosecuted (Sec. 37.153): Fraternities, sororities, and other groups can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or condoned the hazing.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (Sec. 37.154): Individuals who report hazing in good faith are generally protected from civil or criminal liability. This is critical for encouraging bystanders to call 911.

Civil Liability: The Path to Compensation and Accountability
A criminal case punishes the perpetrator. A civil lawsuit, which we handle, compensates the victim and holds all responsible institutions accountable. Potential defendants in a civil hazing case include:

1. The Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned and carried out the acts.
2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: For negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and having prior knowledge of dangerous traditions.
4. The University: For negligent supervision, violation of Title IX (if sexual harassment is involved), or deliberate indifference to a known risk.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, housing corporations, and alumni advisors.

The legal theory is often negligence or gross negligence: these entities owed your child a duty of care, they breached that duty, and that breach caused foreseeable harm.

The Central Texas Greek Ecosystem: Where Meridian Families Send Their Kids

Meridian families are deeply connected to the broader Texas university system. While Bosque County is home to a close-knit community, your children likely attend colleges across the state. When hazing occurs, you need to know the landscape. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks over 1,423 fraternity and sorority entities across 25 Texas metros, giving us an unprecedented investigative advantage.

Universities Relevant to Meridian Families

Students from Meridian and Bosque County commonly attend a mix of regional schools and major state universities:

Major State Universities (Common Destinations):

• Baylor University (Waco) – A private Baptist university with significant Greek life.
• Texas A&M University (College Station) – Home to a massive Greek system and the Corps of Cadets.
• University of Texas at Austin – One of the largest and most transparent Greek communities in the state.
• Texas State University (San Marcos) – A growing Greek presence.
• Texas Tech University (Lubbock) – A major hub for Greek life in West Texas.
• University of Houston – Where our flagship Bermudez case is unfolding.

Regional and Nearby Campuses:

• McLennan Community College (Waco)
• Hill College (Hillsboro)
• Tarleton State University (Stephenville)
• University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Belton)

Each of these campuses has its own Greek ecosystem, documented in official rosters and public records. The organizations on these campuses are not just social clubs; they are frequently backed by a complex network of legal entities designed to manage property, money, and liability.

Public Records Directory: The Organizations Behind the Letters

To show you the depth of our investigative resources, here is a sample from our proprietary directory of Texas-registered Greek organizations. These are public records we use to identify every potentially liable entity in a hazing case. For a family in Meridian, this means we don’t start from scratch—we already know how to find the organizations behind the chapters.

Sample Texas Greek Organization Entities (IRS B83 & Cause IQ Data):

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – 12650 N Beach St, Fort Worth, TX 76244 (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 741380362, PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147-0061 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Alumni – Beaumont, TX (Cause IQ Listing – Beaumont Metro Alumni Association)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Mu Epsilon Chapter – Beaumont, TX (Cause IQ Listing – Lamar University Undergrad Chapter)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Lamar Univ. – Beaumont, TX (Cause IQ Listing – Academic Honor Society)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Beaumont Alumni – Beaumont, TX (Cause IQ Listing – Graduate Chapter)
• Chi Omega Fraternity – EIN 740555581, 2711 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705 (IRS B83 – House Corporation)
• Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Inc – EIN 161675890, 115 Wild Wick Way, The Woodlands, TX 77382 (IRS B83 – Zeta Rho HCB)

This is just a fraction of the 125+ Texas-registered entities in our database. When your child is harmed by a chapter at Baylor or Texas A&M, we can immediately map it to its national headquarters, its local housing corporation, its alumni foundation, and its insurance carriers. This data-driven approach is why we can build cases that others cannot.

National Patterns, Local Consequences: Why Fraternity Histories Matter

Hazing is not random. It follows predictable scripts passed down as “tradition.” When a chapter at a Texas school engages in hazing, it is almost always repeating a pattern that has caused death and injury at other chapters nationwide. This “pattern evidence” is legally crucial to proving that national organizations and universities knew or should have known the risks.

Patterns That Have Killed and Maimed:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): The “Big/Little” alcohol hazing script that killed Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University ($10M settlement) and David Bogenberger at Northern Illinois University ($14M settlement) is the same script used in countless chapters, including those in Texas.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): With a history of fatalities, SAE also has a pattern of extreme physical hazing. At Texas A&M, pledges alleged being doused with industrial cleaner causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts—a $1 million lawsuit.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): The “Bible study” drinking game that killed Max Gruver at LSU is a known, deadly ritual.
• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI): The “pledge dad reveal” drinking that caused Danny Santulli at the University of Missouri to suffer permanent, catastrophic brain damage shows the risk of coerced consumption.

For a family in Meridian, this means if your child is harmed by a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at Baylor, we don’t treat it as an isolated incident. We investigate it as the latest manifestation of a national pattern that the Pi Kappa Alpha national headquarters has been aware of for years. This establishes “foreseeability,” a cornerstone of negligence law, and can lead to claims for punitive damages.

How Universities and Nationals Try to Avoid Liability (And How We Beat Their Defenses)

1. “It Was a Rogue Chapter / We Didn’t Know.”

   • Their Playbook: Nationals claim the local chapter violated clear policies.
   • Our Counter: We subpoena national headquarters for all prior incident reports, disciplinary records, and communications about this chapter and others. We show the pattern. In the Bermudez case, we are alleging Pi Kappa Phi nationals failed to adequately supervise the Beta Nu chapter despite the foreseeable risks.

2. “The Student Consented / It Was Voluntary.”

   • Their Playbook: Argue your child wanted to be there.
   • Our Counter: Texas law (Sec. 37.155) explicitly states consent is not a defense. We use group chat evidence, witness testimony, and expert psychologists to demonstrate the coercive power imbalance inherent in pledging.

3. “It Happened Off-Campus, So It’s Not Our Responsibility.”

   • Their Playbook: Universities and nationals disclaim jurisdiction.
   • Our Counter: Courts consistently hold that affiliation, supervision, and funding create duty. The Pi Delta Psi national fraternity was criminally convicted for a hazing death at a remote Pennsylvania retreat. Location is not a shield.

4. “Our Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts Like Hazing.”

   • Their Playbook: Insurers deny coverage, leaving defendants seemingly judgment-proof.
   • Our Counter: This is where our insider experience is invaluable. Mr. Lupe Peña, our Associate Attorney, spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows how insurers build these denials and how to fight them. We argue that the negligent failure to supervise by the national or university is a covered claim, separate from the intentional acts of individual members. We identify all potential policies—chapter, national, university umbrella, even individual homeowner’s policies.

Building an Unbeatable Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy for Meridian Families

When you come to us, we immediately deploy a systematic, proven approach developed from our 25+ years in complex litigation, including the BP Texas City explosion cases.

Evidence Collection: The Digital Crime Scene

Hazing in 2025 is documented in real-time. Preserving this evidence is critical:

• Group Chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage): We secure screenshots and, if needed, employ digital forensics to recover deleted messages. These chats show planning, coercion, boasts, and cover-up attempts.
• Social Media (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok): Photos and videos of the acts, location tags, and witness comments.
• Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “lineage” books, chapter meeting notes, and emails from nationals.
• University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same organization, obtained through discovery or public information requests.
• Medical Records: Documentation linking injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) directly to the hazing events is non-negotiable.

Watch our video on how to properly use your phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

Comprehensive Damages: What Can Be Recovered

Our goal is to make your child whole and force institutional change. Recoverable damages include:

Economic Damages:

• All past and future medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, surgery, lifelong therapy).
• Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity (if injuries affect career).
• Educational costs (lost tuition, missed semesters, transfer expenses).

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering.
• Mental anguish, humiliation, and emotional distress.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

Wrongful Death Damages (in the worst cases):

• Funeral and burial costs.
• Loss of companionship, love, and financial support for the family.
• Emotional trauma of the surviving parents and siblings.

We work with life-care planners, economists, and vocational experts to build a complete financial picture of the harm done.

The Attorney911 Advantage: Why We Win Where Others Struggle

1. Insurance Insider Knowledge: Mr. Peña’s defense background means we know the insurance playbook before it’s run. We anticipate their tactics on coverage and valuation.
2. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Taking on BP prepared us for the unlimited legal budgets of national fraternities and major universities. We are not intimidated.
3. Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Our proprietary data on 1,423 Texas Greek entities gives us an immediate investigative map.
4. Dual Civil/Criminal Capability: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interaction between criminal charges and civil lawsuits, allowing us to advise clients comprehensively.
5. Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.

Practical Action Guides for Meridian Parents and Students

A Parent’s Checklist: If You Suspect Hazing

Warning Signs:

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

What to Do:

1. Talk Openly, Not Accusatorily: “I’m worried about you. Is there anything happening with [organization] that makes you feel unsafe or pressured?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there is immediate danger or intoxication, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence Together: Help your child screenshot messages and photograph injuries. Do not delete anything.
4. Seek Medical Care: Get a full evaluation. Tell the doctor the injuries may be hazing-related.
5. Contact Us Before Contacting the University: Universities have a conflict of interest. Let us guide you on how to engage with them to protect your rights.

A Student’s Guide to Safety and Rights

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

• Would I do this if I truly had a free choice, without fear of being kicked out or shamed?
• Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Am I being told to keep it a secret from the university or my parents?
• If the answer is yes, it is hazing.

How to Exit Safely:

• Your physical safety comes first. If in danger, call 911.
• You have the legal right to quit at any time. Send a clear, written resignation (email/text) to the chapter president.
• Do NOT go to a “final meeting” alone. They may use it to pressure or intimidate you.
• Report retaliation (harassment, stalking) to campus police and the Dean of Students immediately.

Protections for Reporting: Texas law and most university policies offer “good faith” immunity for those who report hazing or call for help in a medical emergency, even if underage drinking was involved.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

We’ve seen well-meaning families unknowingly sabotage their own cases. Avoid these errors:

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages. This looks like a cover-up. PRESERVE EVERYTHING.
2. Confronting the Fraternity or University First. This triggers their defense team, who will immediately start destroying evidence and coaching witnesses.
3. Signing a University “Resolution” Agreement. These often include waivers of your right to sue for far less than your case is worth. Do not sign anything without an attorney.
4. Posting Details on Social Media. Defense lawyers scour social media for inconsistencies or statements they can use against you.
5. Waiting to See What the University Does. The university’s priority is limiting its own liability, not maximizing your recovery. The statute of clocks is ticking.

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

Frequently Asked Questions for Meridian Families

Q: Can we sue a public university like Texas A&M or UT for hazing?
A: Yes, but with specific challenges. Public universities have “sovereign immunity,” but it is not absolute. Exceptions exist for gross negligence, violations of constitutional rights, or when suing individual employees in their personal capacity. Our experience in federal and state courts against institutional defendants is critical here.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. However, complexities can arise. It is imperative to act quickly.

Watch our video explaining statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, including hazing. This means you pay no upfront fees or costs. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery we obtain for you. If we don’t win, you don’t pay attorney fees.

Watch our video explaining contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Q: Will my child’s name be dragged through the news?
A: We prioritize your family’s privacy. The vast majority of cases settle confidentially before trial. We can petition courts to seal records and use all legal tools to protect your child’s identity.

Q: What if the hazing happened at an off-campus house or Airbnb?
A: Location does not negate liability. The university and national organization can still be liable based on their relationship to and oversight of the group. Some of the most severe hazing cases, like the Pi Delta Psi death, occurred at remote retreats.

Call to Action for Meridian: You Are Not Alone in This Fight

If you are a parent in Meridian, Clifton, Valley Mills, or anywhere in Bosque County and you suspect your child is being or has been hazed, the time to act is now. The institutions involved are counting on your fear, confusion, and hope that the problem will go away. It won’t. Your child’s health and future are at stake.

We are Attorney911. We are currently fighting the Leonel Bermudez case against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We have the data, the experience, and the proven will to take on the most powerful universities and national fraternities.

We offer a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, explain your legal options in clear terms, and help you decide the best path forward for your family. There is no pressure. Just honest, expert guidance.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 Today

Call our 24/7 Legal Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)

Direct Lines:

• Office: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781

Email:

• Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Lupe Peña: lupe@atty911.com

Se habla Español. Mr. Peña provides full legal services in Spanish.

Website: https://attorney911.com

We serve families throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. When you call, you are speaking directly to attorneys who understand what you’re facing and are ready to help. Call 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