Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Nordheim Families Seeking Justice and Accountability

If you’re a parent in Nordheim or anywhere across DeWitt County, the nightmare begins with a phone call you never expected to receive. Your child, who you sent off to college with pride and hope, is now in the hospital. The details are vague at first—something about a “pledge event,” “team bonding,” or a “tradition.” But as the pieces come together, a horrifying picture emerges: your child was systematically abused, humiliated, or forced into dangerous situations as part of joining a campus organization. The university’s response feels scripted. The fraternity or sorority circles the wagons. You’re left wondering how this could happen in 2025 and what you can possibly do to protect your child and hold the right people accountable.

Right now, in Texas, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered catastrophic injuries during his fall 2025 pledging to the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter. As detailed in the Click2Houston report on the UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case, our client endured unspeakable abuse: forced extreme workouts, humiliating “pledge fanny pack” rules, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and coerced consumption of food until vomiting. This culminated in life-threatening rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, turning his urine brown and requiring a four-day hospitalization. This $10 million lawsuit against UH, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, and 13 individual members is proof that severe, institutional hazing is not a relic of the past—it is a present and ongoing danger at Texas universities.

Families in Nordheim, Yorktown, Cuero, and across the South Texas region send their children to these campuses. Whether your student attends nearby Texas A&M University-Kingsville, heads to the major hubs of UT Austin or Texas A&M in College Station, or chooses the University of Houston, they are entering ecosystems where Greek life and tradition-heavy organizations wield significant social power—and where the risk of hazing is very real.

This guide is written specifically for you. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, break down Texas law and your family’s rights, show how national patterns of abuse connect to Texas campuses, and provide a clear, actionable path forward if the unthinkable has happened. You are not alone, and you have more power than you may realize.

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. Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted: screenshot group chats and texts, photograph injuries, save physical items. Write down everything while memory is fresh. DO NOT: confront the organization, sign anything from the university or insurance company, post details on social media, or let your child delete messages.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney: Evidence disappears fast. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For parents in Nordheim whose own college experience may have been decades ago, it’s critical to understand that hazing has evolved. It is not merely “boys will be boys” pranks or harmless initiation. Modern hazing is a calculated pattern of coercion, control, and abuse that exploits a young person’s desire to belong. Under Texas law (Education Code Chapter 37), hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with an organization.

These acts fall into three escalating tiers:

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (Often Dismissed as “Tradition”)
This establishes power imbalance and sets the stage for worse abuse. It includes forced servitude (cleaning houses, running all-hour errands, being an on-call driver), social isolation from non-members, assignment of degrading nicknames, “mandatory” events that interfere with sleep and academics, and constant digital monitoring via group chats where pledges must respond immediately at all hours.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing
This causes real emotional and physical distress. It involves sleep deprivation through late-night “meetings,” verbal abuse and humiliation, food/water restriction, forced consumption of unpalatable substances (hot sauce, raw eggs, excessive milk), and strenuous physical activity framed as “conditioning” but designed to punish and exhaust.

Tier 3: Violent Hazing
This has high potential for catastrophic injury or death. This is what happened to Leonel Bermudez at UH. It includes forced or coerced alcohol consumption to the point of poisoning (e.g., “Big/Little” bottle chugs, drinking games), forced drug use, physical beatings or paddling, dangerous physical “tests” like blindfolded tackles, sexualized hazing and assault, kidnapping or restraint, and exposure to extreme elements.

Today, organizations have become sophisticated at hiding this abuse. They move events to off-campus Airbnbs or rural properties. They use encrypted apps with disappearing messages. They frame violent acts as “optional” team-building workouts. They coach members on what to say if investigated. The core truth remains: if your child feels coerced, endangered, or humiliated to join or stay in a group, it is hazing.

Texas Law and Your Family’s Rights: The Legal Framework

Families in Texas, including those in Nordheim and DeWitt County, are protected by some of the nation’s clearer anti-hazing statutes, but navigating the legal system requires understanding several layers of law.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37 (The Hazing Statute)
This is the cornerstone. Key provisions every Nordheim parent should know:

• Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): It does not matter if your child “agreed” to participate. The law recognizes that such agreement is not voluntary under intense peer pressure and power imbalance.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152): Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death—exactly the level of injury we see in cases like Bermudez’s kidney failure.
• Individual & Organizational Liability (§37.153): Both the people who commit hazing and the organization itself (fraternity, sorority, team) can be held criminally and civilly liable, especially if leadership authorized or knew about it.
• Immunity for Reporting (§37.154): A person who in good faith reports hazing or seeks medical help is immune from civil or criminal liability for their own minor involvement (like underage drinking). This “good Samaritan” protection is critical for saving lives.

Civil Lawsuits for Damages
A criminal case, pursued by the state, seeks to punish wrongdoers with fines or jail time. A civil lawsuit, which we file on behalf of victims, seeks to make the victim and family whole through financial compensation and to force institutional change. They are separate paths that can be pursued simultaneously. In a civil hazing case, we can seek damages from a wide range of liable parties:

• Individual Members: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
• The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, if it exists.
• The National Organization: Headquarters that collect dues, set policies, and too often ignore repeated patterns of abuse across chapters.
• The University: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known dangers, or Title IX violations if the hazing was sex-based.
• Third Parties: Landlords of unsafe properties, alcohol providers, or security companies.

Federal Overlays: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Campus Hazing Act
Federal law adds another layer of accountability. The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024) now requires universities receiving federal funds to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs. If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, Title IX mandates a university response. The Clery Act requires reporting of certain campus crimes, which can include hazing-related assaults.

The National Pattern: Why History Matters for Your Texas Case

The tragedy at the University of Houston is not an isolated incident. It is part of a decades-long, national pattern of abuse within specific organizations. When we take on a hazing case for a Nordheim family, we investigate this national history because it proves that the injuries were foreseeable—the national headquarters and the university knew or should have known the dangers based on what happened elsewhere.

Landmark Cases That Shape Today’s Litigation:

• Stone Foltz, Bowling Green State University (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A pledge died after being forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol. His family secured a $10 million settlement. This case shows the deadly script of “Big/Little” alcohol hazing.
• Timothy Piazza, Penn State University (Beta Theta Pi, 2017): A pledge died from traumatic brain injuries after a night of forced drinking, with brothers delaying help for hours. The case led to Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law and resulted in dozens of criminal convictions.
• Max Gruver, LSU (Phi Delta Theta, 2017): A pledge died during a “Bible study” drinking game. The Max Gruver Act made hazing a felony in Louisiana, and his family’s litigation exposed systemic failures.
• Danny Santulli, University of Missouri (Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): An 18-year-old pledge suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking. His family reached multi-million-dollar settlements with 22 different defendants, proving the wide net of liability.

These cases, and many others, create a playbook of institutional negligence: national fraternities with thick anti-hazing manuals they don’t enforce, universities that prioritize reputation over student safety, and local chapters that repeat the same deadly “traditions” year after year. When the same organization—like Pi Kappa Phi in the Bermudez case—has a history of fatal hazing (Andrew Coffey at Florida State, 2017), it powerfully demonstrates that the risk was known and preventable.

A Texas-Specific Focus: Where Nordheim Families Send Their Kids

Nordheim parents invest their hopes in their children’s education, often at Texas’s flagship institutions. Understanding the specific landscape and history at these schools is crucial. Our firm maintains what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a database of over 1,400 Greek organizations and their histories across the state—to inform our litigation. Here is how hazing manifests at the schools most relevant to our community.

Texas A&M University System (Including TAMU-Kingsville)

For families in the South Texas region, Texas A&M University-Kingsville is a major local institution, while many students also head to the flagship campus in College Station. The culture of tradition, especially within the Corps of Cadets and robust Greek systems, carries significant hazing risks.

• Recent Incidents & Culture: At the College Station campus, the Corps of Cadets has faced serious hazing allegations, including a 2023 lawsuit where a cadet alleged being bound in a “roasted pig” position. Fraternities like Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) have faced litigation over allegations that pledges were doused with industrial cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. These cases show hazing is not limited to alcohol but includes physically dangerous and degrading acts.
• Legal Jurisdiction for Nordheim Families: A hazing case originating from Texas A&M may involve investigations from University Police, the Bryan/College Station PD, or the county sheriff. Civil suits can be filed in Brazos County. The A&M System’s deep pockets and historical commitment to tradition make skilled, aggressive legal counsel essential.

University of Texas at Austin

As a top-tier public university, UT Austin attracts students from Nordheim and across Texas. Its Greek life is vast, and its spirit organizations are steeped in tradition.

• Notable Transparency & Patterns: UT Austin operates a public online dashboard of hazing violations, a relative rarity that provides valuable evidence. Recent entries show fraternities like Pi Kappa Alpha sanctioned for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sigma Alpha Epsilon at UT is currently defending a lawsuit from an Australian exchange student who suffered a broken leg and nose at a party, alleging a culture of violence.
• What This Means for Your Case: This public record is a double-edged sword. It proves the university has knowledge of ongoing issues, which strengthens negligence claims. For a Nordheim family, a case here would likely involve the UT Police Department and Austin courts, but our Houston-based firm is admitted to practice statewide and in federal courts, including those in Austin.

University of Houston (The Flagship Case)

The ongoing Bermudez litigation is the most current and severe example of hazing in Texas. It serves as a critical reference point for what is possible in terms of injury, institutional response, and legal recourse.

• The Bermudez Case as a Blueprint: As reported by ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit, the hazing was systematic, cruel, and life-threatening. The university labeled it “deeply disturbing,” and the national fraternity shuttered the chapter. The lawsuit targets not just the actors but every entity up the chain: active members, chapter officers, the housing corporation, Pi Kappa Phi nationals, and the UH System Board of Regents.
• Key Takeaway for Parents: This case demonstrates that even when a chapter is quickly suspended, the legal fight for full accountability and compensation for lifelong injuries is just beginning. It shows the importance of acting swiftly to preserve evidence like the “pledge fanny pack” and messages about “waterboarding” tactics before they disappear.

Other Texas Universities (Baylor, SMU, Texas Tech)

While perhaps less common destinations for Nordheim students, the patterns at these schools are instructive. Baylor has faced hazing scandals within its baseball program. Southern Methodist University (SMU) has suspended fraternities like Kappa Alpha Order for paddling and forced drinking. These incidents, often at private institutions, reinforce that no campus is immune, and the legal strategies for uncovering cover-ups and proving negligence are similar across the state.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories with Local Consequences

When a student in Texas is hazed, they are almost always being subjected to a ritual designed by a national organization with a long, troubling history. This history is not anecdotal; it is legal evidence. We use our research database to connect the dots between the chapter your child encountered and a national pattern of disregard for safety.

A Sample of High-Risk National Organizations with Texas Chapters:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): National history includes the Stone Foltz death ($10M settlement). Present at nearly every major Texas campus.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Often called the “deadliest fraternity” in America due to numerous hazing deaths. Faces active lawsuits at Texas A&M and UT Austin for severe injuries.
• Pi Kappa Phi: National history includes the Andrew Coffey death at FSU. Now the subject of our active, high-stakes litigation at the University of Houston.
• Phi Delta Theta: National history includes the Max Gruver death at LSU, which led to felony hazing laws.
• Kappa Alpha Order: Has faced repeated hazing suspensions, including at SMU, for paddling and alcohol hazing.

Why does this matter? In court, we can argue that the national organization had constructive notice. They knew their rituals and cultures were dangerous because people kept getting hurt and dying in identical ways at other chapters. Their failure to implement effective, enforced reforms—choosing instead to offer window-dressing “anti-hazing seminars”—constitutes gross negligence. This can pierce insurance coverage defenses and open the door for punitive damages designed to punish and deter.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and the Path to Accountability

If your family is facing this crisis, understanding the process can demystify it and help you make informed decisions. At Attorney911, we approach hazing cases with the same systematic rigor we used in the multi-billion-dollar BP Texas City explosion litigation.

Phase 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation & Investigation
This begins in the first 48 hours. We guide families to:

1. Secure Digital Evidence: Screenshot ALL group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), social media posts, and DMs. As we explain in our video on using your phone to document a legal case, this evidence is fragile and often deleted.
2. Document the Physical: Photograph injuries from multiple angles over several days. Save any physical objects used (paddles, bottles, clothing).
3. Identify Witnesses: List other pledges, members, roommates, or bystanders.
4. Obtain Medical Records: Secure all ER, hospital, and follow-up records that explicitly link the injuries to hazing.
5. Legal Demands & Subpoenas: We immediately send preservation letters to the university, fraternity, and members, demanding they retain all records. We then use subpoenas and public records requests to obtain internal chapter files, national fraternity risk-management reports, and prior university disciplinary records.

Phase 2: Identifying All Liable Parties & Insurance Coverage
We map the entire liability landscape using data like our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine. Who owns the house? What alumni corporation controls the funds? What is the relationship between the local chapter and the national headquarters? Crucially, we identify every potential insurance policy—from the national fraternity’s liability coverage to individual members’ homeowners’ policies. Here, Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney is invaluable. He knows how these companies fight to deny claims and how to overcome their “intentional act” exclusions by arguing negligent supervision.

Phase 3: Calculating Damages & Making a Demand
Hazing causes profound and lasting harm. We work with medical experts, psychologists, and economists to build a comprehensive picture of damages:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical bills, lost tuition if the student must withdraw, and loss of future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the ultimate tragedy, we seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and the family’s grief.
  We then present a detailed demand to the responsible parties, backed by our evidence and expert analysis.

Phase 4: Settlement or Trial
Most complex cases settle at mediation, avoiding a public trial. Our track record of multi-million-dollar settlements and our readiness to go to trial—honed in federal court—gives us the leverage to secure fair, confidential settlements that provide for the victim’s future and often mandate organizational reforms. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to present the case to a jury, as we have done throughout our 25-year history.

Critical Guides for Nordheim Parents, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Prioritize Health & Safety: Get medical care first. Trust your gut if your child’s “explanation” for injuries doesn’t add up.
2. Become an Evidence Keeper: Assume any digital evidence will be deleted. Screenshot everything your child shows you.
3. Document Your Timeline: Write down everything your child tells you, with dates and names.
4. Contact a Lawyer Before the University: The university’s primary interest is limiting its own liability. Have an advocate before you engage in their process.
5. Know the Critical Mistakes: Watch our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case. Do not sign university waivers, do not let your child delete messages, and do not post about the case on social media.

For Students: Is This Hazing? What Are My Rights?

• The Consent Myth: You cannot legally “consent” to being hazed in Texas. Peer pressure and the desire to belong do not make dangerous acts legal.
• How to Exit Safely: If you feel unsafe, you have the right to leave. Text a friend or parent your location first. Send a simple email to the chapter president: “I resign my membership, effective immediately.”
• How to Report: You can report anonymously to the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE) or to your university’s Dean of Students office. Texas law provides immunity for good-faith reporting, even if you were drinking underage.

Critical FAQ for Nordheim Families

• How long do we have to sue? The Texas statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. However, the clock can be complex, especially with ongoing cover-ups. Do not wait. Learn more in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.
• Can we afford a lawyer? We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we invest in your case upfront, and you pay no attorney fees unless we win a settlement or verdict for you. See how this works in our video on contingency fees.
• Will my child’s name be public? Most cases settle confidentially before a public filing. We use every legal tool to protect our clients’ privacy throughout the process.
• What if it happened off-campus? Location does not matter. Universities and national organizations have a duty to prevent foreseeable harm caused by their recognized groups, regardless of where the abuse occurs.

Why Attorney911 is the Right Firm for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family is facing a powerful university and a well-funded national fraternity, you need more than a generic personal injury firm. You need a team with proven experience in the most complex institutional litigation, a deep understanding of how these organizations operate and cover up misconduct, and a unwavering commitment to victim advocacy.

Our founding attorney, Ralph Manginello, has this experience. He was one of the few plaintiff’s attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on one of the world’s largest corporations. He is a member of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), giving him unique insight into the criminal defense strategies your child’s abusers may employ. He has over 25 years of experience recovering multi-million-dollar results in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases.

Our associate attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, brings a critical strategic advantage: he is a former insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He spent years on the other side, learning exactly how insurance companies for fraternities and universities evaluate claims, fight coverage, and undervalue injuries. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to build unassailable cases for our clients. He also provides fluent Spanish-language legal services, ensuring all Texas families have access to justice.

Our approach is defined by three principles:

1. Investigation Over Assumption: We use our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine and forensic tools to uncover the full truth, not just the surface story the university wants you to hear.
2. Accountability Over Quick Settlement: We seek reforms and punishments that prevent this from happening to another family, not just a fast check.
3. Empowerment Over Paternalism: We keep you informed at every step, explain your options clearly, and ensure you are the one making the decisions about your family’s future.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

For families in Nordheim, DeWitt County, and across South Texas, the path forward begins with a conversation. You need answers, and you deserve to know all your legal options from attorneys who have been here before.

We invite you to contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) for a free, completely confidential consultation. In this meeting, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story and review any evidence you have.
• Explain how Texas hazing law applies to your specific situation.
• Outline the investigative process and potential legal strategies.
• Answer all your questions about costs, timelines, and what to expect.
• Help you decide on the best path for your family’s healing and future.

You can reach us 24/7. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). You can also call direct at (713) 528-9070, or email managing partner Ralph Manginello at ralph@atty911.com. For Spanish-language services, you can contact Mr. Lupe Peña directly at lupe@atty911.com.

The courage to seek help and accountability is the first step toward healing and ensuring no other family endures this pain. Let us use our experience, resources, and determination to fight for you.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. The outcome of any case depends on its specific facts and applicable law. We encourage you to seek direct legal counsel for advice on your particular situation.