The Definitive Guide to Hazing Litigation for Families in Whitney, Texas: Your Rights, Resources, and Path to Accountability

If Your Child Was Hazed at College, You’re Not Alone—and You Have Rights

For parents in Whitney, the horror often begins with a phone call. Your child, who left for college excited about joining a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or athletic team, is now in the hospital. Or perhaps the changes are more subtle but equally alarming: unexplained injuries, sudden exhaustion, secretive behavior, or a personality shift that concerns you. You learn they’ve been forced to endure brutal workouts, humiliating rituals, or coerced drinking—all in the name of “tradition” or “earning their place.”

Right now, just a few hours from Whitney in Houston, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. Bermudez, a transfer student pledging Pi Kappa Phi in fall 2025, allegedly endured months of systematic abuse that nearly killed him.

According to the lawsuit and detailed media coverage in Click2Houston and ABC13, Bermudez was subjected to: forced carrying of a degrading “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms and sex toys; hours-long “study/work” blocks; overnight chauffeuring duties; and extreme physical hazing including sprints, bear crawls, and cold-weather exposure in his underwear. The abuse culminated on November 3, 2025, when he was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

The aftermath was catastrophic. Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis—severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, couldn’t stand without help, and was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels. He faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. The chapter was suspended on November 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter on November 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary measures up to expulsion.

This isn’t just a Houston problem. For families in Whitney, Lake Whitney, Blum, and across Hill County, this case represents exactly what can—and does—happen when hazing culture goes unchecked. Your child might attend Baylor University in Waco, Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas A&M in College Station, or any of Texas’s 96 campuses with Greek life. The same national organizations, the same dangerous traditions, and the same institutional failures exist everywhere.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for Whitney families facing this nightmare. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, break down Texas law and your rights, show you how national patterns connect to local chapters, and give you practical steps to protect your child and pursue accountability. We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™), a Texas personal injury and complex litigation firm with deep experience in hazing cases. We serve families throughout Texas, including right here in Whitney and Hill County.

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 Whitney Students

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or harmless tradition. For Whitney students at Texas colleges, it’s a calculated system of coercion that has evolved to avoid detection while maintaining power over new members.

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 is 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 “family tree” games
• Chugging challenges, “lineups,” or drinking games that require rapid consumption
• Being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances
• This is the most common fatal hazing method nationally, responsible for deaths like Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University and Max Gruver at LSU

Physical Hazing

• Paddling and beatings (particularly in some NPHC organizations, though officially prohibited)
• Extreme calisthenics, “workouts,” or “smokings” far beyond normal conditioning—exactly what caused Leonel Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis at UH
• Sleep deprivation through late-night meetings or early-morning “accountability” calls
• Food/water deprivation or forced consumption of unpleasant substances until vomiting
• Exposure to extreme cold/heat or dangerous environments

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
• The “pledge fanny pack” requirement in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case exemplifies this category

Psychological Hazing

• Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members
• Manipulation or forced confessions
• Public shaming in meetings or group chats
• Creating fear of expulsion or social exclusion for non-compliance

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 with immediate punishment for slow responses
• Geo-tracking requirements via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps

Where Hazing Actually Happens at Texas Colleges

While fraternities receive the most attention, hazing occurs across campus organizations:

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

For Whitney families, understanding this breadth is crucial. Your child doesn’t have to be in a fraternity to be at risk.

Texas Hazing Law: What Whitney Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in the Education Code that provide both criminal penalties and civil liability pathways.

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.

Key points for Whitney families:

• Can happen on or off campus (location doesn’t matter—includes retreats, private homes, Airbnbs)
• 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 (§ 37.155): Even if the victim agreed, it’s still hazing under Texas law

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties

• Class B Misdimeanor (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 attention
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury (like Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis) 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

§ 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 orgs:

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

§ 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. Many Texas universities also have medical amnesty policies for underage drinking when someone calls 911 for an emergency.

Criminal vs Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal cases:

• Brought by the state (Hill County District Attorney, Harris County DA, etc.)
• Aim: punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical hazing-related charges: hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil cases:

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: monetary compensation for damages and accountability
• Focus on: negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring/supervision, premises liability, emotional distress

Both types can run side-by-side, and a criminal conviction is NOT required to pursue a civil case. Many hazing cases, including the UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit, proceed civilly while criminal investigations may or may not occur.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
Requires colleges receiving federal aid 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 trigger
• Clery requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing incidents often overlap with assaults or alcohol/drug crimes

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Individual students:

• Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover 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 housing corporations (like the Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515, based in Frisco, TX)

National fraternity/sorority:

• Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
• Pi Kappa Phi national is a defendant in the UH case
• Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents

University or governing board:

• UH and UH System Board of Regents are defendants in the Bermudez case
• Key questions: prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference

Third parties:

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

National Hazing Case Patterns: What They Mean for Whitney Families

These aren’t just stories from other states—they establish legal precedents and show patterns that repeat at Texas schools.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
20-year-old pledge forced to consume entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night; died from alcohol poisoning. Multiple fraternity members convicted. Family reached $10 million settlement in 2023 ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU).

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
Pledge forced to participate in “Bible study” drinking game; wrong answers = forced drinking; died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%). Multiple members charged; one convicted of negligent homicide. Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute).

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
Pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother Night”; pledges given handles of hard liquor. Multiple members prosecuted; majority pled guilty to misdemeanor hazing. FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life.

Physical & Violent Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Pledge blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual; died from traumatic brain injury; fraternity members delayed calling 911. Multiple members convicted; national fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter; Pi Delta Psi banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021)
18-year-old pledge forced to consume excessive alcohol during “pledge dad reveal” night; suffered severe, permanent brain damage (cannot walk, talk, or see; requires 24/7 care). Multiple criminal charges; family settled with 22 defendants for confidential multi-million-dollar amounts.

What These Cases Mean for Whitney Families

Common threads connecting these national cases to what happens in Texas:

• Forced drinking under peer pressure
• Humiliation and degradation as bonding mechanism
• Violence and physical endangerment disguised as “conditioning”
• Delayed or denied medical care due to fear of consequences
• Cover-ups and evidence destruction

When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that got another chapter shut down or sued in another state, that shows foreseeability and supports negligence arguments against national entities. The Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters knew about the Andrew Coffey death in 2017—eight years later, similar patterns allegedly occurred at UH.

Texas Focus: Where Whitney Families Send Their Kids to College

Whitney families typically have children at a mix of local/regional campuses and major Texas universities. Understanding the hazing landscape at each is crucial.

Colleges Near Whitney & Hill County

Baylor University (Waco, McLennan County)
Just 45 minutes from Whitney, Baylor draws many Hill County students. With active Greek life and religious identity, hazing incidents often fly under the radar.

Recent Incident:

• 2020 Baylor Baseball Hazing: 14 players suspended following hazing investigation; suspensions staggered over early season
• Pattern: Baylor’s history with football sexual assault scandal shows institutional pressure to protect reputation

Greek Life Presence:

• Panhellenic sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, etc.
• IFC fraternities: Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi
• NPHC Divine Nine chapters
• Baylor’s religious branding creates unique dynamics in hazing cases

What Whitney Families Should Know:

• Jurisdiction: McLennan County courts, Waco PD, Baylor PD
• Reporting: Baylor Office of Student Conduct, Title IX if sexual elements
• Evidence preservation critical given Baylor’s past handling of institutional crises

Texas State University (San Marcos, Hays County)
Many Whitney students attend Texas State for its proximity and programs.

Transparency Note:
Texas State maintains less public hazing data than UT Austin, but patterns mirror other Texas schools.

Greek Life Presence:

• Active IFC and Panhellenic systems
• Multiple chapters with national histories of hazing incidents

What Whitney Families Should Know:

• Jurisdiction: Hays County courts, San Marcos PD, Texas State University PD
• Evidence often crosses county lines when students travel between Whitney and campus

Major Texas Universities Whitney Families Attend

University of Houston (Harris County)
While farther from Whitney, UH draws students from across Texas, including Hill County.

Current Active Case – Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi:
As detailed in our opening, this $10 million lawsuit represents exactly what sophisticated hazing litigation looks like. The case involves:

• Multiple locations: Pi Kappa Phi house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park
• Extensive digital evidence: group chats planning hazing, documenting activities
• Medical catastrophe: rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, four-day hospitalization
• Full defendant universe: 13 individuals + university + national + housing corporation

UH Greek Life:

• Houston Panhellenic Council: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, etc.
• Interfraternity Council: Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Sigma Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, etc.
• National Pan-Hellenic Council: Complete Divine Nine
• United Greek Council and Multicultural Greek Council

What Whitney Families Should Know:

• Jurisdiction: Harris County courts, Houston PD, UHPD
• UH’s urban commuter campus creates different dynamics than residential schools
• The Bermudez case sets important precedent for all Texas hazing litigation

Texas A&M University (Brazos County)
Many Whitney students pursue engineering, agriculture, or Corps programs at A&M.

Recent Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Two pledges alleged forced strenuous activity; substances including industrial-strength cleaner 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.

Corps of Cadets Culture:
Tradition-heavy, military-style environment with reported discipline and risk. Different from Greek life but similar power dynamics.

What Whitney Families Should Know:

• Jurisdiction: Brazos County courts, College Station PD, Texas A&M PD
• Corps cases involve military-style chain of command issues
• A&M’s size and tradition create institutional inertia against change

University of Texas at Austin (Travis County)
UT’s prestige and programs attract Whitney’s top students.

Transparency Leadership:
UT maintains public Hazing Violations page (hazing.utexas.edu)—one of most transparent in nation.

Recent Violations:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; found to be hazing; chapter placed on probation with hazing-prevention education requirement.
• Various groups sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, punishment-based practices.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Incident (2024):
Australian exchange student alleged assault by fraternity members at party; injuries included dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose. Student sued SAE chapter for over $1 million; chapter already under suspension for prior violations.

What Whitney Families Should Know:

• Jurisdiction: Travis County courts, Austin PD, UTPD
• UT’s public violation logs provide powerful evidence for civil cases
• Austin’s off-campus housing scene complicates university oversight

Southern Methodist University (Dallas County)
SMU’s private university status and affluent student body create unique dynamics.

Recent Incident:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended; restrictions on recruiting until around 2021.

Greek Life Dominance:
SMU has particularly strong Greek presence influencing social life.

What Whitney Families Should Know:

• Jurisdiction: Dallas County courts, Dallas PD, SMU PD
• Private university status affects transparency and discovery processes
• SMU’s wealth can mean deeper-pocketed defendants but also stronger defense resources

The Greek Landscape: Organizations Behind the Letters at Texas Campuses

For Whitney families, understanding that local chapters connect to national networks is crucial. These aren’t isolated groups—they’re part of organizations with decades of history, including hazing incidents.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Whitney Families

We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracking 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. This isn’t theoretical—these are real organizations with IRS registrations, insurance policies, and liability exposure.

Sample Texas-Registered Greek Organizations (from IRS B83 filings):

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 462267515, 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing) – The housing corporation involved in the UH Bermudez case
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – EIN 746064445, 1855 Highway 69 N, Nederland, TX 77627 (IRS B83 filing) – National headquarters for fraternity involved in Stone Foltz death
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – EIN 364091267, 1101 Melrose Dr, Waco, TX 76710 (IRS B83 filing) – NPHC sorority with Texas chapters
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – EIN 237279532, PO Box 2142, Prairie View, TX 77446 (IRS B83 filing) – NPHC fraternity with Texas alumni chapters
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – EIN 475370943, 5019 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing) – Fraternity with UH chapter
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 741380362, PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 filing) – Educational foundation supporting Kappa Sigma chapters

Waco Metro Area Greek Presence:
The Waco metro (including Baylor) hosts 27+ Greek organizations according to Cause IQ data, including:

• Phi Gamma Delta – Tau Deuteron Chapter (Baylor)
• Kappa Kappa Gamma – Baylor House Board
• Delta Delta Delta – Baylor Chapter
• Baylor Panhellenic Alumnae Association

Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Area (Relevant for SMU & Many National Headquarters):
510+ Greek organizations in DFW metro, including:

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – Fort Worth, TX (Cause IQ listing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation – Fort Worth, TX (Cause IQ listing)
• Multiple national headquarters and regional offices

Why National Histories Matter for Your Case

When a Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH allegedly hazes a pledge in 2025, the national headquarters cannot claim ignorance. They knew about:

• Andrew Coffey’s death at FSU in 2017
• Multiple other alcohol-related hazing incidents nationally
• The specific risks of “Big/Little” events and forced drinking

This pattern evidence establishes foreseeability—the legal concept that they should have known this could happen and taken preventive measures.

Organizations With Documented National Hazing Histories Present at Texas Schools:

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ) – Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, Baylor

• Stone Foltz death (BGSU, 2021) – $10 million settlement
• David Bogenberger death (Northern Illinois, 2012) – $14 million settlement
• Multiple chapters suspended nationwide for hazing

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ) – Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU

• Chemical burns case (Texas A&M, 2021) – $1 million lawsuit
• Assault case (UT Austin, 2024) – $1+ million lawsuit
• Traumatic brain injury case (University of Alabama, 2023)
• Multiple alcohol-related deaths nationally

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ) – Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT

• Andrew Coffey death (FSU, 2017)
• Leonel Bermudez rhabdomyolysis case (UH, 2025) – $10 million lawsuit
• National has pattern of alcohol-related hazing incidents

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ) – Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

• Max Gruver death (LSU, 2017) – Louisiana felony hazing law named for him
• Multiple chapter suspensions for hazing violations

This isn’t about branding all fraternities as bad—it’s about recognizing that certain national organizations have documented patterns of failing to control dangerous behaviors at their chapters. When they fail to implement meaningful prevention despite knowing the risks, they become legally liable.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy for Whitney Families

If your family is facing a hazing situation, understanding how cases are built can help you make informed decisions.

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

Digital Communications (Most Important Category)

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord: Screenshot entire threads with timestamps and participant names visible
• Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok: Preserve before messages disappear
• Deleted messages: Digital forensics can often recover them—don’t reset phones
• Location data: Geo-tags, Find My Friends history, Snapchat Maps data

We created a video specifically about using your cellphone to document evidence because this evidence disappears fast.

Photos & Videos

• Injuries: Photograph immediately and daily to show progression
• Events: Any media from hazing activities, even if captioned as “jokes”
• Security footage: Ring/doorbell cameras, venue security systems

Internal Organization Documents

• Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, tradition lists
• Emails/texts from officers about activities
• National policies and training materials (obtained via discovery)

University Records

• Prior conduct files, probation/suspension letters
• Incident reports to campus police or student conduct
• Clery reports and annual security disclosures

Medical & Psychological Records

• ER/hospital records showing hazing causation
• Toxicology reports (blood alcohol, drug panels)
• Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses)

Witness Testimony

• Other pledges, members, roommates, RAs
• Former members who quit or were expelled
• Medical personnel who treated injuries

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

• Medical expenses: Past and future treatment, therapy, medications
• Lost earnings/educational impact: Missed semesters, delayed graduation, reduced earning capacity
• Future care costs: Life care plans for catastrophic injuries (brain damage, permanent disability)

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering from injuries
• Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life (can’t participate in college experience)
• Reputational harm if incident was publicized

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of companionship, love, and support
• Grief and emotional suffering of family members
• Loss of guidance for siblings

Punitive Damages (When Available)
To punish especially reckless or malicious conduct and deter future hazing. Available when defendants showed deliberate indifference to known risks.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

National fraternities and universities typically have insurance policies that may provide coverage, but insurers often argue:

• Hazing or intentional acts are excluded
• Policy doesn’t cover certain defendants
• Notice requirements weren’t met

Our insurance insider advantage comes from Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how these companies fight coverage and how to counter their arguments.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Whitney Parents and Students

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
• Extreme fatigue, exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Weight loss/gain from food/water restriction or stress
• Sleep deprivation (constant late nights, 3 AM calls)
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities (“I can’t talk about it”)
• Withdrawal from family, old friends, or non-Greek activities
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability, anger
• Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
• Financial red flags: unexpected large expenses, requests for money

48-Hour Action Checklist for Parents:

HOUR 1–6 (IMMEDIATE CRISIS):
✅ Medical: If injured or intoxicated, get to ER immediately
✅ Safety: Remove child from dangerous situation
✅ Evidence: Screenshot any messages they show you; photograph visible injuries
✅ Notes: Write down everything they tell you (date, time, what happened, who was there)
✅ Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate legal guidance

HOUR 6–24 (EVIDENCE PRESERVATION):
✅ Digital: Help child preserve all group chats, DMs, texts (do NOT delete anything)
✅ Physical: Secure clothing, receipts, objects used in hazing
✅ Medical records: Request copies of all ER/hospital records
✅ Witnesses: Write down names and contact info for other pledges, bystanders
✅ University: Note any communications from school but do NOT respond yet

HOUR 24–48 (STRATEGIC DECISIONS):
✅ Legal consultation: Speak with experienced hazing attorney
✅ Reporting decision: Decide whether to report to campus police, local police, Dean of Students
✅ University response: If school contacts you, refer them to your attorney
✅ Insurance: Do NOT talk to any insurance adjuster without lawyer present
✅ Evidence backup: Upload all screenshots and photos to cloud storage

For Students: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide:

• 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?
• Are older members making new members do things they don’t have to do themselves?
• 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:

• If in immediate danger: Call 911 or campus police
• To quit/de-pledge: Send email/text to chapter president: “I am resigning my pledge/membership effective immediately”
• Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where they might pressure or retaliate
• If fear retaliation: Report that fear to Dean of Students and campus police

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

   • Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction of justice
   • Instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly

   • They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
   • Instead: Document everything, call a lawyer before any confrontation

3. Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms

   • You may waive right to sue; settlements often below case value
   • Instead: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review

4. Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer

   • Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
   • Instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

5. Waiting “to see how the university handles it”

   • Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
   • Instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

We created a video specifically about client mistakes that can ruin your injury case because we’ve seen families inadvertently damage their cases.

Short FAQ for Whitney Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have sovereign immunity protections with exceptions for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals personally. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts.

“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 (like Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis) or death.

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize “consent” under peer pressure and fear of exclusion isn’t 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/cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases with cover-ups, statute may be tolled. Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately. Learn more in our statute of limitations video.

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

“Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the 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 Hazing Cases: Texas-Based, Nationally Relevant

When your 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 Cases

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña)
Mr. 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”
• Set reserves and negotiate settlements

We know their playbook because we used to run it. This insider knowledge is invaluable when navigating the complex insurance landscape of hazing cases.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello)

• One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—we’ve taken on billion-dollar defendants
• Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
• Not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams
• 25+ years handling catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Experience

• Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases with economist collaboration
• Experience valuing lifetime care needs for brain injury and 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 & Expert Network

• Medical experts for rhabdomyolysis, TBI, PTSD testimony
• Digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages
• Greek life culture and institutional policy experts
• Economists and life-care planners for damage valuation

Spanish-Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish and can serve Hispanic families in their native language.

How Our Broader Experience Strengthens Hazing Cases

Our experience extends beyond hazing to areas that directly apply:

Wrongful Death Experience:
We’ve handled numerous wrongful death cases, working with economists to value young lives and secure justice for families. Learn more at https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/

Criminal Defense Capability:
When hazing involves criminal charges, our criminal defense experience ensures we understand both sides. Learn more at https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/

BP Texas City Explosion Litigation:
Taking on BP taught us how to investigate institutional knowledge of dangers, prove systematic failures, and manage cases against defendants with unlimited legal budgets—exactly the skills needed against universities and national fraternities.

No Fee Unless We Win

We work on contingency fee basis—no upfront costs, no fee unless we win your case. Learn how contingency fees work in our educational video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Call to Action for Whitney Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether Baylor in Waco, Texas State in San Marcos, UH in Houston, or any school across the state—we want to hear from you. Families in Whitney, Lake Whitney, Blum, and throughout Hill 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 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.

Whether you’re in Whitney or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The same organizations, the same insurance companies, the same institutional cover-up tactics exist everywhere. We’re fighting them right now in the Leonel Bermudez case at UH, and we’re ready to fight for your family too.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Immediate help is why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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 YouTube Videos:

• Using your cellphone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Statute 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 & Practice Areas:

• Main website: https://attorney911.com
• Wrongful death practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
• Criminal defense practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/
• Ralph Manginello profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
• Lupe Peña profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

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