Texas Hazing Guide for Wharton County Families: Understanding Law, Liability, and Recovery at UH, A&M, UT, SMU & Baylor

A Parent’s Worst Nightmare: When Tradition Becomes Trauma

A sophomore from Wharton County returns to the University of Houston for his second semester, hopeful for the connection and community he was promised with a fraternity. Several weeks in, you notice disturbing changes. The vibrant, enthusiastic young man is now constantly exhausted, hiding his phone, and making excuses for unexplained bruises. He’s missing family calls and his grades are slipping. When you finally get through to him, he admits through tears that what started as “tradition” has become a nightmare of forced drinking, sleep deprivation, and physical punishment. He’s terrified to speak up, afraid of retaliation, and convinced he has no way out.

This scenario is not hypothetical. Right now, our firm is actively fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history—representing Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. This case, unfolding in our own backyard, demonstrates exactly how modern hazing operates and how devastating the consequences can be for Texas families. This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and students in Wharton County and across Texas to understand hazing in 2025, the legal framework that governs it, and what real accountability looks like.

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, universities move quickly to control the narrative, and 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 in Texas

Beyond the Stereotypes: A Modern Definition

For Wharton County families whose children attend Texas universities, understanding hazing requires moving beyond outdated stereotypes. Hazing in 2025 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 it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense.

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadliest form. It includes forced or coerced drinking during “lineups,” “Big/Little” nights, or drinking games like “Bible study” where incorrect answers mean consumption. The Pi Kappa Phi case at UH involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed immediately by sprints.

Physical Hazing
This extends beyond traditional paddling to include extreme calisthenics (“smokings”), sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to dangerous conditions. In the UH case, pledges endured 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, and lying in vomit-soaked grass. Another pledge was hog-tied face-down with an object in his mouth for over an hour.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. The “pledge fanny pack” requirement at UH—forcing pledges to carry condoms, sex toys, and humiliating items 24/7—falls squarely in this category.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, and public shaming create lasting trauma. The constant threats of expulsion for non-compliance during UH’s Pi Kappa Phi pledging created a coercive environment where saying “no” wasn’t an option.

Digital/Online Hazing
This 21st-century evolution includes group chat dares, “challenges” on Instagram and TikTok, pressure to share compromising content, and 24/7 availability demands via messaging apps. Location sharing, social media policing, and digital humiliation are now standard tools.

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

Hazing is not exclusive to fraternities. At Texas universities, it occurs in:

• Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural councils)
• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs
• Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
• Spirit squads and tradition clubs
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Some academic and service organizations

Texas Hazing Law: What Wharton County Families Must Know

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37: The Foundation

Under Texas law—which governs cases involving Wharton County students—hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

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

Key Provisions for Wharton County Families:

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing without serious injury (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

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability:
Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can be criminally prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing or if officers knew and failed to report.

§ 37.155 Consent is Not a Defense:
This critical provision explicitly states that victim consent does NOT excuse hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t voluntary.

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting:
Those who report hazing to universities or law enforcement in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability. This encourages bystanders to call for help.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases

• Brought by the state (prosecutor)
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, and in fatal cases, manslaughter
• Example: In the Pi Kappa Phi case, criminal referrals were made to law enforcement

Civil Cases

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
• Focus on negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, and emotional distress
• Example: The $10 million Bermudez lawsuit seeks compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages

These cases can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction is not required to pursue civil justice.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents transparently, strengthen prevention, and maintain public hazing data by 2026.

Title IX & Clery Act
When hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, Title IX obligations trigger. The Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes that often overlap with hazing incidents.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up hazing
2. Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity/sorority itself as a legal entity
3. National Headquarters: For failure to supervise or enforce policies
4. Universities: For negligent supervision or deliberate indifference
5. Property Owners & Third Parties: Landlords, event venues, alcohol providers

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, defendants include 13 individual members, the Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
A bid-acceptance event with forced drinking led to fatal falls captured on chapter cameras. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. Dozens faced criminal charges, civil litigation followed, and Pennsylvania enacted the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
A “Big/Little” event where a pledge was given a handle of liquor led to fatal alcohol poisoning. Criminal charges followed, FSU suspended Greek life, and prevention policies were overhauled.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
A “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant forced drinking resulted in a 0.495% BAC and death. Louisiana responded with the Max Gruver Act, creating felony hazing statutes.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during a pledge event, Foltz died from alcohol poisoning. Multiple criminal convictions followed, with BGSU settling for nearly $3 million and additional settlements with the fraternity.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
During a fraternity retreat, Deng was blindfolded, weighted down, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual, suffering fatal head injuries while help was delayed. Multiple members were convicted, and the fraternity was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

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

What These Cases Mean for Wharton County Families

These national precedents establish patterns Texas courts recognize: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, and cover-ups. They show that multi-million-dollar settlements and institutional reform often follow only after tragedy and litigation. Families in Wharton County facing hazing at Texas universities are operating in a legal landscape shaped by these hard-won lessons.

Texas University Focus: Where Wharton County Students Attend

University of Houston: A Case Study in Modern Hazing

Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH’s large urban campus hosts active Greek life with multiple councils. The recent Pi Kappa Phi case reveals systemic issues that could affect any Wharton County student seeking community at UH.

The Bermudez Case: A Detailed Breakdown

Leonel Bermudez’s experience represents the modern hazing playbook. After accepting a bid in September 2025, he endured:

• A “pledge fanny pack” with humiliating contents required 24/7
• Forced dress codes and hours-long “study/work” blocks
• Weekly interviews and overnight chauffeuring duties
• Extreme physical hazing including sprints, bear crawls, and cold-weather exposure
• Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• The November 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats

The medical consequences were catastrophic: rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, with brown urine signaling life-threatening conditions. He was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Institutional Response & Current Status

• November 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspends Beta Nu chapter
• November 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender their charter
• University Statement: UH called conduct “deeply disturbing,” promised disciplinary measures up to expulsion, and pledged cooperation with law enforcement
• Current Litigation: The $10 million lawsuit proceeds with Attorney911 representing Bermudez

What UH Students & Wharton County Parents Should Do

• Report to UH Dean of Students Office and UHPD
• Document everything before UH’s internal process begins
• Understand that cases may involve both Houston Police and campus jurisdiction
• Contact experienced counsel familiar with UH’s disciplinary history

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture & Greek Life

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M’s unique Corps of Cadets tradition and strong Greek life create multiple environments where hazing can occur. For Wharton County families, understanding both systems is crucial.

Documented Incidents & Patterns

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)
Two pledges alleged forced strenuous activity with substances including industrial-strength cleaner poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The fraternity was suspended for two years, and lawsuits sought $1 million.

Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023)
A cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, with A&M stating it handled the matter internally.

Kappa Sigma Rhabdomyolysis Case (2023, ongoing)
Allegations of extreme physical hazing resulting in rhabdomyolysis—the same life-threatening condition suffered in the UH case.

Texas A&M’s Greek Landscape

The campus hosts numerous fraternities with national hazing histories, including Pi Kappa Alpha (Stone Foltz death), Sigma Alpha Epsilon (multiple national incidents), and Phi Delta Theta (Max Gruver death).

What A&M Students & Families Should Do

• Utilize the Office of Student Conduct reporting systems
• Document through both university and Corps channels if applicable
• Recognize that College Station/Brazos County jurisdiction may involve multiple agencies
• Preserve evidence before internal processes compromise it

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency & Tradition

Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT’s public Hazing Violations page provides unprecedented transparency, listing organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions—a valuable resource for Wharton County families.

Documented Violations & Patterns

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023)
New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, resulting in hazing findings. The chapter was placed on probation and required to implement new prevention education.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (January 2024)
An Australian exchange student alleged assault resulting in dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. The lawsuit sought over $1 million against a chapter already under suspension for prior violations.

Texas Wranglers & Spirit Groups
Multiple sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based practices indicate systemic issues beyond traditional Greek life.

UT’s Public Hazing Log: A Double-Edged Sword

While UT’s transparency is commendable, the repeated violations show ongoing issues. For Wharton County families, this public record can be powerful evidence showing patterns and institutional knowledge.

What UT Students & Families Should Do

• Check the public hazing violations database when concerned about specific organizations
• Report through Dean of Students and UTPD systems
• Understand that Austin/Travis County jurisdiction may apply
• Use public records to support claims of pattern and practice

Southern Methodist University: Private School Challenges

Campus & Culture Snapshot

SMU’s affluent private campus with strong Greek presence presents unique challenges for transparency and accountability that Wharton County families should understand.

Documented Incidents

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017)
New members reported paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation. The chapter was suspended with recruiting restrictions until approximately 2021.

Ongoing Greek Life Scrutiny
SMU’s private status means less public reporting, but civil discovery can uncover what internal systems don’t reveal.

What SMU Students & Families Should Do

• Utilize anonymous reporting systems like Real Response
• Understand that private university status affects public transparency
• Recognize that legal discovery can overcome institutional secrecy
• Document thoroughly as internal processes may prioritize institutional protection

Baylor University: Faith, Football & Accountability

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor’s religious identity and history with football scandals create a complex environment for hazing accountability that Wharton County families must navigate carefully.

Documented Incidents

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020)
14 players were suspended following a hazing investigation, with staggered suspensions affecting the early season.

Broader Cultural Context
Baylor’s history with Title IX issues and athletic department scandals demonstrates institutional challenges in addressing systemic misconduct.

What Baylor Students & Families Should Do

• Navigate both religious and institutional reporting systems
• Document thoroughly given Baylor’s complex history with transparency
• Understand that Waco/McLennan County jurisdiction applies
• Seek counsel familiar with Baylor’s particular institutional dynamics

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Meet Texas Chapters

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: A Data-Driven Perspective

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. For Wharton County families, understanding this ecosystem is crucial. The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro alone contains 188 Greek-related organizations, while the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro has 510.

Public Records Directory: Organizations Serving Texas Universities

Texas-Registered Greek Entities (IRS B83 Filings):

• EIN 133048786: KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC, 3007 EARL RUDDER FWY S, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845
• EIN 262025321: ALPHA EPSILON PI FRATERNITY, 920 W PRAIRIE ST, DENTON, TX 76201 (MU GAMMA CHAPTER)
• EIN 371768785: PI KAPPA PHI DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER BUILDING CORPORATION, 4102 EASTSHORE ST, MISSOURI CITY, TX 77459
• EIN 462267515: BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC, 10601 BIG HORN TRL, FRISCO, TX 75035
• EIN 746064445: PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY, 1855 HIGHWAY 69 N, NEDERLAND, TX 77627 (EPSILON KAPPA CHAPTER)
• EIN 746084905: SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER, 4300 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD, HOUSTON, TX 77204
• EIN 812525354: ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC, 3989 N GRAHAM RD, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845
• EIN 900927378: PHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY, 13211 LOST LAKE DR, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78249 (TEXAS XI)
• EIN 911981478: SIGMA PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY TEXAS GAMMA CHAPTER, 2609 S UNIVERSITY DR, FORT WORTH, TX 76109

Cause IQ Metro Organizations (Houston Area Examples):

• Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Houston, TX
• Alpha Phi Omega – Bayou City Alumni, Houston, TX
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae, Houston, TX
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – Alpha Kappa Omega, Houston, TX (Graduate Chapter)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter, Houston, TX (Undergraduate Chapter)

Why National Histories Matter for Texas Cases

When a Texas chapter repeats behaviors that caused deaths elsewhere, it demonstrates foreseeability—a key legal concept. National headquarters with thick anti-hailing manuals have them precisely because they’ve seen these patterns before.

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ) National Pattern:

• Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green (2021) – $10 million settlement
• David Bogenberger death at Northern Illinois (2012) – $14 million settlement
• Multiple Texas chapters with violations

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ) National Pattern:

• Traumatic brain injury case at University of Alabama (2023)
• Chemical burns case at Texas A&M (2021)
• Assault case at UT Austin (2024)
• Carson Starkey death at Cal Poly (2008) – substantial confidential settlement

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ) National Pattern:

• Max Gruver death at LSU (2017) – Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act
• Multiple chapter suspensions nationwide

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ) National Pattern:

• Andrew Coffey death at Florida State (2017)
• Leonel Bermudez case at University of Houston (2025) – $10 million lawsuit

Campus-Specific Rosters: Where National Organizations Operate

University of Houston Active Fraternities Include:

• Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu – currently suspended/litigated)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon
• Pi Kappa Alpha
• Sigma Chi
• Lambda Chi Alpha
• Phi Delta Theta

Texas A&M Active Fraternities Include:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (prior chemical burns case)
• Pi Kappa Alpha
• Phi Delta Theta
• Kappa Sigma (rhabdomyolysis case)
• Beta Theta Pi

UT Austin Active Fraternities Include:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (assault case)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (probation for hazing)
• Sigma Chi
• Phi Delta Theta
• Beta Upsilon Chi

These rosters demonstrate that organizations with national hazing histories maintain active Texas chapters where similar patterns can—and do—recur.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages & Strategy

Evidence Collection: The Digital Crime Scene

For Wharton County families, evidence preservation must begin immediately. Modern hazing cases are won or lost on digital evidence.

Critical Evidence Categories:

1. Digital Communications

   • GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage threads (screenshot entire conversations with timestamps)
   • Discord servers and Slack workspaces
   • Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages (screenshot before they disappear)
   • Fraternity-specific apps and communication platforms

2. Photos & Videos

   • Content filmed during events (often shared in group chats)
   • Social media posts and stories showing activities
   • Security camera or doorbell footage from houses
   • Injury documentation with multiple angles and scale references

3. Internal Organization Documents

   • Pledge manuals and “tradition” documents
   • Emails/texts about planned activities
   • National policies that chapters violated

4. University Records

   • Prior conduct files for the organization
   • Incident reports and disciplinary history
   • Clery Act reports showing pattern

5. Medical Documentation

   • ER records explicitly stating “hazing” as cause
   • Toxicology reports and blood alcohol levels
   • Psychological evaluations for PTSD/trauma
   • Ongoing treatment records

6. Witness Information

   • Names and contact information for other pledges
   • Roommates, RAs, or bystanders who observed changes
   • Former members willing to testify

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

• Past and future medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy)
• Lost income and educational costs (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
• Diminished earning capacity for permanent injuries
• Property damage and relocation expenses

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective Harm)

• Physical pain and suffering from injuries
• Emotional distress, PTSD, depression, anxiety
• Loss of enjoyment of life and educational experience
• Humiliation and loss of dignity

Wrongful Death Damages

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support and companionship
• Grief and emotional suffering of family members
• Parents’ and siblings’ mental health treatment

Punitive Damages
Available in cases of particularly reckless or malicious conduct to punish defendants and deter future behavior.

The Role of Insurance & Institutional Coverage

National fraternities and universities carry insurance policies that often become battlegrounds. Insurers frequently argue that intentional acts like hazing are excluded from coverage. Our experience as former insurance defense attorneys is crucial here—we know how insurers value claims, set reserves, and deploy delay tactics.

Multiple Policy Sources:

• National fraternity liability policies
• University umbrella coverage
• Chapter housing corporation policies
• Individual members’ homeowners insurance
• Third-party venue policies

Practical Guides & FAQs for Wharton County Families

For Parents: Warning Signs & Immediate Actions

Physical Warning Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
• Extreme fatigue and sleep deprivation beyond normal college stress
• Weight changes from food/water restriction
• Signs of alcohol poisoning or substance use in non-users

Behavioral & Emotional Changes:
scores dropping suddenly
Ongoing sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and old friends
Personality shifts: anxiety, depression, irritability
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Fear of “letting the chapter down” or retaliation

Financial Red Flags:

• Unexpected large expenses for “fines” or required purchases
• Buying excessive alcohol or items for older members
• Requests for money without clear explanations

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?”
6. “Are they asking you to keep secrets?”

For Students: Is This Hazing? Decision Guide

Ask yourself:

• Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
• Would I do this if I had a real choice without social consequences?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would my parents or the university approve if they knew?
• Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this?

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

Exiting Safely:

• Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
• Send a clear resignation email/text: “I am resigning my membership effective immediately”
• Do NOT attend “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
• If fearing retaliation, report that fear to Dean of Students and campus police

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

MISTAKES THAT CAN RUIN YOUR HAZING CASE:

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages

   • What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
   • Reality: Looks like obstruction; makes case nearly impossible
   • Instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Organization Directly

   • What parents think: “I’ll give them a piece of my mind”
   • Reality: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
   • Instead: Document everything, call a lawyer first

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms

   • What universities do: Pressure families to sign waivers
   • Reality: You may waive your right to sue; settlements are often lowball
   • Instead: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review

4. Posting Details on Social Media

   • What families think: “I want people to know what happened”
   • Reality: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
   • Instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control messaging

5. Waiting for Internal University Process

   • What universities promise: “We’re investigating internally”
   • Reality: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
   • Instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

Frequently Asked Questions

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

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
Yes, when it causes serious bodily injury or death. Texas Education Code §37.152 makes hazing a state jail felony in these circumstances, with individual officers also facing charges for failure to report.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t voluntary. This was demonstrated in the Max Gruver case where forced drinking was deemed hazing despite participation.

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

“What if hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and foreseeability. The Pi Delta Psi retreat case and Sigma Pi unofficial house case both resulted in liability despite off-campus locations.

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize family privacy while pursuing accountability.

About Attorney911: Why Texas Families Choose Our Firm

Our Hazing Litigation Credentials

When your family faces a hazing case in Texas, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. Our unique qualifications include:

Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña)
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, deploy delay tactics, and argue coverage exclusions. “We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Institutional Litigation (Ralph Manginello)
Our firm was one of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal resources. That same capability applies to national fraternities and universities. Our federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) means we’re not intimidated by institutional defense teams.

Multi-Million Dollar Results
We have recovered millions in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, working with economists to value lifetime care needs and lost earning capacity. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force real accountability.

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

Spanish-Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring Hispanic families in Wharton County and across Texas receive clear communication and culturally competent representation.

Our Investigative Approach

We investigate hazing cases with resources typically reserved for major institutional litigation:

Digital Forensics Capability
We recover deleted group chats, social media evidence, and electronic communications through expert partnerships.

National Pattern Evidence
We track 1,423 Greek organizations across Texas through our Hazing Intelligence Engine, identifying prior incidents and establishing foreseeability.

Expert Network
Medical experts, toxicologists, Greek life culture specialists, economists, and psychologists help build uncompromising cases.

University Records Mastery
We obtain hidden disciplinary files, internal emails, and prior incident reports through discovery and public records requests.

The Attorney911 Difference

We understand this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our commitment extends beyond litigation to:

• Helping families heal and find closure
• Preventing future harm through accountability
• Maintaining regular communication (we follow up every 2-3 weeks)
• Working on contingency (no fee unless we win)
• Providing 24/7 availability for true legal emergencies

Our video “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case” (available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY) explains common pitfalls families should avoid. Our “Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case” video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) provides essential evidence preservation guidance.

Call to Action: Your Next Step

If you or your child has experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other institution—we want to hear your story. Families in Wharton County and throughout Texas have the right to answers and accountability.

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

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

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

Contact Information:

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com
• Spanish Services: Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com

Whether you’re in Wharton County or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions involved have legal teams and insurance adjusters working to minimize their exposure. You need experienced advocates who know how to level the playing field.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Immediate help is our commitment, and accountability is our goal.

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

Plain Text Links to Key Resources:

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

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

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Evidence Preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Statute of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes to Avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Contingency Fees Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website & Contact:

• https://attorney911.com