The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits & Accountability for East Texas Families: A Resource for Overton, Rusk County & Beyond

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone

A parent in Overton gets a late-night call. Their son, a freshman at a Texas university, is slurring his words, confused, and in pain. He mutters something about a “pledge night” and not wanting to “get the brothers in trouble.” When pressed, he admits he was forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol during a fraternity ritual. He’s now vomiting, disoriented, and terrified—not just of his physical state, but of retaliation if he seeks help. Meanwhile, in a group chat on his phone, brothers are already coordinating a story, deleting messages, and warning pledges to “stick to the script.”

This is not a hypothetical. This is the modern reality of hazing in Texas, and it’s happening right now to students from Overton, Henderson, Longview, and across East Texas who attend colleges statewide. The culture of secrecy and institutional protection is powerful, but Texas law and experienced legal counsel provide a path to accountability, safety, and recovery.

At Attorney911, we are currently fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, and 13 individual members of the Beta Nu chapter. The allegations are stark: forced humiliating rituals, extreme physical abuse including being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and workouts so severe they caused rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, leading to a four-day hospitalization. This case, unfolding in Harris County just hours from Overton, is proof that the most dangerous hazing is not a relic of the past—it’s a present and active threat to Texas students.

This comprehensive guide is written for parents and families in Overton, Rusk County, and throughout East Texas who need to understand the harsh truths about campus hazing, the legal framework that governs it, and the practical steps to protect their children and pursue justice.

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. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For families in Overton, “hazing” might conjure images of outdated movie scenes. The reality in 2025 is more systematic, digitally enabled, and psychologically complex. Texas law (Education Code § 37.151) defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. Consent is not a defense.

Modern hazing falls into three escalating tiers:

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing & Digital Control

• Mandatory Servitude: Acting as a 24/7 on-call driver, cleaner, or errand-runner for older members.
• Social Isolation: Being cut off from non-member friends and family.
• Digital Harassment: Required constant monitoring of GroupMe or WhatsApp chats, with instant response demands at all hours. Forced location sharing via Snapchat Maps or Find My Friends.
• “Voluntary” Tasks: Humiliating scavenger hunts or public dares framed as “optional” but carrying severe social consequences for refusal.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing

• Sleep Deprivation: Late-night “study sessions” or 3 AM wake-up calls for meaningless tasks.
• Forced Consumption: Eating excessive amounts of bland food (milk, hot dogs, raw onions) or disgusting concoctions until vomiting.
• Verbal Abuse & “Grillings”: Hours-long interrogation sessions designed to degrade and break down pledges.
• Extreme “Workouts”: Calisthenics (“smokings”) far beyond normal exercise, like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats alleged in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case.

Tier 3: Violent & Life-Threatening Hazing

• Forced/Coerced Alcohol Consumption: “Big/Little” nights, “family tree” drinking games, lineups, or keg stands where refusal means expulsion. This is the leading cause of hazing deaths nationwide.
• Physical Assault: Paddling, beatings, branding, or being tied up.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, or sexual assault.
• Dangerous Environments: Exposure to extreme cold, being locked in confined spaces, or dangerous “rituals” like the “glass ceiling” tackle that killed Chun Deng at a Pi Delta Psi retreat.

Hazing is not confined to fraternities. It occurs in sororities, athletic teams, Corps of Cadets programs at schools like Texas A&M, marching bands, spirit groups, and other campus organizations. For East Texas students, the risk exists wherever there is a power imbalance between new members and veterans, exacerbated by tradition and secrecy.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: A Framework for Overton Families

Texas has specific statutes that govern hazing, and they apply whether the incident occurs in Overton, at a university, or at an off-campus retreat. Understanding this framework is the first step toward accountability.

The Texas Education Code: Chapter 37, Subchapter F

• § 37.151 – Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for purposes of initiation or affiliation. It can occur on or off campus.
• § 37.152 – Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing.
• § 37.155 – Consent is NOT a Defense: Even if a student “agreed” to participate, it is not a legal defense to hazing charges. The law recognizes the coercive power of peer pressure and group dynamics.
• § 37.154 – Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Those who report hazing in good faith to authorities are protected from civil or criminal liability that might stem from the report. Many universities extend this to medical amnesty policies to encourage calling 911.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (e.g., Rusk County District Attorney, Harris County DA). The goal is punishment—fines, probation, or jail time. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.
• Civil Lawsuits: Brought by the victim or their family. The goal is compensation for damages and institutional accountability. This is where families can recover medical costs, compensate for pain and suffering, and force changes in policy. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil suit. Our representation of Leonel Bermudez against UH and Pi Kappa Phi is a prime example of a high-stakes civil hazing lawsuit.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Case?

A thorough investigation, like those we conduct at Attorney911, looks at every potentially liable party:

1. Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As an organization, if it authorized or permitted the conduct.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority: Headquarters can be liable for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, or having prior knowledge of dangerous patterns. In the Bermudez case, Pi Kappa Phi’s national organization is a defendant.
4. The University: Schools like UH, Texas A&M, or UT can face claims for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or Title IX violations if hazing is sexualized.
5. Third Parties: Property owners of off-campus houses, landlords, or social event hosts.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Echo in Texas

The tragedies that have made national headlines are not isolated. They reveal predictable, repeating patterns that Texas families must recognize.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid-acceptance night of forced drinking. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. Result: Dozens of criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.”
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. Result: A $10 million settlement, with individual chapter president ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died during a “Bible study” drinking game. Result: The Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making hazing a felony.

The Physically Violent Ritual Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from head injuries during a blindfolded “glass ceiling” tackling ritual at a retreat. Result: The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

The Institutional Failure Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread allegations of sexualized and racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, coach firings, and confidential settlements, proving hazing extends far beyond Greek life.

These cases establish critical legal precedents: national organizations can be held liable, universities are not immune, and individual perpetrators face life-altering consequences. The same fraternities involved in these national cases—Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta—have active chapters at Texas universities attended by students from Overton.

The Texas University Landscape: Where Overton Students Are at Risk

Students from Overton and Rusk County attend universities across Texas. Each campus has its own Greek ecosystem, history of incidents, and administrative response.

Public Records: The Greek Organizational Network Surrounding Overton Families

If you are a parent in Overton, you deserve to know who stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. Attorney911 maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public IRS filings, university data, and metro records. This investigative directory includes organizations like:

• Pi Kappa Phi – Beta Nu Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing).
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc., EIN 27-3662583, Lufkin, TX 75904 (IRS B83 filing).
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. – Theta Delta, 5019 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing).
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75799 (IRS B83 filing).
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Mu Zeta, 1205 Monroe St, Commerce, TX 75428 (IRS B83 filing).

Statewide, our data tracks over 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros. In the broader Shreveport-Bossier City metro area, which influences East Texas, numerous Greek alumni and graduate chapters operate. This network of legally recognized entities is often where insurance coverage and liability reside.

Universities Relevant to Overton & East Texas Families

Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches)

• Proximity to Overton: The closest public university to Overton, a common choice for local students.
• Greek Life & Public Records: IRS filings show active Greek housing corporations in Nacogdoches, including the Epsilon Tau Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity (EIN 75-6053083) and the Chi Omega Fraternity – Epsilon Zeta (EIN 75-6041410).
• Considerations: As a regional campus, investigations and lawsuits may be filed in Nacogdoches County courts. Parents should be aware of both local chapter and national organization liability.

University of Texas at Tyler

• Regional Hub: A growing university attracting East Texas students.
• Data Point: Hosts a chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (EIN 35-2335400), demonstrating the embedded nature of Greek-letter organizations.

Major Statewide Universities (Common Destinations from Overton)
Overton families also send students to large flagship schools, each with dense Greek ecosystems documented in our files:

• Texas A&M University (College Station): The Brazos Valley metro has 42 Greek organizations. The Corps of Cadets has faced serious hazing lawsuits, including a 2023 case alleging cadets were bound in a “roasted pig” position. Sigma Alpha Epsilon at A&M was sued in 2021 over allegations pledges suffered chemical burns from industrial cleaner.
• University of Texas at Austin: The Austin metro has 154 Greek organizations. UT maintains a public hazing violations log, listing sanctions against groups like Pi Kappa Alpha for forced milk consumption and calisthenics.
• University of Houston: Our flagship case against UH and Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter illustrates the severe risks. The Houston metro has 188 Greek organizations. UH has suspended multiple chapters for hazing violations in recent years.
• Baylor University & Southern Methodist University: These private schools have their own Greek histories and liability profiles. SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended for paddling and forced drinking in 2017.

For an Overton family, a hazing incident at Texas A&M or UT may involve navigating courts in Brazos or Travis Counties, but our firm’s statewide practice and co-counsel network ensure effective representation regardless of location.

National Fraternity & Sorority Histories: Why the “Letters” Matter

When a student from Overton is hazed by a fraternity at a Texas university, that chapter is almost always part of a national organization with a known history. This history is not just background—it’s evidence.

Pattern Evidence & Foreseeability: In litigation, we demonstrate that national headquarters knew or should have known their chapters were at high risk for specific, repeated behaviors. For example:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): The national organization has faced repeated, nearly identical “Big/Little” night alcohol hazing deaths (Stone Foltz at BGSU) and serious injuries. When a Pike chapter at UT or another Texas school engages in forced drinking, the national’s prior knowledge is a powerful liability factor.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Once dubbed the “deadliest fraternity” by media, SAE has a long pattern of alcohol-related hazing incidents across the country, including lawsuits at Texas A&M and UT Austin.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): The national fraternity we are currently suing in the Bermudez case had prior knowledge from the alcohol-poisoning death of pledge Andrew Coffey at Florida State University in 2017.

These national patterns help defeat common defenses like “this was a rogue chapter” or “we didn’t know.” Our data engine helps us trace these connections directly from the chapter in Texas back to the national headquarters.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Winning a hazing case requires converting painful experience into legally admissible evidence. Our approach at Attorney911, honed over decades of complex litigation, is systematic and aggressive.

Critical Evidence Categories

1. Digital Evidence: GroupMe, WhatsApp, and iMessage chats are the modern minute books of hazing. We secure screenshots and use digital forensics to recover deleted messages. Social media posts, Instagram stories, and Snapchat content are also vital.
2. Medical Documentation: Immediate ER records are crucial. In the Bermudez case, lab reports proving critically high creatine kinase levels documented the rhabdomyolysis and kidney damage. Ongoing psychological evaluations diagnose PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
3. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and RAs can provide essential accounts. We know how to interview witnesses to uncover the truth while protecting them from retaliation.
4. Institutional Records: Through discovery, we obtain the university’s prior conduct files on the chapter, communications with the national headquarters, and internal investigation reports. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine gives us a head start on this research.

The Attorney911 Advantage in Hazing Litigation

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. We use this insider knowledge to counter their strategies and maximize recovery for our clients.
• Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by billion-dollar corporations or wealthy national fraternities. We have the federal court experience and resources to take them on.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Insight: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal hazing process, which often runs parallel to civil cases. We can effectively advise clients navigating both systems.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is a fluent Spanish speaker, ensuring Hispanic families in Overton and across Texas have full access to legal counsel and understanding.

Recoverable Damages for Hazing Victims

A successful civil lawsuit can recover compensation for:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, therapy), lost wages, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, humiliation, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship, love, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly egregious or reckless conduct, courts may award damages intended to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Practical Guide for Overton Parents & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme physical or mental exhaustion.
• Sudden secrecy about organizational activities.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Personality changes: withdrawal, anxiety, depression, or anger.
• Financial requests for unexplained “fines” or “dues.”

What to Do:

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: Get medical attention immediately for any injury or intoxication.
2. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot ALL digital communications. Photograph injuries. Do not let them delete anything.
3. Document Everything: Write a detailed timeline of what you were told, with names, dates, and locations.
4. Consult an Attorney Before Reporting: Contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911. We can advise on the strategic order of reporting to campus police, local police, or the Dean of Students to best protect your child’s rights and the integrity of the evidence.
5. Do Not Sign University Paperwork: Universities may offer “internal resolution.” Do not sign any releases or agreements without an attorney’s review.

For Students: Your Rights & Safety

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No tradition is worth your life or health.
• “Consent” is Not a Defense: Texas law protects you even if you felt pressured to agree.
• How to Exit Safely: You can quit at any time. Send a clear, written resignation and inform a trusted adult or campus authority. Do not attend “one last meeting.”
• Good Faith Reporting: Texas law and most school policies protect you from disciplinary action if you call 911 or report hazing in a medical emergency.

Critical Mistakes That Can Damage a Case

• Deleting digital evidence.
• Confronting the chapter directly, giving them time to destroy evidence and coordinate stories.
• Posting about the incident on social media.
• Signing a quick settlement offer from a university or insurance adjuster without legal advice.
• Waiting too long. Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury, but evidence vanishes quickly.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Hazing Case?

When your family in Overton faces the trauma of hazing, you need advocates who combine deep legal expertise with a relentless drive for accountability. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) is not a high-volume personal injury mill. We are trial-tested complex litigation attorneys who choose to take on the difficult cases against powerful opponents.

We are currently on the front lines, fighting for Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We see firsthand the tactics institutions use to deny, delay, and deflect. We also see the profound physical and psychological damage hazing inflicts. Our mission is to secure justice for our clients and, by doing so, force the systemic changes that will protect the next generation of students from Overton and beyond.

Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, brings over 25 years of experience, federal court credentials, and a background in high-stakes cases like the BP Texas City disaster. Our associate, Mr. Lupe Peña, brings invaluable insight from his years defending insurance companies, fluency in Spanish for Hispanic families, and a fierce commitment to plaintiff-side advocacy.

We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases: you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.

Call Us for a Free, Confidential Consultation

If you suspect your child has been hazed at any Texas university—whether it’s Stephen F. Austin, Texas A&M, UT, UH, or any other campus—you do not have to navigate this crisis alone. The institutions involved have teams of lawyers; you deserve dedicated, experienced advocates on your side.

Contact Attorney911 today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, explain your legal options in clear terms, and help you make informed decisions about protecting your child’s future and holding the responsible parties accountable.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are here to help, 24/7.

Se habla Español. Pregunte por el Sr. Lupe Peña.

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 | lupe@atty911.com