Hazing at Texas Universities: A Guide for Town of Enchanted Oaks and Henderson County Families

If your child is a student at a Texas university, you’ve worked hard to get them there. You’ve saved for tuition, packed their dorm room, and trusted their safety to the institution. Now imagine a late-night phone call: your child is in the hospital. Their “brothers” forced them to drink until they vomited. Their “pledge educator” made them do hundreds of squats until their muscles broke down. Their “sisters” humiliated them on social media. They’re scared, injured, and the university seems more concerned about its reputation than your child’s health.

This is not hypothetical. For families right here in Town of Enchanted Oaks and across Henderson County, this nightmare became reality for the family of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student. In late 2025, Attorney911 filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on Bermudez’s behalf against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The allegations read like torture: a “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms and sex toys, forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and extreme workouts that caused rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—medical conditions so severe Bermudez was hospitalized for four days and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH has been shut down.

This is happening in Texas. To students from communities like ours. This comprehensive guide explains what hazing really looks like in 2025, Texas hazing laws, what’s happening at major universities where Henderson County students enroll, and what legal options exist when tradition becomes torture.

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 families in Town of Enchanted Oaks whose children are the first in their family to attend college, or who aren’t familiar with modern Greek life, hazing often seems like a distant problem—something from movies about fraternity parties. The reality in 2025 is more systematic, more digital, and more dangerous than most parents imagine.

Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

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. The key insight for Henderson County families is this: “I agreed to it” does not automatically 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.

Main Categories of Hazing Today

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common—and most deadly—form. It’s not “just drinking.” It’s forced consumption rituals: “lineups” where pledges must drink shots in succession, “Big/Little” nights where new members are given entire bottles of liquor, drinking games where wrong answers mean more drinks. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediate sprints.

Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, physical hazing now includes “smokings” or extreme calisthenics designed to cause muscle failure. The UH Pi Kappa Phi case involved 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in a single session. Other forms include sleep deprivation during “hell weeks,” exposure to extreme temperatures, and dangerous physical tests.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walks,” “roasted pig” positions), and degrading costumes. The “pledge fanny pack” in the UH case contained condoms and sex toys that pledges had to carry at all times. This type of hazing causes profound psychological trauma.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, isolation from non-members, constant criticism, and threats of expulsion from the group. Psychological hazing breaks down identity and makes victims more compliant to physical demands.

Digital/Online Hazing
This is the newest frontier. Group chat dares on GroupMe or Discord, forced social media posts on Instagram or TikTok, geo-tracking demands via Find My Friends, and public humiliation through memes shared in private groups. Digital evidence often becomes the most powerful proof in hazing cases.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

While fraternities and sororities dominate headlines, hazing occurs in:

• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs
• Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Spirit organizations and tradition clubs
• Some academic and service organizations

The common thread is social status, tradition, and secrecy. These practices persist because victims fear exclusion, organizations fear exposure, and institutions often prioritize reputation over safety.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas and Federal Laws

For Town of Enchanted Oaks families navigating a hazing crisis, understanding the legal landscape is crucial. Texas has specific laws, but federal requirements also create responsibilities for universities.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization, that endangers mental or physical health or safety.

Key Provisions for Henderson County Families:

• §37.151: Broad definition covering mental and physical harm
• §37.152: Criminal penalties ranging from Class B misdemeanor to state jail felony for serious injury or death
• §37.155: Consent is not a defense—even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing
• §37.154: Immunity for good-faith reporting of hazing emergencies

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

• Criminal cases are brought by the state (like the Henderson County District Attorney’s office) and aim for punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Civil cases are brought by victims or families and aim for compensation and accountability
• Both can proceed simultaneously, and a criminal conviction is not required for a civil case

Federal Overlay: New Requirements

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 data (phased in by 2026)

Title IX and Clery Act
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. The Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes—many hazing incidents overlap with these categories.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

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.

Local Chapter/Organization
The fraternity/sorority or club itself, if it’s a legal entity. Chapter officers can be personally liable.

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

University or Governing Board
Schools may be liable for negligence, civil rights violations, or deliberate indifference. Public universities like UH and UT have some immunity protections, but exceptions exist.

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

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys know how to identify all potentially liable parties.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families

The tragedies that have made national headlines are not distant problems—they establish legal precedents and prevention strategies that directly impact how Texas handles hazing cases. For Town of Enchanted Oaks families, these cases show what’s at stake and what’s possible in terms of accountability.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
A bid-acceptance event with forced drinking led to fatal falls captured on chapter security cameras. Brothers delayed calling for help for hours. The case resulted in dozens of criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking resulted in Gruver’s death from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495%). This led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event, Foltz died from alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU) and criminal convictions.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
Another “Big Brother” night tragedy where a pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning after being given handles of liquor. This led to FSU temporarily suspending all Greek life.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
At a fraternity retreat, Deng was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual. He suffered fatal head injuries while help was delayed. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program over multiple years. Multiple lawsuits led to the head coach’s firing and confidential settlements, demonstrating that hazing extends beyond Greek life into major athletic programs.

What These Cases Mean for Town of Enchanted Oaks Families

Common threads in these national cases—forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups—mirror what we see in Texas. The multi-million-dollar settlements and legislative reforms show that accountability is possible, but usually only after tragedy and litigation. These precedents strengthen cases for Texas families pursuing justice.

Texas Focus: Universities Where Henderson County Students Enroll

Town of Enchanted Oaks families send students to universities across Texas. While some attend local institutions like UT Tyler or Texas A&M University-Commerce, many enroll at major hubs like the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, or the University of Houston. Each campus has its own Greek ecosystem and hazing history.

University of Texas at Tyler and East Texas Campuses

For Henderson County families, UT Tyler represents the most accessible public university option. Located just 40 miles from Town of Enchanted Oaks in Smith County, UT Tyler serves many local students.

Campus & Culture Snapshot
UT Tyler has growing Greek life with both national and local organizations. As a commuter-heavy campus, much Greek activity occurs off-campus, which can complicate university oversight.

Documented Incidents
While UT Tyler hasn’t had the high-profile cases of larger universities, smaller campuses often face similar issues with less public scrutiny. The university maintains hazing policies aligned with Texas law, but enforcement challenges exist when activities occur off-campus.

What Henderson County Families Should Know

• Incidents may be reported to Tyler police or Smith County authorities
• The university’s Dean of Students office handles conduct complaints
• Proximity to Town of Enchanted Oaks means evidence and witnesses may be more accessible
• The same national fraternities present at larger universities also operate at UT Tyler

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Another regional option for Henderson County students, Texas A&M-Commerce has traditional Greek life in a smaller campus setting.

Greek Life Environment
Commerce hosts chapters of national fraternities and sororities, with housing both on and near campus. Like many regional campuses, it faces challenges with adequate oversight of off-campus activities.

Hazing Prevention
The university publishes anti-hazing policies and reporting mechanisms. Families should familiarize themselves with these channels before incidents occur.

University of Texas at Austin

Many high-achieving Henderson County students dream of attending UT Austin, and those who do enter one of the nation’s largest and most transparent Greek ecosystems.

Campus & Culture Snapshot
UT Austin hosts approximately 60 fraternity and sorority chapters with thousands of members. The university maintains a public hazing violations website (hazing.utexas.edu) that lists organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions—unusual transparency in higher education.

Documented Incidents from Public Records

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation
• Texas Wranglers (spirit organization): Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Ongoing litigation involving an Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted at a party, suffering multiple injuries

UT’s Transparency Advantage
For families, UT’s public violation log is a powerful tool. It shows patterns—if an organization has prior violations, that strengthens negligence claims. It also demonstrates that even with transparency, hazing persists.

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed

• Jurisdiction may involve UTPD, Austin Police, or Travis County authorities
• Civil suits typically filed in Travis County courts
• UT’s public violation records can be entered as evidence of prior knowledge

What Henderson County Families at UT Should Do

• Immediately check hazing.utexas.edu for prior violations involving your child’s organization
• Report incidents to both UT’s Dean of Students and the organization’s national headquarters
• Document everything—UT’s size means cases can get lost without persistent advocacy
• Understand that Austin’s legal landscape differs from East Texas; having Texas-based counsel familiar with Travis County courts is crucial

Texas A&M University

As Texas’ largest university, Texas A&M draws students from every county, including Henderson. Its unique Corps of Cadets culture presents distinct hazing challenges alongside traditional Greek life.

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Texas A&M’s Greek life is substantial, but the Corps of Cadets represents a parallel universe of tradition and hierarchy. Both environments have documented hazing issues.

Documented Incidents

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. Pledges sued for $1 million; fraternity suspended for two years.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. Sought over $1 million; A&M stated it handled the matter under its rules.
• Corps “March Back” Tradition: While framed as tradition, forced physical exertion has led to injuries and complaints.

Dual Systems, Dual Challenges
Texas A&M presents unique complexities: Greek life governed by Student Conduct, Corps governed by military-style regulations. This bifurcation can complicate reporting and accountability.

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed

• Corps cases may involve military justice elements alongside civil liability
• Bryan/College Station police and Brazos County courts typically have jurisdiction
• The university’s size and political influence mean cases require experienced counsel

What Henderson County Families at Texas A&M Should Do

• Understand whether the incident involves Greek life, Corps, or athletic teams—each has different reporting chains
• Document everything with particular attention to tradition-based defenses (“this is how it’s always been”)
• Be prepared for institutional loyalty defenses; many Aggies protect the institution above individuals
• Seek counsel familiar with both College Station courts and Texas A&M’s unique culture

University of Houston

As Texas’ most diverse research university, UH serves many first-generation students from families like those in Henderson County. The recent Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates that hazing can happen at any institution.

Campus & Culture Snapshot
UH’s urban, commuter-heavy campus has active Greek life with particular concentrations in certain fraternities and sororities. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter was one of many on campus before its closure.

The Leonel Bermudez Case: A Textbook Example
The November 2025 lawsuit alleges:

• Systematic humiliation: “Pledge fanny pack” rule with degrading contents
• Physical abuse: Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, cold-weather exposure
• Extreme workouts: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats leading to rhabdomyolysis
• Medical catastrophe: Acute kidney failure, brown urine, 4-day hospitalization
• Institutional response: Chapter suspended Nov. 6, charter surrendered Nov. 14

UH’s Policies and Reality
UH prohibits hazing on and off campus, but as the Bermudez case shows, policies alone don’t prevent abuse. The university called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised cooperation with law enforcement.

How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

• Harris County courts typically have jurisdiction
• Houston police or UHPD may be involved depending on location
• The university’s status as part of the UH System creates additional layers of potential liability

What Henderson County Families at UH Should Do

• Report immediately to both UHPD and Houston police if off-campus
• Document medical treatment thoroughly—UH is near the Texas Medical Center, creating detailed records
• Be aware that urban campus locations can mean incidents at multiple sites (in the Bermudez case: chapter house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park)
• Understand that UH’s commuter nature can complicate witness identification and evidence collection

Southern Methodist University

As a private university in Dallas, SMU attracts students seeking smaller campus environments. Its affluent reputation doesn’t immunize it from hazing issues.

Campus & Culture Snapshot
SMU’s Greek life is central to campus social life, with historic mansions along Bishop Boulevard. The university’s private status affects transparency and liability considerations.

Documented Incidents

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended until approximately 2021
• Multiple anonymous reports through systems like Real Response indicate ongoing concerns

Private University Considerations
SMU isn’t subject to the same public records laws as state schools, making evidence gathering more dependent on discovery in litigation.

How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

• Dallas police and Dallas County courts typically have jurisdiction
• SMU’s private status means fewer sovereign immunity defenses
• The university’s endowment and insurance coverage can affect settlement dynamics

What Henderson County Families at SMU Should Do

• Use SMU’s anonymous reporting systems but understand their limitations
• Document everything meticulously—private schools control narratives tightly
• Be prepared for “tradition” defenses emphasizing SMU’s historic Greek culture
• Consider that Dallas’ legal market is sophisticated; having counsel familiar with Dallas courts is advantageous

Baylor University

With its religious affiliation, Baylor presents unique dynamics for Henderson County families seeking faith-based education.

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Baylor’s Greek life exists alongside its Baptist identity, creating tension between religious values and Greek traditions. The university’s history with athletic scandals informs its current approach to misconduct.

Documented Incidents

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation; staggered suspensions affected team performance
• Various Greek life sanctions through student conduct processes

Post-Scandal Environment
Following prior athletic scandals, Baylor has implemented reforms that theoretically strengthen hazing response, but implementation varies.

How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed

• Waco police and McLennan County courts typically have jurisdiction
• Baylor’s religious affiliation can affect juror perspectives in Waco
• The university’s ongoing reform efforts may be cited in its defense

What Henderson County Families at Baylor Should Do

• Report through both Baylor channels and to national headquarters
• Document any appeals to religious values used to justify or conceal hazing
• Be prepared for institutional protectionism; Baylor has demonstrated this pattern historically
• Understand that Waco’s legal community is smaller; local relationships matter

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Meet Texas Chapters

For Henderson County families, understanding that local chapters are part of national organizations is crucial. These nationals have histories—patterns of conduct across states that establish what they knew or should have known about hazing risks.

Why National Histories Matter in Texas Courts

When a Texas chapter repeats behaviors that caused deaths or injuries elsewhere, that shows foreseeability—the national organization should have anticipated and prevented it. This strengthens negligence claims and can support punitive damages.

National Organizations with Documented Hazing Patterns

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

• National Pattern: Multiple alcohol poisoning deaths including Stone Foltz (BGSU 2021) and David Bogenberger (NIU 2012)
• Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, Baylor
• Legal Significance: National paid $7M in Foltz settlement, establishing clear precedent

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

• National Pattern: Multiple hazing deaths; eliminated pledge system nationally in 2014 in response
• Texas Presence: Chapters at all five major Texas universities
• Texas Incidents: Chemical burns case at Texas A&M (2021), assault case at UT Austin (2024)

Pi Kappa Phi

• National Pattern: Andrew Coffey alcohol poisoning death (FSU 2017)
• Texas Presence: Chapter at UH (Beta Nu now closed)
• Current Texas Case: Leonel Bermudez lawsuit shows identical forced drinking patterns

Phi Delta Theta

• National Pattern: Max Gruver alcohol poisoning death (LSU 2017)
• Texas Presence: Chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, SMU, Baylor
• Legal Significance: Louisiana’s felony hazing law named for Gruver

Kappa Alpha Order

• National Pattern: Multiple paddling and alcohol hazing incidents
• Texas Presence: Chapters at Texas A&M, SMU
• Texas Incident: SMU chapter suspension (2017-2021)

How We Use National Patterns in Texas Cases

Our investigation always looks beyond the local chapter to:

1. Subpoena national records showing prior complaints against the same chapter
2. Document pattern evidence from other states showing the national knew the risks
3. Challenge “rogue chapter” defenses by showing systemic issues
4. Establish punitive damage grounds through evidence of willful indifference

For Town of Enchanted Oaks families, this means your child’s case isn’t just about one bad chapter—it’s about holding national organizations accountable for patterns they’ve allowed to continue for decades.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

When hazing injures or kills a student from Henderson County, building a successful case requires systematic investigation, understanding of damages, and strategic navigation of complex liability issues.

Evidence: The Digital Crime Scene

Modern hazing leaves digital fingerprints everywhere. We preserve:

Digital Communications

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage group chats showing planning, coercion, and cover-ups
• Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok videos documenting events
• Discord servers and fraternity-specific apps with ritual instructions
• Critical: Deleted messages recoverable through digital forensics

Photos & Videos

• Content filmed by members during events (often shared in groups before deletion)
• Security camera footage from houses and venues
• Doorbell camera recordings capturing arrivals/departures

Internal Organization Documents

• Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” lists
• Emails from officers about “what we’ll do to pledges”
• National policies and training materials showing what should have been prevented

University Records

• Prior conduct files obtained through discovery
• Incident reports to campus police
• Clery Act reports showing pattern of violence

Medical & Psychological Records

• ER and hospitalization records documenting injuries
• Toxicology reports showing forced consumption
• Psychological evaluations diagnosing PTSD, depression, anxiety

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages

• Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, rehab)
• Future medical care (long-term therapy, medications)
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity
• Educational costs (interrupted semesters, transfer expenses)

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• For families in wrongful death cases: loss of companionship, guidance, support

Punitive Damages
In cases involving especially reckless or intentional conduct, Texas courts may award punitive damages to punish defendants and deter future conduct.

Strategic Considerations for Henderson County Families

Insurance Coverage Battles
Fraternities and universities have insurance, but insurers often argue hazing is excluded as “intentional conduct.” Our experience as former insurance defense attorneys (Mr. Lupe Peña spent years on that side) gives us unique insight into overcoming these defenses.

Multiple Defendant Coordination
A typical hazing case might involve:

• Individual students
• Local chapter
• National headquarters
• University
• Property owners
• Alcohol providers

Coordinating claims against all potentially liable parties maximizes recovery.

Criminal-Civil Interface
When hazing involves criminal charges (common in serious injury or death cases), we navigate the interaction between criminal proceedings and civil litigation, protecting your interests in both arenas.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Town of Enchanted Oaks Families

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
• Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
• Financial changes: unexpected expenses, requests for money

How to Talk to Your Child

• Ask open questions: “How are things going with [organization]?”
• Avoid judgment: “Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
• Listen for evasion: “Is there anything you wish you didn’t have to do?”

If Your Child Is Hurt

1. Medical care first: ER if needed, documentation essential
2. Preserve evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries
3. Document names: Who was there, who directed activities
4. Contact counsel: Before talking to university or insurance

Dealing with the University

• Document every communication
• Ask specifically about prior incidents involving the organization
• Don’t sign anything without legal review
• Understand that universities often prioritize damage control over justice

For Students: Safety and Rights

Is This Hazing?
Ask yourself:

• Am I being forced or pressured?
• Would I do this if I had a real choice?
• Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Am I being told to keep secrets?

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

How to Exit Safely

• Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
• Send written resignation to chapter leadership
• Don’t go to “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
• If threatened, report to campus police and seek protective orders

Your Rights in Texas

• You cannot be punished for calling 911 in an emergency (good-faith immunity)
• Hazing is a crime—you are the victim, not the perpetrator
• Consent is not a defense under Texas law

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Your Child Delete Evidence
Messages seem embarrassing, but deletion looks like cover-up and destroys your case. Preserve everything.

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly
This triggers evidence destruction, witness coaching, and defense preparation. Let your attorney handle communications.

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms
Universities pressure quick settlements that waive rights and undervalue cases. Never sign without counsel.

4. Posting on Social Media
Defense attorneys monitor everything. Inconsistencies hurt credibility. Let your lawyer control messaging.

5. Waiting “To See How the University Handles It”
Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes run. Universities control narratives to protect themselves.

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters
Recorded statements are used against you. “My attorney will contact you” is the only response.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes. Public universities have some immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer protections. Each case depends on specific facts.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor normally, but it becomes a state jail felony if serious bodily injury or death occurs.

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

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

“What if it happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Many major cases occurred off-campus.

“Will this be confidential?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

Why Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

When your Henderson County family faces a hazing crisis, 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
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, their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions
Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar corporations and winning. We’re not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams. We’ve faced deeper pockets and won.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, working with economists to value young lives and lifetime care needs. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force accountability.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure.

Investigative Depth
We maintain a network of experts: medical specialists, digital forensics professionals, economists, psychologists. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine
We maintain proprietary databases tracking over 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. When we take your case, we already know the organizational structures, insurance carriers, and prior incidents. We don’t start from zero.

Our Connection to Town of Enchanted Oaks and Henderson County

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Town of Enchanted Oaks and all of Henderson County. We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families in our region, whether your child attends UT Tyler just 40 miles away or UT Austin several hours distant.

We’ve represented families from communities like yours against the largest universities and national fraternities. We know how to navigate Texas courts, from Henderson County to Travis County, and we understand the particular challenges families face when taking on powerful institutions.

Call to Action for Town of Enchanted Oaks Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether nearby UT Tyler or more distant UT Austin, Texas A&M, UH, SMU, or Baylor—we want to hear from you. Families in Town of Enchanted Oaks and throughout Henderson County have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

• We listen to your story without judgment
• Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
• Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
• Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
• Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
• No pressure to hire us on the spot—take time to decide
• Everything you tell us is confidential

Contact Us 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

Spanish-Language Services Available:

• Hablamos Español—Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish
• Servicios legales en español disponibles

Whether you’re in Town of Enchanted Oaks or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions protecting themselves have lawyers. You should too.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. We’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, and we’re ready to help.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

For your reference, here are direct links to critical resources mentioned in this guide:

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

• Click2Houston 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 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 your case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How contingency fees work: 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