The Complete Guide to Hazing in Texas: What Upton County Families Need to Know About Fraternity, Sorority & Campus Abuse Lawsuits

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

It starts with a call home that feels different. Your child at Texas A&M or the University of Texas sounds exhausted, secretive, anxious. There are unexplained injuries—bruises they call “workout accidents,” burns they dismiss as “nothing.” They’re suddenly unavailable, always “at a mandatory chapter event,” responding to group chats at 3 AM. When you press, they shut down: “You wouldn’t understand.” “It’s just tradition.” “Everyone goes through it.”

For families across Upton County—from the oilfields near McCamey to the close-knit communities of Rankin—this nightmare is unfolding right now at Texas campuses. What begins as excitement about joining a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or spirit group can turn into systematic abuse: forced drinking until alcohol poisoning, brutal physical workouts causing organ failure, psychological torment masked as “bonding,” and digital hazing through constant group chat demands.

Right now, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly died after being hazed by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The details are horrifying: a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and extreme workouts that gave Bermudez rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—he passed brown urine and was hospitalized for four days. The chapter has been shut down, but the physical and psychological damage to this young man continues.

This is happening in Texas. To Texas students. To children of Texas families like yours.

This comprehensive guide will give Upton County families the facts, law, and strategies you need if hazing has touched your family. We’ll explain what modern hazing really looks like, how Texas law protects victims, what’s happening at major campuses like UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor, and how experienced hazing attorneys build cases that hold powerful institutions accountable.

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 (Beyond the Stereotypes)

For Upton County families who may be unfamiliar with modern Greek life and campus organizations, it’s crucial to understand that hazing has evolved far beyond the “hell week” stereotypes of decades past. Today’s hazing is often sophisticated, digitally-enabled, and carefully concealed behind euphemisms like “team building,” “tradition,” or “new member education.”

The Legal Definition That Matters

Under Texas law—which governs every hazing case affecting Upton County families—hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that 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.

The critical point for Upton County parents: “Consent is not a defense.” Even if your child “agreed” to participate, even if they wanted to prove they could “handle it,” even if they felt pressured to go along with “what everyone before them did”—none of that makes hazing legal or acceptable under Texas law.

The Four Categories of Modern Hazing

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

• Forced consumption games: “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, “family tree” drinking games, “bid acceptance” parties with mandatory shots
• Lineups and challenges: Pledges lined up and forced to chug alcohol in rapid succession
• Punishment drinking: Incorrect answers during “Bible study” or trivia games requiring drinking
• Coerced drug use: Being pressured to consume marijuana, pills, or unknown substances to “prove loyalty”

2. Physical Hazing
Far beyond “conditioning workouts,” this includes:

• Paddling and beatings: Still prevalent despite national prohibitions
• Extreme calisthenics: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups, wall sits until collapse, bear crawls for extended distances
• Environmental exposure: Being locked in freezing rooms, left outside in extreme weather, denied access to bathrooms
• Dangerous physical tests: Blindfolded tackle rituals (“glass ceiling”), forced fights, being hog-tied or restrained

3. Psychological and Sexualized Hazing
The most humiliating forms that cause lasting trauma:

• Sexualized rituals: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, “roasted pig” positions, degrading costumes
• Verbal abuse and humiliation: “Roasts” where members tear down pledges, public shaming sessions
• Isolation and control: Cutting off contact with family and non-member friends, controlling daily schedules
• Racist, sexist, or homophobic hazing: Use of slurs, forced role-playing of stereotypes

4. Digital Hazing
The newest frontier that makes hazing a 24/7 experience:

• Group chat tyranny: Constant demands via GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord with immediate response required
• Social media humiliation: Forced TikTok challenges, Instagram story dares, compromising photos shared in private groups
• Location tracking: Being required to share live location via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
• Digital degradation: Members creating memes mocking specific pledges, sharing embarrassing content

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

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

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural Greek councils)
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-style groups (particularly at Texas A&M)
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading)
• Spirit and Tradition Groups (Texas Cowboys, spirit organizations)
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups
• Academic and Service Organizations

The common thread? Power imbalance, secrecy, and tradition—where new members must “prove themselves” to gain acceptance from established members.

Texas Hazing Law: What Upton County Families Need to Know

When your child is hazed at a Texas university, three legal frameworks come into play: Texas state law, federal regulations, and the civil justice system. Understanding each is essential for Upton County families seeking accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your State Law Protections

Texas has specific anti-hazing statutes that provide both criminal penalties and civil liability pathways. Here’s what matters most for Upton County families:

§ 37.151 Definition
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act (on or off campus) directed against a student that endangers physical or mental health for purposes of initiation or affiliation. Key points:

• Location doesn’t matter—off-campus houses, retreats, Airbnbs are all covered
• Mental or physical harm both qualify
• Recklessness is enough—they don’t need to have intended harm, just disregarded substantial risk

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties

• Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

§ 37.155 Consent is NOT a Defense
This is crucial: “It is not a defense to prosecution that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.” Your child saying “yes” under peer pressure doesn’t legalize the abuse.

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability
Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can be criminally prosecuted if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report it. Organizations face fines up to $10,000 per violation and can be banned from campus.

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting
Someone who reports hazing in good faith is immune from civil or criminal liability. Many universities also offer medical amnesty policies—if your child calls 911 for someone in danger, even if underage drinking was involved, they shouldn’t face university discipline.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases

• Brought by: The State of Texas (prosecutor)
• Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Common charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Process: Police investigation → arrest → criminal charges → trial or plea deal

Civil Cases

• Brought by: Victims and their families
• Goal: Compensation and accountability
• Common claims: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress
• Process: Investigation → lawsuit → discovery → settlement or trial

Critical Insight: These cases can run simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required to file a civil suit, and a civil case can proceed even if prosecutors decline to file criminal charges. Many families pursue both tracks.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

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

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

• Conduct prompt, thorough investigations
• Protect victims from retaliation
• Provide supportive measures (housing changes, class adjustments)

Clery Act
Requires reporting of certain crimes on campus; hazing incidents often overlap with assault, alcohol, and drug violations that must be disclosed in annual security reports.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

One of our key strategies is identifying every potentially liable party to maximize accountability and ensure adequate compensation. For Upton County families, this might include:

1. Individual Students

• Those who planned, executed, or helped cover up hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, risk manager)

2. Local Chapter/Organization

• The fraternity/sorority as a legal entity
• Chapter housing corporations

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters

• Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
• Often have deep-pocketed insurance policies

4. Universities and Governing Boards

• Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) under certain negligence theories
• Private universities (SMU, Baylor) with fewer immunity protections
• May be liable for prior knowledge and failure to act

5. Third Parties

• Property owners of houses where hazing occurred
• Bars or alcohol providers under dram shop laws
• Security companies or event organizers

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys know how to investigate each potential defendant.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Precedents Tell Us

The hazing cases currently affecting Upton County families don’t exist in a vacuum. They follow patterns established in tragedies across the country. Understanding these national cases helps Texas families recognize their legal rights and the potential outcomes of their own cases.

Alcohol Poisoning Death Pattern

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

• What happened: 20-year-old pledge forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night; died from alcohol poisoning
• Legal outcome: Multiple criminal convictions; $10 million total settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
• Texas relevance: This exact “Big/Little” drinking script continues at Texas chapters

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

• What happened: Pledge forced to participate in “Bible study” drinking game; died with 0.495% BAC
• Legal outcome: Felony convictions; Louisiana passed Max Gruver Act strengthening hazing laws
• Texas relevance: Shows how state laws change after tragedies—Texas could see similar reforms

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

• What happened: Bid acceptance night with extreme drinking; fatal falls captured on chapter cameras; delayed medical help
• Legal outcome: 18 members charged with 1,000+ criminal counts; Pennsylvania passed Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law
• Texas relevance: Security camera evidence and delayed medical response are common in Texas cases

Physical and Ritualized Hazing Pattern

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

• What happened: Pledge blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat; died from traumatic brain injury
• Legal outcome: National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter; banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
• Texas relevance: Off-campus retreats are common in Texas; shows national organizations can face criminal liability

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021)

• What happened: Pledge forced to drink excessive alcohol during “pledge dad reveal”; suffered permanent severe brain damage (cannot walk, talk, or see; needs 24/7 care)
• Legal outcome: Settlements with 22 defendants; multi-million dollar compensation
• Texas relevance: Non-fatal catastrophic injuries require lifetime care planning in settlements

Athletic Program Hazing Pattern

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)

• What happened: Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within football program
• Legal outcome: Multiple lawsuits; head coach fired and settled wrongful-termination claim; ongoing litigation
• Texas relevance: Texas athletic programs face similar risks; not just Greek life

What These Cases Mean for Upton County Families

These national precedents establish crucial legal principles:

1. Pattern Evidence Matters: When a Texas chapter repeats hazing methods that caused deaths elsewhere, that shows foreseeability—the national organization should have known and prevented it.

2. Institutional Accountability is Possible: Universities and national headquarters with deep pockets can be held responsible through careful litigation.

3. Settlement Values Are Substantial: Serious injury and death cases regularly settle for millions, with some verdicts exceeding $10 million.

4. Legal Reforms Follow Tragedy: Many states strengthened laws only after high-profile cases—Texas may see similar reforms as more cases emerge.

Texas Universities: Campus-Specific Hazing Realities for Upton County Families

Upton County families send their children to universities across Texas. Whether your student attends nearby Sul Ross State in Alpine, makes the drive to Texas Tech in Lubbock, or heads to major hubs like Texas A&M or UT Austin, understanding campus-specific hazing landscapes is crucial.

Geographic Reality for Upton County

Upton County sits in West Texas’s Permian Basin region, with educational connections spanning:

• Local/Regional Campuses: Sul Ross State University (Alpine), University of Texas Permian Basin (Odessa), Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls)
• Major Statewide Hubs: Texas A&M University (College Station), University of Texas at Austin, Texas Tech University (Lubbock), University of Houston
• Common Greek Life Destinations: Upton County students often join fraternities/sororities at Tech, A&M, and UT—schools hours away but deeply connected to our community

Regardless of distance, Texas hazing law protects your child, and our Houston-based firm serves families throughout Texas, including Upton County.

University of Houston (UH): Urban Campus, Systemic Risks

Campus Culture Snapshot
UH’s large commuter and residential population supports active Greek life with multiple councils (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural). The urban Houston setting means hazing often moves to off-campus houses in neighborhoods like Third Ward or Montrose.

Recent Major Case: Leonel Bermudez & Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu
We’re currently litigating this landmark case that exemplifies modern hazing:

• Hazing Methods: “Pledge fanny pack” humiliation, forced consumption causing vomiting, hose spraying “similar to waterboarding,” extreme workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park
• Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, four-day hospitalization, ongoing kidney damage risk
• Defendants: UH, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, Beta Nu housing corporation, 13 individual members
• Institutional Response: Chapter suspended Nov 6, 2025; charter surrendered Nov 14, 2025; UH called conduct “deeply disturbing”

UH’s Greek Ecosystem (From Official Rosters)

• IFC Fraternities: Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Sigma Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Upsilon, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and others
• Panhellenic Sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Phi Mu, Zeta Tau Alpha
• NPHC (Divine Nine): All nine historically Black organizations have UH chapters

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds

• Jurisdiction: Harris County courts; Houston Police Department or UHPD depending on location
• Evidence Sources: Group chats (especially GroupMe), social media, medical records from Texas Medical Center
• Strategic Considerations: UH’s status as a public university affects sovereign immunity arguments; multi-defendant strategy essential

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life Intersection

Campus Culture Snapshot
A&M’s unique Corps of Cadets tradition coexists with one of Texas’s largest Greek systems. This creates dual hazing risks: traditional fraternity alcohol hazing AND Corps physical/psychological hazing.

Documented Incidents

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)

• What happened: Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
• Legal outcome: Pledges sued for $1 million; chapter suspended for two years
• Pattern evidence: SAE has national history of similar incidents

Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023)

• What happened: Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in “roasted pig” position with apple in mouth
• Legal outcome: Sought over $1 million; A&M stated it handled internally
• Broader implication: Corps traditions sometimes cross into illegal hazing

Texas A&M’s Greek Ecosystem

• IFC Fraternities: 19+ chapters including Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Sigma Phi, Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Tau Delta, Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi
• Panhellenic Sororities: 14+ chapters including Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma
• Corps-Affiliated Units: Multiple outfits with their own traditions and risks

What College Station Families Should Know

• Reporting Channels: Student Conduct Office, Corps leadership, campus police
• Evidence Preservation: Corps and Greek life often use different communication apps; both need preservation
• Legal Strategy: May involve both university discipline and civil litigation

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

Campus Culture Snapshot
UT’s size and Greek life prominence come with relatively high transparency—their public hazing violations log provides families crucial pattern evidence.

UT’s Public Hazing Violations (Examples)

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; found to be hazing; chapter probation
• Texas Wranglers (2023): Spirit organization sanctioned for hazing involving alcohol and physical demands
• Multiple Organizations: Alcohol-related hazing, forced workouts, punishment-based practices

UT’s Greek Ecosystem

• IFC Fraternities: Alpha Sigma Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu
• Panhellenic Sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma
• NPHC: Active Divine Nine presence

Strategic Advantage for Austin-Area Families
UT’s violation log becomes evidence in civil cases. When we sue a fraternity with prior UT violations, we show:

1. Pattern of conduct
2. Prior notice to organization
3. Inadequate prevention measures

Southern Methodist University (SMU): Private Campus Challenges

Campus Culture Snapshot
SMU’s affluent private campus has strong Greek presence with different transparency challenges than public universities.

Documented Incidents

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended until 2021
• Pattern: Multiple organizations have faced sanctions for alcohol hazing and physical abuse

SMU’s Greek Ecosystem

• IFC Fraternities: Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Alpha Order, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi
• Panhellenic Sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi

Private University Considerations

• Less Sovereign Immunity: SMU as private institution has fewer immunity protections than public universities
• Different Discovery Rules: May obtain internal documents more easily than from public schools
• Insurance Coverage: Often different policy structures requiring specialized knowledge

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Accountability

Campus Culture Snapshot
Baylor’s religious identity exists alongside significant Greek life and athletic programs, all with hazing risks.

Documented Incidents

• Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
• Pattern: Multiple Greek organizations have faced disciplinary action

Baylor’s Greek Ecosystem

• IFC Fraternities: Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi
• Panhellenic Sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, Zeta Tau Alpha

Strategic Considerations

• Title IX Overlap: Baylor’s history with sexual assault cases affects how they handle harassment aspects of hazing
• Religious Exemptions: Some limited legal differences but hazing laws still apply
• Athletic Program Risks: Baylor’s athletic prominence means sports hazing requires particular attention

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: How We Track Organizations Behind the Letters

For Upton County families, understanding that a fraternity or sorority isn’t just “a group of students” is crucial. Each organization has legal structures, insurance policies, and national networks that create liability pathways. We maintain a proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine that maps these entities—here’s what that means for your case.

IRS B83 Backbone: 125+ Texas-Registered Greek Organizations

The IRS classifies Greek organizations under NTEE code B83 (Student Sororities, Fraternities). Our database tracks every Texas-registered entity, including:

Examples from Public Records:

• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC (EIN 133048786) – 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845
• GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC (EIN 161675890) – 115 Wild Wick Way, The Woodlands, TX 77382
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC (EIN 462267515) – 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC (EIN 475370943) – 5019 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204
• SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER (EIN 746084905) – 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204

These aren’t just mailing addresses—they’re legal entities that may hold insurance policies, own property, and have liability for chapter activities.

Metro-Level Greek Presence: Where Organizations Operate

From Cause IQ data, we track Greek organizations across Texas metros:

• Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metro: 510+ Greek organizations
• Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land Metro: 188+ organizations
• Austin–Round Rock Metro: 154+ organizations
• San Antonio Metro: 86+ organizations
• Lubbock Metro: 59+ organizations
• College Station–Bryan Metro: 42+ organizations

For Upton County families with students at Texas Tech (Lubbock metro), that means 59 potential organizational entities in that region alone.

Brand Overlap: Connecting Nationals to Texas Entities

When the same organization appears in both IRS data and metro databases, we establish verified connections:

Examples of Cross-Validated Brands:

• Beta Upsilon Chi: Listed in IRS B83 (EIN 742911848, Fort Worth) AND Cause IQ Dallas-Fort Worth data
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation: IRS EIN 741380362 AND Cause IQ DFW listing
• Pi Kappa Alpha: Multiple Texas entities in both datasets

This matters because it proves national brands operate through multiple Texas legal entities—all potentially liable in a hazing case.

Why This Intelligence Matters for Your Case

When we take a hazing case for a Upton County family, we don’t start from zero. We already know:

1. Legal Entity Names: Exactly how organizations are registered with the IRS
2. EINs: Employer Identification Numbers for each entity
3. Geographic Presence: Where organizations operate across Texas
4. Organizational Structure: How nationals connect to local chapters through housing corporations, alumni associations, and educational foundations

This intelligence helps us:

• Identify all potentially liable parties (not just the obvious ones)
• Locate insurance coverage across multiple policies
• Serve legal documents correctly on first attempt
• Build pattern evidence showing organizational knowledge and control

Fraternity & Sorority National Histories: Pattern Evidence That Strengthens Your Case

For Upton County families, understanding that your child’s hazing experience isn’t an isolated incident—but part of a national pattern—is both disturbing and legally powerful. When organizations repeat dangerous behaviors across states, that establishes foreseeability: they should have known and prevented it.

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike): Alcohol Hazing Pattern

National History:

• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, 2021): Forced drinking death; $10M settlement
• David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois, 2012): Alcohol poisoning death; $14M settlement
• Multiple other alcohol-related deaths and injuries

Texas Presence:

• Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
• Documented violations at UT Austin (2023 milk consumption/calisthenics hazing)

Legal Significance: When a Texas Pike chapter uses alcohol hazing, we can show national headquarters knew this exact method caused deaths elsewhere.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Chemical and Physical Abuse Pattern

National History:

• Traumatic Brain Injury Case (Alabama, 2023): Pledge allegedly suffered TBI during ritual
• Chemical Burns Case (Texas A&M, 2021): Industrial cleaner causing burns requiring skin grafts
• Assault Case (UT Austin, 2024): Exchange student with dislocated leg, broken nose

Texas Presence:

• Chapters at all five major Texas universities
• Active history of violations

Legal Significance: SAE’s national pattern of physical and chemical abuse shows organizational knowledge of these risks.

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): The UH Case in Context

National History:

• Andrew Coffey (Florida State, 2017): Alcohol poisoning death during “Big Brother Night”
• Multiple other hazing incidents nationally

Texas Presence:

• UH Beta Nu chapter (now closed), other Texas chapters
• Current Case: Our Leonel Bermudez lawsuit alleges extreme physical hazing causing kidney failure

Legal Significance: Nationals can’t claim “we didn’t know” when their own chapters elsewhere have caused deaths and injuries.

Additional Organizations with Documented Histories

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

• Max Gruver death (LSU, 2017) leading to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act
• Chapters at Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

Phi Gamma Delta (ΦΓΔ / FIJI):

• Danny Santulli catastrophic brain injury (Missouri, 2021)
• $multi-million settlements with 22 defendants

Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ):

• Chad Meredith drowning death (Miami, 2001); $12.6M verdict
• Texas A&M rhabdomyolysis case (2023, ongoing)

How National Patterns Help Upton County Families

1. Establish Foreseeability: Shows organizations knew or should have known risks
2. Support Punitive Damages: Pattern of ignoring warnings can justify punishment beyond compensation
3. Defeat “Rogue Chapter” Defense: When same methods appear nationally, it’s not “just a few bad apples”
4. Inform Settlement Negotiations: Insurance companies know juries recognize patterns

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages for Upton County Families

When your family faces a hazing crisis, understanding how cases are built helps you make informed decisions. Here’s our process at Attorney911 for turning tragedy into accountability.

Evidence Collection: The Digital Crime Scene

Modern hazing leaves digital footprints. Our systematic approach includes:

1. Digital Communications Preservation

• Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, fraternity-specific apps
• Recovery Methods: Screenshots immediately, digital forensics for deleted messages, cloud backup analysis
• Critical Content: Planning messages, instructions, boasting about hazing, cover-up discussions

2. Social Media Evidence

• Platforms: Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter/X
• Preservation: Screenshots before deletion, archive requests, witness testimony about deleted content
• Value: Shows public vs. private behavior, organizational culture, participant identities

3. Medical Documentation

• Immediate Care: ER records, ambulance reports, hospitalization records
• Specialist Care: Follow-up with nephrologists (kidney), orthopedic surgeons (injuries), psychiatrists (PTSD)
• Critical Documentation: Getting “hazing” mentioned in medical records establishes causation

4. University and Organizational Records

• Prior Violations: Obtained through discovery, public records requests, litigation
• Internal Communications: Emails among administrators, chapter advisors, national headquarters
• Policies and Training Materials: Show what organizations claimed to do vs. actually did

5. Witness Identification and Interviews

• Other Pledges: Often fearful but may cooperate with protection
• Former Members: Sometimes willing to testify about their own experiences
• Bystanders: Roommates, neighbors, venue staff
• Expert Witnesses: Medical professionals, Greek life experts, digital forensics specialists

Legal Strategy: Multiple Defendants, Multiple Theories

Our approach in the Bermudez case exemplifies strategic hazing litigation:

1. Cast a Wide Defendant Net

• Individuals (13 members in Bermudez case)
• Local chapter
• Housing corporation
• National headquarters
• University and regents
• Property owners

2. Multiple Legal Theories

• Negligence/Gross Negligence: Failure to prevent foreseeable harm
• Negligent Supervision: Inadequate oversight by nationals/university
• Premises Liability: Dangerous conditions at chapter houses
• Civil Conspiracy: Coordinated cover-up efforts
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Extreme and outrageous conduct

3. Insurance Coverage Maximization

• Identify ALL potentially applicable policies
• Navigate intentional act exclusions
• Pursue bad faith claims if insurers wrongfully deny coverage

Damages: Comprehensive Recovery for Upton County Families

Hazing causes multi-dimensional harm requiring comprehensive damages analysis:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

• Medical Expenses: Past and future care, including lifelong needs for catastrophic injuries
• Lost Income/Earning Capacity: Educational disruptions, delayed career entry, reduced lifetime earnings for permanent disabilities
• Other Economic Losses: Tutoring, counseling, relocation expenses

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective Harm)

• Physical Pain and Suffering: From injuries, medical procedures, ongoing pain
• Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation, loss of dignity
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in college experience, activities, relationships

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

• Economic: Funeral costs, lost financial support
• Non-Economic: Loss of companionship, parental grief, siblings’ trauma

Punitive Damages (When Appropriate)

• Purpose: Punish egregious conduct and deter future hazing
• When Awarded: Gross negligence, intentional misconduct, cover-up attempts
• Texas Limitations: Statutory caps apply but exceptions exist for certain intentional acts

Settlement vs. Trial: Strategic Considerations

Most Cases Settle (Confidentially)

• Advantages: Certainty, privacy, faster resolution
• Our Approach: Settle for maximum value, often with institutional reform requirements

Trial When Necessary

• When: Insurers offer inadequate amounts, institutions refuse accountability
• Our Readiness: Federal court experience, trial track record, willingness to present cases to juries
• Recent Precedents: $10M+ verdicts in hazing cases nationally show juries take these cases seriously

Practical Guides for Upton County Parents, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Hazed

• Physical: Unexplained injuries, exhaustion beyond normal, weight changes, sleep deprivation
• Behavioral: Sudden secrecy, withdrawal from family/friends, personality changes, defensiveness
• Academic: Grades dropping, missing classes, losing scholarships
• Digital: Constant phone monitoring, anxiety about messages, deleted conversations

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally)

1. “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
2. “Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
3. “What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
4. “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
5. “Do you feel like you can leave if you want to, or would there be consequences?”

48-Hour Action Checklist

• Hours 1-6: Medical care, safety, evidence preservation, call Attorney911 (1-888-ATTY-911)
• Hours 6-24: Digital preservation, medical records, witness identification
• Hours 24-48: Legal consultation, reporting decisions, evidence backup
• Week 1: Medical follow-up, evidence gathering, protection planning

For Students: Safety and Evidence Preservation

Is This Hazing? Self-Assessment

• Am I being forced or pressured?
• Would I do this if I had a real choice?
• Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would the university/parents approve if they knew?
• Am I being told to keep secrets?

Evidence Collection Guide

1. Screenshots: Group chats with timestamps, participant names visible
2. Recordings: Texas is one-party consent; record meetings/calls you participate in
3. Photos: Injuries (with ruler for scale), locations, objects used
4. Medical: Tell providers you were hazed; get all records
5. Witnesses: Names/contact info for others who saw what happened

Safe Exit Strategies

• Immediate danger: Call 911, get to safe location
• Quitting: Email/text chapter leadership; do NOT go to “one last meeting”
• Retaliation protection: Document threats, report to university/police, seek protective orders

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence: Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction of justice
2. Confronting the Organization: Triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching
3. Signing University Documents: May waive legal rights; get attorney review first
4. Social Media Posting: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
5. Waiting on University Investigation: Evidence disappears, statute of limitations runs
6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters: Recorded statements used against you; early settlements are lowball offers

Frequently Asked Questions for Upton County Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under specific circumstances. Public universities have sovereign immunity limitations, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and individual employee actions. Private universities have fewer protections. Every case requires individual analysis—call 1-888-ATTY-911 for case-specific guidance.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas Education Code §37.152 makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor generally, but upgrades to 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?”
Absolutely. Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.” Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t genuine consent.

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

“What if hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Many major cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, Sigma Pi unofficial house) occurred off-campus with successful litigation.

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

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases: Our Unique Qualifications

When your Upton County family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. Here’s why Texas families choose Attorney911 for hazing cases:

Insurance Insider Advantage

Lupe Peña’s Defense Background
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 facing well-funded institutional defendants.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions

Ralph Manginello’s BP Texas City Experience
Our firm was one of the few Texas firms involved in the BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. This experience directly applies to hazing cases against:

• National fraternities with deep-pocketed insurers
• University systems with dedicated defense counsel
• Well-funded alumni associations and housing corporations

Federal Court Capability
We’re admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, with experience handling complex federal claims including Title IX and civil rights violations that often accompany hazing cases.

Multi-Million Dollar Catastrophic Injury Experience

Proven Results in Serious Cases

• Logging accident brain injury: Multi-million dollar settlement
• Car accident amputation: Multi-million dollar settlement
• Wrongful death cases: Millions recovered for families
• Complex injury valuation: Collaboration with economists, life care planners, vocational experts

Hazing Application: We understand how to value lifelong care needs for brain injuries, kidney damage, PTSD, and other hazing consequences.

Criminal + Civil Dual Capability

HCCLA Membership and Understanding
Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand:

• Criminal hazing charges and defenses
• How criminal and civil cases interact
• Witness cooperation agreements
• Protecting clients with dual exposure

This is crucial when hazing involves potential criminal charges against your child or witnesses you need to protect.

Investigative Depth and Expert Network

Digital Forensics Capability
We work with experts who can recover deleted messages, analyze social media patterns, and reconstruct digital timelines—critical in hazing cases where evidence disappears quickly.

Medical and Psychological Experts
Network includes specialists in:

• Rhabdomyolysis and kidney injury
• Traumatic brain injury
• PTSD and psychological trauma
• Burn injuries and reconstructive surgery

Greek Life and Institutional Experts
Consultants who understand organizational dynamics, national policies, and university oversight failures.

Texas-Specific Geographic Mastery

Serving Upton County and All Texas
While based in Houston, we serve families throughout Texas, including Upton County and the surrounding Permian Basin region. We understand:

• Texas hazing laws and precedents
• University-specific policies and histories
• Local court systems and procedures
• The unique challenges facing rural Texas families with students at distant universities

Spanish Language Services

Hablamos Español
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring Hispanic families in Upton County and across Texas can access legal help in their preferred language.

Your Next Steps: Contact Attorney911 for a Free Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The path forward begins with a confidential conversation.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

1. We Listen Without Judgment

   • Tell us what happened in your own words
   • Share any evidence you’ve preserved (photos, messages, medical records)
   • Ask every question on your mind

2. We Explain Your Legal Options

   • Criminal reporting considerations
   • Civil lawsuit possibilities
   • University disciplinary processes
   • Realistic timelines and expectations

3. We Discuss Practical Matters

   • Contingency fee structure (you pay nothing unless we win)
   • Evidence preservation priorities
   • Communication with university/insurance companies
   • Protection from retaliation

4. No Pressure to Decide

   • Take time to think about your options
   • Consult with family and advisors
   • We’re here when you’re ready

Contact Information

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Legal Emergency Lawyers™

• 24/7 Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Office: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Lupe Peña)
• Spanish Services: Hablamos Español – contact Lupe Peña

Office Locations:

• Houston, Texas (Harris County)
• Austin, Texas (Travis County)
• Beaumont, Texas (Jefferson County)

Serving: Upton County, the Permian Basin region, and all Texas families

Why Time Matters in Hazing Cases

• Evidence Disappears: Group chats deleted, witnesses coached, physical evidence destroyed
• Statutes of Limitations: Texas generally allows 2 years, but clock starts immediately
• University Pressure: Schools often push quick “internal resolutions” that limit future options
• Witness Memory: Details fade; early documentation is crucial
• Medical Documentation: Immediate care creates stronger causation evidence

A Final Word to Upton County Families

Whether your child attends Sul Ross State just over the county line or has ventured to Texas A&M, UT Austin, or another campus hours away, Texas law protects them. The traditions that bind students together should build character, not break bodies and spirits.

We’ve seen the devastating consequences when hazing crosses from tradition to abuse. We’ve also seen how thorough investigation and determined advocacy can secure accountability, compensation for victims, and institutional reforms that protect future students.

You have the right to answers. You have the right to accountability. You have the right to ensure no other family endures what yours has.

Call us today. Let’s start this conversation.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston investigation: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Evidence preservation with your phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:

• Homepage and contact: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com