Sanger Families’ Guide to Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: Understanding Fraternity, Sorority & Campus Accountability

Your Child Was Hazed in Texas. What Do You Do Now?

It’s late, and your phone rings. Your child, a freshman at a Texas university, is calling from a hospital emergency room. Their words are slurred, they’re confused, and they’re terrified. Between sobs, they describe being forced to drink, enduring humiliating acts, or collapsing during a brutal “workout” meant to “prove their dedication.” As a parent in Sanger, your world narrows to a single, horrifying question: How did this happen to my child, and who is responsible?

Right now, in Texas, we at Attorney911 are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country on behalf of a young man named Leonel Bermudez and his family. His story is not an isolated incident from a distant state; it unfolded at the University of Houston (UH), involving the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter.

According to a detailed ABC13 Eyewitness News report, Bermudez’s fall 2025 pledge period allegedly included being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, and a November 3 workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats that left him physically broken. The result was a medical catastrophe: rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, leading to a four-day hospitalization with brown urine and critically high creatine kinase levels.

As reported by Click2Houston, the chapter was swiftly suspended and then shut down, with UH calling the conduct “deeply disturbing.” We represent Bermudez in this $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against UH, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the chapter’s housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

This case is the stark, local proof that severe, injurious hazing is not a relic of the past or a problem confined to other states. It is happening here in Texas, to students from communities like Sanger, Denton, and across the DFW Metroplex. This guide is written for you—the parents and families in Sanger—to cut through the confusion, secrecy, and institutional stonewalling that too often follows hazing. We will explain what hazing looks like today, the Texas laws that protect your child, the organizations operating on campuses where Sanger students enroll, and the legal pathways to accountability and recovery.

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 are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

In the first 48 hours:

1. Get Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” seek evaluation. Internal injuries like rhabdomyolysis can be fatal.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It’s Deleted: Screenshot group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), text messages, and social media posts. Photograph injuries from multiple angles. Save any physical items (clothing, paddles, receipts).
3. Document Everything: Write down who, what, when, and where while memories are fresh.
4. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
   • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears rapidly. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like at Texas Schools

Hazing is no longer just about “hell week” or paddling in a basement. It has evolved into a complex mix of psychological coercion, digital control, and physical abuse, often disguised as “team building” or “tradition.” For Sanger families, understanding these modern tactics is the first step in recognizing the danger.

A Modern, Texas-Specific Definition

Under Texas law (Education Code Chapter 37), hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, affiliating with, or maintaining membership in an organization, that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
• This includes forced alcohol consumption, physical brutality, sleep deprivation, and severe psychological intimidation.

Crucially, “consent” is not a defense in Texas. The power imbalance between pledges and members, coupled with the desire for belonging, means true voluntary consent often does not exist.

The Tactics Sanger Students May Face

• Alcohol & Substance Hazing: The most common and deadly. This includes “family tree” drinking games, “Big/Little” reveals with handles of liquor, and forced consumption during lineups or trivia where wrong answers mean drinking.
• Physical & “Wellness” Hazing: Extreme calisthenics (“smokings”) that lead to rhabdomyolysis (as in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case), forced exposure to elements, sleep deprivation, and paddling or beatings.
• Psychological & Digital Hazing: 24/7 control via group chats (GroupMe, Discord), forced social media humiliation, isolation from non-members, public degradation sessions, and geo-tracking demands.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, and degrading rituals designed to humiliate.

These activities occur in fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, spirit groups like Texas Cowboys or Aggie Bonfire crews, Corps of Cadets units, marching bands, and other campus organizations.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: A Framework for Sanger Families

When hazing injures your child, legal accountability can come through two parallel paths: criminal charges filed by the state, and a civil lawsuit filed by your family to seek justice and compensation. Understanding this framework is essential.

Texas Criminal Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

• Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing offense (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 Reporters: Texas law protects those who, in good faith, report hazing or call for medical help, even if they were involved.

The Civil Lawsuit: Holding All Responsible Parties Accountable

A civil case is about more than punishment; it’s about securing the resources for your child’s recovery and holding every negligent entity accountable. Potential defendants in a Texas hazing lawsuit include:

1. The Individual Perpetrators: The students who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: The fraternity, sorority, or team as an entity.
3. The National Organization: Headquarters that collect dues, set policies, and often have deep knowledge of prior similar incidents at other chapters. Their failure to adequately supervise can create liability.
4. The University: Schools like UH, Texas A&M, or UNT can be liable for negligent supervision, premises liability, or Title IX violations if they knew or should have known about a dangerous climate and failed to act.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, alumni advisors, or alcohol providers.

Federal Laws Overlaying Texas Cases

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, or creates a hostile environment based on sex, federal Title IX obligations are triggered.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including hazing-related assaults.
• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires increased transparency and reporting from universities receiving federal aid, phasing in through 2026.

The Greek Ecosystem Surrounding Sanger: A Data-Driven Look

Sanger families are part of a vast, interconnected Greek network in Texas. Using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from IRS public filings, university rosters, and metro-area data—we maintain an unparalleled understanding of the organizations that operate here. This isn’t theoretical; it’s based on publicly available records.

Where Sanger Families Send Their Kids: Campuses Close to Home and Across Texas

Students from Sanger and Denton County attend universities across the state, with many choosing schools in the North Texas region and major statewide hubs.

Local & Regional Campuses:

• University of North Texas (UNT) – Denton, TX
• Texas Woman’s University (TWU) – Denton, TX
• Texas A&M University-Commerce – Commerce, TX (Hunt County)
• Collin College – McKinney, Frisco, Plano
• North Central Texas College – Gainesville

Major Statewide University Hubs (Common Destinations):

• University of Texas at Austin (UT)
• Texas A&M University – College Station
• University of Houston (UH)
• Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Dallas
• Baylor University – Waco
• Texas Tech University – Lubbock
• Texas State University – San Marcos

Public Records Directory: Fraternity & Sorority Entities in the DFW Metro and Beyond

To show the scale and structure of Greek life that impacts Sanger families, here is a snapshot of organizations recorded in public filings. This is the type of data we use to investigate and build cases.

A Sample from IRS B83 Filings & Cause IQ Metro Data (DFW Area):

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – EIN 74-2911848 – Fort Worth, TX 76244
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 74-1380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Lambda Lambda Chapter – EIN 52-1278573 – Dallas, TX 75241
• Fort Worth Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. – EIN 75-2755600 – Fort Worth, TX 76101
• Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) National Headquarters – Dallas, TX Metro Area
• Chi Omega Educational Corporation – Fort Worth, TX Metro Area (TCU)
• Kappa Delta Sorority – Gamma Beta Chapter – Denton, TX (Texas Woman’s University)
• Zeta Sigma House Corporation of Kappa Kappa Gamma – EIN 75-2620706 – Dallas, TX 75223

Statewide, our data tracks over 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros, including 510 in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area alone. When a hazing incident occurs, we don’t start from zero. We already know how to identify the housing corporations, alumni chapters, and national entities that may share liability.

National Hazing Histories: Why What Happened at Bowling Green or LSU Matters in Sanger

The fraternity that hazes a student at UH or Texas A&M is often part of a national organization with a documented history of the same dangerous behaviors. This “pattern evidence” is powerful in court, showing that the harm was foreseeable.

Major National Cases with Texas Connections

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): The national organization behind Stone Foltz’s death at Bowling Green State University (2021), which resulted in a $10 million settlement. Pike chapters have been disciplined at UT Austin and other Texas schools.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Facing a traumatic brain injury lawsuit at the University of Alabama (2023). In Texas, the Texas A&M chapter was sued for allegedly causing severe chemical burns to pledges using industrial cleaner, resulting in skin graft surgeries.
• Phi Delta Theta: The fraternity involved in Max Gruver’s alcohol poisoning death at LSU (2017), which led to Louisiana’s “Max Gruver Act.” This same national organization operates chapters at UT, Texas A&M, and SMU.
• Pi Kappa Phi: The national fraternity currently being sued in the Leonel Bermudez UH case. It was also the organization behind Andrew Coffey’s death at Florida State University (2017).

These national histories matter because they demonstrate that organizations headquartered elsewhere have long been aware of the lethal risks of forced drinking and physical abuse—yet dangerous patterns persist in their Texas chapters.

Building a Hazing Case: The Attorney911 Investigative Approach

When you choose our firm, you get more than a lawyer; you get a dedicated investigative team with insider knowledge of how institutions fight back. Here’s how we build a winning case for Sanger families.

Evidence Collection: Preserving the Digital Crime Scene

Modern hazing is documented in real-time. Our evidence strategy includes:

• Digital Forensics: Recovering deleted group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord), text messages, and social media posts. We know how to obtain and preserve this data before it vanishes.
• Internal Documents: Subpoenaing national fraternity risk management files, chapter bylaws, pledge education materials, and communications between local and national officers.
• University Records: Using public records requests and discovery to obtain prior conduct violations, campus police reports, and internal emails about the involved organization.
• Medical & Expert Analysis: Working with physicians to document injuries like rhabdomyolysis, psychologists to diagnose PTSD, and economists to calculate lifelong impacts.

Overcoming Common Institutional Defenses

We anticipate and dismantle the standard defenses used by universities and national fraternities:

• “The Pledge Consented”: Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense. We demonstrate the coercive power imbalance.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We subpoena national records to show prior, similar incidents at other chapters, proving foreseeability and negligent supervision.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: Liability is not determined by zip code. We establish the university’s and national’s control over and benefit from the organization, regardless of where the abuse occurred.
• “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”: We show the gap between paper policies and actual enforcement, highlighting a culture of permissiveness.

Damages: Recovering What Your Family Has Lost

A civil lawsuit seeks to make your family whole and hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages can include:

• All Medical Expenses (past and future), including hospital stays, surgery, therapy, and long-term care.
• Lost Wages & Educational Costs for semesters missed or scholarships lost.
• Pain and Suffering for the physical and emotional trauma.
• Punitive Damages, in egregious cases, to punish the defendants and deter future conduct.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Sanger Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight change.
• Becoming secretive or defensive about organization activities.
• Constant, anxious monitoring of group chats.
• Personality changes: withdrawal, anxiety, depression.
• Sudden academic decline or missed classes.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’ve noticed you’re exhausted. Is everything okay with your [fraternity/team]?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there is immediate danger, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages and photos before they are deleted.
4. Seek Medical Care: Get a professional evaluation, even for hidden injuries.
5. Document Everything: Create a timeline with names, dates, and locations.
6. Contact a Lawyer Before Reporting: We can guide you on how to report to the university or police while protecting your child’s rights and evidence.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You Have the Right to Be Safe. No tradition is worth your health or life.
• You Can Leave. You have the legal right to resign your pledge or membership at any time.
• Texas Law Protects Good-Faith Reporters. You generally cannot be prosecuted for hazing if you are calling 911 or reporting to save someone from injury.
• Document Secretly: If you feel safe doing so, take screenshots, photos, or voice memos as evidence.
• Watch our video on using your phone to document evidence legally and effectively.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs)

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Hazing Case

1. Deleting Evidence: Do not let your child clear their phone. Those group chats are crucial.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms: These often waive your right to sue for fair compensation.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys scour social media for inconsistencies.
5. Waiting Too Long: Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury, but evidence disappears in days. Learn more about Texas statutes of limitations in our video.

FAQs for Sanger Families

Q: Can we sue a Texas university for hazing?
A: Yes. While public universities have certain immunities, exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer protections. The key is building a case that shows the university knew of risks and failed to act.

Q: What if the hazing happened at an off-campus house or Airbnb?
A: Location does not eliminate liability. National fraternities and universities that sponsor and supervise organizations can still be held responsible for activities that are a foreseeable part of membership.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis for injury cases. This means there are no upfront costs or hourly fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you. See our video explaining how contingency fees work.

Q: Will my child’s name be public?
A: We prioritize your family’s privacy. Most cases settle confidentially. If a lawsuit is filed, we can use pseudonyms or seek protective orders to shield identities.

Why Sanger Families Choose Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

When your family is in crisis, you need attorneys who understand both the profound emotional toll and the complex legal battlefield you are about to enter. At Attorney911, we combine deep Texas trial experience with a former insurance insider’s knowledge to fight for families like yours in Sanger, Denton County, and across Texas.

Our Unmatched Texas Hazing Litigation Team

• Ralph Manginello – Managing Partner: With over 25 years of experience, Ralph is a Houston Bar Association and Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) member. His background includes complex litigation against massive institutions, including involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. He understands how to face down well-funded university and fraternity defense teams. Learn more about Ralph’s background and credentials.
• Mr. Lupe Peña – Associate Attorney: Mr. Peña is a former insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows the exact tactics fraternity and university insurers use to deny, delay, and minimize claims. His insider knowledge is invaluable in securing full and fair compensation. He also provides fluent Spanish-language legal services. Learn about Mr. Peña’s insurance defense experience.

The Attorney911 Advantage for Texas Hazing Cases

1. Data-Driven Investigation: We don’t start from scratch. We use our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—tracking over 1,400 Greek entities—to immediately identify all potentially liable parties, from the local chapter to the national housing corporation.
2. Insider Insurance Knowledge: Mr. Peña’s defense background means we anticipate coverage arguments, counter lowball offers, and know how to compel insurers to pay.
3. Proven Record Against Institutions: From BP to national fraternities, we have experience taking on billion-dollar defendants with deep legal pockets.
4. Compassionate, Client-Focused Advocacy: We guide you through every step, protecting your child’s well-being while aggressively pursuing accountability. We understand the mistakes that can hurt a case.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family in Sanger, you do not have to navigate this alone. The universities and national organizations have teams of lawyers. You deserve dedicated advocates who will fight for you.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

We will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, explain your legal rights under Texas law, and outline a clear path forward. All communications are confidential.

• Call our Legal Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com (Se habla Español)
• Website: https://attorney911.com

Let us help you secure the justice, accountability, and resources your family needs to heal and move forward.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit:

• Click2Houston (KPRC 2) Report: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Eyewitness News (KTRK) Report: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline Summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational YouTube Videos:

• Using Your Phone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website & Contact:

• Homepage & Free Consultation: 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 and university policies can change. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and evidence. If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney to review your specific situation.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Website: https://attorney911.com