The Complete Guide to Hazing at Texas Universities: What Sunset Valley Families Need to Know

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

It starts with excitement—a bid from a fraternity, an invitation to join a sorority, acceptance into the Corps of Cadets or a prestigious spirit group. Your child from Sunset Valley heads off to University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M, University of Houston, or another Texas campus with hopes of friendship, tradition, and belonging. Then the calls home change. The exhaustion in their voice isn’t just from studying. The vague explanations about “mandatory events” don’t add up. You see unexplained injuries in photos, notice sudden anxiety, or hear whispers about traditions that sound more like abuse than bonding.

Right now, just miles from Sunset Valley in Travis County’s neighboring Harris County, our firm is 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 and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The details are harrowing: forced consumption until vomiting, simulated waterboarding with a hose, extreme workouts that caused rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, hospitalization with brown urine indicating severe muscle breakdown. This isn’t some distant problem—it’s happening at Texas universities where Sunset Valley families send their children.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Sunset Valley and throughout Texas who need to understand what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects students, and what legal options exist when institutions fail to keep students safe. We’ll cover everything from recognizing warning signs to building a case with the thoroughness our firm brings to every hazing investigation.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

Call 911 for medical emergencies
Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
- Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
- Photograph injuries from multiple angles
- Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
Do NOT:
- Confront the fraternity/sorority
- Sign anything from the university or insurance company
- Post details on public social media
- Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
Universities move quickly to control the narrative
We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Sunset Valley Families

For parents in Sunset Valley sending children to UT Austin, Texas State, or other nearby campuses, understanding modern hazing is crucial. What was once stereotyped as “boys will be boys” pranks has evolved into sophisticated, often digitally-enhanced abuse that leaves lasting physical and psychological scars.

A Modern Definition That Every Sunset Valley Parent Should Know

Hazing in 2025 is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Crucially, “I agreed to it” or “I wanted to fit in” does not make it legal or safe when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

The Five Main Categories of Hazing Affecting Texas Students

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and most dangerous form. It includes forced chugging challenges, “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, and pressure to consume unknown or mixed substances. The Leonel Bermudez UH case involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.

2. Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, today’s physical hazing includes extreme calisthenics called “smokings,” sleep and food deprivation, exposure to extreme temperatures, and dangerous physical tests. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, leading to rhabdomyolysis.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” “roasted pig” positions), degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. At Texas A&M, a Corps of Cadets lawsuit alleged cadets were bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in their mouth.

4. Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming during meetings or “interviews.” The UH case included weekly interviews and constant threats of expulsion for non-compliance.

5. Digital/Online Hazing
A rapidly growing category that includes group chat dares, social media “challenges,” pressure to create compromising content, and 24/7 availability demands via GroupMe, WhatsApp, or Discord. Pledges are often required to respond instantly to messages at all hours.

Where Hazing Happens: Beyond Fraternity Row

Sunset Valley families should understand that hazing isn’t limited to Greek life:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural councils)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC at Texas A&M and other military-style programs
Spirit Squads and Tradition Groups like Texas Cowboys, Silver Spurs, and similar organizations
Athletic Teams from football and basketball to cheer and swimming
Marching Bands and Performance Groups
Some Academic, Service, and Cultural Organizations

The common thread across all these groups is the toxic combination of social status, tradition, and secrecy that keeps abusive practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law: What Sunset Valley Families Must Understand

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws in the Education Code that provide both criminal penalties and civil liability pathways. Understanding this framework is essential for Sunset Valley families seeking accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

§ 37.151 Definition
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student that:

Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Key Points for Sunset Valley Families:

Can happen on or off campus (location doesn’t matter)
Can be mental or physical harm
Intent: Doesn’t have to be malicious; “reckless” is enough (knew the risk and did it anyway)
“Consent is not a defense” (Texas Education Code § 37.155)

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability
Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can be criminally prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report it.

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting
Students who report hazing in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the report. This is crucial for bystanders who want to do the right thing.

Criminal vs Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases

Brought by the state (district attorney’s office)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
Example: In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, criminal referrals were made to law enforcement

Civil Cases

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
Focus on: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
Important: A criminal conviction is NOT required to pursue a civil case

Both types can proceed simultaneously, and in our experience at Attorney911, the civil process often uncovers evidence that strengthens criminal prosecutions.

Federal Law Overlay: Additional Protections

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

Report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthen hazing education and prevention
Maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026)

Title IX and Clery Act
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. The Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics that often overlap with hazing incidents.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

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

2. Local Chapter/Organization
The fraternity/sorority or club itself as a legal entity, plus officers acting in official capacity.

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters
Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Their liability often hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents at other chapters.

4. University or Governing Board
Schools may be liable under negligence or civil rights theories, particularly if they had prior warnings and failed to act. The University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents are defendants in the Bermudez case.

5. Third Parties
Landlords of event spaces, bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop laws), security companies, or event organizers.

Every case is fact-specific, which is why immediate consultation with experienced hazing counsel is crucial for Sunset Valley families.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What They Mean for Texas Families

The tragic cases below aren’t just national news—they establish legal precedents and patterns that directly impact how Texas courts view hazing cases involving Sunset Valley students.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
During a bid-acceptance event, Piazza consumed dangerous amounts of alcohol, suffered multiple falls captured on chapter security cameras, and received delayed medical help. The case resulted in dozens of criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Takeaway for Sunset Valley families: Extreme intoxication combined with delay in calling 911 creates devastating legal liability.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
Gruver died during a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. His blood alcohol content reached 0.495%. This case led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony. Takeaway: So-called “games” with alcohol consequences are repeatedly lethal and legally indefensible.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Foltz died after being forced to consume nearly a bottle of whiskey during a Big/Little event. The case resulted in a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, $3M from BGSU). Takeaway: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” where pledges were given handles of liquor. This was the same national organization involved in the UH case we’re currently litigating. Takeaway: National patterns matter—organizations that fail to learn from tragedies face enhanced liability.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Deng died during a blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a fraternity retreat where he was repeatedly tackled while weighted down. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter—a rare instance of organizational criminal liability. Takeaway for Sunset Valley parents: Off-campus retreats can be particularly dangerous, and national organizations can face severe sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program over multiple years. The scandal led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald, and confidential settlements. Takeaway: Hazing extends far beyond Greek life into major athletic programs with significant institutional oversight failures.

What These Cases Mean for Sunset Valley Families

The common threads in these national cases—forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, and cover-ups—mirror what we see in Texas. When Sunset Valley families face hazing at UT Austin, Texas A&M, or other Texas schools, they’re operating in a legal landscape shaped by these precedents. The multi-million dollar settlements and criminal convictions establish that juries and courts take hazing seriously and will hold powerful institutions accountable.

Texas University Focus: Where Sunset Valley Students Attend

Sunset Valley families primarily send students to universities in the Central Texas region, particularly UT Austin and Texas State University, with some attending Texas A&M, University of Houston, and other Texas schools. Here’s what you need to know about hazing at these institutions.

University of Texas at Austin: The Flagship Campus

Campus & Culture Snapshot for Sunset Valley Families
UT Austin, just minutes from Sunset Valley, hosts approximately 60 fraternity and sorority chapters alongside numerous spirit groups, athletic teams, and student organizations. The university’s Greek life is particularly influential, with many chapters housed in West Campus near the university.

UT’s Public Hazing Transparency
Unlike many universities, UT Austin maintains a public Hazing Violations page that lists organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions. This transparency is valuable for Sunset Valley families investigating prior incidents. Recent entries include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation with mandatory hazing-prevention education
Texas Wranglers (multiple years): Sanctions for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
Various spirit organizations: Disciplinary action for punishment-based practices

How UT Hazing Cases Typically Proceed

Initial reports often go to UT’s Office of the Dean of Students or UT Police Department
Internal investigations can take weeks or months
Civil suits typically filed in Travis County District Court (relevant for Sunset Valley families)
Potential defendants include individual students, chapters, national organizations, and sometimes the university itself

What Sunset Valley UT Students & Parents Should Do

Document everything including dates, times, locations, and witnesses
Report immediately to UT’s Student Conduct office (512-471-2841)
Preserve digital evidence before group chats are deleted
Consult with an attorney familiar with UT’s procedures and Travis County courts
Monitor UT’s public hazing log for prior incidents involving the same organization

Texas State University: San Marcos Campus

Proximity to Sunset Valley
Texas State in San Marcos is easily accessible for Sunset Valley families and hosts active Greek life and student organizations. The university has faced hazing incidents similar to those at larger campuses.

Recent Texas State Hazing History

Multiple fraternity suspensions for alcohol-related hazing
Sorority disciplinary actions for mental distress violations
Ongoing efforts to improve transparency and reporting

Practical Considerations for Sunset Valley Families

Jurisdiction: Cases may involve Hays County courts
Reporting: Texas State’s Dean of Students Office handles hazing complaints
Transportation: Proximity means Sunset Valley families can easily visit campus for meetings or consultations

Texas A&M University: Corps of Cadets Culture

Unique Hazing Risks
Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets presents distinctive hazing risks that Sunset Valley families should understand:

Military-style discipline that can cross into abuse
Tradition-heavy environment with deep-seated rituals
Less public transparency than UT Austin’s system

Documented A&M Hazing Cases

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (2021)
Pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring emergency skin grafts. The fraternity was suspended and pledges sued for $1 million.

Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023)
A cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, with A&M stating it handled the matter internally.

What Sunset Valley A&M Families Need to Know

Corps cases often involve military-style hierarchy and discipline
Reporting may go through Corps leadership rather than standard university channels
Brazos County courts typically handle litigation
Dual accountability often needed (university + Corps leadership)

University of Houston: Current Active Litigation

Our Firm’s Active Case: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi
As we represent Bermudez, Sunset Valley families should understand this case’s significance:

The Hazing Conduct

“Pledge fanny pack” rule with degrading contents (condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices)
Enforced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interviews
Extreme physical hazing: sprints, bear crawls, cold-weather exposure in underwear
Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting
Hose spraying “similar to waterboarding”
Nov 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats

Medical Catastrophe

Developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown)
Acute kidney failure requiring four-day hospitalization
Passed brown urine indicating critical condition
Ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage

Defendant Universe

University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents
Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters
Beta Nu housing corporation
13 individual fraternity leaders/members

Institutional Response

Nov 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu chapter
Nov 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender charter
UH labels conduct “deeply disturbing,” promises disciplinary measures

Why This Matters for Sunset Valley Families
This active litigation demonstrates:

Serious hazing happens at Texas universities
Multiple entities can be held accountable
Medical consequences can be lifelong
Experienced legal counsel is essential for navigating complex institutional litigation

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

SMU’s Greek Life Profile
As a private university with affluent demographics, SMU’s Greek life faces unique pressures. Recent incidents include Kappa Alpha Order suspensions for paddling and alcohol hazing.

Baylor’s Historical Context
Following prior scandals, Baylor has implemented stricter policies but continues to face hazing allegations, particularly in athletic programs like the 2020 baseball hazing incident that suspended 14 players.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Sunset Valley Families

As part of our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain comprehensive data on Greek organizations across Texas. This directory illustrates the complex network of entities that may share liability in hazing cases.

Travis County & Austin Metro Greek Entities

Sunset Valley families should understand that fraternities and sororities often have multiple legal entities operating in their area:

IRS B83 Registered Organizations in Austin Area:

CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY, EIN: 740555581, 2711 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705 (Chi Omega House Corporation)
BUILDING CORPORATION OF DELTA CHAPTER OF ALPHA DELTA PI, EIN: 746047117, 2620 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
TEXAS RHO CHAPTER OF THE SIGMA PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY, EIN: 741942292, 3217 S 3rd St, Waco, TX 76706 (serving Central Texas)
SIGMA ALPHA OMEGA CHRISTIAN SORORITY INC, EIN: 851262394, PO Box 302701, Austin, TX 78703
HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI, EIN: 463831593, 2307 Vanderbilt Cir, Austin, TX 78723 (Texas State University chapter)

Cause IQ Metro Organizations in Austin-Round Rock Metro (154 total organizations):

Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp. (Austin, UT chapter house corporation)
Delta Tau Delta – Gamma Iota Chapter (Austin, UT chapter house)
Beta Xi House Corp. of Kappa Kappa Gamma (Austin, UT chapter house corporation)
Texas Rho Housing Corporation (ΣAE) (Austin)
Texas Alpha Phi House Corporation (Austin, Alpha Phi UT chapter house corp.)

Statewide Greek Organization Network

Major Texas University Affiliations:

University of Houston: 25+ Greek organizations with registered entities in Harris County
Texas A&M University: 30+ organizations with Brazos County entities
UT Austin: 60+ organizations with Travis County entities
SMU: 15+ organizations with Dallas County entities
Baylor University: 20+ organizations with McLennan County entities

Cross-Validated Brands (IRS + Cause IQ Overlap):
These organizations appear in both IRS filings and metro databases, showing their established presence:

Beta Upsilon Chi (EIN: 742911848) – Fort Worth, active in DFW metro
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation (EIN: 741380362) – Fort Worth, DFW presence
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (EIN: 364091267) – Multiple Texas campuses
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Multiple university chapters statewide

What This Directory Means for Sunset Valley Families

This data demonstrates that Greek organizations are not just social clubs—they’re complex networks of legal entities with insurance coverage, property holdings, and organizational hierarchies. When hazing occurs, multiple organizations may share liability:

Undergraduate Chapters where hazing occurs
Alumni Chapters that may fund or support activities
Housing Corporations that own or control premises
National Headquarters that set policies and receive dues
Educational Foundations that may hold assets

Our firm’s Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros, ensuring we can identify all potentially liable entities in your case.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories That Matter for Texas Cases

When a Sunset Valley student is hazed at UT Austin or Texas A&M, the national history of their fraternity or sorority becomes critically important for establishing foreseeability and pattern evidence.

Why National Histories Matter in Texas Courts

National fraternity and sorority headquarters maintain thick anti-hazing manuals and risk policies precisely because they have seen deaths and catastrophic injuries at other chapters. When a Texas chapter repeats the same dangerous patterns that caused tragedies elsewhere, that demonstrates:

Foreseeability: The national organization knew or should have known this could happen
Pattern Evidence: This isn’t an isolated “rogue chapter” but part of a recurring problem
Negligent Supervision: The national failed to adequately monitor or control its chapters
Punitive Damages Basis: Repeated failures to prevent known dangers may justify punitive awards

Organizations with Documented National Hazing Patterns

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ) – “Pike”

Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State University, 2021 – $10M settlement
David Bogenberger: Northern Illinois University, 2012 – $14M settlement
Texas Presence: Chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, UH, Texas Tech, Texas State
Pattern: Big/Little drinking events, forced alcohol consumption

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ) – “SAE”

Traumatic Brain Injury Case: University of Alabama, 2023 – lawsuit filed
Chemical Burns Case: Texas A&M, 2021 – $1M lawsuit, severe burns requiring skin grafts
Assault Case: UT Austin, 2024 – Australian exchange student with broken bones
Texas Presence: Multiple chapters statewide including active litigation

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

Andrew Coffey: Florida State University, 2017 – hazing death
Leonel Bermudez: University of Houston, 2025 – our firm’s active $10M lawsuit
Pattern: Physical hazing, forced consumption, dangerous workouts

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

Max Gruver: LSU, 2017 – led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act
Pattern: Drinking games framed as “education” or “Bible study”

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)

SMU Chapter: 2017 suspension for paddling and alcohol hazing
Multiple campuses: History of traditional paddling and alcohol misuse

How We Use National Histories in Texas Litigation

In our hazing practice at Attorney911, we systematically investigate national patterns:

Discovery Requests: We subpoena national headquarters for prior incident reports, risk management files, and communications about the Texas chapter
Expert Testimony: We work with Greek life experts who can explain how national policies were or weren’t implemented
Jury Presentation: We show how the same dangerous “traditions” travel from campus to campus
Settlement Leverage: Demonstrated patterns increase case value and settlement pressure

For Sunset Valley families, understanding that your child’s suffering may be part of a national pattern is both heartbreaking and legally significant. It means there’s a trail of evidence and precedent that can support your case.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & What to Expect

When Sunset Valley families come to us after a hazing incident, we implement a comprehensive investigation strategy honed through years of complex litigation against institutions like BP in the Texas City explosion case and now against universities and national fraternities.

Critical Evidence Categories in Modern Hazing Cases

1. Digital Communications (The Most Important Evidence)

Group Messaging: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, fraternity-specific apps
Social Media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok videos/comments
Recovery Potential: Even deleted messages can often be recovered through digital forensics
Our Approach: We immediately secure devices and work with digital forensics experts to preserve everything

2. Photos & Videos

Content filmed by members during events
Social media posts showing activities or injuries
Security camera footage from houses and venues
Example: In the UH case, evidence included messages planning events and discussions of “traditions”

3. Internal Organization Documents

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, ritual instructions
Emails/texts from officers about activities
National policies and training materials
Membership rolls and officer lists

4. University Records

Prior conduct files and disciplinary history
Incident reports to campus police
Clery Act reports and safety statistics
Internal emails among administrators

5. Medical & Psychological Records

Emergency room and hospitalization records
Toxicology and lab reports (critical for alcohol/drug cases)
Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety
Long-term treatment plans for permanent injuries

6. Witness Testimony

Other pledges and members
Roommates, RAs, bystanders
Former members who quit or were expelled
Medical providers and first responders

Damages: What Can Be Recovered in Texas Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

Medical Expenses: Past and future care, including lifelong treatment for permanent injuries
Lost Earnings: Missed semesters, delayed career entry, reduced earning capacity
Educational Costs: Tuition for interrupted education, lost scholarships
Example: In rhabdomyolysis cases like UH, future kidney treatment costs can be substantial

Non-Economic Damages

Physical Pain & Suffering: From injuries and medical treatment
Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
Loss of Enjoyment: Inability to participate in college life or activities
Reputational Harm: Social stigma and public exposure

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of financial support and companionship
Emotional suffering of family members
Punitive damages in egregious cases

Punitive Damages
Available when defendants show gross negligence or willful misconduct, such as ignoring prior warnings or attempting cover-ups.

Insurance Coverage Strategies

Fraternities, sororities, and universities typically have complex insurance arrangements. Our experience is particularly valuable here because our attorney Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He understands exactly how these companies:

Value claims and set reserves
Use exclusions to deny coverage
Deploy delay tactics to pressure families
Structure settlements to minimize payouts

We identify all potential insurance sources:

National fraternity/sorority liability policies
Chapter-level insurance
University liability coverage
Individual member homeowner’s policies
Property owner policies for event locations

The Litigation Timeline: What Sunset Valley Families Can Expect

Phase 1: Immediate Response (First 48 Hours)

Evidence preservation
Medical documentation
Initial witness interviews
Demand for preservation letters to all potential defendants

Phase 2: Investigation (Weeks 1-12)

Digital forensics analysis
Records requests to university and organizations
Expert consultations (medical, Greek life, economics)
Development of liability theories

Phase 3: Pre-Litigation (Months 3-6)

Settlement demand packages
Negotiations with insurers
Mediation attempts
Decision to file suit if no reasonable offer

Phase 4: Litigation (6+ Months)

Filing lawsuit in appropriate court (Travis County for UT cases, etc.)
Discovery process (document requests, depositions)
Expert witness designation
Settlement conferences and mediation
Trial preparation

Phase 5: Resolution

Settlement (most common outcome)
Trial (rare but sometimes necessary)
Post-settlement monitoring of institutional changes

Throughout this process, we maintain regular communication with our clients—typically every 2-3 weeks—to ensure Sunset Valley families are informed and involved in every decision.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Sunset Valley Families

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Sunset Valley Student May Be Being Hazed

Physical Signs:

Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries
Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
Weight loss or gain from food/water restriction
Sleep deprivation (constant late nights, calls at odd hours)
Chemical burns, rashes, or skin damage
Signs of alcohol poisoning or drug use

Behavioral & Emotional Changes:

Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and old friends
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
Defensive when asked about the organization
Fear of “getting in trouble” or “letting the chapter down”
Obsession with pleasing older members

Academic Red Flags:

Grades dropping suddenly
Missing classes or falling asleep in class
Skipping academic commitments for “mandatory” events

Digital/Social Behavior:

Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Anxiety when phone buzzes
Deleting messages or clearing history obsessively
Receiving calls/texts at all hours demanding immediate response

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally)

“How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
“Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
“What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
“Do you feel like you can leave if you want to?”

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing

Immediate Safety: If in danger, call 911 or campus police
Document Everything: Write down dates, times, details; screenshot messages
Medical Attention: Get proper medical care and documentation
Reporting: Contact Dean of Students, campus police, local police if crimes involved
Legal Consultation: Contact experienced hazing attorney early

What NOT to Do

Don’t confront the organization directly
Don’t sign anything from university or insurers without legal advice
Don’t post details on social media
Don’t let evidence be destroyed

For Students: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide
Ask yourself:

Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would my parents or university approve if they knew?
Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this?

If you answered YES to any, it’s likely hazing.

How to Exit Safely

If in immediate danger: Call 911 or campus police
Tell someone outside the org first (parent, RA, friend)
Send written notice to chapter leadership of your resignation
Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where pressure might occur
Document any retaliation and report to university

Evidence Collection Guide

Screenshots of group chats with timestamps visible
Photos of injuries from multiple angles (include ruler for scale)
Voice memos/recordings (Texas is one-party consent state)
Medical records mentioning hazing
Witness information for others who saw what happened

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

MISTAKE #1: Letting evidence be destroyed

What happens: Messages deleted, photos destroyed, witnesses coached
Our advice: Preserve everything IMMEDIATELY, even embarrassing content
Watch our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

MISTAKE #2: Confronting the organization directly

What happens: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, prepare defenses
Our advice: Document first, then let your attorney handle communication

MISTAKE #3: Signing university “resolution” forms

What happens: You may waive legal rights for minimal compensation
Our advice: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review

MISTAKE #4: Posting on social media

What happens: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt case
Our advice: Keep details private; let your lawyer control messaging

MISTAKE #5: Waiting for university to “handle it”

What happens: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
Our advice: Act immediately; university process ≠ real accountability
Learn about statutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

Frequently Asked Questions for Sunset Valley Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under specific circumstances. Public universities (UT, Texas A&M, UH) have sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals personally. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity barriers. Each case requires individual analysis.

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

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and power imbalance isn’t true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately known. In cases with cover-ups, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

“What if hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, unofficial houses) occurred off-campus.

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

“How much will this cost?”
We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation. Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

“What common mistakes should we avoid?”
Watch our guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

About Attorney911: Why Sunset Valley Families Choose Us for Hazing Cases

Our Unique Qualifications for Texas Hazing Litigation

When your Sunset Valley family faces a hazing case, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Insurance Insider Advantage
Our attorney Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
Use delay tactics and coverage exclusion arguments
Structure settlements to minimize payouts
“We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience
Managing partner Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar corporations and winning. This experience translates directly to hazing cases where we face:

National fraternities with unlimited legal budgets
University systems with deep-pocketed insurers
Sophisticated defense teams
“We’re not intimidated by powerful defendants.”

Multi-Million Dollar Results
We have recovered millions for clients in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, including:

Logging accident brain injury: Multi-million dollar settlement
Car accident amputation: Settlement in the millions
Wrongful death cases: Significant recoveries for families
BP explosion litigation: Complex institutional accountability

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of hazing cases:

How criminal charges interact with civil litigation
Defense strategies used in hazing prosecutions
How to advise witnesses with dual exposure
“We speak both legal languages.”

Investigative Depth & Resources
Our network includes:

Digital forensics experts for recovering deleted evidence
Medical experts for rhabdomyolysis, TBI, PTSD
Greek life culture experts
Economists for lifetime care calculations
Psychologists for trauma assessment
“We investigate like your child’s life depends on it.”

Our Active Hazing Litigation: Leonel Bermudez v. UH

We’re not just talking about hazing theory—we’re actively litigating one of Texas’s most serious cases right now. Our representation of Leonel Bermudez against University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi demonstrates our commitment to:

Thorough investigation uncovering systemic failures
Multiple defendant strategy holding all responsible parties accountable
Medical expertise in complex injuries like rhabdomyolysis
Institutional knowledge of how universities and nationals operate
Public accountability through media coverage of the case

Why Location Matters: Serving Sunset Valley & Travis County

As a Texas-based firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we understand the unique aspects of hazing cases involving Sunset Valley students:

Local Court Knowledge

Experience in Travis County courts for UT cases
Relationships with local experts and professionals
Understanding of university-specific procedures
Knowledge of jurisdiction issues in multi-county cases

Geographic Accessibility

Easy access from Sunset Valley to our Austin office
Understanding of Central Texas university culture
Relationships with medical providers in the region
Knowledge of local reporting protocols

Community Understanding

Familiarity with Sunset Valley community values
Experience with Texas university traditions and cultures
Understanding of parent concerns in our region
Commitment to local accountability and prevention

Our Promise to Sunset Valley Families

Empathy First
We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our first priority is listening to your story, understanding your pain, and providing compassionate support through this crisis.

Thorough Investigation
We don’t settle for surface answers. We dig deep into organizational records, digital evidence, medical documentation, and witness testimony to build the strongest possible case.

Clear Communication
We maintain regular contact (typically every 2-3 weeks) and ensure you understand every step of the process. No legal jargon, no surprises.

No Financial Risk
We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation. This allows Sunset Valley families to pursue justice regardless of financial circumstances.

Spanish Language Services
Hablamos Español. Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish and can provide full consultation and representation in Spanish for Hispanic families.

Privacy Protection
We understand the sensitivity of hazing cases and take every measure to protect your family’s privacy throughout the legal process.

Call to Action: Sunset Valley Families Deserve Answers & Accountability

Your Next Steps: Immediate Action Plan

If hazing just happened or is ongoing:

Call 911 if there’s immediate danger
Call us: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 emergency line)
Preserve evidence before it disappears
Get medical attention and proper documentation
Document everything you remember

If you’re investigating past hazing:

Contact us for confidential case evaluation
Gather existing evidence (messages, photos, medical records)
Write down everything you remember
Research the organization’s history
Schedule consultation to discuss options

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you contact Attorney911 for a hazing consultation, here’s what happens:

We Listen to your story without judgment or interruption
We Review any evidence you’ve collected
We Explain your legal options clearly and honestly
We Answer all your questions about process, timeline, and expectations
We Discuss costs (contingency fee—no recovery, no fee)
No Pressure to hire us immediately—take time to decide

Contact Attorney911 Today

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 or lupe@atty911.com

Spanish Services:
Hablamos Español – Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish

Serving Sunset Valley & All of Texas

Whether your child attends UT Austin just minutes away, Texas A&M a few hours east, University of Houston to the south, or any Texas campus, we’re here to help. Hazing doesn’t respect county lines or university affiliations—and neither does our commitment to justice.

To Sunset Valley families facing this crisis: You don’t have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters. You deserve experienced advocates who will fight for your child’s future and hold every responsible party accountable.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s discuss what happened, explore your options, and take the first step toward accountability and healing.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

Evidence Preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Statute of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client Mistakes to Avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
Contingency Fees Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

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

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

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

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com