The Ultimate Guide to Hazing in Texas: Laws, Major University Cases, and How Attorney911 Fights for Families

When College Becomes a Nightmare: A Reality Every United States (Earth > North America > United States) Family Must Understand

You got the call, or maybe the text, that no parent ever wants to receive. It was 2:00 a.m. Your child, the one you sent off to college full of dreams, was at an off-campus event that was supposed to be about “brotherhood” or “sisterhood.” Instead, something went terribly wrong. They were pressured to drink far beyond their limits. They were subjected to degrading acts they’re too ashamed to describe. They were physically punished in what was called a “tradition.” Now they’re injured, humiliated, or terrified. You’re hundreds of miles away, worried sick, and wondering where you even begin. This is what hazing in 2025 looks like, and it’s happening at colleges across Texas—and beyond, right where families in United States (Earth > North America > United States) send their kids.

This guide is for parents and families in United States (Earth > North America > United States) and across the United States whose children are or may become involved with fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, athletic teams, or other campus organizations. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like today, walk through Texas and applicable laws, examine major cases that have forever changed Greek life and campus culture—including the groundbreaking UH case we’re actively litigating—and show you what legal options exist when tragedy strikes. Whether your child is at a Texas school or a campus much closer to United States (Earth > North America > United States), the patterns of institutional failure and the path to accountability hold crucial lessons. When you’re facing a legal emergency, you need immediate, aggressive, and professional help—that’s why we’re Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

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 your child 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 an 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 an immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

Many people still picture hazing as a few foolish pranks—paddling, silly outfits, or too much drinking. The reality today is far darker, more sophisticated, and more dangerous. 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. Critically, “I agreed to it” does not automatically make something safe or legal when there is peer pressure and a severe power imbalance.

Main Categories of Hazing

Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the deadliest category. It involves forced or coerced drinking, often in rapid succession through games, dares, or so-called “traditions” like “Big/Little Night” or bid acceptance parties. Pledges might be handed a handle of liquor and told to chug, or they might be forced to drink until they vomit, only to be compelled to drink again. This is precisely what happened in fatal cases such as Timothy Piazza at Penn State and Max Gruver at LSU.

Physical Hazing: This goes far beyond simple exercise. It includes paddling and beatings that can cause serious internal injuries. It includes extreme calisthenics, “workouts,” or “smokings” far beyond any athletic training, continuing until the participant collapses. It also involves sleep deprivation, food or water deprivation, and exposure to extreme elements, like being forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass or being sprayed in the face with cold water until they can’t breathe, as alleged in a major case currently being litigated.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This category is deeply damaging, involving forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (sometimes disturbingly called “roasted pig” or “elephant walk” rituals), and acts with racial or sexist slurs and role-play. This is intended to break down a person’s sense of dignity and self-worth.

Psychological and Digital Hazing: The psychological abuse involves verbal assaults, threats, isolation, and public shaming. Today, this often extends into the digital realm through relentless 24/7 monitoring via group chats on apps like GroupMe or WhatsApp. Pledges might be required to respond instantly, be tracked via location-sharing, or be forced to post humiliating content on TikTok or Instagram. This digital leash creates constant anxiety and is a powerful tool for coercion.

Hazing Happens Everywhere

This behavior isn’t confined to campus fraternity houses. It occurs in sororities, Corps of Cadets units, athletics (football, basketball, cheerleading), marching bands, spirit squads, and even in some academic and service organizations. The common thread is a toxic combination of tradition, secrecy, and a desire to maintain social status, which often leads older members to perpetuate abuse under the guise of “bonding.”

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

Understanding your legal options after a hazing incident starts with understanding the law. Texas has strong anti-hazing statutes, and federal laws provide additional avenues for accountability.

Texas Hazing Law basics

Texas law (Education Code § 37.151) defines hazing broadly. It’s any intentional, knowing, or reckless act by one person or a group, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation with, or maintaining membership in an organization, that endangers the physical health or safety or substantially affects the mental health or safety. This covers a vast range of conduct, from beatings and forced drinking to severe psychological torment. Critically, consent is not a defense under Texas law (§ 37.155). Even if a student says “okay,” the coercion inherent in the situation often means no true consent existed.

Criminal Penalties: Hazing is at least a Class B misdemeanor in Texas. However, if it causes serious bodily injury or death, it escalates to a state jail felony. Individuals can face fines and jail time, and organizations themselves can be prosecuted and face significant fines and suspension of their recognition by universities.

Reporter Protections: The law also provides some protections (known as good-faith reporting immunity) for individuals who report hazing to universities or law enforcement, even if they were involved in the incident. This is intended to encourage people to call for help without fear of prosecution.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

It’s vital to understand that criminal and civil cases are separate things, both of which can proceed simultaneously.

Criminal Cases: These are brought by the state or local prosecutor. The goal is to punish the wrongdoer, typically through jail, fines, or probation. Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to a minor, assault, and even manslaughter or negligent homicide in fatal cases. The standard of proof (“beyond a reasonable doubt”) is very high.
Civil Cases: These are filed by the victim or their family. The goal is monetary compensation for harm and to hold the responsible parties accountable in court. Claims can allege negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and more. The standard of proof (“preponderance of the evidence”) is lower than in criminal court, meaning it’s often easier to win a civil case even without a criminal conviction. Families in United States (Earth > North America > United States) and across the U.S. can pursue these claims to recover medical costs, lost earning potential, and compensation for pain and suffering.

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

Federal law also plays a crucial role. The recently passed Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024) requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents transparently and strengthen their prevention efforts. Title IX can be implicated when hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination, creating additional duties for universities to respond. The Clery Act mandates that schools report certain crime statistics, which often includes crimes that occur during hazing incidents. For families affected by hazing, these federal frameworks can sometimes provide additional legal leverage, especially in cases where universities attempt to handle matters quietly behind closed doors.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Lawsuit?

A civil lawsuit can potentially involve multiple parties, each with different legal responsibilities:

Individual Students: The students who planned the event, provided the alcohol, carried out the physical acts, or helped cover them up.
The Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself, if it is a legally recognized entity.
The National Fraternity/Sorority: The headquarters that sets policies, collects dues, and provides liability insurance. National organizations can often be held liable when they knew or should have known about a pattern of dangerous conduct within chapters like theirs.
The University or Governing Board: The school may be liable for negligence in its supervision of student organizations, especially if it failed to act on prior complaints or warnings. This is true for public institutions like UH, Texas A&M, UT, and private ones like SMU and Baylor, though specific doctrines (like sovereign immunity for public schools) can affect how and when they can be sued.
Third Parties: This can include landlords of off-campus houses, bars that provided alcohol to underage students (dram shop liability), security companies, or event organizers.

Every case is fact-specific. An experienced attorney can investigate the full scope of potential liability.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

Tragedies at campuses far from Texas have created powerful legal precedents and demonstrate the patterns that continue to play out today. Understanding these national anchor stories is crucial because the national organizations involved in these cases are the same ones with chapters on the campuses in Texas and, indeed, across the country—right near United States (Earth > North America > United States).

The Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): During a “bid acceptance” night, pledges were forced to consume massive amounts of alcohol in a gauntlet of stations. After falling multiple times down a flight of stairs, Timothy Pizza lay gravely injured for over 12 hours while fraternity members did nothing. The delay in calling 911 was chilling. The fallout included criminal charges against dozens of members and a historic settlement for the family. This tragic case cemented the deadly template of a forced drinking “tradition” that, when combined with a cover-up, leads directly to death and massive liability.
Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): The script was tragically familiar. On a Big Brother Little Brother night, pledges were handed a bottle of liquor. Andrew Coffey drank it and died of alcohol poisoning. The university suspended all Greek life, and the fraternity members faced criminal hazing charges. The case was another stark data point showing that national organizations like Pi Kappa Phi had repeated, fatal warnings about this specific ritual.
Max Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Hazing was dressed up as a “Bible study” drinking game. Answering a question incorrectly meant chugging. Max Gruver suffered a BAC of 0.495 and died. His family secured a significant civil verdict, and Louisiana responded by passing the felony-level “Max Gruver Act,” dramatically strengthening the state’s hazing laws. This case is a prime example of how civil litigation and public advocacy together can force legislative change.
Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Another fatal night built around a bottle of whiskey. Stone Foltz died of acute alcohol poisoning. The outcome was a $10 million settlement ($7 million from Pi Kappa Alpha’s national insurance and $3 million from the university), one of the largest public sums in a hazing case. It proved publicly that universities and national organizations face real financial consequences for turning a blind eye to these deadly traditions.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): This occurred during a weekend fraternity retreat—a common tactic to move dangerous rituals off-campus. Deng was blindfolded and repeatedly tackled in a violent “glass ceiling” ritual that caused fatal head injuries. Members delayed seeking medical help. The result was criminal convictions for individual members and, crucially, a conviction for the national fraternity itself on manslaughter and assault charges. Pi Delta Psi was banned from Pennsylvania for a decade. This case is a seminal example of how off-campus locations do not shield organizations from liability and how nationals can be held criminally and civilly responsible for the rituals they tacitly allow.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): Hazing is not confined to Greek life. A horrifying scandal revealed that the Northwestern football program, under the watch of high-paid coaches, engaged in widespread, sexualized, and racist hazing of its players. The resulting lawsuits against the university and staff showed that even big-money, high-profile collegiate athletics can harbor systemic abuse. It proves the fundamental dynamic of powerful institutions ignoring or enabling abuse to protect their brand is a cross-cutting problem.

What These National Cases Mean for United States (Earth > North America > United States) Families

These cases establish powerful patterns: forced drinking, humiliating rituals, physical violence, and, most consistently, a catastrophic failure to call for help in a timely manner. They also demonstrate that multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements are not just possible—they are becoming the norm as juries and the public refuse to tolerate these preventable deaths and injuries. Most importantly for families in United States (Earth > North America > United States), the national fraternities and sororities involved in these tragedies have chapters at universities all across the country. The knowledge and culpability of their national headquarters for these repeated failures can be a critical piece of evidence in a civil lawsuit, no matter which state the injury occurred in.

Texas Focus: UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

Texas is home to some of the largest and most prominent Greek communities in the nation. Here’s a look at what has happened—and how hazing cases typically proceed—at five major Texas universities.

5.1 University of Houston (UH)

Campus & Culture Snapshot: UH is a large, diverse public university in the heart of Houston. It has a significant and growing Greek life, with numerous IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and multicultural organizations. Its urban setting means many events occur off-campus in houses and venues across the sprawling Houston metro area, creating jurisdictional complexities between Houston Police, UHPD, and Harris County law enforcement.

Hazing Policy & Reporting: UH’s Student Code of Conduct strictly prohibits hazing. The university provides reporting channels through its Dean of Students Office and Student Conduct. UH has made public statements about hazing being “deeply disturbing” and has cooperated with law enforcement in major cases.

Example Incident & The Current Flagship Case: Right now, we are representing Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, its System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, and over a dozen individual fraternity members. The complaint details a horrific pledge period in the fall of 2025 where pledges were subjected to:

The “pledge fanny pack” rule, forcing them to carry a bag 24/7 containing condoms, a sex toy, nicotine devices, and other humiliating items.
Enforced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interviews, and overnight driving duties that created extreme sleep deprivation.
Extreme physical hazing: repeated sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, being sprayed with a hose in a manner “similar to waterboarding,” lying in vomit-soaked grass, and being forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed immediately by more sprints.
On November 3, Mr. Bermudez was forced through a brutal workout of over 100 push-ups and 500 squats. He collapsed and was eventually hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine was brown, and lab tests showed critically high creatine kinase levels. Click2Houston reported on the severe allegations and ABC13 detailed the progression of abuse.

How a UH Case Might Proceed: Jurisdiction could fall to Harris County courts. Defendants would likely include the individuals, the Beta Nu chapter corporation, and the Pi Kappa Phi national organization. UH, as a public university, has sovereign immunity protections, but this can be challenged in cases of gross negligence or when specific duties are violated. A civil case would compel the production of internal emails, disciplinary records, and witness testimony that can lay bare what the university knew and when it knew it.

What UH Students & Parents Should Do: Report any suspected hazing to the UH Dean of Students or UHPD. Preserve all digital evidence immediately. If your child is injured, do not speak to any insurance representatives or sign forms from the university before consulting an attorney experienced in handling complex cases against large institutional defendants like UH.

5.2 Texas A&M University

Campus & Culture Snapshot: Texas A&M in College Station is known for its deep traditions, particularly within the Corps of Cadets, but also within its large, influential Greek system. The culture of tradition can sometimes blur the line between time-honored rite and dangerous hazing. Law enforcement can involve the College Station Police Department, the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office, and campus police.

Hazing Policy & Reporting: A&M has strict anti-hazing policies embedded in its Student Rules. Reports can be made to the Student Life Office and the Texas A&M University Police Department. The Corps has its own set of regulations and reporting structures.

Example Incidents & Responses:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (2021): Two pledges sued the SAE chapter after alleging they were subjected to a hazing ritual where they were covered in substances, including an industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns that required emergency skin graft surgeries. The fraternity was suspended for two years by the university, and the plaintiffs sought significant monetary damages for their permanent injuries.
Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A former cadet sued the university, alleging he was subjected to degrading hazing simulating sexual acts, including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages, highlighting that even structured, para-military organizations are not immune from these horrifying abuses.

How an A&M Case Might Proceed: Cases may be filed in Brazos County. Defendants could include the individual students, the specific Corps unit or Greek chapter, and national organizations. As a public university, A&M has some liability shields, but claims for gross negligence, failure to warn, or Title IX violations can pierce those protections.

What A&M Students & Parents Should Do: A&M’s culture respect for authority means official reporting channels are a critical first step. However, given the power of tradition, families should engage legal counsel early to navigate the unique dynamics of the Corps and Greek systems and to ensure evidence isn’t lost as the community closes ranks.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)

Campus _Culture_Snapshot: UT is a massive public university with one of the nation’s largest Greek communities and a vibrant culture of spirit organizations and athletics. Its location in Austin means campus police (UTPD) and the Austin Police Department can both have jurisdiction over off-campus incidents.

Hazing Policy & Reporting: UT is a leader in transparency among Texas universities. It maintains a public Hazing Violations page on its Dean of Students website, listing organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions.

Example Incidents & Responses: UT’s public logs show repeated issues, even with their transparency:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. The university found this to be hazing, placing the chapter on probation and requiring extensive new prevention education.
Texas Wranglers (Spirit Organization): This men’s spirit group has faced multiple sanctions, including a major suspension in 2018 for alcohol and physical hazing traditions.
Other entries detail alcohol-related hazing, forced calisthenics, and sleep deprivation across various fraternities and even one sorority.

How a UT Case Might Proceed: A lawsuit would likely be filed in Travis County. UT’s extensive public record of prior violations is a powerful tool for plaintiffs, as it helps establish a pattern that the university knew—or should have known—about a problem but failed to take effective action.

What UT Students & Parents Should Do: UT’s transparent reporting system means you should use it, but also document everything independently before reporting. The existence of a prior violation record for the specific chapter is a key piece of evidence to discuss with your attorney.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Campus & Culture Snapshot: SMU is a private university in Dallas known for its affluent student body and a strong, influential Greek system. As a private institution, SMU is not bound by sovereign immunity in the same way as UH or A&M, which can affect how civil suits proceed. The University Park Department of Public Safety and the Dallas Police Department handle incidents.

Hazing Policy & Reporting: SMU has detailed anti-hazing policies and reporting mechanisms, including anonymous options through its Real Response system. Like private universities nationwide, it is often less transparent in its public reporting of disciplinary outcomes than its public counterparts.

Example Incidents & Responses:

Kappa Alpha Order Suspension (2017): The SMU chapter of Kappa Alpha Order faced significant suspension after pledges reported being paddled, forced to drink alcohol, and deprived of sleep. The fraternity’s ability to recruit new members was restricted for several years作为 part of the university’s disciplinary response.
The case highlighted how even at a prestigious private school, old-line fraternities can engage in classic, dangerous hazing practices.

How an SMU Case Might Proceed: A civil lawsuit would be filed in a Dallas County court. The lack of public transparency makes discovery in litigation even more critical to uncovering the university’s and the national organization’s knowledge of prior problems.

What SMU Students & Parents Should Do: Be aware that the university’s private nature may mean less public information. An attorney’s ability to use legal tools like subpoenas and depositions to uncover internal documents becomes even more vital in building a case.

5.5 Baylor University

Campus & Culture Snapshot: Baylor is a private Christian university in Waco with a significant Greek life. The university has been under intense scrutiny in recent years for sexual assault scandals within its football program, which has shaped its campus culture and oversight mechanisms. Local law enforcement includes the Waco Police Department.

Hazing Policy & Reporting: Baylor states it has a zero-tolerance policy for hazing. Reports are handled by the university’s Title IX Office and the Department of Public Safety.

Example Incidents & Responses:

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): The university suspended 14 baseball players for an undisclosed amount of time as the result of a hazing investigation. The suspensions were staggered over the early part of the baseball season, indicating the severity and the university’s effort to manage its impact on the team.
This incident, coming on the heels of the football scandal, underscored that hazing and abuse were not limited to one program at Baylor but were a broader cultural issue the administration was forced to confront.

How a Baylor Case Might Proceed: Like at SMU, a lawsuit would be in a local court (McLennan County). Baylor’s history with the assault scandal means plaintiffs can argue the university was on notice of systemic cultural issues it failed to correct.

What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do: Given Baylor’s stated Christian values and mission, holding the institution accountable when it fails to live up to them can be a powerful part of a legal strategy. Document all communications with university officials.

Fraternities, Sororities, and National Histories: Why the Big Picture Matters

When a pledge is injured at a local chapter of a fraternity or sorority at UH, Texas A&M, or any university in the U.S., it’s critical to look beyond that one house. The local chapter is part of a national organization with a headquarters, a multi-million dollar insurance policy, and—crucially—a history. A single chapter’s actions can prove a dangerous pattern for the entire organization.

Why National Histories Matter

National fraternities and sororities are not helpless bystanders. They set the policies, collect significant dues from every chapter, and provide oversight—some more effectively than others. When a chapter in Texas repeats the exact same fatal ritual that got another chapter sued or shut down in Ohio, Florida, or Pennsylvania, it shows that the national headquarters either failed to properly train its members, failed to enforce its own policies, or tacitly condoned the behavior. This concept is legally known as “notice”—the national organization had notice that this type of conduct was dangerous and likely to occur, yet it failed to take adequate steps to prevent it. This is a powerful argument in a civil lawsuit for establishing negligence and even seeking punitive damages.

Organization Mapping and Patterns

Several major national organizations with chapters across Texas—and indeed, throughout the country, near United States (Earth > North America > United States)—have been at the center of multiple documented tragedies:

Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE): Beyond the current UH case we’re litigating, PIKE has been involved in multiple fatal alcohol hazing incidents, including the deaths of David Bogenberger at Northern Illinois University (which led to a $14 million settlement) and Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University (a $10 million settlement). The “Big/Little Night” drinking tradition has proven deadly time and again.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): SAE has a long, tragic history with alcohol-related hazing deaths, including those at several universities. Their pattern of dangerous drinking rituals combined with delayed medical care is a recurring theme in litigation they’ve faced. They have also been involved in the lawsuit at Texas A&M where pledges suffered chemical burns.
Phi Delta Theta: The death of Max Gruver at LSU is a cornerstone case showing the catastrophic failure of a fraternity’s “Bible Study” drinking game. The resulting Max Gruver Act in Louisiana and the significant civil verdict against the fraternity members have put all SAE-like chapters on notice.
Pi Kappa Phi: The death of Andrew Coffey at FSU is another example of a致命 Big Brother/Big Sister ritual involving forced consumption of a bottle of liquor. The civil case against the national organization further solidified their legal exposure for such traditions.
Kappa Alpha Order (KA): While not as frequently associated with fatalities, KA chapters, including the one at SMU, have faced repeated suspensions and lawsuits for physical hazing, including paddling and forced alcohol consumption.

This is not an exhaustive list, but it illustrates the point. For families in United States (Earth > North America > United States) who may be looking at a chapter of one of these organizations near their child’s campus, this national history is not just background—it’s a critical part of the evidence trail. It helps answer the question: “Should they have known this could happen?” The answer, in far too many cases, is yes.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

A successful hazing lawsuit is built on a foundation of thorough investigation and a clear legal theory. It’s a complex process, but understanding the key components can demystify it for any family facing this situation.

The Critical Importance of Evidence

Evidence is everything. The more you have, and the more quickly you secure it, the stronger your case will be. Our investigative approach is comprehensive:

Digital Communications: This is the modern-day smoking gun. We subpoena and use forensic experts to recover deleted GroupMe messages, iMessage texts, Instagram DMs, and Snapchats. These chats often contain explicit planning of hazing events, warnings to keep secrets, and even admissions of guilt from members.
Photos and Videos: Members often film or photograph their own “traditions.” We seek to obtain this content from phones, cloud accounts, and witnesses. One disturbing video or photo showing a dangerous act can be impossible for a defense team to explain away.
Internal Organization Documents: We pursue the chapter’s bylaws, pledge manuals, and ritual books. We also obtain the national organization’s risk management policies, insurance policies, and—most importantly—its files on prior incidents at this specific chapter and others nationwide.
University Records: We use public records requests and the discovery process to obtain the university’s disciplinary files, campus police incident reports, and communications between administrators regarding the problematic chapter.
Medical and Psychological Records: We work with your family to collect all ER records, hospital charts, doctor’s notes, toxicology reports, and, crucially, diagnoses of conditions like rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and PTSD from qualified mental health professionals. These records document the objective harm that was done.
Witness Testimony: We identify and interview other pledges (current and former), disenchanted members, roommates, RAs, coaches, and even bartenders or property managers who may have seen something. These witnesses are essential for confirming the narrative and showing the culture of secrecy.

It’s vital to act on this immediately. We’ve seen group chats wiped clean within hours of an incident, and universities often begin their own investigations that can taint witness memories. Our motto is “preserve everything.”

Understanding Damages: What a Family Can Recover

The law allows families to seek compensation for a wide range of losses, both economic and non-economic.

Medical Costs: This includes every bill from the ambulance to the ICU, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and all follow-up appointments. For catastrophic injuries like a severe brain injury or permanent kidney damage, this also includes the cost of a life-care plan for 24/7 supervision.
Lost Earnings & Impact on Education: If the injury forces a student to withdraw from school or delays their graduation, we can claim the cost of lost tuition, lost scholarships, and the impact on their future earning capacity. Economists help build these models.
Non-Economic Damages: These are for the human cost that doesn’t have a bill. It includes physical pain and suffering, the intense emotional distress, trauma, PTSD, humiliation, and the loss of the ability to enjoy life’s activities the way they did before. This is often the largest component of a recovery in severe cases.
Wrongful Death: In the most tragic cases, we can claim damages for the family. This includes funeral costs, the loss of companionship, love, and guidance, and the profound grief and mental suffering of parents and siblings.

A skilled attorney ensures that every facet of the harm is quantified and presented to the responsible parties and their insurers. We don’t just look at the medical bill; we look at the totality of the injury’s impact on the victim’s life and the family’s future.

Navigating Defendants and Insurance

Hazing cases are rarely simple. Multiple parties may be involved, each with their own high-powered defense lawyers and complex insurance policies. National fraternities and universities are defended by top-tier law firms. Their insurance companies will often fight tooth and nail, sometimes arguing that the specific act was “intentional” and therefore excluded from coverage.

Our firm is uniquely equipped for this fight. Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how they value claims, what arguments they use to lowball settlements, and how they structure policies to try to exclude coverage. He uses this insider knowledge to our clients’ advantage, anticipating their moves and building cases that are harder to deny or dismiss. We are not intimidated by a billion-dollar defendant’s legal team because we have faced them before.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Families, Students, and Witnesses

After a tragedy or a near-tragedy, you are overwhelmed. Here is clear, practical guidance for the key groups involved.

For Parents: Your First 48 Hours

If you suspect or learn your child has been hazed, these first hours are critical.

Warning Signs to Watch For: Unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, burns); extreme exhaustion or sleep deprivation; sudden withdrawal from family or friends; paranoia or extreme anxiety about their phone; unexpected financial needs; a sudden obsession with pleasing older members.
How to Talk to Your Child: Approach without judgment. Ask open-ended questions like, “How are things really going with the [ fraternity/sorority ]?” or “Is there anything happening that makes you uncomfortable?” Validate their fear of disappointing the group while emphasizing their safety is the absolute priority.
If Your Child Is Hurt: Get them medical help immediately. When speaking to doctors, be clear they were hazed so it is in the medical record. Take clear photos of all injuries. Save all medical bills.
Document Everything: In a notebook, write down everything your child tells you: dates, times, locations, names of individuals involved, and exactly what happened. This contemporaneous record is invaluable.
Do Not Confront the Organization: Your instinct may be to march down to the fraternity house. Don’t. This gives them a chance to destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare their legal defense. Let your attorney handle any contact.
Do Not Sign Anything: The university or an insurance company may offer a quick settlement or ask you to sign a release. Do not sign anything without an experienced attorney reviewing it first. You may be signing away your right to full and fair compensation.

For Students/Pledges: Know Your Rights and Your Exit Plan

If you are in the middle of a pledge process that feels dangerous or degrading, you need to know this.

Is This Hazing? If you are being forced or pressured to do something that makes you unsafe, that’s hazing. If you fear social exclusion, punishment, or ridicule for not participating, the “choice” to continue is not truly free. Texas law is on your side.
“Consent” Is Not a Magic Shield: The law recognizes that the power imbalance between an active member and a pledge makes “consent” questionable at best.
How to Exit Safely: If you feel in immediate danger, leave and call 911. If not, you can resign by formally communicating it, preferably via email to chapter leadership (e.g., “I am resigning my pledge/membership effective immediately”). Tell a trusted friend, family member, or RA what you are doing. You do NOT have to attend one last meeting.
Reporting Options: You can report to your university’s Dean of Students, Title IX Office (if sexual harassment is involved), or campus police. You can also call the national anti-hazing hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE. Reporting can feel like betrayal, but it can also save your life or someone else’s.
Preserve Evidence: If you are safe, take screenshots of threatening or incriminating group chats, photos of injuries, and write down your account. This protects you and may be critical if others are harmed later.

For Former Members/Witnesses: The Power of Your Voice

If you were once part of an organization that engaged in hazing, you may carry guilt or fear.

Acknowledging Complexity: It’s normal to feel conflicted. You may have friends still in the chapter you don’t want to hurt. But you also may have seen things you know were dangerous.
Why Your Testimony Matters: Your evidence—an old text, a description of a ritual, a photo—could be the key piece of information that proves a pattern of abuse and prevents another family from going through what the Gruver, Foltz, or Deng families endured.
Legal Protection: Speaking with an attorney can help you understand your rights. In some cases, you may have criminal exposure, but a lawyer can help you navigate cooperation agreements or witness protections.
You Can Help Stop the Cycle: Your cooperation with an investigation can be the first step toward real accountability and change, both for the chapter and potentially for the national organization.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Avoiding these common errors can be the difference between a successful case and a legal dead end:

Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence. This looks like a cover-up and can make proving your case nearly impossible.
Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly before you have a lawyer. They will lawyer up and start controlling the narrative. Let your attorney make contact.
Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms in a hurry. These may waive your right to sue or limit your recovery. Always have an attorney review them first.
Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer. Defense teams monitor social media. Public inconsistency can damage credibility. Let your lawyer control the public messaging.
Letting your child go back to “one last meeting.” This is often an attempt to get a statement or intimidate the victim. All communication should cease until you have counsel.
Waiting “to see how the university handles it.” Universities are not neutral parties; they are potential defendants. Their internal process is not a substitute for a civil liability investigation.
Talking to any insurance adjuster without your lawyer. Their goal is to close the claim quickly and cheaply. Say politely, “My attorney will be in touch.”

Short FAQ

“Can I sue a university for hazing in the United States?” Yes, but it depends on the state and the facts. Public universities have some immunity protections, but these can be challenged in cases of “gross negligence” or when federal laws like Title IX are invoked. Private universities have fewer such protections. The specific laws in your state and the details of the injury are key. Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 to discuss your situation.
“Is hazing a felony?” It can be. Many states, including Texas, have specific criminal hazing statutes. In Texas, it’s a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Other states have enacted similarly strong felony-level penalties.
“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to it?” Yes. The consent defense is rejected by hazing laws across the country because courts recognize the immense peer pressure and power dynamics involved.
“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?” It varies by state (often 1-3 years), but the “discovery rule” can extend that deadline. Don’t assume you have time. Acting fast to preserve evidence is more important than any clock. Call us immediately.
“What if it happened off-campus?” Location doesn’t prevent liability. Many of the most devastating cases happened at off-campus retreats or houses. The key is whether the university or national organization had enough control or knowledge to be held responsible.
“Will my child’s name be in the news?” Most cases settle confidentially before trial, and court records can be sealed. We prioritize your privacy and can fight for confidentiality while still seeking accountability.

About The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911: Why We Are the Right Choice for Your Hazing Case

When your family is facing the nightmare of a hazing injury or death, you need legal representation that understands the unique battle ahead. This isn’t a simple car accident case. It’s a fight against powerful, well-funded institutions that specialize in protecting their reputation. You need a team that knows their playbook and is prepared for a complex, intensive litigation.

Our Firm’s Unique Experience for Hazing Litigation:

Insurance Insider Knowledge (Lupe Peña): Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) is not your typical plaintiff’s attorney. For years, he worked for a national defense firm representing insurance companies. He knows exactly how they value claims, how they structure policies to exclude coverage, and what arguments they use to pressure families into lowball settlements. He uses this insider knowledge to our clients’ advantage, anticipating the defense’s every move and countering their strategies effectively.
Complex Litigation Against Massive Defendants (Ralph Manginello): Mr. Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys who was involved in the massive BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on a colossal international corporation. This experience is directly transferable to fighting national fraternities and universities with enormous legal budgets. We are prepared for the long fight and have the federal court experience necessary for the complex jurisdictional and legal issues that arise in these cases.
Proven Record in Catastrophic Injury and Wrongful Death: Our firm has a proven track record of recovering millions for clients in cases involving life-altering injuries and death. We understand how to work with economists and life-care specialists to quantify the profound, lifetime impact of a severe brain injury or the loss of a child.
Criminal + Civil Capability: Our background in criminal defense means we understand how criminal hazing charges can intersect with a civil lawsuit. This is crucial for advising witnesses or former members who may face both criminal and civil exposure and for leveraging the findings of a criminal investigation in a civil case.
Investigative Depth: We do not rely on the evidence handed to us. We use our network of experts in digital forensics, medicine, and psychology to uncover the hidden truth—recovering deleted messages, finding overlooked witnesses, and piecing together the full story of what happened and who is responsible.
Commitment to Families: We are parents and community members ourselves. We handle every case with the urgency, empathy, and relentless advocacy it deserves. We understand that for you, this is not a legal issue—it’s a fight for your child’s future and for accountability that can protect others.

Serving Families Nationwide from a Texas Foundation

While our firm is based in Texas with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we are dedicated to helping families across the country who have been harmed by hazing. We serve families in United States (Earth > North America > United States) and nationwide through:

Direct representation for cases with a Texas connection.
Co-counsel arrangements with highly skilled local attorneys in other jurisdictions.
Consultation services to help any family, anywhere in the U.S., understand their rights and the legal landscape after a hazing tragedy.

The same organizations that caused harm at a Texas campus are the ones operating near United States (Earth > North America > United States). Our knowledge of their methods and our experience holding them accountable are assets we bring to every case, no matter the state.

Call to Action: Confidential, No-Obligation Help

If your child has been harmed by hazing at any college or university, you don’t have to face this alone. You need answers, accountability, and a clear path forward. Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 for a confidential consultation.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

We will listen to your story with compassion and without judgment.
We will review any evidence you have, even if you feel it’s incomplete.
We will clearly explain your legal options under the relevant state and federal laws.
We will answer all your questions about the process, costs (we work on a contingency fee basis—we don’t get paid unless we win for you), and timelines.
There is absolutely no pressure to hire us on the spot. Our priority is to make sure you have the information you need to make the best decision for your family.

Contact Attorney911 today:

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com

Se Habla Español: Mr. Lupe Peña provides consultations in Spanish. Contact him at lupe@atty911.com.

Whether you are in United States (Earth > North America > United States), Texas, or any other state suffering the effects of a campus hazing tragedy, call us. We are ready to fight for you.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

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/
https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-by-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
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:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs (Using your phone to document evidence)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c (Texas statutes of limitations)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY (Client mistakes to avoid)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc (How contingency fees work)

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 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