The Complete Guide to Hazing Laws, Cases & Accountability for Whitehouse, Texas Families

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

For families in Whitehouse, Smith County, the nightmare often starts with a late-night phone call or a text message that doesn’t sound right. Your son comes home from UT Tyler exhausted, with unexplained bruises. Your daughter at Texas A&M seems constantly anxious, jumping at every notification from her sorority group chat. Perhaps you’ve read the recent headlines from Houston and wondered, “Could this happen to my child?”

Right now, just a few hours south in Harris County, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The allegations are chilling: forced consumption of food until vomiting, extreme physical workouts leading to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, psychological torment with “pledge fanny packs” containing humiliating items, and threats of expulsion for non-compliance. As reported by Click2Houston, Mr. Bermudez’s urine turned brown from muscle breakdown before he was hospitalized for four days. This is not ancient history or something that only happens elsewhere—this is happening in Texas right now, and it’s exactly what our firm handles every day.

This comprehensive guide exists for you, the parents and families of Whitehouse and surrounding Smith County communities. Whether your child attends UT Tyler just down the road, has ventured to Texas A&M in College Station, or studies at any of Texas’s major universities, you deserve to understand what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, and what legal options exist when institutions fail in their duty to keep students safe.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES IN WHITEHOUSE

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

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

In the first 48 hours:

Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
- Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
- Photograph injuries from multiple angles
- Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
Do NOT:
- Confront the fraternity/sorority
- Sign anything from the university or insurance company
- Post details on public social media
- Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
Universities move quickly to control the narrative
We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Whitehouse Families

For parents in Whitehouse who may not have experienced modern Greek life firsthand, understanding what constitutes hazing today is crucial. The old stereotypes of harmless pranks have been replaced by systematic, often dangerous practices that organizations carefully hide from public view.

Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Texas law specifically defines it as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers mental or physical health for purposes of initiation or affiliation.

Critically, “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

Main Categories of Hazing Affecting Texas Students

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and dangerous form. It includes forced or coerced drinking through “lineups,” chugging challenges, or drinking games where wrong answers mandate consumption. At the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi chapter, pledges were forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediately required to sprint.

Physical Hazing
This extends beyond traditional paddling to include extreme calisthenics disguised as “workouts.” In the UH case, Leonel Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in a single session. Other physical hazing includes sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. The “pledge fanny pack” in the UH case contained condoms and sex toys as part of systematic humiliation.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, and manipulation designed to break down individual identity. This often includes forced confessions and public shaming.

Digital/Online Hazing
A particularly insidious modern evolution where group chat dares, social media “challenges,” and pressure to create compromising content occurs. Organizations now use apps like GroupMe, WhatsApp, and Snapchat to control pledges 24/7.

Where Hazing Actually Happens in Texas

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

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural groups)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC at Texas A&M and other military-style programs
Spirit Squads and Tradition Groups like Texas Cowboys at UT Austin
Athletic Teams from football to cheerleading
Marching Bands and Performance Groups
Some Academic and Service Organizations

For Whitehouse families, this means your child doesn’t need to be in a traditional fraternity to be at risk. The culture of “tradition” and secrecy permeates many organizations that value loyalty over safety.

Texas Hazing Law: What Whitehouse Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in the Education Code that provide both criminal penalties and civil recourse. Understanding this framework is essential for Smith County families navigating a hazing incident.

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

§37.151 Definition
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student and occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership.

Plain English for Whitehouse Parents:
If someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they meant to do it or were reckless about the risk, that’s hazing under Texas law. Location doesn’t matter—it can happen on campus, at an off-campus house in Tyler, or even at a retreat. Mental harm counts as much as physical harm.

§37.152 Criminal Penalties

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

§37.153 Organizational Liability
Fraternities, sororities, clubs, and teams 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 it.

§37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting
Someone who reports hazing in good faith to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability. This is crucial for Whitehouse students who might fear getting in trouble for calling 911 during an alcohol-related hazing incident.

§37.155 Consent Not a Defense
This is perhaps the most important provision for families: even if your child said “yes” or participated willingly, it’s still hazing under Texas law. The power imbalance and peer pressure inherent in these situations mean true voluntary consent often doesn’t exist.

Criminal vs Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases

Brought by the state (Smith County DA, campus police, or local Tyler PD)
Aim: Punishment through jail, fines, probation
Typical charges: hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Monetary compensation and institutional accountability
Focus: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress

For Whitehouse families, both paths can run simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required to pursue a civil case, and many families pursue both to achieve full accountability.

Federal Overlay: Additional Protections

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid (including all Texas public universities) to report hazing incidents more transparently, strengthen prevention programs, and maintain public hazing data by 2026.

Title IX & Clery Act
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. The Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes in campus safety statistics.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Individual Students: Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity/sorority itself if incorporated
National Fraternity/Sorority: Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
University or Governing Board: Including the UT System, Texas A&M System, etc.
Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, alcohol providers, security companies

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we named all these entities: 13 individual members, the local chapter, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What They Mean for Whitehouse Families

The tragedies that have unfolded on campuses nationwide are not distant abstractions—they establish legal precedents and patterns that directly affect cases involving Whitehouse students. Understanding these patterns helps families recognize that their situation is part of a systemic problem, not an isolated incident.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
During a bid-acceptance event with forced drinking, Piazza suffered fatal falls captured on chapter security cameras. Members delayed calling 911 for hours. The case resulted in dozens of criminal charges, civil litigation, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Takeaway for Whitehouse Families: The delay in seeking medical help, often due to fear of getting the chapter in trouble, dramatically worsens outcomes and increases liability.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
The 20-year-old pledge was forced to consume nearly a bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event and died from alcohol poisoning. Multiple criminal convictions followed, with BGSU settling for nearly $3 million and the fraternity for additional millions.

Takeaway: The “Big/Little” night script is repeated across campuses nationally, including in Texas. When we see this pattern at UH, A&M, or UT, we recognize it as a foreseeable risk that national organizations should have prevented.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
During a fraternity retreat, Deng was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual. He suffered fatal head injuries while members delayed calling 911. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter—a rare instance of organizational criminal liability.

Takeaway: Off-campus retreats don’t eliminate liability. When Whitehouse students attend Greek events at Lake Tyler or other off-campus locations, the same legal principles apply.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program over years. Multiple lawsuits followed, with the head coach fired and later settling his wrongful-termination suit confidentially.

Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to athletic programs. For Whitehouse students involved in sports at Texas universities, the risks exist in locker rooms as well as fraternity houses.

What These National Cases Mean for Smith County

These patterns establish crucial legal concepts that benefit Texas families:

Foreseeability: When a Texas chapter repeats behavior that caused injuries or deaths elsewhere, courts recognize the national organization should have foreseen the risk.
Pattern Evidence: Multiple incidents across chapters demonstrate systemic problems rather than “rogue” individuals.
Institutional Accountability: Universities and national organizations cannot claim ignorance when patterns are well-documented.

For our UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we leverage these national precedents to show that forced drinking, extreme workouts, and psychological humiliation are known risks that the national fraternity should have prevented.

Texas University Focus: Where Whitehouse Students Attend

Whitehouse families send their children to universities across Texas. Some attend local institutions like UT Tyler or Texas College right in Smith County. Others venture to major state universities where Greek life and tradition run deep. Understanding the specific landscape at each campus is crucial.

University of Texas at Tyler (Local for Whitehouse Families)

Campus & Culture Snapshot
UT Tyler serves as the primary higher education institution for many Smith County families. While smaller than flagship campuses, it hosts fraternities and sororities through its Office of Student Life and Leadership. The proximity to Whitehouse means many students live at home while attending, but they still participate in Greek life and campus organizations.

Hazing Policy & Reporting
UT Tyler prohibits hazing as defined by Texas law. The university requires all student organizations to comply with anti-hazing policies and provides reporting through the Dean of Students office, campus police, and online reporting forms.

Documented Incidents & Response
While major public incidents are less frequent than at larger campuses, UT Tyler has disciplined organizations for hazing violations. The university’s smaller size can mean incidents are handled internally with less public disclosure.

How a UT Tyler Hazing Case Might Proceed

Jurisdiction: Smith County courts, with possible federal claims
Potential Defendants: Individual students, local chapter, national organization, university
Unique Factors: Proximity to home means Whitehouse parents may notice changes in behavior more quickly

What UT Tyler Students & Whitehouse Parents Should Do

Document all communications with the UT Tyler Dean of Students office
Request copies of any prior disciplinary actions against the involved organization
Understand that even at a smaller campus, national fraternity/sorority policies still apply
Contact us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 for local Smith County legal representation

Texas A&M University (Common Destination for Whitehouse Students)

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Many Whitehouse students make the journey to College Station, drawn by A&M’s traditions, engineering programs, and the Corps of Cadets. The university’s deep traditions create both community and risk, with hazing documented in both Greek life and the Corps.

Hazing Policy & Reporting
Texas A&M has detailed anti-hazing policies and multiple reporting channels. The university publishes aggregate conduct data but less detail than UT Austin’s public violations list.

Documented Incidents & Response

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (2021): Pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The fraternity was suspended, and lawsuits sought $1 million in damages.
Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, with A&M stating it handled the matter internally.

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed

Brazos County jurisdiction for local incidents
Complex interplay between university, Corps leadership, and national organizations
Potential for both individual and institutional defendants

What Texas A&M Families from Whitehouse Should Know

The Corps’ military-style environment can normalize extreme discipline that crosses into hazing
Document everything before approaching Corps or Greek leadership
Understand that A&M’s tradition-heavy culture can make reporting intimidating
Contact us immediately if your child has been injured—travel to College Station is common for our firm

University of Texas at Austin (Major Destination with Transparency)

Campus & Culture Snapshot
UT Austin represents the pinnacle of Texas higher education for many Whitehouse students. Its massive Greek system, spirited traditions, and competitive environment create both opportunity and risk.

Hazing Policy & Reporting
UT Austin stands out for transparency with its public Hazing Violations page listing organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions.

Documented Incidents & Response (Recent Examples)

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. The chapter was placed on probation and required to implement new hazing-prevention education.
Texas Wranglers & Spirit Groups: Multiple sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based practices.

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed

Travis County courts, potentially with federal claims
UT’s public violation records provide powerful evidence of prior knowledge
Complex insurance coverage issues with the UT System’s sovereign immunity considerations

What UT Austin Families Should Do

Check UT’s public hazing violations page for the involved organization’s history
Document all communications with UT’s Office of the Dean of Students
Understand that Austin’s jurisdiction means we regularly handle cases there
Call 1-888-ATTY-911—distance from Whitehouse doesn’t prevent us from providing full representation

Other Texas Universities Whitehouse Families Attend

Texas State University
Located in San Marcos, Texas State draws many East Texas students. The university has faced hazing incidents in both Greek life and athletic programs.

Baylor University
Baylor’s religious identity and past Title IX issues create a complex environment for hazing accountability. The 2020 baseball hazing incident that suspended 14 players demonstrates risks exist even at religious institutions.

Texas Tech University
Lubbock’s distance from Whitehouse doesn’t eliminate parental concerns. Texas Tech has faced multiple hazing incidents, particularly around forced drinking traditions.

For all these universities, our approach remains the same: thorough investigation, aggressive pursuit of all liable parties, and relentless advocacy for Whitehouse families regardless of where their child attends school.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Meet Local Chapters

The organizations your Whitehouse child joins at Texas universities aren’t isolated entities—they’re local chapters of national organizations with decades of documented hazing incidents. This history matters profoundly when building a case.

Why National Histories Matter for Smith County Families

When a UT Tyler, Texas A&M, or UT Austin chapter repeats behavior that caused deaths or injuries at other chapters, that pattern shows:

Foreseeability: The national organization knew or should have known the risks
Systemic Problems: The issue isn’t “a few bad apples” but organizational culture
Prior Notice: National headquarters had warning from similar incidents elsewhere

Organization-Specific Patterns Affecting Texas Campuses

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ/Pike)

National Pattern: Multiple alcohol poisoning deaths including Stone Foltz at Bowling Green ($10M settlement)
Texas Presence: Chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas State, and historically at other campuses
Legal Significance: When Texas chapters use similar “Big/Little” drinking rituals, the national organization’s prior knowledge becomes crucial evidence

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ/SAE)

National Pattern: Multiple hazing deaths nationwide; eliminated pledge program in 2014 due to pattern
Texas Incidents: Chemical burns case at Texas A&M ($1M lawsuit), assault case at UT Austin
Legal Significance: Despite national policy changes, local chapters continue dangerous practices

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

National Pattern: Andrew Coffey death at Florida State from alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother” night
Current Case: Our representation of Leonel Bermudez against UH chapter
Legal Significance: Demonstrates identical patterns repeating across chapters years apart

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

National Pattern: Max Gruver death at LSU during “Bible study” drinking game leading to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act
Texas Presence: Multiple campus chapters
Legal Significance: Shows how “tradition” drinking games persist despite known risks

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: How We Track Organizations

Our firm maintains what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a comprehensive database tracking over 1,400 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. For Whitehouse families, this means we don’t start from scratch when investigating your child’s case.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Whitehouse Families

The following examples illustrate the depth of organizational tracking we maintain:

Smith County & Tyler Area Entities:

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, University of Texas at Tyler, EIN 352335400, Tyler, TX 75799
Texas College-related organizations serving Smith County students

Major Texas University Chapter Entities:

Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035 (related to UH chapter in our current case)
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, EIN 746064445, Nederland, TX 77627 (Epsilon Kappa Chapter housing)
Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 746084905, Houston, TX 77204

Statewide Network Examples:

Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc, EIN 475370943, Houston, TX 77204 (Theta Delta chapter)
Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc, EIN 273662583, Lufkin, TX 75904
Sigma Phi Epsilon Texas Eta, EIN 824398421, Richmond, TX 77406

(Source: IRS B83 public filings and Cause IQ organizational data)

This directory represents just a fraction of the 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations we track. For Whitehouse families, this investigative depth means we can quickly identify all potentially liable entities—local chapters, housing corporations, alumni associations, and national headquarters.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

When a Whitehouse family comes to us after a hazing incident, we follow a meticulous process honed through years of complex litigation against universities and national organizations.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Communications (Most Important Evidence)

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage: Where hazing is often organized and documented
Instagram DMs, Snapchat: Where humiliating content is shared
Deleted Messages: Digital forensics can often recover what chapters try to destroy

Photos & Videos

Content filmed during events (often shared in group chats)
Security camera footage from houses and venues
Injury documentation over time

Internal Organization Documents

Pledge manuals and “tradition” documents
Emails between local and national leadership
Risk management policies (or lack thereof)

University Records

Prior conduct files obtained through discovery
Incident reports and disciplinary history
Clery Act reports and safety committee minutes

Medical & Psychological Records

ER and hospitalization records
Toxicology reports
Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, group chat evidence proved crucial in documenting the systematic nature of the hazing, including the “pledge fanny pack” requirements and threats of expulsion for non-compliance.

Damages: What Can Be Recovered

Economic Damages

Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, ongoing treatment)
Future care needs (therapy, medications, specialized care)
Lost educational opportunities (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
Diminished earning capacity for permanent injuries

Non-Economic Damages

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages (When Applicable)

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of companionship and support
Emotional harm to family members

For Leonel Bermudez, damages include ongoing kidney monitoring and treatment after his rhabdomyolysis, psychological trauma from the humiliation and physical abuse, and the interruption of his education.

Overcoming Common Defense Strategies

We anticipate and counter the standard defenses used by universities and fraternities:

Defense: “The Pledge Consented”

Our Response: Texas law §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense. We demonstrate the power imbalance and coercion inherent in pledging.

Defense: “This Was a Rogue Chapter”

Our Response: We show pattern evidence from other chapters and prove nationals knew or should have known about the risks.

Defense: “It Happened Off-Campus”

Our Response: Location doesn’t eliminate duty. We establish control and foreseeability regardless of venue.

Defense: “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”

Our Response: We prove policies were window-dressing, not meaningfully enforced.

Our experience with the BP Texas City explosion litigation taught us how to investigate systemic failures and hold massive institutions accountable—skills that transfer directly to hazing cases against universities and national fraternities.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Whitehouse Families

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Personality changes: anxiety, withdrawal, defensiveness
Constant phone monitoring for group chat messages
Financial strain from unexpected “fines” or required purchases

How to Talk to Your Child

Use open questions: “How are things really going with [organization]?”
Avoid judgment: “You can tell me anything without getting in trouble”
Emphasize safety: “Your health matters more than any group”

If Your Child Is Injured

Get immediate medical attention
Document everything (photos, notes, screenshots)
Contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 before contacting the university
Preserve all evidence (don’t wash clothing, don’t delete messages)

For Students: Self-Assessment & Safety

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

Would I do this if I had a real choice without social consequences?
Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would my parents/university approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
Am I being told to keep secrets or lie?

How to Exit Safely

Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, trusted friend)
Send a written resignation: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
Do NOT attend “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
Document any threats or harassment

Evidence Collection Guide

Screenshots: Capture full conversations with timestamps
Photos: Injuries from multiple angles, include scale (coin/ruler)
Medical Records: Tell providers you were hazed so it’s documented
Witness Info: Names and contacts of others who saw what happened

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages

Why It’s Wrong: Looks like cover-up, destroys crucial evidence
What to Do: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly

Why It’s Wrong: Triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching
What to Do: Document everything, then call us before any confrontation

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms

Why It’s Wrong: May waive your right to sue for adequate compensation
What to Do: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review

4. Posting on Social Media

Why It’s Wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
What to Do: Document privately; let us control public messaging

5. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”

Why It’s Wrong: Evidence disappears, statutes of limitations run
What to Do: Preserve evidence NOW; consult us immediately

Frequently Asked Questions from Whitehouse Families

“Can we sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes. While public universities have some sovereign immunity protections, exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer protections. Every case depends on specific facts—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case-specific analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, the injuries (rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure) likely rise to this level.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to participate?”
Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and fear of exclusion isn’t true voluntary consent.

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

“What if it happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Many major cases (like Pi Delta Psi’s retreat death) occurred off-campus.

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability. In the UH case, media attention came from the fraternity’s suspension, not our client’s seeking of publicity.

Why Attorney911 for Whitehouse Hazing Cases

When your 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.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña)
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims, understands their delay tactics and coverage exclusion arguments, and knows their settlement strategies. As he says, “We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello)
Our involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation—one of the few Texas firms selected for this massive case—proves our capability against billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. We’re not intimidated by national fraternities, university regents, or their defense teams. We’ve taken on the largest corporations and won.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Results
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, working with economists to value lifetime care needs for brain injuries and permanent disabilities. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force real accountability.

Criminal + Civil Hazing 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 and navigate the interplay between criminal and civil proceedings.

Investigative Depth & Resources
Our network includes medical experts, digital forensics specialists, economists, and psychologists. We know how to obtain hidden evidence—deleted group chats, chapter records, university files that organizations hope will never see daylight. As we demonstrated in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we investigate thoroughly and build undeniable evidence.

Current Case Proof: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi

Right now, we’re actively litigating one of Texas’s most significant hazing cases. The allegations, as reported by ABC13, include:

Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
Extreme workouts (100+ push-ups, 500 squats) leading to rhabdomyolysis
“Pledge fanny pack” humiliation with condoms and sex toys
Hose spraying “similar to waterboarding”
Hog-tying of another pledge for over an hour

Mr. Bermudez suffered acute kidney failure, was hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing health risks. The chapter was suspended and surrendered its charter. We’re pursuing all liable parties: 13 individual members, the local chapter, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the housing corporation, University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents.

This isn’t theoretical—this is what we do every day for Texas families.

How We Work with Whitehouse Families

Your Free Consultation
When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you’ll speak directly with an attorney who will:

Listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you’ve preserved
Explain your legal options clearly
Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
power of attorney
Answer questions about costs (we work on contingency—no fee unless we win)
Provide honest assessment without pressure

Our Investigation Process
We immediately:

Preserve digital evidence before it’s destroyed
Identify all potentially liable parties
Obtain medical records and documentation
Begin gathering witness statements
Send preservation letters to prevent evidence destruction

Communication Commitment
We keep you informed with regular updates. As we explain in our video Will You Keep Me Updated on My Case?, we believe informed clients make better decisions and experience less stress during difficult times.

Call to Action for Whitehouse Families

If you or your child has experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether UT Tyler just minutes away or universities across the state—we want to help. Whitehouse families have the right to answers and accountability when institutions fail to protect their children.

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

What to Expect When You Call 1-888-ATTY-911

Immediate attention to your emergency
Compassionate listening without judgment
Clear explanation of Texas hazing law and your options
Honest assessment of your situation
No pressure—take time to decide what’s right for your family
Complete confidentiality

Contact Information

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

Spanish Language Services Available:

Hablamos Español – Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish
Servicios legales en español disponibles para familias hispanas

Educational Resources

Evidence Preservation Video: Using Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case
Statute of Limitations: Texas Filing Deadlines Explained
Common Mistakes: What Can Ruin Your Injury Case
Fee Explanation: How Contingency Fees Work

Whether you’re in Whitehouse, Tyler, or anywhere in Smith County, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions involved have lawyers protecting their interests—you deserve the same protection.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re here to help Whitehouse families find answers, achieve accountability, and prevent this from happening to another student.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

Attorney911 Educational YouTube Videos:
4. Evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
5. Statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
6. Client mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
7. Contingency fees explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:
8. Contact and information: 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