The Definitive Guide to Hazing Lawsuits for Families in Thornton, Texas

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

As parents in Thornton, we send our children to college with pride and hope. We trust that universities in Limestone County and across Texas will keep them safe while they learn, grow, and build friendships. But sometimes, that trust is broken in the most devastating way possible.

Picture this: a student from Thornton accepts a bid to join a fraternity at a major Texas university. What begins as exciting camaraderie quickly turns dark. He’s handed a “pledge fanny pack” he must carry everywhere, filled with condoms, a sex toy, and humiliating items. He’s forced to chauffeur older members at all hours, attend weekly “interviews” where he’s verbally torn down, and perform hours of calisthenics until he collapses. At an off-campus house, he’s sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding” and threatened with actual waterboarding. He’s made to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomits, then forced to immediately sprint. After a session of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, he crawls home in agony. Days later, his urine turns brown. He’s rushed to the hospital where doctors diagnose rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He spends four days hospitalized, facing the risk of permanent kidney damage.

This isn’t a hypothetical nightmare. This is exactly what happened to Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student, in fall 2025. And right now, our firm—The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911)—is leading his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, their Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

If you’re a parent in Thornton, Limestone County, or anywhere in Central Texas, and your child has been hurt in connection with fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, athletics, or campus groups, this comprehensive guide is for you. We’ll explain what modern hazing really looks like, how Texas law protects victims, what’s happening at universities where Thornton families send their children, and what legal options you may have for accountability and recovery.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
.

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

In the first 48 hours:
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• 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 Thornton Students

Hazing isn’t just “boys will be boys” or harmless tradition. For Thornton families with children at Texas universities, it’s a sophisticated system of coercion, humiliation, and danger that has evolved to avoid detection while causing profound harm.

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. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

Main Categories of Hazing Affecting Texas Students

Alcohol and Substance Hazing

• Forced or coerced drinking during “Big/Little” nights, bid acceptance parties, or drinking games
• Chugging challenges, “lineups,” games that require rapid consumption (like the “Bible study” game that killed Max Gruver at LSU)
• Being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances
• In the Bermudez case: forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting

Physical Hazing

• Paddling and beatings (common in some NPHC traditions, though officially prohibited)
• Extreme calisthenics, “workouts,” or “smokings” far beyond normal conditioning
• Sleep deprivation, food/water deprivation
• Exposure to extreme cold/heat or dangerous environments
• In the Bermudez case: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, cold-weather exposure in underwear, lying in vomit-soaked grass

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

• Forced nudity or partial nudity
• Simulated sexual acts, “roasted pig” positions, degrading costumes
• Acts with racial or sexist overtones, slurs, or role-play
• In the Bermudez case: carrying a “pledge fanny pack” with condoms and sex toys

Psychological Hazing

• Verbal abuse, threats, isolation during weekly “interviews”
• Manipulation or forced confessions
• Public shaming on social media or in meetings
• Constant fear of expulsion for minor infractions

Digital/Online Hazing

• Group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation via Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord
• Pressure to create or share compromising images/videos
• 24/7 availability demands through GroupMe or WhatsApp
• Geo-tracking requirements via Find My Friends or Life360

Where Hazing Actually Happens at Texas Schools

Hazing isn’t limited to stereotypical “frat parties.” Thornton students face risks in:

• Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural councils)
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / military-style groups (especially at Texas A&M)
• Spirit squads, tradition clubs (like Texas Cowboys at UT)
• Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer, etc.)
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Some service, cultural, and academic organizations

Social status, tradition, and secrecy keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal. Organizations often move activities off-campus to private houses (like the Culmore Drive residence in the Bermudez case) or remote locations (like Yellowstone Boulevard Park) to avoid university oversight.

Texas Hazing Law: What Thornton Families Need to Know

When hazing affects your family here in Thornton, Texas law provides specific protections and remedies. Understanding this framework is crucial for making informed decisions.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F (Hazing)

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

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

Plain English for Thornton Parents:
If someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they meant to do it or were reckless about the risk, that’s hazing under Texas law.

Key Points:

• Can happen on or off campus (location doesn’t matter – applies equally to events at Thornton-area venues or university housing)
• Can be mental or physical harm
• Intent: Doesn’t have to be malicious; “reckless” is enough (knew the risk and did it anyway)
• “Consent” is not a defense: Even if your child agreed, it’s still hazing if it meets the definition

Criminal Penalties Under Texas Law

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

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

Also Criminal:

• Failing to report hazing (if you’re a member or officer and you knew about it): misdemeanor
• Retaliating against someone who reports hazing: misdemeanor

Organizational Liability in Texas

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability:
Organizations (fraternities, sororities, clubs, teams) can be criminally prosecuted for hazing if:

• The org authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
• An officer or member acting in official capacity knew about hazing and failed to report it

Penalties for organizations:

• Fine up to $10,000 per violation
• University can revoke recognition and ban the org from campus

Why this matters for Thornton families:

• Shows that both individuals AND the organization can be held accountable criminally
• Civil suits can target both as well (as we’re doing in the Bermudez case against Pi Kappa Phi national, their housing corporation, and individual members)

Critical Protections for Reporting

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting:
A person who in good faith reports a hazing incident to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the report.

Also:

1. In medical emergencies, Texas law and many university policies provide amnesty for students who call 911, even if they were drinking underage or involved in the hazing themselves
2. This protection is critical – it encourages bystanders and victims to report without fear of getting in trouble

§ 37.155 Consent Not a Defense:
It is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the hazing activity.

Plain English:
Even if your child said “yes” or “I want to do this,” it’s still a crime if it meets the hazing definition. This directly rebuts the #1 defense organizations use (“they agreed to it”).

Criminal vs Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (prosecutor in Limestone County or wherever the offense occurred)
• Aim: punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical hazing-related criminal charges can include:
  • Hazing offenses
  • Furnishing alcohol to minors
  • Assault, battery, or even manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: monetary compensation and accountability
• Focus on:
  • Negligence and gross negligence
  • Wrongful death
  • Negligent hiring/supervision
  • Premises liability
  • Emotional distress

Important: Both types can run side-by-side, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many hazing cases settle civilly even when criminal charges aren’t filed.

Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act, Title IX, Clery

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
Requires colleges that receive 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 around 2026)

Title IX / Clery:

• When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations can be triggered
• Clery requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing incidents often overlap with those categories when there are assaults or alcohol/drug crimes

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

Individual Students:

• The ones who planned, supplied the alcohol, carried out the acts, or helped cover them up
• In the Bermudez case: 13 individual fraternity leaders including chapter president, pledgemaster, risk manager

Local Chapter / Organization:

• The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if it’s a legal entity)
• Individuals acting as officers or “pledge educators” can be key
• In the Bermudez case: Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation

National Fraternity/Sorority:

• Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
• Liability can hinge on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents
• In the Bermudez case: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters

University or Governing Board:

• The school or regents may be sued under certain negligence or civil-rights theories
• Key questions: prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference
• In the Bermudez case: University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents

Third Parties:

• Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces
• Bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop theories)
• Security companies or event organizers

Every case is fact-specific; not every party is liable in every situation. Our investigation in each case determines who bears responsibility.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What They Mean for Thornton Families

The hazing incident affecting your Thornton student didn’t happen in a vacuum. Nationwide patterns show how specific behaviors repeatedly lead to tragedy—and how courts and legislatures have responded.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):

• Bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking
• Severe falls captured on chapter cameras; hours delayed before medical help
• Dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members; civil litigation; new Pennsylvania anti-hazing law named after him
• Takeaway for Thornton families: Extreme intoxication, delay in calling 911, and a culture of silence can be legally devastating

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017):

• Big/little event; pledge given a handle of liquor; drank to dangerous levels; died
• Criminal hazing charges against members; FSU temporarily suspended Greek life and overhauled policies
• Takeaway: Formulaic “tradition” drinking nights are a repeating script for disaster

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):

• “Bible study” drinking game; forced to drink when answering questions incorrectly
• Death led to felony hazing law in Louisiana (Max Gruver Act)
• Takeaway: Legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of hazing

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):

• Pledge night; forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey; died from alcohol poisoning
• Multiple criminal convictions; BGSU agreed to nearly $3 million settlement with the family; other settlements with fraternity/individuals
• Takeaway: Universities can face significant financial and reputational consequences along with fraternities

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):

• Pledge at a fraternity retreat subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual
• Suffered fatal head injuries; help was delayed
• Multiple members convicted; fraternity banned from Pennsylvania
• Takeaway for Thornton parents: Off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous or worse than parties, and national orgs can face serious sanctions

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University football (2023–2025):

• Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program
• Multiple lawsuits against the university, staff; head coach Pat Fitzgerald fired and later settled a wrongful-termination suit confidentially
• Takeaway: Hazing is not limited to Greek life; big-money athletic programs can harbor systemic abuse

What These Cases Mean for Thornton Families

Common threads run through all these cases: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed or denied medical care, cover-ups. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements often follow only after tragedy and litigation.

Thornton families facing hazing at Texas universities are not alone and are operating in a landscape shaped by these national lessons. The $10 million lawsuit we’re leading for Leonel Bermudez follows this same pattern of holding every responsible party accountable—from individual members to national headquarters to the university itself.

Texas Focus: Universities Where Thornton Families Send Their Children

Thornton students attend universities across Texas, from nearby Central Texas campuses to major statewide hubs. Each campus has its own Greek life landscape, history of incidents, and response patterns.

University of Houston (UH)

For Thornton Families: While Houston is several hours from Thornton, UH attracts students from across Texas. The ongoing Bermudez case demonstrates the severe hazing risks that can affect any Texas student.

Campus & Culture Snapshot:

• Large urban campus with active Greek life across multiple councils
• 80+ fraternity and sorority chapters including IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and multicultural groups
• Mix of commuter and residential students

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting:

• UH prohibits hazing on or off campus
• Reporting through Dean of Students, Conduct Office, UHPD
• Published hazing statement and some disciplinary information online

Documented Incidents & Responses:

• Leonel Bermudez / Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu (2025): $10 million lawsuit alleging extreme physical hazing, humiliation, forced consumption leading to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. Chapter suspended Nov 6, 2025; members voted to surrender charter Nov 14, 2025. UH called conduct “deeply disturbing.”
• Pi Kappa Alpha (2016): Pledges allegedly deprived of sufficient food, water, and sleep during multi-day event; one student suffered lacerated spleen. Chapter faced misdemeanor hazing charges and university suspension.
• Multiple other fraternities have faced disciplinary action for behavior “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort”

How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed:

• Agencies: UHPD and/or Houston Police Department depending on location
• Civil suits typically filed in Harris County courts
• Potential defendants: individual students, chapter, national fraternity/sorority, university, property owners

What UH Students & Thornton Parents Should Do:

• Report to UH Dean of Students immediately
• Document everything – UH moves quickly on investigations
• Contact attorney experienced in Houston-based hazing cases to navigate complex jurisdiction and multiple potential defendants

Texas A&M University

For Thornton Families: Many Thornton students consider Texas A&M, particularly for its Corps of Cadets and strong Greek life. The distance to College Station makes parental monitoring challenging, increasing the importance of understanding A&M’s hazing landscape.

Campus & Culture Snapshot:

• Tradition-heavy campus with strong Greek life and Corps of Cadets culture
• 60+ fraternity and sorority chapters
• Corps of Cadets with military-style discipline structure

Documented Incidents & Responses:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Two pledges alleged forced strenuous activity; substances including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, spit poured on them, 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 “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth. Sought over $1 million; A&M stated it handled matter under its rules.
• Multiple fraternities on disciplinary probation for hazing violations

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed:

• Unique dual systems: standard university conduct process AND Corps disciplinary system
• Brazos County jurisdiction for off-campus incidents
• Complex insurance coverage issues with Corps-related claims

What Texas A&M Students & Thornton Parents Should Do:

• Understand both university AND Corps reporting channels
• Document Corps-specific traditions that may cross into hazing
• Act quickly – Corps and Greek systems have strong internal protection mechanisms

Baylor University

For Thornton Families: Baylor’s Christian identity and Waco location make it appealing to many Central Texas families. However, its history of institutional scandals shows the importance of thorough investigation and accountability.

Campus & Culture Snapshot:

• Private Christian university with significant Greek life
• 30+ fraternity and sorority chapters
• History of scrutiny over football and Title IX issues

Documented Incidents & Responses:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation; suspensions staggered over early season
• Multiple Greek organizations on disciplinary status for alcohol and hazing violations
• University emphasizes “zero tolerance” but has faced criticism over transparency

How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed:

• McLennan County jurisdiction
• Private university status affects sovereign immunity arguments
• Complex interplay between religious identity and accountability expectations

What Baylor Students & Thornton Parents Should Do:

• Don’t assume religious affiliation guarantees safety or ethical conduct
• Document thoroughly – private universities often control information tightly
• Consider both university conduct process AND potential legal action

University of Texas at Austin

For Thornton Families: UT Austin attracts top students from across Texas, including Thornton. Its size and Greek life prominence mean hazing risks are significant, but UT’s transparency provides valuable information for families.

Campus & Culture Snapshot:

• Flagship Texas university with extensive Greek life
• 60+ fraternity and sorority chapters
• Public hazing violations database provides unprecedented transparency

Documented Incidents & Responses:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; found to be hazing; chapter placed on probation and required to implement new hazing-prevention education
• Texas Wranglers and other spirit groups sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing
  from hazing.utexas.edu public database
• Multiple organizations with repeated violations showing pattern issues

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed:

• Travis County jurisdiction
• Public records availability through UT’s transparency portal assists investigations
• Prior violations on public log strongly support civil suits by showing patterns and knowledge

What UT Austin Students & Thornton Parents Should Do:

• Check hazing.utexas.edu database for organization’s history BEFORE joining
• Use UT’s transparency to your advantage in investigations
• Document everything – public university means more discoverable evidence

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

For Thornton Families: SMU’s Dallas location and private university status create different dynamics. Affluent student body and strong Greek presence mean particular hazing patterns may emerge.

Campus & Culture Snapshot:

• Private university with affluent student population
• Strong Greek life presence
• Less public transparency than state schools

Documented Incidents & Responses:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended; restrictions on recruiting until around 2021
• SMU emphasizes anonymous reporting systems (Real Response)
• Limited public disclosure of sanctions due to private university status

How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed:

• Dallas County jurisdiction
• Private university status affects records accessibility
• Often requires aggressive discovery to obtain internal reports

What SMU Students & Thornton Parents Should Do:

• Use anonymous reporting systems but understand their limitations
• Document everything – private universities control narrative tightly
• Consider early legal intervention to preserve evidence before it disappears

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

The fraternity or sorority affecting your Thornton student doesn’t exist in isolation. National organizational histories create patterns of foreseeable risk that significantly impact legal liability.

Why National Histories Matter for Thornton Families

Many fraternities/sororities on Texas campuses (Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi, Kappa Alpha Order, etc.) are part of national organizations with decades of documented hazing incidents.

National headquarters have thick anti-hazing manuals and risk policies because they’ve seen deaths and catastrophic injuries. When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that got another chapter shut down in Ohio or Louisiana, that shows foreseeability and supports negligence arguments against national entities.

Organization Patterns Relevant to Texas Students

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike):

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State (2021): Pledge forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol; died from alcohol poisoning. $10 million settlement ($7M from national, ~$3M from BGSU)
• David Bogenberger – Northern Illinois (2012): Pledge died from alcohol poisoning during fraternity event. $14 million settlement
• Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol hazing events with forced consumption

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE):

• University of Alabama Traumatic Brain Injury (2023): Pledge allegedly suffered TBI during hazing ritual
• Texas A&M Chemical Burns (2021): Industrial-strength cleaner poured on pledges causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts
• Pattern: Multiple chapters nationwide with severe physical and alcohol hazing

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

• Max Gruver – LSU (2017): Pledge forced into “Bible study” drinking game; died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%). Led to Max Gruver Act felony hazing law in Louisiana
• Pattern: Drinking games disguised as “education” or “tradition”

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State (2017): Pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother Night”
• Leonel Bermudez – University of Houston (2025): Extreme physical hazing leading to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure (our active case)
• Pattern: Physical endurance hazing combined with alcohol coercion

Sigma Chi (ΣΧ):

• College of Charleston (2024): Pledge alleged physical beatings, forced consumption of drugs/alcohol. Family received more than $10 million in damages
• Pattern: Multi-million dollar verdicts for severe physical and psychological hazing

How National Patterns Affect Legal Strategy

Patterns across states and campuses show that certain organizations had repeated warnings. Courts consider whether national orgs:

• Meaningfully enforced anti-hazing policies
• Responded to prior incidents aggressively enough
• Implemented actual prevention versus window-dressing

This affects:

• Settlement leverage: Nationals with multiple prior incidents often settle rather than risk public trial
• Insurance coverage disputes: Pattern evidence counters “unforeseeable accident” arguments
• Punitive damages: Repeated warnings ignored can support punitive claims

In the Bermudez case, Pi Kappa Phi’s national history of alcohol-related hazing deaths (Andrew Coffey at FSU) combined with their chapter’s extreme physical hazing creates powerful pattern evidence.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy for Thornton Families

When hazing affects your family, building a strong case requires systematic evidence collection, understanding of damages, and strategic navigation of complex legal landscapes.

Evidence: The Foundation of Every Hazing Case

Digital Communications

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, fraternity apps: Primary planning and coordination channels
• Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok: Social media evidence including disappearing messages
• Evidence recovery: Digital forensics can recover deleted messages, but immediate screenshots are critical
• In the Bermudez case: Group chats showed planning of hazing events, coordination among members, attempts to cover up

Photos & Videos

• Content filmed by members during events (often shared in group chats or social media)
• Security camera or doorbell footage at houses and venues
• Medical documentation of injuries over time
• Critical step: Photograph injuries immediately, then daily to show progression

Internal Organization Documents

• Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, ritual “traditions” lists
• Emails/texts from officers about activities
• National policies and training materials
• Discovery: Obtained through subpoenas once lawsuit is filed

University Records

• Prior conduct files, probation/suspensions, warning letters
• Incident reports to campus police or conduct offices
• Clery reports and similar disclosures
• Public records: Texas Public Information Act requests for public universities

Medical and Psychological Records

• Emergency room and hospitalization records
• Surgery and rehab notes
• Toxicology reports (blood alcohol, drug screens)
• Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidality)
• Important: Tell medical providers “I was hazed” so it’s documented in records

Witness Testimony

• Other pledges, members, roommates, RAs, bystanders
• Former members who quit or were expelled
• Early interviews: Critical before memories fade or witnesses are coached

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Financial Losses)

• Medical bills & future care: ER, hospitalization, surgeries, ongoing treatment, medications, long-term care for permanent injuries
• Lost earnings / educational impact: Missed semesters, delayed graduation, reduced earning capacity if injuries are permanent
• Other expenses: Therapy, tutoring, relocation costs

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering: From injuries and treatment
• Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation: PTSD, depression, anxiety, loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium: Impact on family relationships

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support and companionship
• Emotional harm to parents and siblings
• In Texas: Spouse, children, or parents can bring wrongful death claims

Punitive Damages

• Available for especially reckless, willful, or malicious conduct
• Requires showing prior warnings ignored, callous indifference, or cover-up attempts
• Texas caps: Generally limited, but exceptions exist for certain intentional conduct

How Recovery Works in Practice

Most Cases Settle (confidential terms often, but some public like Foltz $10M, Gruver $6.1M)

• Settlement funds typically used for: medical bills, ongoing care, educational continuity, therapy
• Many families create foundations or scholarships in victim’s name (Aware Awake Alive, Max Gruver Foundation)

Trials Are Rare but can result in larger verdicts and public accountability

• Our firm prepares every case as if it’s going to trial – that’s what brings fair settlements
• Federal court experience (Southern District of Texas) signals we’re not intimidated by institutional defendants

Strategic Considerations for Thornton Families

Insurance Coverage Complexities

• National fraternities and universities have insurance policies that may cover hazing claims
• Insurers often argue: hazing is “intentional act” excluded from coverage
• Our advantage: Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as insurance defense attorney means we know exactly how insurers fight these claims

Sovereign Immunity Considerations (Public Universities: UH, Texas A&M, UT)

• Public universities have some immunity protections under Texas law
• Exceptions: Gross negligence, willful misconduct, Title IX violations
• Strategy: Sue individuals in personal capacity, pursue federal claims that waive immunity

Statute of Limitations

• Generally 2 years from date of injury or death in Texas
• Discovery rule: May extend if harm wasn’t immediately known
• Tolling: Possible if defendants actively concealed hazing
• URGENCY: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, memories fade

Practical Guides & FAQs for Thornton Families

For Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

• Physical: Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts; extreme exhaustion; weight changes; sleep deprivation
• Behavioral: Sudden secrecy about activities; withdrawal from family/friends; personality changes (anxiety, depression, irritability); defensiveness about organization
  – Academic: Grades dropping; missing classes; losing scholarships
  – Financial: Unexpected large expenses; buying excessive alcohol/items for older members
• Digital: Constant phone use for group chats; anxiety when phone buzzes; deleting messages obsessively

How to Talk to Your Child

• Ask open questions: “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
• “Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
• “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you wish you didn’t have to do?”
• Listen without judgment; if they shut down, monitor closely and stay ready to intervene

If You Suspect Hazing

1. Immediate safety: If in physical danger, call 911 or campus police
2. Medical attention: Get them evaluated even if they insist they’re “fine”
3. Document everything: Write down dates/times/details; screenshot messages; photograph injuries
4. Reporting: Campus authorities (Dean of Students), local police if crimes occurred
5. Legal consultation: Contact experienced hazing attorney early – we help preserve evidence before it’s destroyed

What NOT to Do

• Don’t confront the fraternity/sorority directly (they’ll destroy evidence)
• Don’t sign anything from university or insurance without legal advice
• Don’t post details on social media before consulting a lawyer
• Don’t let university convince you “this is being handled internally” if you want real accountability

For Students: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide
Ask yourself:

• Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
• Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences, no fear of being “cut”)?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would the university or my parents approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
• Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this from outsiders?

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

How to Exit Safely

• Immediate danger: Call 911 or campus police
• Want to quit: You have legal right to leave at any time. Tell someone outside the org first, then send email/text to chapter leadership: “I am resigning my pledge/membership effective immediately.”

1. Do not go to “one last meeting” where they might pressure or retaliate

• Fear retaliation: Report to Dean of Students and campus police; document any threats

Evidence Collection While It’s Happening

1. Screenshots of group chats: Capture full conversations with timestamps
2. Voice memos/recordings: Texas is one-party consent state – you can legally record conversations you’re part of
3. Photos/videos: Injuries (multiple angles with coin/ruler for scale), locations, objects used
4. Save everything digital: Don’t delete anything even if embarrassed; back up to cloud
5. Medical documentation: Tell providers “I was hazed” so it’s in medical record

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages or “Clean Up” Evidence

• What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
• Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction of justice; makes case nearly impossible
• What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly

• What parents think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
• Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
• What to do instead: Document everything, then call a lawyer before any confrontation

3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms

• What universities do: Pressure families to sign waivers or “internal resolution” agreements
• Why it’s wrong: You may waive right to sue; settlements often far below case value
• What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything without attorney reviewing first

4. Posting Details on Social Media Before Talking to Lawyer

• What families think: “I want people to know what happened”
• Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
• What to do instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

5. Letting Your Child Go Back to “One Last Meeting”

• What fraternities say: “Come talk to us before you do anything drastic”
• Why it’s wrong: They pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that hurt the case
• What to do instead: Once considering legal action, all communication goes through your lawyer

6. Waiting “To See How the University Handles It”

• What universities promise: “We’re investigating; let us handle this internally”
• Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs, university controls narrative
• What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately; university process ≠ real accountability

7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer

• What adjusters say: “We just need your statement to process the claim”
• Why it’s wrong: Recorded statements used against you; early settlements are lowball
• What to do instead: Politely decline: “My attorney will contact you”

Short FAQ for Thornton Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in personal capacity. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case-specific analysis.

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

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent.

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

“What if hazing happened off-campus or at private house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, Sigma Pi unofficial house) occurred off-campus and still resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments.

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

Why Attorney911 for Thornton Hazing Cases

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

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):

• Former insurance defense attorney at national firm
• Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims
• Understands 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):

• One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
• Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
• Not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams
• “We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We know how to fight powerful defendants”

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience:

• Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases with economist collaboration
• Experience valuing lifetime care needs (brain injury, permanent disability cases)
• “We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability”

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:

• Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
• Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
• Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure

Investigative Depth:

• Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
• Experience obtaining hidden evidence (group chats, chapter records, university files)
• “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does”

Current Active Hazing Litigation:

• Right now, we’re leading the Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi case
• $10 million lawsuit for rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme hazing
• Chapter suspended Nov 6, 2025; charter surrendered Nov 14, 2025
• This isn’t theoretical—we’re in court fighting these cases today

How We Approach Hazing Cases Differently

We Understand the Culture:

• How fraternities, sororities, Corps programs actually work behind closed doors
• The psychology of coercion, tradition, and group dynamics
• How organizations hide evidence and coach witnesses

We Investigate Thoroughly:

• Digital forensics for deleted group chats and social media
• Subpoenas for national fraternity records showing prior incidents
• Public records requests for university files
• Witness interviews before memories fade or coaching occurs

We Build Cases That Win:

• Not just settlement leverage—trial-ready preparation
• Expert networks: medical, economic, psychological, Greek life culture
• Damages modeling that reflects true lifetime impact
• Strategic targeting of all liable parties: individuals, chapters, nationals, universities

Our Commitment to Thornton Families

We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our job is to:

• Get you answers about what really happened
• Hold the right people accountable at every level
• Help secure resources for your child’s recovery
• Prevent this from happening to another family

This isn’t about bravado or quick settlements. It’s about thorough investigation and real accountability—the kind that changes institutional behavior and saves lives.

Call to Action for Thornton Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether here in Thornton, at nearby universities, or anywhere across Texas—we want to hear from you.

Families in Thornton, Limestone County, and throughout Central Texas have the right to answers and accountability when universities and Greek organizations fail to protect their students.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

We’ll listen to your story without judgment and explain your legal options clearly.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

• We’ll listen carefully to what happened
• 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 your 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 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 (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Mr. Lupe Peña)

Spanish-Language Services:
Hablamos Español – Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

Clear Expectations

Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and we cannot guarantee specific outcomes. An experienced attorney can review your specific facts, explain your rights under Texas law, and help you understand your options.

Whether you’re in Thornton or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re here to help.

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