The Definitive Guide to Hazing at Texas Universities: What Parents in City of Noonday Need to Know

If Your Child Was Hazed or Injured at a Texas Campus, You’re Not Alone

For parents in City of Noonday, Tyler, and across Smith County, sending your child to college represents hope, opportunity, and pride. Your son or daughter might attend the University of Texas at Tyler, commute to Texas A&M, or venture farther to the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor. You’ve worked hard, saved, and dreamed of their success. The last thing you expect is a call saying they’ve been hospitalized because of what happened at a fraternity, sorority, Corps event, or team initiation.

Right now, in Texas, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston transfer student, is represented by our firm in a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and 13 fraternity leaders. According to media reports including KPRC 2 and ABC13, Bermudez was subjected to extreme physical hazing that caused rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passing brown urine and requiring a four-day hospitalization. The alleged hazing included forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting; 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; and carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack” 24/7. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended on November 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter on November 14, 2025.

This case isn’t an isolated incident—it’s part of a pattern affecting Texas families, including those right here in Smith County. Whether your child attends a local campus like UT Tyler or ventures farther to major Greek life hubs, they deserve to be safe. This comprehensive guide explains what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects students, what’s happening at major Texas universities, and what legal options families in City of Noonday have when hazing causes 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 paddles, coached witnesses)
Universities move quickly to control the narrative
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

Modern Hazing Definition

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. For City of Noonday families unfamiliar with modern Greek life, it’s crucial to understand that “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance. The psychological dynamics of belonging, fear of exclusion, and tradition create coercive environments that Texas law recognizes as hazing regardless of superficial “consent.”

Main Categories of Hazing

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadly form. It includes forced or coerced drinking during “Big/Little” nights, “bid acceptance” parties, or drinking games like “Bible study” where incorrect answers trigger consumption. Students are often pressured to consume entire bottles of liquor or participate in “lineups” where rapid consumption is required. In the Bermudez case, forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns led to vomiting and immediate sprints afterward.

Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling and beatings, modern physical hazing includes extreme calisthenics far beyond normal conditioning—like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in the UH case. “Smokings” or punishment workouts, sleep deprivation through late-night “meetings,” food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme environments (lying in vomit-soaked grass, cold-weather exposure in underwear) all qualify. The physical exhaustion can lead to catastrophic medical conditions like rhabdomyolysis, where muscle breakdown floods the kidneys with toxins.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts, “roasted pig” positions, degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. At Texas A&M, a Corps of Cadets lawsuit alleged cadets were bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The “pledge fanny pack” in the UH case contained condoms and sex toys as part of systematic humiliation.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming create lasting trauma. Psychological hazing often precedes physical escalation, breaking down resistance and normalizing abuse.

Digital/Online Hazing
For City of Noonday parents whose children are constantly on their phones, this is particularly relevant. Group chat dares, “challenges” on Instagram or TikTok, pressure to create compromising content, and social media humiliation are now standard. Students are required to respond instantly to messages at all hours, share live locations, and post embarrassing content. This 24/7 digital control extends hazing beyond physical events into constant psychological pressure.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

Hazing isn’t limited to “frat boys.” It occurs in:

Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC / military-style groups
Spirit squads and tradition clubs
Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer, etc.)
Marching bands and performance groups
Some service, cultural, and academic organizations

Social status, tradition, and secrecy keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal. The power imbalance between new and existing members, combined with fears of exclusion and desires for belonging, creates environments where dangerous behavior becomes normalized.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

Texas Hazing Law Basics

Under Texas law—which governs cases involving students from City of Noonday attending Texas schools—hazing is specifically addressed in the Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. The law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health or safety and occurs for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or membership.

Key provisions for Smith County families:

§37.151 Definition: Broad coverage including mental and physical harm
§37.152 Criminal Penalties: Class B misdemeanor default, increasing to state jail felony for serious bodily injury or death
§37.153 Organizational Liability: Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation
§37.155 Consent Not a Defense: Explicitly states victim “consent” is irrelevant
§37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Protects those who report or seek medical help

Criminal vs Civil Cases

Criminal cases are brought by the state (prosecutor) for punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Civil cases are brought by victims or families for monetary compensation and accountability
Both can proceed simultaneously, and a criminal conviction isn’t required for civil action

Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act, Title IX, Clery

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently, strengthen prevention programs, and maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026). This will eventually provide families with better information about campus safety records.

Title IX & Clery Act
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger mandatory investigations and potential federal liability. The Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics—hazing incidents often overlap with these categories when assaults or alcohol/drug crimes occur.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

Individual Students
Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover them up. In the UH case, 13 individual fraternity leaders are named.

Local Chapter/Organization
The fraternity/sorority or club itself as a legal entity. Chapter officers and “pledge educators” often face individual liability.

National Fraternity/Sorority
Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Their liability often hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents at other chapters. Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters is a defendant in the Bermudez lawsuit.

University or Governing Board
Schools may be sued under negligence, Title IX, or civil rights theories. Key questions involve prior warnings, policy enforcement, and deliberate indifference. The University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents are defendants in the ongoing case.

Third Parties
Landlords of event spaces, bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop laws), and security companies can sometimes share liability.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

These national cases set precedents that City of Noonday families can rely on in Texas courts. They show patterns that repeat across campuses and organizations.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
Bid-acceptance event with extreme drinking captured on chapter security cameras. Falls resulted in fatal brain injuries; help was delayed for hours. Dozens of criminal charges followed, plus civil litigation and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Takeaway: intoxication, delayed medical care, and cover-up culture create devastating legal exposure.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
“Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers triggered forced drinking. Gruver died with a 0.495% BAC. Multiple members faced charges; one convicted of negligent homicide. Louisiana enacted the Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony. Takeaway: legislative change follows tragedy, but families shouldn’t wait for laws to be strengthened.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Pledge forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night. Death led to criminal convictions and approximately $10 million in settlements ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). Takeaway: 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 a retreat, suffering fatal head injuries while help was delayed. Multiple members convicted; national fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years and fined over $110,000. Takeaway: off-campus “retreats” don’t eliminate liability—they sometimes increase it.

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021)
18-year-old pledge forced to consume excessive alcohol during “pledge dad reveal,” suffering severe, permanent brain damage. He cannot walk, talk, or see and requires 24/7 care. Family settled with 22 defendants for multi-million-dollar amounts. Takeaway: non-fatal injuries can create lifelong care needs worth substantial compensation.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program over multiple years. Multiple lawsuits against university and staff; head coach fired and later settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially. Takeaway: hazing extends beyond Greek life into major athletic programs with institutional oversight failures.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

Common threads emerge: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, and systematic cover-ups. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements often follow only after tragedy and litigation. Texas families facing hazing at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor are not alone and operate in a landscape shaped by these national lessons. The patterns are predictable, which makes them preventable—and legally actionable when prevention fails.

Texas Focus: Universities Serving Smith County Families

University of Texas at Tyler (Local Campus for City of Noonday Families)

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Located right here in Smith County, UT Tyler serves many local families as a commuter campus with growing residential options. While smaller than flagship campuses, it has active student organizations. The UT Tyler Patriots compete in NCAA Division II, and campus life includes Greek organizations and various clubs. For City of Noonday parents, the proximity means your child might live at home while attending, but hazing risks still exist in campus organizations.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting
As part of the University of Texas System, UT Tyler follows system-wide hazing prohibitions. The university prohibits any activity that endangers physical or mental health for initiation or affiliation purposes. Reporting channels include the Dean of Students Office, campus police, and online reporting forms. Like all Texas public universities, UT Tyler must comply with Chapter 37 reporting requirements.

How a UT Tyler Hazing Case Might Proceed
Local jurisdiction matters for City of Noonday families. Cases would involve Smith County courts and potentially the Eastern District of Texas federal court. The Tyler Police Department and UT Tyler campus police might share jurisdiction. Civil suits could name individual students, local chapters, national organizations, and potentially the university depending on facts and immunity issues.

What UT Tyler Students & Parents Should Do

Document everything immediately—Smith County courts respond to solid evidence
Report to both UT Tyler administration AND local Tyler police if crimes occurred
Understand that university “internal resolution” may not provide adequate accountability
Contact local counsel familiar with Smith County courts and Texas hazing law

University of Houston (Major Destination for East Texas Students)

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Many East Texas students, including those from Smith County, attend UH for its urban opportunities and strong programs. With over 46,000 students, UH has active Greek life including the Pi Kappa Phi chapter involved in the Bermudez case. The campus mix of commuter and residential students creates unique dynamics where hazing can occur in both official chapter houses and off-campus locations.

Documented Incidents & Responses
The Leonel Bermudez case represents the most serious current hazing litigation at UH. According to Click2Houston and ABC13 reports, the hazing occurred at multiple locations: the Pi Kappa Phi chapter house, a Culmore Drive residence owned by a former member, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park. Medical records confirm rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure with critically elevated creatine kinase levels.

UH’s response illustrates common institutional patterns: after media exposure, the university called conduct “deeply disturbing,” promised disciplinary measures and cooperation with law enforcement, and credited the national fraternity for decisive action. The chapter was suspended November 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter November 14, 2025.

How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed
For Smith County families with children at UH, cases would typically be filed in Harris County courts (where UH is located) or federal court in the Southern District of Texas. The Houston Police Department and UHPD share jurisdiction. Transportation to Houston for court proceedings is a practical consideration for City of Noonday families, which is why working with a firm experienced in multi-jurisdictional litigation matters.

Texas A&M University (Popular Choice for East Texas Students)

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Texas A&M’s tradition-heavy culture attracts many East Texas students. The Corps of Cadets and extensive Greek life create multiple environments where hazing can occur. For City of Noonday families, College Station is about a 3.5-hour drive, making immediate response challenging when emergencies arise.

Documented Incidents & Responses

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (2021): Pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The fraternity was suspended for two years; pledges sued for $1 million.
Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth, seeking over $1 million in damages.

How Texas A&M Hazing Cases Proceed
Brazos County courts typically handle these cases, with potential federal jurisdiction in the Southern District of Texas. The College Station Police Department and Texas A&M University Police Department coordinate investigations. The university’s status as a public institution triggers sovereign immunity considerations that require careful legal navigation.

University of Texas at Austin (Flagship Destination)

Campus & Culture Snapshot
UT Austin represents the ultimate academic destination for many Texas students, including high achievers from Smith County. With approximately 60 Greek chapters and extensive tradition organizations, the campus has documented hazing patterns despite relatively transparent violation reporting.

Documented Incidents & Responses
UT maintains a public Hazing Violations page showing ongoing issues:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, resulting in probation and required hazing-prevention education
Various spirit organizations sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, or punishment-based practices

Transparency vs. Effectiveness
UT’s public reporting is more transparent than many peer institutions, but repeated violations show policies alone don’t prevent hazing. For City of Noonday families, this transparency can be valuable evidence in civil cases, showing patterns and institutional knowledge.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

These private institutions attract East Texas students for particular academic or religious reasons. SMU’s affluent Greek culture and Baylor’s religious identity create unique environments. Both have faced hazing incidents: SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended for paddling and forced drinking in 2017; Baylor baseball faced hazing suspensions in 2020. Private university status affects legal strategies, as sovereign immunity arguments differ from public institutions.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

Why National Histories Matter for Smith County Families

When your child joins a fraternity or sorority at a Texas university, they’re connecting to a national organization with its own history, patterns, and liabilities. These national histories matter because:

Foreseeability: If a national organization has seen deaths or serious injuries from specific hazing methods at other chapters, they likely know the risks when the same methods appear at Texas chapters
Pattern Evidence: Courts consider whether organizations had prior notice and failed to take adequate preventive measures
Insurance Coverage: National organizations often carry insurance that can provide compensation sources beyond individual students or local chapters

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving City of Noonday Families

At Attorney911, we maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public records to help families understand who stands behind campus organizations. This includes IRS B83 filings showing Texas-registered Greek organizations, campus rosters, and metro-level data. For Smith County families, understanding this organizational landscape is crucial because liability often extends beyond individual students to the entities that enable and oversee them.

Texas-Registered Greek Organizations (IRS B83 Samples):

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75799 (IRS B83 filing)
University of Texas at Tyler chapter of this academic honor society
Various other Texas Greek entities with EINs, legal names, and mailing addresses recorded in public filings

Cause IQ Metro Data for East Texas:
The Tyler metro area, which includes City of Noonday and Smith County, has Greek organizations serving both UT Tyler and the broader community. While smaller than major metro counts (510 in DFW, 188 in Houston), these organizations still create liability networks that can be traced through public records.

National Brands with Texas Presence:
Organizations like Pi Kappa Phi (involved in the UH lawsuit), Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Texas A&M chemical burns case), Pi Kappa Alpha (multiple campus violations), and others operate across Texas campuses. Their national histories of hazing incidents at other universities create precedents that support negligence arguments in Texas cases.

How Organizational Structures Create Liability

House Corporations & Alumni Chapters
Many fraternities and sororities operate through separate legal entities: house corporations that own property, alumni chapters that provide oversight, and educational foundations. These entities often have their own insurance policies and assets. In the Bermudez case, the Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX) is a named defendant alongside the national organization and university.

National Headquarters Oversight
National organizations collect dues, set policies, provide risk management training, and theoretically supervise chapters. When they fail to adequately enforce anti-hazing policies or ignore warning signs, they can share liability. Their deep pockets and insurance coverage often make them primary targets in serious injury or death cases.

University Recognition & Control
Universities that recognize and regulate Greek organizations may have duties to properly supervise them. The extent of this duty depends on factors like: level of control exercised, knowledge of prior incidents, and integration of the organization into campus life.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Evidence Collection for City of Noonday Families

For Smith County families, evidence collection starts immediately and often determines case outcomes. Modern hazing leaves digital trails that skilled attorneys can trace.

Digital Communications (Most Critical)

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord: Screenshot entire threads with timestamps and sender names visible
Social Media DMs: Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok messages often contain planning or bragging about hazing
Deleted Message Recovery: Digital forensics can often recover “permanently” deleted content
Location Data: GPS data from phones and social media can prove where hazing occurred

Photos & Videos

Injury Documentation: Photograph injuries immediately and over several days to show progression
Event Footage: Content filmed by participants often surfaces in civil discovery
Security Camera Footage: Chapter houses, nearby businesses, and campus cameras may capture relevant events

Internal Organization Documents

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, tradition documents
Emails and texts among officers about activities
National policies and training materials showing what should have been prevented

University Records

Prior conduct files and disciplinary history
Incident reports to campus police or conduct offices
Clery Act reports and safety committee minutes

Medical Documentation

ER records, hospitalization notes, surgery reports
Toxicology results and lab work (like the elevated CK levels in the Bermudez case)
Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety

Damages in Hazing Cases

Medical Bills & Future Care
Immediate costs (ER, ICU, surgery) plus long-term needs. In rhabdomyolysis cases like Bermudez’s, future kidney monitoring and potential transplant needs create ongoing expenses. For brain injuries like Danny Santulli’s, 24/7 care for decades represents multi-million-dollar future costs.

Lost Earnings & Educational Impact
Missed semesters, delayed graduation, reduced earning capacity from permanent injuries. Professional evaluators calculate lifetime earnings losses based on the victim’s career trajectory.

Non-Economic Damages
Physical pain, emotional distress, trauma, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life. Psychological harm from hazing often includes diagnosed PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders requiring long-term treatment.

Wrongful Death Damages
For families who lose a child, damages include funeral costs, loss of companionship, parental grief, and siblings’ trauma. Texas law allows certain family members to recover these damages.

Punitive Damages
In cases involving particularly reckless or intentional conduct, punitive damages may punish defendants and deter future hazing. Texas has statutory caps on exemplary damages with exceptions for certain intentional conduct.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Insurance Coverage Complexities
National fraternities and universities carry various insurance policies that may cover hazing claims, but insurers often argue exclusions for intentional acts or criminal conduct. Our firm’s unique advantage comes from Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney—he knows exactly how insurers evaluate claims, set reserves, and fight coverage.

Multiple Defendant Strategies
Successful hazing litigation often involves pursuing all potentially liable parties: individual perpetrators, local chapters, national organizations, housing corporations, universities, and sometimes third-party property owners or alcohol providers. This multiplies potential recovery sources and settlement pressure.

Sovereign Immunity Considerations
Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT have some sovereign immunity protections under Texas law. However, exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and suits against individual employees in their personal capacity. Navigating these immunities requires specific expertise.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Smith County Families

For Parents: Warning Signs & Response

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

Unexplained injuries, bruises, burns, or cuts with inconsistent explanations
Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities (“I can’t talk about it”)
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability, withdrawal
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring, anxiety about messages
Academic decline, missed classes, dropping grades
Financial requests without clear explanation for “fines” or required purchases

How to Talk to Your Child

Ask open questions: “How are things going with [organization]?” “What do new members have to do?”
Listen without judgment if they share concerns
Emphasize safety over status: “Your health matters more than any group”
Assure them you’ll support them regardless of membership decisions

If Your Child Is Hurt

Medical First: Get immediate care even if they resist
Document Everything: Photos of injuries, screenshots of messages, notes of what they say
Preserve Evidence: Don’t wash clothing, don’t delete messages, save physical objects
Contact Attorney: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before confronting organizations or signing university documents

Dealing with Universities

Document every communication (emails, calls, meetings)
Ask specific questions about prior incidents involving the same organization
Understand that university “internal resolution” often prioritizes institutional protection over victim compensation
Don’t sign waiver or settlement documents without legal review

For Students: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Is This Hazing or Just Tradition?

Do you feel unsafe, humiliated, or coerced?
Would you do this if you had a real choice without social consequences?
Is the activity hidden from outsiders or administrators?
Are older members making new members do things they don’t have to do themselves?
If you answered yes, it’s likely hazing regardless of what it’s called.

Exiting Safely

You have the legal right to quit at any time
Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
Send written resignation to chapter leadership
Don’t attend “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
If threatened, report immediately to campus police and Dean of Students

Good-Faith Reporting Protections
Texas law and most university policies provide immunity or leniency for those who report hazing or seek medical help in good faith, even if they were involved. Saving a life matters more than “getting in trouble.”

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Evidence Disappear
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; makes case nearly impossible
What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Organization Directly
What parents think: “I’ll give them a piece of my mind”
Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
What to do instead: Document everything, then call a lawyer before any confrontation

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 far below case value
What to do 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
What to do instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

5. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”
What universities promise: “We’re investigating; let us handle this internally”
Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs, university controls narrative
What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

Hazing FAQ for Texas Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in personal capacity. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts—contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case-specific analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report hazing.

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Yes. Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving cover-ups or fraud, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and organizations destroy records. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

“What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major hazing cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, Sigma Pi unofficial house) occurred off-campus and still resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments.

“Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

Why Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

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. From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including City of Noonday and Smith County. We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families locally and across the region.

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña)
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. He understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. We know their playbook because we used to run it. This insider knowledge is invaluable when negotiating with insurers who initially deny claims or offer inadequate settlements.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello)
Our firm is one of the few in Texas involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—we’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We’re not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams. Our federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) means we’re comfortable in the venues where institutional cases are often fought. Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) signals elite criminal defense capability that complements our civil hazing work.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Experience
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases with economist collaboration. We understand how to value lifetime care needs for brain injuries, permanent disabilities, and chronic conditions like kidney damage from rhabdomyolysis. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force accountability and compensation commensurate with the harm.

Investigative Depth & Modern Evidence Collection
We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does. Our network includes medical experts, digital forensics specialists, economists, and psychologists. We know how to obtain hidden evidence: deleted group chats, chapter records, university files through discovery and public records requests. We understand Greek culture, tradition dynamics, and how to prove coercion despite claims of “consent.”

Empathy & Victim Advocacy
We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our job is to get you answers, hold the right people accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family. This isn’t about bravado or quick settlements—it’s about thorough investigation and real accountability. We’ve seen how hazing devastates families, and we’re committed to changing the systems that allow it to continue.

Call to Action for City of Noonday Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether UT Tyler, UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other—we want to hear from you. Families in City of Noonday, Tyler, and throughout Smith County have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

We’ll listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
Answer your questions about costs (contingency fee – we don’t get paid unless we win)
No pressure to hire us on the spot – take time to decide
Everything you tell us is confidential

Contact Information:

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-Language Services:

Hablamos Español – Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish
Servicios legales en español disponibles

Whether you’re in City of Noonday or anywhere across Smith County, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The same organizations, the same insurance companies, the same institutional cover-up tactics exist everywhere. We’ve fought them in Houston, in College Station, in Austin, and in courtrooms across Texas. We’re ready to fight for your family too.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Immediate help is available 24/7.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

Evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
Contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:

Contact and information: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

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

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

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
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@atty911.com