The Hazing Crisis in Texas: A Complete Guide for Happy Families Seeking Justice and Accountability

The Late-Night Call Every Happy Parent Fears

The phone rings after midnight. It’s your child, a student at Texas A&M or the University of Houston, their voice slurred and frightened. They’re at an off-campus fraternity house, they’ve been forced to drink far beyond their limits, and now someone has collapsed. You hear panicked voices in the background arguing about whether to call 911—”Don’t get the chapter in trouble!”—while your child struggles to stay conscious. This nightmare scenario unfolds at Texas universities every year, and families right here in Happy, in Swisher County, are not immune.

For parents in Happy, sending a child to college often means watching them leave our tight-knit Panhandle community for campuses hours away. Whether they attend Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas A&M in College Station, or any of Texas’s 96 universities, our children enter complex campus ecosystems where Greek life traditions can turn dangerous. When hazing injuries occur, families in Happy face not only medical crises but also navigating legal systems far from home, against powerful institutions that often prioritize reputation over student safety.

This comprehensive guide exists because what happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston could happen to any Texas student. In fall 2025, Bermudez—a transfer student pledging Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter—endured what a $10 million lawsuit describes as systematic torture: forced to carry a “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms and sex toys; subjected to bear crawls, sprints, and wheelbarrow races; sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; made to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting; and forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats until he developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days. The chapter has been shut down, but his kidneys may never fully recover.

We represent Leonel Bermudez in this ongoing litigation against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, 13 individual fraternity leaders, and related entities. This isn’t an abstract case study—it’s active, current proof that hazing in Texas isn’t just “boys being boys.” It’s criminal assault that causes permanent physical and psychological damage. And it’s happening at universities where Happy families send their children.

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 the student insists they are “fine”
2. Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
   • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
   • Photograph injuries from multiple angles
   • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
3. Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
4. 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.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

The Modern Definition: Coercion Disguised as Tradition

For families in Happy, the word “hazing” might conjure images of fraternity paddlings from old movies. The reality in 2025 is more sophisticated, more pervasive, and often digitally enabled. Hazing 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.

Critical understanding for Happy parents: “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. When your child faces social exclusion, implicit threats about being “cut” from the group, or pressure from dozens of peers, their “yes” isn’t voluntary—it’s coerced.

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common—and most deadly—form of hazing. It’s not “just drinking with friends.” It’s systematic coercion:

• Lineups and gauntlets: Pledges forced to drink rapidly while older members watch
• Big/Little nights: New members given handles of liquor to consume in a single sitting
• Drinking games with punitive rules: “Bible study” or trivia where wrong answers mandate drinking
• Forced consumption of dangerous substances: Industrial cleaners (as in a Texas A&M SAE case), hot sauce, or unknown mixtures

2. Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, physical hazing has evolved into calculated torture:

• Extreme calisthenics: “Smokings” or workouts designed to cause muscle breakdown (like Bermudez’s 500 squats)
• Environmental exposure: Left outside in cold weather in underwear, locked in freezing rooms
• Sleep and food deprivation: 72-hour “hell weeks” with minimal sleep, restricted meals
• Branding and physical marks: Burns, cuts, or forced tattoos

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
The most psychologically damaging forms often involve sexual degradation:

• Forced nudity or partial nudity: Photographed and shared in group chats
• Simulated sexual acts: “Elephant walks,” “roasted pig” positions
• Degrading costumes and roles: Dressing in humiliating outfits for public events
• Racist, sexist, or homophobic role-playing: Using slurs, enacting stereotypes

4. Psychological Hazing
These tactics break down identity and resistance:

• Verbal abuse and “grilling”: Hours-long sessions of screaming insults
• Isolation from support systems: Cut off from non-member friends, required to ask permission to contact family
• Forced confessions and manipulation: Extracting personal information for later humiliation
• Public shaming rituals: “Roasts” designed to destroy self-esteem

5. Digital Hazing
The newest frontier, particularly dangerous for Happy parents to recognize:

• 24/7 group chat monitoring: Pledges must respond instantly to messages at all hours
• Social media humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok, Instagram
• Location tracking: Required to share live location via Find My Friends or Life360
• Coerced content creation: Making compromising videos under threat of expulsion

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

While Greek organizations account for most reported hazing, Happy parents should know it occurs in many groups:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural chapters)
• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs (particularly at Texas A&M)
• Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer—even at high school level)
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Spirit and tradition organizations (like Texas Cowboys at UT)
• Academic and service clubs
• Military-style organizations and leadership groups

The common thread: any group that uses initiation rituals, has a power hierarchy between new and old members, and values secrecy is at risk.

Texas Hazing Law: What Happy Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your Legal Foundation

For families in Happy, understanding Texas law is crucial because it governs cases involving your child, regardless of where in Texas the hazing occurred. Texas has one of the nation’s most comprehensive hazing statutes.

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

1. Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
2. 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 Happy families:

• Location doesn’t matter—off-campus houses, retreats, and private properties all count
• Mental harm counts equally with physical harm
• “Reckless” is enough—they don’t need to have intended harm
• “Consent is not a defense” (§ 37.155)—even if your child “agreed”

§ 37.152: Criminal Penalties That Apply

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death
• Additional charges for: failing to report hazing (§ 37.1521), retaliation against reporters

§ 37.153: Organizational Liability
Fraternities, sororities, clubs, and teams can be prosecuted if:

• The organization authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
• An officer or member acting in official capacity knew and failed to report
  Penalties include fines up to $10,000 per violation and university expulsion.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Justice

Happy families often ask: “Should we press criminal charges or file a lawsuit?” The answer is often both.

Criminal Cases (The State vs. Individuals)

• Brought by: District Attorney or prosecutor
• Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical charges: Hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, manslaughter in deaths
• Your role: Victim/witness—you don’t control the case
• Benefit: Public accountability, potential deterrence
• Limitation: No financial compensation for your family

Civil Cases (Your Family vs. Responsible Parties)

• Brought by: Your family with our help
• Goal: Compensation and accountability
• Legal theories: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
• Defendants can include: Individuals, local chapters, national organizations, universities, property owners
• Benefit: Financial recovery for medical costs, lost education, pain and suffering
• Additional benefit: Can uncover cover-ups through discovery that criminal cases might miss

These cases can run simultaneously. A criminal conviction helps but isn’t required for civil success. Many of the largest hazing settlements occur without criminal convictions.

Federal Laws That Overlay Texas Cases

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid (including all Texas public universities) to:

• Report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthen hazing education and prevention
• Maintain public hazing databases (phased in by 2026)
  For Happy families, this means better access to information about which organizations have violations.

Title IX Implications
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. Universities must:

• Conduct prompt, thorough investigations
• Protect complainants from retaliation
• Provide supportive measures
  Title IX violations can create additional liability beyond state hazing claims.

Clery Act Reporting
Universities must report certain crimes occurring on or near campus. Hazing incidents involving assault, alcohol offenses, or other crimes often overlap with Clery reporting requirements. Failure to properly report can lead to federal fines and liability.

Understanding Liability: Who Can Be Sued?

In a Texas hazing case, multiple parties may bear responsibility:

1. Individual Students

• Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing
• Includes: pledge educators, chapter officers, active members who participated
• Personal liability: Their personal assets (and sometimes their parents’ homeowners insurance) can be targeted

2. Local Chapters

• The fraternity/sorority as a legal entity (if incorporated)
• Housing corporations that own chapter houses
• Alumni corporations that supervise activities

3. National Organizations

• Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
• Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents
• Pattern evidence critical: Showing same organization had similar incidents elsewhere

4. Universities and Governing Boards

• Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity but exceptions exist
• Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections
• Liability theories: negligent supervision, premises liability, Title IX violations

5. Third Parties

• Landlords of off-campus houses (if they knew of dangerous activities)
• Alcohol providers (dram shop liability)
• Security companies that failed to protect
• Parents who owned properties where hazing occurred

For Happy families, understanding this “defendant universe” is crucial. In the Bermudez case, we sued 17 defendants—individuals, the chapter, housing corporation, national headquarters, UH, and the UH System Board of Regents. Each had different insurance policies, different levels of responsibility, and different motivations to settle.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Predict Texas Outcomes

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Deadly Repetition

Stone Foltz — Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
The 20-year-old pledge was forced to drink an entire bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” night. He died from alcohol poisoning. The criminal convictions and $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU) established that universities and nationals share liability. For Happy families: this pattern—Big/Little nights with forced drinking—occurs at Texas chapters of the same national organizations.

Timothy Piazza — Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
The security camera footage told the story: a bid acceptance night with extreme drinking, multiple falls, hours of delayed medical care. Eighteen members faced over 1,000 criminal charges. The civil settlements were confidential but substantial. Pennsylvania passed the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. For Happy parents: the delayed response is what often turns hazing from injury to death.

Max Gruver — LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant drinking. Gruver’s BAC reached 0.495%. Louisiana responded with the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony. The civil settlement supported reforms. For Texas families: drinking games disguised as “education” or “tradition” are equally deadly.

Andrew Coffey — Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
Big Brother night, a handle of liquor, death from acute alcohol poisoning. FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life. For Happy families: this is the same national organization (Pi Kappa Phi) involved in the Bermudez case at UH. The pattern continues.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing: Beyond Alcohol

Chun “Michael” Deng — Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
A fraternity retreat, a blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual involving tackles, fatal head injuries, delayed medical care. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter—a landmark for organizational criminal liability. Pi Delta Psi was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. For Happy families: off-campus retreats are particularly dangerous because they’re removed from campus oversight.

Danny Santulli — University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021)
A “pledge dad reveal” night with forced drinking led to severe, permanent brain damage. Santulli cannot walk, talk, or see and requires 24/7 care. Settlements with 22 defendants reached multi-million-dollar levels. For Texas families: non-fatal hazing can still mean lifetime catastrophe.

Athletic Program Hazing: Not Just Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program. Multiple lawsuits, confidential settlements, and the head coach’s firing then wrongful-termination settlement demonstrated that big-money athletic programs aren’t immune. For Happy families with athletes: hazing occurs in locker rooms too.

Western Kentucky University Swim Team (2012-2015)
Verbal and physical abuse dating back years led to a five-year program suspension and $75,000 settlement. For Texas families: any team with initiation rituals carries risk.

What These Cases Mean for Happy Families

1. Patterns predict liability: When a Texas chapter repeats behaviors that caused deaths elsewhere, courts view that as foreseeable negligence.

2. Cover-ups worsen outcomes: Delayed medical care, destroyed evidence, and coached witnesses increase liability exponentially.

3. National organizations know: Their anti-hazing policies exist precisely because they’ve paid millions for prior incidents.

4. Universities are increasingly liable: Recent settlements show courts holding schools accountable for what happens in recognized organizations.

5. Transparency is improving: Public reporting requirements mean Happy families can research organizations before their children join.

Texas Universities: Where Happy Families Send Their Children

University of Houston: Urban Campus, Systemic Challenges

Campus & Culture Snapshot

For Happy families, UH represents both opportunity and risk. As Texas’s third-largest university with over 46,000 students, its urban Houston location means complex jurisdictional issues when incidents occur off-campus. The active Greek community includes 50+ chapters across four councils, operating in a city with extensive nightlife and off-campus housing.

Recent Critical Case: Leonel Bermudez

Our ongoing representation of Leonel Bermudez against UH and Pi Kappa Phi exposes systemic issues:

The Hazing Timeline:

• September 2025: Bermudez accepts bid, begins “education” involving forced dress codes, overnight chauffeuring, degrading fanny pack requirements
• October 13: Another pledge hog-tied face-down with object in mouth for over an hour
• November 3: Bermudez forced through 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats
• November 6-9: Hospitalization for rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure

Institutional Response:

• Pi Kappa Phi national suspended chapter November 6 after receiving reports
• Chapter voted to surrender charter November 14
• UH called conduct “deeply disturbing,” promised cooperation with law enforcement
• But: Questions remain about what UH knew beforehand and when

Medical Catastrophe:

• Critically elevated creatine kinase levels confirming rhabdomyolysis
• Acute kidney failure requiring four-day hospitalization
• Ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage

For Happy families: This case shows how quickly hazing escalates from humiliation to life-threatening injury.

UH Hazing Policy & Reporting

UH prohibits hazing on and off-campus through Student Policies and Procedures. Reporting channels include:

• Dean of Students Office
• Campus Security Authority reports
• Online reporting forms
• UHPD for criminal conduct

Limitation: Like many universities, UH’s public disclosure of hazing violations is limited compared to UT Austin’s published list. Families often discover prior incidents only through litigation discovery.

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds

For Happy families with students at UH:

• Jurisdiction: May involve UHPD, Houston Police Department, or Harris County Sheriff depending on location
• Civil venue: Harris County courts typically
• Key evidence sources: GroupMe chats (extremely common at UH), chapter house security cameras, UH conduct records
• Special considerations: Urban location means more third-party witnesses (neighbors, businesses) but also more complexity in evidence collection

What UH Students & Happy Parents Should Do

1. Report through multiple channels: UHPD for crimes, Dean of Students for conduct violations, Title IX if sexual elements
2. Request prior conduct records of the organization through discovery if litigation occurs
3. Document UH’s response timeline—delays can indicate negligent supervision
4. Understand insurance layers: UH has sovereign immunity limitations but carries liability insurance
5. Contact us immediately: We’re already litigating against UH in the Bermudez case and understand their defense strategies

Texas A&M University: Tradition, Corps Culture, and Greek Life

Campus & Culture Snapshot

For many Happy families, Texas A&M represents the pinnacle of Texas higher education—but its strong traditions come with hazing risks. The Corps of Cadets, with its military-style discipline, and one of the nation’s largest Greek systems create environments where power imbalances can turn dangerous.

Documented Incidents & Responses

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)
Two pledges sued SAE for $1 million alleging they were forced to perform strenuous activities while substances including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit were poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended for two years. For Happy families: this case shows hazing evolving beyond alcohol to deliberate chemical harm.

Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023)
A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million. Texas A&M stated it handled the matter under Corps regulations. For Happy parents: the Corps’s unique disciplinary system can complicate external oversight.

A&M Hazing Policy & Reporting

Texas A&M addresses hazing through:

• Student Rules (Section 24)
• Corps of Cadets regulations
• Greek Life standards
• Reporting to Student Conduct Office, Corps leadership, or TAMU PD

Transparency gap: A&M does not maintain a public hazing violations database like UT Austin. Prior incidents often surface only through litigation or public records requests.

How an A&M Hazing Case Proceeds

For Happy families with Aggies:

• Jurisdictional complexity: College Station PD, Brazos County Sheriff, TAMU PD, and Corps military jurisdiction may overlap
• Venue considerations: Brazos County courts typically
• Evidence challenges: Corps cases involve military-style chain of command issues; Greek cases often involve off-campus houses
• Special defendants: Corps alumni associations, military affiliates, and special housing corporations

What A&M Students & Happy Parents Should Do

1. Understand dual systems: Greek life and Corps have separate reporting chains
2. Preserve Corps-specific evidence: Training schedules, leadership communications, tradition manuals
3. Document university knowledge: When did advisors, commandants, or Greek Life staff know?
4. Consider timing issues: Corps cases may involve military statute limitations considerations
5. Contact us early: We understand both Greek and Corps cultures and their legal implications

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Persistent Problems

Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT Austin’s public hazing violations database makes it uniquely transparent among Texas universities. For Happy families, this allows some pre-emptive research but also reveals how often violations recur despite sanctions.

Documented Incidents from Public Database

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023)
New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Found to be hazing. Sanctions: probation, hazing prevention education. For Happy families: note that “educational” sanctions often follow serious violations.

Texas Wranglers (Multiple years)
The spirit organization has faced repeated sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based practices. For Happy parents: even non-Greek tradition groups haze.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024)
An Australian exchange student alleged assault by fraternity members at a party, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. The $1 million+ lawsuit noted the chapter was already under suspension for prior violations. For Happy families: prior sanctions don’t guarantee safety.

UT Hazing Policy & Reporting

UT maintains the most transparent system in Texas:

• Public hazing violations database at hazing.utexas.edu
• Required reporting by faculty/staff
• Multiple reporting channels: Behavior Concerns Advice Line, Dean of Students, UT Police
• Annual hazing prevention education

Strength: The public database provides evidence for pattern arguments in litigation. If an organization has prior violations, UT’s knowledge is established.

How a UT Hazing Case Proceeds

For Happy families with Longhorns:

• Venue: Travis County courts typically
• Evidence advantage: Public violation database establishes prior notice
• Jurisdiction: UTPD for on-campus, Austin PD for off-campus
• Discovery efficiency: UT has established processes for records requests due to frequent litigation

What UT Students & Happy Parents Should Do

1. Check the database: Research organizations before joining
2. Report through official channels: Creates paper trail
3. Reference prior violations: In complaints and litigation, establish pattern
4. Understand Greek neighborhood dynamics: West Campus houses have complex landlord/tenant issues
5. Use transparency strategically: UT’s public stance can be leveraged in negotiations

Southern Methodist University: Private University Challenges

Campus & Culture Snapshot

SMU’s affluent student body and strong Greek tradition create unique dynamics. As a private university, SMU has different legal responsibilities and fewer transparency requirements than public institutions, which can complicate investigations for Happy families.

Documented Incidents

Kappa Alpha Order (2017)
New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep. Chapter suspended until 2021. For Happy families: private universities often handle violations internally without public disclosure.

Multiple Greek Investigations (2024)
Several chapters faced scrutiny for alcohol hazing, though specific sanctions weren’t always publicly detailed. For Happy parents: the lack of public database makes pre-joining research difficult.

SMU Hazing Policy & Reporting

SMU addresses hazing through:

• Student Code of Conduct
• Greek Life standards
• Anonymous reporting via Real Response system
• SMU PD investigations

Privacy limitation: As a private institution, SMU isn’t subject to Texas Public Information Act requests, making evidence gathering more dependent on litigation discovery.

How an SMU Hazing Case Proceeds

For Happy families with SMU students:

• Venue: Dallas County courts typically
• Evidence challenges: Limited public records mean more discovery litigation
• Insurance considerations: Private university policies differ from public institution sovereign immunity issues
• Jurisdiction: SMU PD has campus jurisdiction, Dallas PD handles off-campus

What SMU Students & Happy Parents Should Do

1. Assume less transparency: Prepare for more aggressive discovery requests
2. Use anonymous reporting: Real Response can create initial paper trail
3. Document all communications: Private universities may use informal resolution processes
4. Understand Greek housing: SMU’s more centralized Greek housing presents different premises liability issues
5. Contact us for strategy: Private university cases require different approaches than public ones

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Accountability Challenges

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor’s Christian identity and history of sexual assault scandals create complex accountability dynamics. For Happy families, the religious affiliation can affect both institutional responses and victim willingness to come forward.

Documented Incidents

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020)
Fourteen players suspended following hazing investigation. The staggered suspensions indicated varying levels of involvement. For Happy families: athletic program hazing often involves coach knowledge or negligence.

Multiple Greek Investigations
While less publicly documented than UT, Baylor has faced Greek hazing issues, often handled through internal conduct processes. For Happy parents: religious institutions may emphasize forgiveness over accountability.

Baylor Hazing Policy & Reporting

Baylor addresses hazing through:

• Student Conduct Code
• Spiritual life integration in disciplinary processes
• Campus Safety & Security reporting
• Title IX office for sexualized hazing

Unique aspect: Baylor’s religious mission can influence how it handles misconduct, potentially emphasizing reconciliation over punishment.

How a Baylor Hazing Case Proceeds

For Happy families with Baylor students:

• Venue: McLennan County courts typically
• Religious considerations: Baylor may raise religious freedom arguments in some contexts
• Evidence preservation: Strong documentation crucial given potential informal resolution pressures
• Jurisdiction: Baylor Police Department, Waco PD

What Baylor Students & Happy Parents Should Do

1. Document religious pressure: If spiritual counseling is used to discourage reporting
2. Use Title IX reporting: For any sexualized hazing elements
3. Understand dual identity: Baylor as both religious institution and educational corporation
4. Preserve evidence aggressively: Given potential internal resolution pressures
5. Contact us early: Religious institution cases require specialized strategic understanding

Fraternities and Sororities: National Patterns That Predict Texas Behavior

Why National Histories Matter for Happy Families

When your child joins a chapter at a Texas university, they’re not just joining a local group—they’re joining a national organization with a documented history. These histories matter because:

1. Foreseeability: If Pi Kappa Alpha had a death at Bowling Green from Big/Little drinking in 2021, they should have known the same ritual was dangerous at Texas chapters
2. Pattern Evidence: Courts allow evidence of similar incidents at other chapters to show knowledge and negligence
3. Punitive Damages: Repeated warnings ignored can justify punishment beyond compensation
4. Insurance Coverage: Nationals often try to distance themselves from local chapters, but pattern evidence shows the connection

Major Organizations with Documented Histories in Texas

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

• National pattern: Stone Foltz death (2021), multiple other alcohol hazing deaths
• Texas presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, Baylor, Texas Tech
• Liability insight: National has paid millions in settlements, indicating they know the risks

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

• National pattern: Multiple deaths, traumatic brain injury lawsuit at Alabama (2023)
• Texas incidents: Chemical burns case at Texas A&M (2021), assault case at UT (2024)
• Liability insight: Despite eliminating pledging nationally in 2014, violations continue

Pi Kappa Phi

• National pattern: Andrew Coffey death at FSU (2017)
• Texas incident: Leonel Bermudez case at UH (2025)
• Liability insight: Same organization, same patterns years apart

Phi Delta Theta

• National pattern: Max Gruver death at LSU (2017)
• Texas presence: Multiple Texas chapters
• Liability insight: Louisiana’s felony hazing law resulted from their case

Kappa Alpha Order

• National pattern: Multiple hazing violations
• Texas incident: SMU suspension (2017-2021)
• Liability insight: Tradition-heavy organizations often defend hazing as “heritage”

How We Use National Histories in Texas Litigation

In the Bermudez case against Pi Kappa Phi, we’re demonstrating:

1. Prior Notice: National knew about Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017
2. Inadequate Response: Their “enhanced” policies didn’t prevent identical behaviors in 2025
3. Pattern Recognition: Big/Little events with forced drinking are a known deadly ritual
4. Systemic Failure: National’s supervision and enforcement were insufficient

For Happy families, this means: if your child is hazed by an organization with prior incidents elsewhere, that history strengthens your case.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

Evidence Collection: The Digital Crime Scene

Group Chats: The Modern Confessional

• Platforms: GroupMe (most common), WhatsApp, iMessage groups, Discord, Slack
• What to preserve: Full threads with timestamps, not just screenshots of worst messages
• Recovery: Digital forensics can retrieve deleted messages from phones and cloud backups
• Strategy: Messages showing planning (“tonight we’ll make them drink”) are as valuable as those showing aftermath

Social Media Evidence

• Platforms: Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook
• What to capture: Humiliating content, location tags, comments admitting knowledge
• Preservation challenge: Disappearing content requires immediate screenshots
• Strategy: Even “joking” posts (“pledge life!”) can show organizational culture

Medical Documentation

• Immediate: ER records, toxicology reports, hospitalization summaries
• Ongoing: Specialist referrals, physical therapy, psychological treatment
• Critical notation: Ensure providers document “hazing” as cause, not just “alcohol intoxication”
• Strategy: Medical records establish both damages and causation

University and Organizational Records

• Sources: Conduct files, campus police reports, housing applications, national risk management files
• Obtaining: Public records requests, litigation discovery, subpoenas
• Key finds: Prior violations, warning letters, “secret” tradition manuals
• Strategy: Establishing prior notice is often the difference between negligence and gross negligence

Witness Identification

• Other pledges: Often afraid but may cooperate once litigation begins
• Former members: Those who quit or were expelled often have evidence and willingness
• Third parties: Neighbors, landlords, restaurant staff who witnessed events
• Strategy: Early witness interviews before memories fade or stories align

Damages: What Hazing Actually Costs Families

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

• Medical expenses: Past and future, including lifelong care for catastrophic injuries
• Lost educational opportunity: Tuition for withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships
• Diminished earning capacity: For permanent disabilities affecting work ability
• Example: In rhabdomyolysis cases like Bermudez’s, future kidney treatment costs can exceed $1 million

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective but Real)

• Physical pain and suffering: From injuries and medical procedures
• Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment: Can no longer participate in sports, social life, normal college experience
• Example: Sexualized hazing victims often require years of psychological treatment

Wrongful Death Damages

• Economic: Funeral costs, lost future support if deceased would have helped family
• Non-economic: Grief, loss of companionship, parents’ emotional suffering
• Example: In Stone Foltz case, $10 million reflected both economic loss and family devastation

Punitive Damages (When Available)

• Purpose: Punish especially reckless conduct and deter future hazing
• When awarded: Defendant knew risks, ignored warnings, showed callous indifference
• Texas limitations: Statutory caps apply in many cases
• Example: When national organization had prior deaths but didn’t adequately supervise

Case Strategy: From Evidence to Accountability

Insurance Coverage Battles

• Complexity: Multiple policies may apply—national, chapter, housing corporation, university
• Common defense: “Intentional acts exclusion” for hazing
• Our advantage: Lupe Peña’s background as insurance defense attorney means we know their playbook
• Strategy: Argue negligent supervision (covered) even if hazing itself was intentional (excluded)

Multi-Defendant Coordination

• Challenge: Different defendants have conflicting interests
• Opportunity: Play defendants against each other in settlement negotiations
• Our experience: BP Texas City litigation taught us how to manage complex multi-party cases
• Strategy: Early pressure on most vulnerable defendant often creates domino effect

Settlement vs. Trial Decision

• Reality: Most cases settle confidentially
• Leverage: Trial readiness forces better settlements
• Our position: We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial
• Strategy: Use discovery to build undeniable evidence, then negotiate from strength

Privacy vs. Accountability Balance

• Family concern: Want justice but fear public exposure
• Solutions: Confidential settlements, sealed court records, strategic media management
• Our approach: We respect family preferences while pursuing maximum accountability
• Strategy: Control narrative from beginning to protect privacy while achieving justice

Practical Guidance for Happy Families Facing Hazing

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Hazed

• Physical: Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries; extreme exhaustion; sudden weight changes
• Behavioral: Withdrawal from family/friends; excessive secrecy; constant phone anxiety; personality changes
• Academic: Grades dropping; skipping classes; losing scholarships
• Digital: Obsessive group chat monitoring; deleting messages; social media humiliation
• Financial: Unexpected large expenses; requests for money without explanation

How to Talk to Your Child About Hazing

• Open questions: “How are new members treated?” not “Are you being hazed?”
• Safety emphasis: “Your health matters more than any organization”
• Support assurance: “We will help you no matter what”
• Documentation encouragement: “Save everything, even if it’s embarrassing”

Immediate Steps if Hazing is Suspected

1. Medical priority: Get care immediately, even if child resists
2. Evidence preservation: Screenshot everything before deletion
3. Documentation: Write down what child tells you with dates/times
4. Strategic reporting: Consult attorney before reporting to university
5. Support system: Connect child with counseling resources

For Students: Protection and Response

Is This Hazing? Self-Assessment

• Would you do this if you could truly say no without consequence?
• Is it dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Are only new members required to do it?
• Would the university approve if they knew details?
• Are you told to keep it secret?
• If yes to any: It’s hazing

Safe Exit Strategies

• Immediate danger: Call 911 first, then parents
• Planning to quit: Tell someone outside organization first for protection
• Formal resignation: Email chapter president for documentation
• Safety planning: If retaliation feared, report to campus police immediately
• Legal protection: Harassment and stalking are crimes; protective orders available

Evidence Collection While Safe

1. Screenshots: Full conversations with timestamps
2. Photos: Injuries from multiple angles over several days
3. Recordings: Texas is one-party consent state—legal to record conversations you’re in
4. Medical documentation: Tell providers “I was hazed” for record
5. Witness list: Names and contact info of others present

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

1. Deleting Evidence “to Protect Your Child”

• What happens: Looks like cover-up, can be obstruction of justice
• Reality: Embarrassing evidence often proves coercion
• Better: Preserve everything, let attorney determine relevance

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly

• What happens: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
• Reality: Their first call is to national headquarters’ attorneys
• Better: Document silently, let attorney make first contact

3. Signing University “Resolution” Agreements

• What happens: You may waive right to sue or accept inadequate settlement
• Reality: Universities protect themselves first
• Better: “We need our attorney to review this before we sign”

4. Posting on Social Media Before Legal Advice

• What happens: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
• Reality: Public sympathy doesn’t win cases—evidence does
• Better: Private documentation only, let attorney control messaging

5. Letting Your Child Attend “One Last Meeting”

• What happens: Pressure, intimidation, coached statements
• Reality: They’re building their defense, not seeking resolution
• Better: All communication through attorney once legal action considered

6. Waiting for University “Internal Process”

• What happens: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
• Reality: University’s interests conflict with yours
• Better: Parallel paths—university process AND legal consultation

7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Unrepresented

• What happens: Recorded statements used against you; lowball settlements offered
• Reality: Adjusters work for insurance company, not you
• Better: “Please contact my attorney”

Frequently Asked Questions for Happy Families

“Can we sue a Texas university for hazing?”
Yes, under specific circumstances. Public universities have sovereign immunity limitations, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and certain other claims. Private universities have fewer immunity protections. Every case is fact-specific—call 1-888-ATTY-911 for case analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Under Texas Education Code § 37.152, hazing causing serious bodily injury or death is a state jail felony. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report hazing.

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

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally two years from injury or death in Texas, but the discovery rule may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving cover-ups, the statute may be tolled. 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, and knowledge. Major cases nationwide have involved off-campus locations.

“Will our child’s name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize family privacy while pursuing accountability through sealed records and confidential settlement terms when possible.

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases

Our Unique Qualifications for Happy Families

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how fraternities, sororities, universities, and their insurance companies fight back—and how to win anyway.

Insurance Insider Advantage
Our attorney 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 to pressure families
• Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
• Negotiate settlements to minimize payouts
  As Mr. Peña says: “We know their playbook because we used to run it.” This insider knowledge is invaluable when facing national fraternities with unlimited defense budgets.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience
Managing partner Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar corporations with deep-pocket defense teams. That same experience applies directly to hazing cases against:

• National fraternities with centuries-old traditions and legal war chests
• University systems with sovereign immunity arguments
• Multi-defendant cases requiring coordinated strategy
  “We’ve faced the biggest institutional defendants Texas has to offer,” says Mr. Manginello. “We’re not intimidated by Greek life defense firms or university general counsels.”

Multi-Million Dollar Catastrophic Injury Results
Our wrongful death and catastrophic injury experience includes:

• Brain injury cases requiring lifetime care planning
• Economic analysis of lost earning capacity for young victims
• Collaboration with medical experts, life care planners, and economists
• Settlement values reflecting true long-term costs, not just immediate medical bills
  For hazing cases involving permanent kidney damage (like rhabdomyolysis), brain injuries, or psychological trauma, we understand how to value lifelong consequences.

Criminal + Civil Dual Capability
Mr. Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)—an elite criminal defense organization—means we understand:

• How criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
• Defense strategies in criminal cases that affect civil liability
• How to advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure
• Constitutional issues in searches of fraternity houses and phones
  This dual perspective is crucial when hazing involves both criminal charges and civil claims.

Investigative Depth and Expert Network
We investigate hazing cases with resources typically reserved for catastrophic injury claims:

• Digital forensics experts to recover deleted group chats and social media
• Medical specialists to document rhabdomyolysis, brain injuries, PTSD
• Greek life culture experts to explain power dynamics and coercion
• Economists to calculate lifetime costs of permanent injuries
• Private investigators to locate witnesses and preserve evidence
  “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it,” says Mr. Manginello, “because in hazing cases, it often does.”

Our Approach: Empathy Meets Aggressive Advocacy

We understand that for Happy families, a hazing case isn’t just about money—it’s about:

• Answers: What really happened and who’s responsible
• Accountability: Ensuring those responsible face consequences
• Prevention: Making sure this doesn’t happen to another family
• Healing: Getting resources for your child’s recovery

Our process begins with listening. We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. We take time to understand not just the legal facts, but the human impact. Then we build a case strategy focused on your family’s goals—whether that’s maximum compensation, policy reform, public accountability, or privacy protection.

Why Texas Families Choose Us

Geographic Understanding
From our Houston, Austin, and Beaumont offices, we serve families throughout Texas, including Happy and the surrounding Panhandle region. We understand:

• Texas courts and procedures statewide
• How different Texas universities handle hazing cases
• Regional variations in Greek life culture across Texas
• Practical logistics for families living hours from where hazing occurred

Spanish Language Services
Attorney Lupe Peña speaks fluent Spanish and can consult with Spanish-speaking families directly. This is particularly important for Texas’s Hispanic community, which may face additional barriers in reporting hazing.

Contingency Fee Structure
We work on contingency—no fee unless we recover compensation for you. This removes financial barriers for families facing medical bills and other costs. Watch our video explaining contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Proven Communication Commitment
We keep clients informed with regular updates. As we explain in our video on client communication: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JrQowOLv1k, we believe informed clients make better decisions. You’ll never wonder what’s happening with your case.

Call to Action for Happy Families

If Hazing Has Impacted Your Family

Whether you’re in Happy, Tulia, Plainview, or anywhere in Swisher County and the surrounding Texas Panhandle, if hazing has affected your family at any Texas university, we want to help.

The students of Happy attend universities across Texas. They join Greek organizations, Corps programs, athletic teams, and other groups where hazing occurs. When it happens to your child, you don’t have to navigate this complex legal landscape alone.

Your Free, Confidential Consultation

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll:

• Listen to what happened without judgment
• Review any evidence you’ve preserved
• Explain your legal options clearly
• Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
• Answer questions about costs (remember: contingency fee—no recovery, no fee)
• No pressure to hire us—take time to decide with all information

Everything you tell us is protected by attorney-client confidentiality, even if you don’t hire us.

Immediate Contact Information

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

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

Time is Critical

Evidence disappears quickly in hazing cases:

• Group chats are deleted within days
• Witnesses are coached on what to say
• Universities begin internal processes that may compromise evidence
• The two-year statute of limitations is always ticking

Don’t wait “to see how the university handles it.” Don’t let embarrassment prevent action. Don’t assume nothing can be done because your child “agreed.”

The Leonel Bermudez case proves that even the most severe hazing can be challenged and accountability achieved. Your family deserves the same commitment to justice.

Final Word to Happy Parents

From our Texas offices to your home in Happy, we understand the values that define our state: family, accountability, and doing what’s right. When institutions betray those values by allowing hazing to harm our children, they must be held responsible.

We’ve taken that stand in Houston courts for Leonel Bermudez. We’re ready to take that stand for your family.

Call us today. Let’s discuss how we can help your family find answers, achieve accountability, and secure the resources needed for healing.

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