Hazing Litigation Guide for Normangee, Leon County Texas Families: Rights, Resources & Accountability

If Your Child Was Hazed in Texas, You Are Not Alone

For parents in Normangee, Normangee families across Leon County, and throughout Central Texas, sending a child to college at Texas A&M University, the University of Houston, or any other Texas campus fills you with pride and hope. Then comes the call, the visit home, or the hospital notification that shatters that hope. Your child—the one you raised to be strong, smart, and kind—has been injured, humiliated, or traumatized by a group they trusted. The words “hazing incident” suddenly define your family’s reality. The confusion, anger, and fear are overwhelming. You’re dealing with a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or athletic team that circles the wagons, a university that promises an “internal investigation,” and a future that feels frighteningly uncertain.

Right now, in Texas, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student and pledge of the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to the complaint detailed in media reports from Click2Houston and ABC13, Bermudez was subjected to months of degrading and violent hazing. This included carrying a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” 24/7, being hog-tied, sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced to consume milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and subjected to extreme workouts. The physical toll culminated in rhabdomyolysis—severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown, he was hospitalized for four days, and he faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended and then shut down. The University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

This is not an isolated story from a faraway campus. It is a Texas case, unfolding at a major university where students from Normangee and Leon County study. It is proof that the most severe forms of hazing are happening here, now, in our state. This guide is for you—the parents, grandparents, and families in Normangee, Centerville, Buffalo, and across Texas who need answers, strategic guidance, and a path to accountability when tradition turns into trauma.

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:

1. Get Medical Attention: Go to the ER immediately for any injury, intoxication, or psychological distress.
2. Preserve Evidence: Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, texts, Instagram DMs). Photograph injuries from multiple angles. Save any physical items (clothing, paddles, receipts). Do not delete anything.
3. Document: Write down everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations, specific acts—while memories are fresh.
4. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team.
   • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Let your child “clean up” their phone or social media.

Contact an experienced Texas hazing attorney within 24-48 hours. Evidence disappears rapidly. Universities and organizations move quickly to control narratives. We can help you preserve the evidence that builds a case and protects your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: From “Tradition” to Trauma

Hazing is not a harmless prank or a simple rite of passage. It is a calculated exercise of power and control that endangers physical and mental health. For families, understanding its modern forms is the first step toward recognition and action.

The Texas Legal Definition

Under Texas Education Code Chapter 37, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership in an organization that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student.

Critically, Texas law states that the victim’s “consent” is not a defense. The power imbalance, peer pressure, and desire for belonging create an environment where true, voluntary consent is impossible.

The Modern Hazing Spectrum

Today’s hazing often blends digital coercion with physical and psychological abuse.

• Alcohol & Substance Hazing: The leading cause of death. This includes forced drinking games (“lineups,” “Bible study”), chugging contests, and coerced consumption of drugs or unknown substances.
• Physical Hazing: Paddling, beatings, “smokings” (extreme calisthenics), sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme elements, and forced consumption of inedible or excessive food (like the hot dogs and milk in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case).
• Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes or positions, and acts involving racial or sexist slurs and role-play.
• Psychological & Digital Hazing: Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, and “silent treatment.” Digitally, this includes 24/7 group chat monitoring, forced social media posts, geo-tracking demands, and public shaming via TikTok or Instagram.

This occurs not only in fraternities and sororities but in Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, spirit groups (like cheerleading), marching bands, and other campus organizations. The common thread is a culture of secrecy, tradition, and power imbalance.

The Texas Legal Framework: Criminal Penalties and Civil Liability

When hazing occurs, two parallel legal paths exist: the criminal justice system and the civil court system. Understanding both is crucial for Normangee families seeking accountability.

Texas Criminal Hazing Law

• 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.
• Immunity for Reporting: Texas law protects those who, in good faith, report hazing or call for medical help.

Civil Lawsuits for Accountability & Recovery

A civil case, separate from any criminal charges, is how victims and families seek compensation and force institutional change. It holds every responsible party accountable. Potential defendants include:

1. The Individuals Who Planned and Executed the Hazing.
2. The Local Chapter as an entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization. Their liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents at other chapters—a pattern we aggressively investigate.
4. The University. Public universities like Texas A&M or UH have some legal protections (sovereign immunity), but they can be sued for gross negligence, Title IX violations, or negligent supervision. Private schools like Baylor and SMU have fewer immunity barriers.
5. Third Parties: Property owners, landlords of off-campus houses, or alcohol providers.

The Federal Overlay: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Hazing Act

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, schools have a legal duty to respond promptly and equitably.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain campus crimes, which can include hazing-related assaults.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires increased transparency in hazing reporting and prevention by 2026, giving families more leverage to demand accountability.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Predict Tragedy

The horrific case at UH is not an anomaly. It follows a decades-long pattern of preventable tragedies. These national cases shape the legal landscape and show what negligence looks like.

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid-acceptance drinking night. Brothers delayed calling 911. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, civil suits, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game. Result: Felony hazing convictions and Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. Result: $10 million in total settlements from the national fraternity and university, and criminal convictions.
• Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning at a “Big Brother” event, the same national fraternity involved in the UH case.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking. Result: Multi-million dollar settlements with 22 defendants.

The Common Threads: Forced drinking, delayed medical care, institutional knowledge of risks, and a culture of secrecy. These cases prove that when families and skilled attorneys persist, they can secure justice and drive legislative change.

The Texas University Landscape: Where Normangee Families Send Their Kids

Students from Normangee and Leon County attend universities across Texas. Each campus has its own Greek life ecosystem, history of incidents, and accountability protocols. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks the organizations behind these campuses.

The Local & Regional Connection: Texas A&M University

For many Normangee families, Texas A&M University in Bryan-College Station is the most prominent and likely destination. It’s a short drive away, and its culture—especially the Corps of Cadets—is deeply influential across our region.

Snapshot: A massive Greek life system and a tradition-heavy Corps of Cadets. The culture emphasizes loyalty and tradition, which can sometimes mask abusive behaviors.

Documented Incidents & Patterns:

• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A former cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, highlighting physical and psychological abuse within the military-style program.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged being covered with substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and a $1 million lawsuit was filed.
• Ongoing Concerns: The university’s size and the insular nature of some groups can make reporting difficult. The emphasis on “tradition” is often used to justify abusive behavior.

What Normangee Families with Children at A&M Should Know:

• Reporting can go to the Texas A&M Student Conduct Office, the Commandant’s Office (for Corps issues), or the Texas A&M University Police Department.
• Civil cases may involve the Brazos County court system.
• The pattern of prior incidents at A&M, especially within the Corps and specific fraternities like SAE, is critical evidence in proving an organization’s reckless disregard for safety.

Statewide Universities with Normangee Connections

Families also send students to other major Texas hubs. The same national organizations operate there, with similar risks.

University of Houston (UH)

• Recent Major Case: The Leonel Bermudez Pi Kappa Phi case is our flagship example of severe, ongoing litigation.
• Prior History: Incidents involving other fraternities, including a Pi Kappa Alpha case where a pledge suffered a lacerated spleen.
• For Normangee Families: UH is a major commuter and residential school. Cases often involve Houston Police and are litigated in Harris County courts. The public nature of the Bermudez lawsuit demonstrates that even large universities can be held accountable.

University of Texas at Austin (UT)

• Transparency: UT maintains a public Hazing Violations log, showing sanctions against groups like Pi Kappa Alpha (for forced milk consumption and calisthenics) and various spirit organizations.
• SAE Assault Case (2024): A lawsuit alleges a student was assaulted at an SAE party, suffering a dislocated leg, broken nose, and other injuries.
• For Normangee Families: UT’s public log is a powerful tool. Prior violations listed there can prove a pattern of known, unaddressed misconduct, strengthening a civil case.

Baylor University & Southern Methodist University (SMU)

• As private schools, their internal processes differ, but they are not immune to liability.
• Baylor has faced hazing allegations within its baseball program.
• SMU has suspended chapters, like Kappa Alpha Order, for paddling and alcohol hazing.
• For Normangee Families: Private universities may try to keep matters confidential, but through litigation, discovery can uncover internal reports and prior warnings.

The Greek Ecosystem in Texas: Tracking the Organizations Behind the Letters

When hazing occurs, finding every liable entity is crucial. National fraternities and sororities are complex networks of undergraduate chapters, housing corporations, and alumni associations. We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public records to map this ecosystem. For Normangee families, this means we don’t start from scratch; we already know how to find the organizations that may share responsibility.

Public Records: Fraternity, Sorority & Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses

Our directory includes hundreds of Texas-registered entities. Here is a snapshot relevant to campuses where Normangee students study:

Organizations with Texas A&M Connections (IRS B83 & Cause IQ Data):

• Gentlemen of Aggie Tradition, EIN 880537463, College Station, TX 77845 (Cause IQ: College Station Metro)
• Beta Theta Pi – Eta Chapter House Corp., College Station, TX (Cause IQ: College Station Metro)
• Sigma Chi Fraternity – Eta Upsilon Chapter, College Station, TX (Cause IQ: College Station Metro)
• Delta Sigma Theta – Brazos Valley Alumnae, College Station, TX (Cause IQ: College Station Metro)

Major National Brands with Texas-Wide Presence (IRS-Cause IQ Overlap):

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority: Found in IRS records in Waco (EIN 364091267) and Commerce (EIN 752609909), and in Cause IQ data for Houston and Beaumont metros.
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity: Found in IRS records in Prairie View (EIN 237279532) and Dallas (EIN 521278573), and in Cause IQ data for Beaumont alumni chapters.
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity: IRS record in Nederland, TX (EIN 746064445), linked to Cause IQ listings for Houston districts and Beaumont alumni chapters.

Statewide Scope: Our data tracks over 1,400 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros, from the 510 in Dallas-Fort Worth to the 42 in the Bryan-College Station metro. This investigative depth is why we can quickly identify the housing corporation, alumni foundation, or national headquarters that may bear legal and insurance responsibility for a hazing incident at a Texas A&M, UH, or UT chapter.

Why National Histories Matter: Foreseeability and Pattern

The national organization of Pi Kappa Phi (involved in the UH case) had a prior fatal hazing incident at Florida State University in 2017. This history is not a coincidence; it’s a pattern. When we take a case, we investigate the national organization’s complete history:

• Have there been prior hazing deaths or injuries at other chapters?
• Did the national headquarters receive warnings or complaints?
• Were their anti-hazing policies merely “paper policies,” or were they enforced?

This “pattern and practice” evidence is powerful. It shows a court that the harm was foreseeable and that the national organization’s failure to act was reckless.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Building a successful hazing case requires an investigative approach that anticipates defense tactics and uncovers the full truth. This is where our experience in complex litigation against billion-dollar defendants becomes critical.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

1. Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, and Discord chats are the modern “smoking gun.” We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages that show planning, coercion, and cover-ups.
2. Photos & Videos: Content shared on social media or in private group chats depicting the hazing acts.
3. Medical Records: Documentation of injuries (ER reports, lab tests for rhabdomyolysis or toxicology, psychological evaluations for PTSD) creates an indisputable record of harm.
4. Internal Organizational Records: Obtained through subpoena, these can include pledge manuals, meeting minutes, risk management reports, and correspondence with national headquarters.
5. University Records: Prior disciplinary reports on the same group, obtained via discovery or public records requests, prove the institution had knowledge of a dangerous pattern.

Overcoming Common Institutional Defenses

We know how fraternities, sororities, and universities defend these cases. Our strategy is built to counter them:

• Defense: “The Victim Consented.” Our Counter: Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense. We demonstrate the power imbalance and coercion inherent in the pledge process.
• Defense: “This Was a Rogue Chapter; National Didn’t Know.” Our Counter: We subpoena national headquarters records to prove prior incidents created “constructive knowledge” of the risk. The pattern in the Pi Kappa Phi national history is a prime example.
• Defense: “It Happened Off-Campus, Not Our Responsibility.” Our Counter: We establish liability based on sponsorship, control, and the foreseeable nature of off-campus hazing. The Pi Delta Psi national fraternity was criminally convicted for a hazing death at a remote retreat.
• Defense: “Our Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts.” Our Counter: We argue that the negligence—the failure to supervise, train, or intervene—is what’s covered. We identify all potential insurance policies and are prepared for coverage battles.

Recoverable Damages for Victims and Families

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim whole and hold wrongdoers accountable. Recoverable damages can include:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity (especially critical for catastrophic injuries like brain damage or permanent disability).
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, humiliation, anxiety, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship, love, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence or malicious conduct, these damages punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

As seen in national cases like Stone Foltz ($10M) and Max Gruver ($6.1M verdict), juries and settlements recognize the profound toll of hazing. Our role is to meticulously document every dimension of this harm.

Practical Guides for Normangee Parents, Students, and Witnesses

A Guide for Parents: Recognizing and Responding

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation.
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities.
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Requests for money for unexplained “fines” or purchases.

What to Do:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’m worried about you. Is anything happening that feels unsafe or humiliating?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages and photograph injuries. Write down a timeline.
4. Seek Legal Counsel Before Reporting: An attorney can guide you on how to report to the university or police without compromising a future case. Contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for this strategic guidance.

A Guide for Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No tradition justifies abuse.
• “Consent” is Not a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card: Texas law protects you even if you felt pressured to agree.
• How to Exit Safely: You can quit. Send a clear email or text: “I resign my membership/pledgeship effective immediately.” Tell a trusted adult first.
• How to Report: Options include the Dean of Students, campus police, or anonymous hotlines like 1-888-NOT-HAZE.
• Preserve Evidence: Screenshot everything. Take photos. Save clothing. Do not delete anything, even if embarrassed.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

We have a video dedicated to common client mistakes. Avoid these:

1. Deleting evidence (texts, photos, social media posts).
2. Confronting the organization directly, which triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
3. Signing a university “resolution agreement” without an attorney’s review—it may waive your right to sue.
4. Posting details on public social media, which can be used against you.
5. Waiting too long. Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury, but evidence vanishes quickly. Don’t wait. Watch our video on statutes of limitation.

Why Attorney911 for Your Texas Hazing Case

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates with the specific experience, resources, and determination to take on powerful institutions. As the attorneys leading the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, we are actively fighting this battle right now in Texas courts.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers undervalue claims, deploy delay tactics, and fight coverage. We know their playbook because we used to run it. Learn more about Mr. Peña’s background.
• Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on a billion-dollar corporation. We are not intimidated by the deep pockets of national fraternities or universities. Learn more about Ralph’s experience.
• Data-Driven Investigation: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—tracking over 1,400 Greek entities—means we don’t start from zero. We know how to find the housing corporations, alumni chapters, and national headquarters that share liability.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal hazing process, allowing us to effectively advise clients navigating parallel proceedings.
• Full-Service Catastrophic Injury Firm: Hazing cases involve serious injury and wrongful death. Our daily work involves wrongful death claims, brain injury cases, and life-care planning. We have the medical and economic expert network to fully value your case.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is a fluent Spanish speaker, ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.

Our Promise to Normangee and Texas Families

We approach each case with a clear mission: to obtain maximum accountability for your family and to force changes that prevent future tragedies. We invest our own resources into a thorough investigation, from digital forensics to deposing national executives. We fight the insurance coverage battles so you don’t have to.

We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. Watch our video explaining how contingency fees work.

Call to Action: Your First Step Toward Answers and Accountability

If you are a parent in Normangee, Leon County, or anywhere in Texas, and you suspect or know your child has been hazed, the most important step is the first one. Do not let confusion or fear paralyze you. Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, and institutions close ranks.

Contact Attorney911 for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will:

1. Listen to your story with empathy and without judgment.
2. Review any evidence you have gathered.
3. Explain the legal landscape, your family’s rights, and all potential options.
4. Discuss the investigation process and what to expect.
5. Answer your questions about costs, timelines, and strategy.

You are not alone. The Bermudez family trusted us with their fight for justice at the University of Houston. Let us help you with yours.

Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Se habla Español.

Legal Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is fact-specific, and outcomes depend on the unique circumstances. Hazing laws and university policies are subject to change. If you believe your child has been a victim of hazing, you should promptly consult with a qualified attorney to discuss your legal rights and options.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.