Hazing in Texas: What Navasota Parents Need to Know About University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin & Other Campus Abuse

Imagine this scenario: your child, a bright student from Navasota, excitedly joins a fraternity or sorority at a Texas university, hoping for friendship and community. What starts as “tradition” quickly turns dark. They are forced to carry a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” 24/7. They’re woken at 3 a.m. for brutal workouts at a public park until they vomit. They’re sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” After being forced to overeat, they complete hundreds of squats until their muscles break down. Days later, they are rushed to the hospital, their urine brown from acute kidney failure.

This is not a hypothetical nightmare. This is the reality of the ongoing $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit we filed in late 2025 on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and individual fraternity leaders. The alleged conduct is severe, systematic, and led to a life-threatening medical crisis. As reported in coverage by Click2Houston and ABC13, this case demonstrates exactly what hazing looks like in Texas today. It also shows how families can fight back.

If you are a parent in Navasota or anywhere in Grimes County, this guide is for you. We will explain what modern hazing looks like, the Texas laws that govern it, the national patterns behind the abuse, and what is happening at major universities where your children may attend—including University of Houston (UH), Texas A&M, UT Austin, Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Baylor. We will show you the legal pathways to accountability and how our firm, Attorney911, uses a unique, data-driven approach to help families navigate these painful crises.

We serve families across Texas, including those in Navasota, Anderson, Plantersville, and throughout the Brazos Valley region. Our Houston-based team brings direct experience with high-stakes institutional litigation, including the ongoing UH Pi Kappa Phi case.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call us immediately: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.

In the first 48 hours:

• Get medical attention immediately. Symptoms like brown urine, extreme fatigue, or confusion are medical emergencies.
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, texts) immediately.
  • Photograph any injuries from multiple angles.
  • Save physical items (specific clothing, receipts, objects used).
• Write down everything your child tells you: names, dates, locations, specific acts.
• DO NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or university directly.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
  • Post details on public social media.
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” their phone.

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 you preserve critical evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025

Hazing is not just “boys being boys” or harmless tradition. It is a calculated pattern of abuse designed to assert power, create loyalty through trauma, and humiliate new members. Modern hazing has evolved to avoid detection, but its core remains the same: the endangerment of physical or mental health for the purpose of joining or maintaining status in a group.

For Navasota families, whose children may be new to campus Greek life or Corps culture, understanding these tactics is the first step in recognizing danger.

A Modern, Three-Tiered System of Abuse

Hazing prevention researchers categorize hazing into three escalating tiers. What often starts subtly can rapidly progress to violence.

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – The “Gateway”
These behaviors emphasize power imbalance and are often dismissed as “no big deal.” They set the stage for worse.

• Mandatory Servitude: Being “on call” 24/7 as a designated driver, for cleaning duties, or to run errands for older members.
• Social Control: Being told who you can socialize with, being given a derogatory nickname, having to ask permission for basic activities.
• Deception: Being forced to sign secrecy oaths or lie to parents, RAs, or university officials about activities.
• Digital Control: Required to respond instantly to group chats at all hours, share live location data, or have social media policed by members.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – Creating a Hostile Environment
These acts cause clear emotional or physical discomfort.

• Sleep Deprivation: Mandatory late-night “meetings,” 3 a.m. wake-up calls, or multi-day events with minimal sleep.
• Verbal Abuse: Yelling, screaming, insults, and degrading language during “interviews” or “grill sessions.”
• Forced Consumption: Being made to eat excessive amounts of bland food (like milk or bread) or unpleasant substances (hot sauce, raw eggs) until sick.
• “Smokings” or Punitive Exercise: Calisthenics like push-ups, wall-sits, or sprints used as punishment, not fitness.
• Public Humiliation: Being forced to wear embarrassing costumes in public, perform silly acts, or be the target of “roasts.”

Tier 3: Violent Hazing – High Risk of Injury or Death
These are the acts that make national headlines and destroy lives.

• Forced/Coerced Alcohol Consumption: This is the most common fatal hazing method. This includes “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, drinking games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mean drinking, lineups, keg stands, and funneling.
• Physical Beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking, or slapping. This persists despite national prohibitions.
• Dangerous Physical “Tests”: Blindfolded tackle rituals (like the “glass ceiling” that killed Chun Deng), “gladiator” fights, forced swimming while intoxicated.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walks”), sexual assault, or coercion.
• Extreme Environmental Exposure: Being locked in freezing rooms, left outside in extreme cold or heat, or denied bathroom access.
• Chemical Hazing: As alleged in a Texas A&M SAE case, being doused with substances like industrial-strength cleaner that cause severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts.

The Digital Evolution of Hazing

In 2025, hazing is documented, coordinated, and concealed through technology.

• Coordination: GroupMe, WhatsApp, and Discord are used to plan events, assign tasks, and issue threats.
• Documentation for “Fun”: Members film humiliating or violent acts on their phones, sharing videos in private group chats or on platforms like Snapchat.
• Psychological Warfare: Cyberstalking via location-sharing apps, social media humiliation through forced posts, and 24/7 digital demands create constant anxiety.
• Rapid Cover-Ups: When trouble arises, the first instruction is often “delete the group chat.” This digital evidence destruction is a major focus of our investigations.

Texas Hazing Law & Legal Liability: A Navasota Family’s Guide

Understanding the legal framework is crucial. Texas has specific statutes, and federal laws also play a role. For families in Navasota, any lawsuit would be governed by Texas law and potentially heard in Texas courts, though the university location determines specific jurisdiction.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute

Texas law defines hazing broadly and takes it seriously. The key statute is found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F.

§ 37.151 Definition:
Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group that:

• Endangers the physical health or safety of the student; OR
• Causes mental harm or severe embarrassment that creates an unreasonable risk of harm to mental health.

Key Takeaways for Families:

• Location Doesn’t Matter: Hazing at an off-campus house, Airbnb, or retreat is still hazing under Texas law.
• “Reckless” is Enough: The act doesn’t have to be intentionally malicious; showing a reckless disregard for safety qualifies.
• Mental Harm Counts: Severe psychological abuse, trauma, and humiliation are explicitly included.

§ 37.155 Consent is NOT a Defense:
This is perhaps the most important provision for families to understand. The law states plainly: “It is not a defense to prosecution that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.” Fraternities and universities cannot argue “your child agreed to it” as a legal shield. Courts recognize that consent given under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not valid.

Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152):

• 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.
• Organizations (like fraternities) can also be fined up to $10,000 per violation.

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§ 37.154):
Individuals who report hazing in good faith to university officials or law enforcement are immune from both civil and criminal liability related to that report. Many universities also have medical amnesty policies to encourage calling 911 in alcohol-related emergencies.

Civil Lawsuits vs. Criminal Charges

Hazing incidents often trigger two parallel legal tracks.

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by: The State of Texas (county or district attorney).
• Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation).
• Charges Can Include: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to a minor, assault, aggravated assault, and in fatal cases, manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide.

Civil Lawsuits:

• Brought by: The injured victim or, in wrongful death cases, their family.
• Goal: Financial compensation (damages) and institutional accountability.
• Legal Theories Include: Negligence, gross negligence, negligent supervision, wrongful death, premises liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. They are separate processes with different standards of proof. Our firm is experienced in handling the complexities when both tracks are active, ensuring our client’s interests in the civil case are protected during any criminal proceedings.

Federal Laws Overlay

The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal funds to enhance transparency. By 2026, universities must publicly report hazing incidents and their outcomes, maintain hazing prevention programs, and provide clearer data. This will help families research an organization’s history.

Title IX & The Clery Act:
When hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, Title IX obligations are triggered, requiring universities to investigate and address the gender-based hostility. The Clery Act requires universities to report certain crimes, including assaults and arrests for liquor/drug law violations, which often overlap with hazing incidents.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Case?

One of our key investigative roles is identifying every potentially liable entity. It’s rarely just about the individuals in the room.

1. Individual Students: The members who planned, carried out, or actively concealed the hazing.
2. Chapter Officers: The president, risk manager, pledgemaster, or other leaders who authorized or failed to stop the conduct.
3. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued directly and often carries liability insurance.
4. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: Nationals set policies, collect dues, provide training, and supervise chapters. They can be liable for failing to adequately supervise or for ignoring patterns of misconduct across their chapters.
5. The University: Schools can be liable for negligent supervision if they knew or should have known about a dangerous pattern and failed to act. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence.
6. Housing Corporations & Property Owners: The entities that own or control the houses or off-campus venues where hazing occurs.
7. Third Parties: Bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop laws) if they overserved visibly intoxicated individuals.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Repeat in Texas

The hazing that injured Leonel Bermudez at UH did not occur in a vacuum. It follows tragic, repeated scripts written at campuses across the country. Understanding these national patterns is critical because they establish foreseeability—the legal principle that these organizations knew or should have known their traditions created deadly risks.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Forced Consumption Kills

This is the most common cause of hazing death. The “Big/Little” or “bid acceptance” night is a recurring tragedy.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A 20-year-old pledge was forced to drink an entire bottle of whiskey. He died from alcohol poisoning. His family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU).
• Max Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): During a “Bible study” drinking game, Max was forced to drink when he answered questions incorrectly. His blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.495%. He died. His death led to the Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing law in Louisiana.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): At a “Big Brother” event, pledges were given handles of liquor. Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning. The case led to a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU.
• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): During a bid acceptance night involving a gauntlet of drinking stations, Piazza fell repeatedly, suffering fatal injuries. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case resulted in over 1,000 criminal charges and the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania.

Lesson for Texas Families: The forced drinking ritual is a known, deadly pattern. Nationals and universities that fail to eradicate it can be held accountable.

The Physical Assault & Ritualized Brutality Pattern

When physical abuse is part of the “tradition,” catastrophic injuries follow.

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): At a retreat, Deng was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual. He died from traumatic brain injury. Members delayed seeking help. The national fraternity was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
• Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) (2021): During a “pledge dad reveal,” Santulli was coerced into drinking dangerous amounts of alcohol. He suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage and now requires 24/7 care. His family settled with 22 defendants, including the national fraternity.
• Collin Wiant – Ohio University, Sigma Pi (2018): Wiant died after collapsing at an unofficial fraternity house following alleged hazing involving nitrous oxide and abuse. His death led to “Collin’s Law” in Ohio, which strengthened anti-hazing penalties.

The Athletic & Marching Band Hazing Pattern

Hazing extends far beyond Greek letters, especially in high-pressure team environments.

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Former players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the program. Multiple lawsuits led to the firing of the head coach and confidential settlements, exposing systemic abuse in a major athletic program.
• Robert Champion – Florida A&M University Marching Band (2011): The drum major died after a brutal hazing ritual involving severe physical beatings on a band bus. Multiple band members were convicted of felony hazing. FAMU settled with the family for $1 million.

What These Cases Mean for Navasota Families

These national precedents are not just history; they are the playbook for proving liability in Texas. They show:

• Patterns Create Foreseeability: When a Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH engages in forced consumption, the national HQ cannot claim ignorance after the Andrew Coffey death at FSU.
• Cover-Ups Increase Liability: Delaying medical care or destroying evidence turns a tragic accident into an act of gross negligence or worse.
• Juries Award Significant Damages: From the $12.6 million verdict in the Chad Meredith (Kappa Sigma) drowning case to the $10+ million settlement in a recent Sigma Chi case, juries hold organizations accountable for life-altering harm.

Texas Universities Under the Microscope: Where Navasota Students Go

Navasota families send their children to universities across our great state. While Texas A&M in nearby College Station is a common destination, students also attend UH, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, and others. Each campus has its own Greek life and organizational culture—and a history of hazing incidents that demand scrutiny.

University of Houston (UH): A Case Study in Active Litigation

For Navasota families with students at UH, the ongoing Pi Kappa Phi case is the most immediate and serious example of hazing risks.

Campus Snapshot: UH is a large, diverse, urban university with a significant commuter population and an active Greek system comprising Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and multicultural organizations.

The Bermudez/Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Lawsuit:
As detailed in the Hoodline report, our lawsuit alleges a relentless campaign of abuse against our client, Leonel Bermudez, in Fall 2025.

• Humiliation: The “pledge fanny pack” rule requiring constant carry of condoms, a sex toy, and other degrading items.
• Forced Labor: Mandatory dress codes, overnight chauffeuring, and hours-long “study” blocks.
• Violent Hazing: Sprints, bear crawls, lying in vomit, being sprayed with a hose “like waterboarding,” and being forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.
• The Breaking Point: On November 3, Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion. He deteriorated over days, passing brown urine before being hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
• Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi national suspended the chapter on Nov. 6. Members voted to surrender their charter on Nov. 14, shutting it down. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

Prior UH Incidents: This was not UH’s first major hazing case. In 2016, Pi Kappa Alpha pledges were subjected to sleep and food deprivation; one suffered a lacerated spleen. The chapter faced criminal hazing charges and suspension.

What UH Parents Should Do:

• Report to both UHPD and the Dean of Students Office.
• Understand that civil cases against UH as a public university involve navigating sovereign immunity arguments, which require skilled legal strategy.
• Seek counsel with specific experience in Houston and Harris County courts, where UH cases are litigated.

Texas A&M University: Tradition, Corps Culture, and Recurring Scandals

For many in Navasota and the Brazos Valley, Texas A&M is the hometown university. Its powerful traditions, including the Corps of Cadets, carry unique hazing risks.

Campus Snapshot: A&M has a massive Greek system and the nation’s largest Corps of Cadets program. The culture of tradition and hierarchy, while often positive, can be exploited to justify abuse.

Documented Hazing Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Chemical Burns Lawsuit (2021): Pledges alleged they were doused with a mixture containing industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns that required skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and lawsuits were filed.
• Corps of Cadets – “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth—a practice known as “roasted pig.” He sought over $1 million in damages.
• Kappa Sigma – Rhabdomyolysis Allegations (2023): Ongoing litigation involves allegations of extreme physical hazing leading to the life-threatening muscle condition, rhabdomyolysis—similar to the UH Pi Kappa Phi case.

What Texas A&M Parents Should Know:

• Reporting may involve the Texas A&M Student Conduct Office, Corps Commandant’s Office, and College Station Police.
• Hazing in the Corps presents unique challenges, as it often involves military-style discipline crossed with abuse.
• Nationals with chapters at A&M (like SAE, Kappa Sigma) have documented, violent histories nationwide.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

UT Austin operates one of the most transparent hazing disclosure systems in the country, which publicly confirms ongoing issues.

Campus Snapshot: UT’s large Greek life and myriad student organizations exist in a high-achieving, competitive environment.

Public Hazing Violations (from UT’s Website):
UT’s public log is a treasure trove for showing patterns of negligence.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation and mandatory hazing prevention education.
• Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): Multiple sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based practices.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Assault Lawsuit (2024): An Australian exchange student alleged an assault at an SAE party left him with a dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. He sued for over $1 million, noting the chapter was already on suspension for prior violations.

What UT Austin Parents Should Do:

• Check the UT Hazing Violations Log to see if your child’s organization has a prior record.
• Use UT’s transparency to your advantage in a case; prior violations prove the university and organization had knowledge of risky behavior.
• Jurisdiction involves UTPD and potentially Austin Police.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University: Private School Pressures

These prestigious private universities have their own Greek life hazing histories.

SMU Snapshot: Affluent campus with a strong Greek presence.

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reported being paddled, forced to drink, and deprived of sleep. The chapter was suspended for years.
• Consideration: As a private university, SMU has less sovereign immunity protection than public schools, but it also controls information more tightly.

Baylor Snapshot: A Baptist university with a complex history regarding institutional response to misconduct.

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players were suspended following a hazing investigation.
• Consideration: Baylor’s past Title IX scandals create a backdrop where families may question the institution’s commitment to thorough, victim-centered investigations.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter

When a hazing incident occurs at a Texas chapter, the national organization’s history is directly relevant. For Navasota parents, understanding that the fraternity in question has a pattern of violence elsewhere strengthens your case immensely. It shows the national knew the risks and failed to prevent them.

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Mapping the Greek Ecosystem

We don’t rely on guesswork. We maintain a proprietary data engine built from public records to track the complex network of Greek organizations in Texas. This includes IRS filings for over 125 Texas-registered Greek entities (house corporations, alumni chapters), campus rosters, and metro-level data tracking over 1,400 organizations across 25 Texas metros.

A Snapshot of Texas Greek Entities (From Public IRS B83 Filings):

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 46-2267515 – Frisco, TX 75035
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (Epsilon Kappa Chapter alumni) – EIN 74-6064445 – Nederland, TX 77627
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 74-1380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter – EIN 74-6084905 – Houston, TX 77204
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc (Theta Delta Chapter) – EIN 47-5370943 – Houston, TX 77204

This data allows us to identify all potentially liable entities—not just the undergraduate chapter, but the housing corporation that owns the property, the alumni association that may fund it, and the national headquarters that controls it.

High-Risk National Organizations with Documented Patterns

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): The national involved in the Stone Foltz (Bowling Green) death and multiple other fatalities. A pattern of “Big/Little” alcohol hazing.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Once dubbed “the deadliest fraternity” by media, involved in multiple deaths. Has faced lawsuits at Texas A&M (chemical burns) and UT Austin (assault).
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): The national in our UH lawsuit, also involved in the Andrew Coffey death at FSU.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): The national in the Max Gruver death at LSU.
• Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ): A history of paddling and physical hazing, suspended at SMU in 2017.
• Sigma Chi (ΣΧ): Recent multi-million dollar settlements, including a case where a pledge sustained a traumatic brain injury.

When we take a case, we investigate not just the local event, but the national organization’s entire history of incidents, policies, and enforcement failures. This “pattern and practice” evidence is powerful in settlement negotiations and at trial.

How a Hazing Case Is Built: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Pursuing a hazing case requires a meticulous, strategic approach from day one. It is a fight against well-funded institutions with experienced defense teams. Here is how we build these cases for Navasota families.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

The digital age has transformed hazing evidence. Our investigations focus on:

1. Digital Forensics: The #1 source of evidence. We work with experts to recover deleted GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, and Discord chats. These messages show planning, boasting, threats, and cover-up instructions.
2. Social Media & Photos: Videos and photos of the hazing shared on Snapchat, Instagram, or TikTok. Location tags, timestamps, and participant tags are critical.
3. Medical Records: Comprehensive records documenting the acute injury (e.g., ER reports showing rhabdomyolysis, toxicology screens) and the ongoing psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression diagnoses from therapists).
4. University Records: Through discovery, we obtain the organization’s prior conduct files, showing a history of warnings or probation that the university and national ignored.
5. National Fraternity Records: We subpoena the national’s risk management files, incident reports from other chapters, and training materials to prove they knew the risks.
6. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and RAs. We often find that once one victim comes forward, others who were afraid find the courage to speak.

We have a detailed video guide on using your phone to document critical evidence.

Overcoming Institutional Defenses

We anticipate and dismantle the standard defenses:

• “They Consented”: We cite Texas Education Code § 37.155 and use evidence of peer pressure and coercion to nullify this argument.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We use our data engine and national discovery to show patterns across chapters, proving the national knew or should have known.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: We argue liability based on control, sponsorship, and foreseeability. Nationals and universities know hazing moves off-campus to avoid detection.
• “We Have a Policy”: We show the gap between paper policies and real-world enforcement, proving negligent supervision.

Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, brings a unique advantage here. As a former insurance defense attorney for a national firm, he knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, deploy delay tactics, and fight coverage. He knows their playbook because he used to help write it.

Damages: What Families Can Recover

The goal is to make the victim whole and hold offenders accountable. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages:
  • All past and future medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy).
  • Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity (if injuries affect career).
  • Educational costs (lost tuition, missed semesters).
• Non-Economic Damages:
  • Physical pain and suffering.
  • Mental anguish, emotional distress, humiliation, and PTSD.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (in fatal cases):
  • Funeral and burial costs.
  • Loss of financial support, love, companionship, and guidance.
  • Emotional suffering of the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence or intentional malice, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter future conduct.

We work with life-care planners, economists, and vocational experts to build a complete picture of the lifelong impact of a catastrophic hazing injury. We explain how contingency fees work in our video: How Do Contingency Fees Work?

Practical Guide for Navasota Families: What to Do Now

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Red Flags Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme exhaustion or sleep patterns that don’t match class schedules.
• Sudden anxiety, depression, or withdrawal from family and old friends.
• Secrecy about organization activities (“I can’t talk about it”).
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Requests for money for unexplained “fines” or “required” purchases.

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’m concerned about you. Is there anything happening with [organization] that makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If they are injured or intoxicated, seek medical care first.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help them screenshot messages and photos. Do not let them delete anything out of shame or fear.
4. Document: Write down everything they tell you with dates and names.
5. Seek Legal Counsel Before Reporting: Contact us to discuss the strategic implications of reporting to the university or police. We can help you navigate this to protect your child’s rights and the integrity of the evidence.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No tradition is worth your life or health.
• “Consent” is Not a Legal Shield: You cannot agree to be assaulted or endangered.
• How to Exit Safely: If you feel unsafe, leave. Tell a trusted friend or RA where you are going. You can resign your membership via email—you do not owe anyone an in-person explanation.
• How to Report: You can report anonymously through university hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). For immediate danger, call 911. Texas law provides immunity for good-faith reports.

Critical Mistakes That Can Damage Your Case

We detail this in our video on client mistakes that can ruin an injury case. Key errors include:

• Deleting Evidence: This looks like a cover-up and destroys your case.
• Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers their legal defense and evidence destruction.
• Signing University Paperwork Without a Lawyer: Universities may offer quick “resolutions” that waive your right to sue.
• Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys scour social media for inconsistencies.
• Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations runs. Texas generally has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury. Learn more in our video: Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?

Why Attorney911 for Your Navasota Hazing Case

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand the intricate power dynamics of universities and national Greek organizations, and who have the resources and determination to fight them. That is why we are different.

Our Anchored Experience: The UH Pi Kappa Phi Case
Right now, we are actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in the country—the Leonel Bermudez vs. University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. This isn’t past history; it’s our current caseload. We are in the trenches, facing the same defense firms, uncovering the same cover-ups, and fighting for accountability that Navasota families need. This case is a testament to our serious commitment to hazing litigation.

Insider Knowledge of the Defense Playbook
Our team is uniquely equipped because we’ve seen the fight from both sides.

• Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers undervalue claims, deploy delay tactics, and fight coverage. He uses this insider knowledge to anticipate and counter their every move.
• Ralph Manginello brings over 25 years of complex litigation experience. He is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, proving our firm can stand toe-to-toe with billion-dollar institutional defendants. His membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) gives us sophisticated insight into the criminal side of hazing cases, which often runs parallel to civil suits.

A Data-Driven, Investigative Approach
We don’t start from scratch. We use our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from thousands of public records on Greek organizations—to immediately identify every potentially liable entity: local chapters, housing corporations, alumni associations, and national headquarters. This investigative head start is invaluable.

A Commitment to Your Family’s Well-Being
We understand this is about more than money. It’s about answers, accountability, and ensuring no other family endures this pain. We treat you with empathy, respect, and transparency. We keep you informed at every step and fight not just for compensation, but for the institutional changes that prevent future harm.

Contact Attorney911 Today for a Confidential Consultation

If hazing has injured your child or shattered your family, you do not have to face this alone. The institutions involved have teams of lawyers. You deserve advocates who are equally prepared and wholly on your side.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. We offer free, confidential consultations to listen to your story, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).
Direct Line: (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.

During your consultation, we will:

• Listen to your experience without judgment.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain the legal process, potential timelines, and strategies.
• Discuss our contingency fee structure—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
• Help you navigate the difficult decisions about university reporting, criminal complaints, and preserving your child’s privacy.

Don’t wait. Evidence fades, memories blur, and organizations close ranks. Take the first step toward accountability and justice today.

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