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A Guide to Fraternity Hazing Lawsuits for Surfside Beach Families: Understanding Your Rights and Options

For parents in Surfside Beach and across Brazoria County, the dream of your child’s college experience can turn into a nightmare with a single phone call. That call often comes too late—after your student has been hospitalized with alcohol poisoning, severe muscle breakdown, or traumatic injuries from what was supposed to be a rite of passage. Right now, in Houston, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history, representing Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. This case, involving forced consumption, extreme physical abuse, and life-threatening rhabdomyolysis, proves that catastrophic hazing is not a distant problem—it’s happening at Texas universities where Surfside Beach families send their children.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Surfside Beach, Freeport, Lake Jackson, and throughout Brazoria County. We’ll explain what modern hazing really looks like, how Texas law protects your child, and what legal options you have when institutions fail. Our firm, The Manginello Law Firm (Attorney911), maintains the most extensive Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine in the state, tracking over 1,400 Greek organizations across 25 metros. We’re already leading active litigation against a major Texas university and national fraternity. If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t face this alone.

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 Immediately: Even if your student insists they are “fine,” symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, internal injury, or alcohol poisoning can be delayed.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It’s Deleted: Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), text messages, and social media DMs. Photograph injuries from multiple angles. Save any physical items involved.
3. Write Everything Down: Document who, what, when, and where while memories are fresh.
4. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or organization 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. Universities and national organizations move quickly to control narratives. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like on Texas Campuses

Hazing is no longer just about “pranks” or “rough tradition.” For Surfside Beach families with students at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, or other statewide schools, understanding the modern reality is critical. Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining or maintaining status in a group that endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. A student’s “agreement” under intense peer pressure and power imbalance does not make it safe or legal.

Modern hazing tactics have evolved into several dangerous categories:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: Forced drinking games (“lineups,” “century club”), coerced consumption of handles of liquor, or being pressured to ingest unknown substances. This remains the leading cause of hazing deaths nationwide.
• Physical Hazing: Extreme, punitive calisthenics (“smokings”), paddling, beatings, sleep deprivation, and food/water restriction. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH involved forced 100+ push-ups and 500 squats leading to kidney failure.
• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes or roles, and acts with racist or sexist overtones.
• Psychological Hazing: Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, and public shaming.
• Digital Hazing: Coerced participation in social media “challenges,” 24/7 demands via group chats (GroupMe, Discord), and forced sharing of compromising images.

This happens not only in fraternities and sororities but also in Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, spirit groups (like spirit organizations or marching bands), and other campus clubs. The common threads are secrecy, power imbalance, and a tradition-over-safety mentality.

Texas Hazing Law: What Surfside Beach Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws to combat hazing, primarily found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37. Understanding this framework is essential for Brazoria County families seeking accountability.

Texas Hazing Definition (Education Code § 37.151):
Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

1. Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student, AND
2. Is done for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization with student members.

Key Points for Texas Families:

• Location Doesn’t Matter: Hazing at an off-campus house, Airbnb, or retreat is still illegal.
• “Consent is NOT a Defense” (§ 37.155): Even if a student initially agreed, Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing charges. Courts understand the coercive power of group dynamics.
• Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): 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.
• Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§ 37.154): Those who report hazing in good faith to authorities are immune from civil or criminal liability, encouraging bystanders to call for help.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aim to punish (jail, fines, probation). Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: Brought by victims and their families. Aim to secure compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, therapy) and hold all responsible parties accountable through financial means. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit. Our firm focuses on civil litigation to recover damages for families and force institutional change.

The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez vs. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

Right now, our firm is actively litigating a case that exemplifies the severe, modern hazing risks facing Texas students. This case is not an abstract example; it is our current fight and serves as a critical reference point for Surfside Beach families.

The Victim: Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student and fall 2025 pledge of the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston.

The Alleged Hazing: As detailed in the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case and ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit, the abuse included:

• Humiliation: A mandatory “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms, sex toys, and nicotine devices.
• Forced Labor: Hours-long “study/work” blocks, overnight chauffeuring duties, and strict interview schedules.
• Physical Torture: Sprints, bear crawls, “save-your-brother” drills, lying in vomit-soaked grass, and cold-weather exposure in underwear.
• Violent Acts: Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” threats of actual waterboarding, and another pledge being hog-tied face-down with an object in his mouth.
• Forced Consumption: Made to drink milk and eat hot dogs and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints.
• The Breaking Point: On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion, leaving him unable to stand.

The Medical Catastrophe: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis—a severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. Lab tests confirmed critically high creatine kinase levels.

The Defendants: Our lawsuit names 17 defendants: the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders/members (chapter president, pledgemaster, risk manager, etc.).

The Institutional Response: On November 6, 2025, Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended the chapter. On November 14, the chapter members voted to surrender their charter, shutting it down. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised discipline and cooperation with law enforcement.

This case is the embodiment of why experienced, data-driven legal counsel is necessary. We are not just filing a lawsuit; we are deploying our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine to identify every liable entity, from national headquarters to local housing corporations, to secure full accountability for our client.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: A Data-Driven Look for Surfside Beach Parents

Where do Surfside Beach and Brazoria County families send their children to college? Many attend local institutions like Brazosport College or commute to the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Countless others head to major Texas universities with robust Greek life: the University of Houston (UH), Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin (UT), Baylor University, and Southern Methodist University (SMU). At these schools, Greek organizations are more than just social clubs; they are complex networks of legal entities.

Our firm maintains a proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public records, including IRS filings (Form B83), university data, and metro-level organizational records. This isn’t theoretical—it’s a living directory we use to investigate cases.

The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro Greek Landscape:
Surfside Beach is part of the greater Houston metropolitan area. According to our data, this metro contains 188 Greek-related organizations, including undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, honor societies, and housing corporations. These are not anonymous groups; they are registered entities. For example, public records show entities like:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035
• Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, operating in Houston (from Cause IQ metro data)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter, an undergraduate chapter in Houston
• Alpha Phi Omega – Bayou City Alumni, a service fraternity alumni group in Houston

Texas Universities and Their Greek Communities:

• University of Houston (UH): Home to the active Pi Kappa Phi chapter in the Bermudez case. UH’s Greek community includes Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and Multicultural Greek Council groups. Major fraternities present include Sigma Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Lambda Chi Alpha.
• Texas A&M University: Features a massive Greek system and the Corps of Cadets, which has faced its own hazing allegations. Fraternities like Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) have been sued for incidents causing severe chemical burns.
• University of Texas at Austin (UT): Maintains a public hazing violations log, offering a degree of transparency. Organizations like Pi Kappa Alpha have been sanctioned for hazing involving forced milk consumption and calisthenics.
• Baylor University & SMU: As private institutions with strong Greek life, they have also confronted hazing scandals within fraternities, sororities, and athletic teams.

When hazing occurs, liability can extend beyond the individuals in the room. Using our data engine, we trace connections to:

1. The undergraduate chapter.
2. The local chapter housing corporation (which often holds insurance).
3. The alumni advisory board.
4. The national fraternity/sorority headquarters.
5. The university (for negligent supervision).

This comprehensive approach ensures families in Surfside Beach are not left fighting a lone chapter with no assets, but can pursue accountability against the entire network that enabled the abuse.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Success in hazing litigation requires an investigative depth that mirrors the complexity of the organizations involved. This is where our experience in catastrophic injury and institutional litigation—from BP Texas City explosion cases to complex wrongful death suits—becomes invaluable.

Critical Evidence in a Modern Hazing Case:

• Digital Communications: The #1 source of evidence. We recover and analyze GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, and social media DMs. These chats show planning, threats, coercion, and boasts about the hazing. Watch our video on using your phone to document a legal case for guidance on preservation.
• Photos & Videos: Content filmed by participants, surveillance footage from houses, and Ring doorbell videos.
• Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” scripts, emails between chapter officers and nationals.
• University Records: Prior conduct violations, probation letters, and Clery Act reports obtained through discovery.
• Medical Records: Documentation of injuries (ER reports, lab results for rhabdomyolysis, psychological evaluations for PTSD).
• Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and resident advisors.

Our Strategic Advantages:

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers try to deny claims, undervalue injuries, and use delay tactics. This insider perspective is a powerful weapon for Surfside Beach families.
• Complex 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 institutions or their high-powered defense teams. We know how to manage massive document discovery, deploy expert witnesses, and litigate in federal court.
• Data-Driven Investigation: We don’t start from scratch. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine gives us a map of the organizational landscape, speeding up investigation and identifying all potential defendants.

Types of Damages in a Hazing Case:
Civil lawsuits seek to make victims whole and hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages can include:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, lifelong care for permanent injuries). Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity if injuries affect career prospects. Educational costs for interrupted semesters.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In tragic cases, families can seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship and guidance.

We work with life-care planners, economists, and medical experts to build a comprehensive picture of the harm, ensuring any settlement or verdict truly reflects the lifelong impact on the victim and family.

Practical Steps for Surfside Beach Parents and Students

If You Suspect Your Child Is Being Hazed:

1. Look for Warning Signs: Unexplained injuries, extreme exhaustion, drastic mood changes, anxiety about phone notifications, withdrawal from family and old friends, secrecy about organization activities.
2. Talk Openly: Ask non-confrontational questions. “How are things going with your fraternity/sorority? Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
3. Prioritize Safety: If there is immediate danger or serious injury, call 911.

If Hazing Has Occurred – The First 48 Hours:

1. Seek Medical Care: Get a thorough evaluation. Mention hazing to the doctor so it is documented.
2. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot ALL group chats and text threads. Photograph injuries. Save any physical items (torn clothing, paddles). Do not delete anything.
3. Document: Write down a detailed timeline with names, dates, locations, and what happened.
4. Consult an Attorney BEFORE Reporting: Before you contact the university or police, speak with a hazing litigation attorney. We can advise on how to report in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves legal claims. Contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911.
5. Avoid Critical Mistakes: Do not confront the organization. Do not sign anything from the university. Do not post on social media. Do not let your child attend “one last meeting.”

For Students Who Are Being Hazed:

• Your safety is paramount. You have the right to leave any situation that feels dangerous.
• “Consent” is not a legal defense for them. You cannot consent to being assaulted or endangered.
• You can report anonymously. Many campuses have hotlines. The National Anti-Hazing Hotline is 1-888-NOT-HAZE.
• Texas law protects good-faith reporters. You generally cannot be prosecuted for hazing if you are calling for help for someone else in an emergency.

Why Choose The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911?

For Surfside Beach families facing the chaos of a hazing incident, you need more than a generic personal injury firm. You need attorneys who understand the intricate dynamics of Greek life, the tactics of institutional defendants, and have the resources to fight them. Here is why we are uniquely equipped:

• We Are Leading Active Texas Hazing Litigation: We are not theorizing about hazing law; we are in the trenches right now fighting the Leonel Bermudez vs. UH/Pi Kappa Phi case. This is your local proof of our capability and seriousness.
• Unmatched Texas Greek Life Intelligence: Our proprietary data engine tracks the organizational backbone of Greek life across Texas, giving us an investigative head start no other firm can match.
• Insurance Defense Insider: Mr. Lupe Peña’s background means we know the defense playbook before it’s run. We anticipate coverage arguments and negotiation tactics.
• Proven Against Massive Institutions: Our experience with the BP Texas City disaster litigation proves we have the tenacity and skill to take on the deepest-pocketed defendants—national fraternities and universities.
• Full-Spectrum Advocacy: From evidence preservation and dealing with university administrations to high-stakes settlement negotiations and trial, we guide families through every step. We also understand the related criminal defense issues, thanks to Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA).
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish (Se habla Español), ensuring we can serve all families in our community.
• Contingency Fee Basis: We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis—you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Learn more in our video explaining how contingency fees work.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If your family in Surfside Beach, Angleton, Clute, or anywhere in Texas is dealing with the aftermath of hazing, we are here to listen and help you understand your options. The path to accountability begins with a conversation.

In a free, confidential consultation with Attorney911, we will:

• Listen to your story with compassion and without judgment.
• Review any evidence you have already gathered.
• Explain the legal landscape, including Texas hazing statutes and potential claims.
• Discuss the realistic outcomes, timelines, and strategies for your specific situation.
• Answer all your questions about the process and our contingency fee structure.

You are under no obligation to hire us. Our goal is to provide you with the clarity and information you need to make the best decision for your family’s recovery and future.

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, and statutes of limitations run. Protect your child’s rights and seek the accountability your family deserves.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) Today:

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Email Lupe Peña (Se habla Español): lupe@atty911.com

We serve clients throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Let us put our experience, data, and determination to work for you.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

• 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 (KTRK) Coverage: 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 Videos:

• Using Your Cellphone 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

Main Firm Website:

• Attorney911 – Contact & Information: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Each case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For legal advice regarding your specific situation, please contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC for a consultation.