The Complete Guide to Hazing, Texas Law & Holding Universities Accountable: A Resource for Wilson County Families

Your child calls from college, their voice shaky. They mention a “pledge event” that got out of hand, or perhaps you notice unexplained bruises during a visit home. A friend hints that something isn’t right with the fraternity or sorority. For families in Wilson County, where our community values are rooted in faith, hard work, and looking out for one another, the idea that your child could be harmed in the very place they went to build their future is a devastating breach of trust.

Right now, Attorney911 is leading one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas: the $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and numerous individual members. This case, unfolding just hours from Wilson County in Harris County, is not an abstract news story. It is active proof of the brutal reality of modern hazing and the fierce legal fight required to stop it. Bermudez, a UH student, allegedly endured a “pledge fanny pack” humiliation ritual, extreme physical workouts, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and forced consumption of food until vomiting. This culminated in rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring a four-day hospitalization with the ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

This guide is for you—parents, grandparents, and students in Floresville, Sutherland Springs, Poth, and across Wilson County. Whether your child attends a local college, commutes to San Antonio, or studies at a major university like Texas A&M, UT Austin, or UH, this resource will help you understand what hazing truly looks like in 2025, the legal rights and options available under Texas law, and how an experienced hazing litigation firm like Attorney911 can help your family seek answers, accountability, and justice.

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 (GroupMe, WhatsApp, texts) 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 directly.
  • 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. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks or harmless traditions. It is a calculated pattern of abuse designed to assert power and create loyalty through fear and degradation. For Wilson County families, whose children may be experiencing this far from home, understanding the modern tactics is the first step to intervention.

Hazing is defined by Texas law as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with a group. Crucially, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense. The power imbalance and coercive environment mean true, voluntary consent is impossible.

Modern hazing falls into three escalating categories:

1. Subtle Hazing: The “Gateway” Behaviors

These set the stage for worse abuse by establishing control:

• Mandatory Servitude: Being on call 24/7 as a designated driver, running personal errands for older members, or cleaning their spaces.
• Psychological Control: Being assigned a derogatory nickname, forbidden from speaking unless spoken to, or isolated from non-member friends.
• Digital Monitoring: Required to respond instantly to all group chat messages, share live location data, or have social media posts approved.

2. Harassment Hazing: Causing Deliberate Distress

• Sleep Deprivation: “Midnight wake-up calls” for meaningless tasks or extended “meetings” that interfere with academics.
• Forced Consumption: Eating excessive amounts of bland food (like milk or bread) or disgusting concoctions.
• Verbal Abuse: Yelling, screaming, “grilling” sessions, and constant threats of expulsion from the group.
• Humiliating Acts: Wearing embarrassing costumes in public, performing degrading skits.

3. Violent Hazing: High Risk of Injury or Death

This is where lives are shattered, as in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case. It includes:

• Forced/Coerced Alcohol Consumption: “Big/Little” nights, “family tree” drinking games, lineups, and being forced to drink entire bottles of liquor.
• Physical Beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking, or “smokings” (extreme, punitive calisthenics like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats inflicted on Leonel Bermudez).
• Dangerous Environments: Exposure to extreme cold/heat, being tied up or restrained, or dangerous “rituals” like blindfolded tackles.
• Sexualized Abuse: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, or sexual assault.

Hazing occurs in fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, marching bands, Corps of Cadets programs, spirit groups, and other campus organizations. The common thread is the abuse of power in the name of “tradition.”

The Texas Legal Framework: Criminal Charges & Civil Liability

Texas has specific laws to combat hazing, but navigating them requires an understanding of both criminal and civil pathways. For a family in Wilson County, a case might involve the county sheriff, campus police hours away, and complex civil courts.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

• Definition: An intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation/affiliation. Location (on or off-campus) does not matter.
• Criminal Penalties:
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity/sorority itself can be fined up to $10,000 per violation.
• Critical Protections:
  • Consent is NOT a Defense: Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still a crime.
  • Good-Faith Report Immunity: Those who report hazing or call for medical help in good faith are protected from liability.

Civil Lawsuits: The Path to Accountability & Compensation

A criminal case is brought by the state to punish. A civil lawsuit is brought by the victim and family to recover damages and force change. They can proceed simultaneously. The civil system is where families can achieve real accountability from all responsible parties.

Who can be held liable in a civil hazing lawsuit?

1. The Individuals Who Committed the Acts: The members who planned, carried out, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As an organization that authorized or allowed the conduct.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: For failing to adequately supervise, train, or discipline chapters despite known patterns of abuse (a key strategy in our litigation).
4. The University: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or Title IX violations. Public universities like UH or Texas A&M have certain immunity defenses, but exceptions exist for gross negligence.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of unsafe properties or bars that overserved alcohol.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragedy at UH is not an isolated event. It is part of a national pattern. Understanding these cases shows how hazing scripts are recycled and why institutions are often held liable.

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a forced drinking “bid acceptance” night. Members delayed calling 911 for hours. Resulted in the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania, criminal convictions, and massive civil liability.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died of alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game. Led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing) and a $6.1 million verdict for his family.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of liquor. The chapter president was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million. The family reached a $10 million total settlement with the national fraternity and university.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from forced drinking. His family settled with 22 defendants, illustrating the wide net of liability.

The Takeaway for Texas Families: These cases establish clear legal precedents: forced drinking is foreseeable and deadly, delayed medical care compounds liability, and national organizations with prior knowledge face severe consequences. The same patterns are present in Texas.

A Texas-Specific Focus: Where Wilson County Families Send Their Kids

Wilson County families have deep ties to Texas higher education. Students commute to San Antonio, head to agricultural programs at Texas A&M, pursue engineering at UT Austin, or attend countless other schools. Hazing risk exists wherever there are groups that prioritize tradition over safety.

The University of Houston & The Active Pi Kappa Phi Lawsuit

This ongoing case, which we are litigating, is the most current and severe example in Texas.

• The Harm: Leonel Bermudez developed life-threatening rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
• The Hazing: “Pledge fanny pack” humiliation, prolonged physical torture, simulated waterboarding, forced overconsumption.
• The Response: Pi Kappa Phi national suspended the chapter within days; the chapter voted to surrender its charter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”
• The Lawsuit: A $10 million lawsuit naming UH, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi nationals, the chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual members. This case demonstrates our firm’s active, high-stakes approach to hazing litigation.

Texas A&M University

With many Wilson County students drawn to Texas A&M, understanding its landscape is crucial.

• Corps of Cadets Culture: Tradition-heavy with a history of hazing allegations. In a 2023 lawsuit, a cadet alleged being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth as part of degrading hazing.
• Fraternity Incidents: Sigma Alpha Epsilon faced a lawsuit where pledges alleged being doused with industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts.
• For Families: The combination of a powerful Greek system and the intense Corps culture requires specialized legal knowledge to investigate and litigate effectively.

University of Texas at Austin

UT maintains a public hazing violations log, offering a window into ongoing issues.

• Public Transparency: UT’s website lists sanctions against groups like Pi Kappa Alpha (for forced milk consumption and calisthenics) and various spirit organizations.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon: The UT chapter faced allegations in 2024 of an assault that left a student with a broken nose and leg injuries.
• Legal Advantage: This public record of prior violations is powerful evidence in a civil lawsuit to prove an organization’s known dangerous pattern.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

These private, faith-associated universities have their own challenges.

• SMU: Had its Kappa Alpha Order chapter suspended for paddling and forced drinking. Private schools often handle investigations internally, making external legal pressure critical for transparency.
• Baylor: Faced a baseball team hazing scandal in 2020 resulting in multiple player suspensions, highlighting that hazing extends beyond Greek life.

For a Wilson County Family: Whether the incident occurs in College Station, Austin, Houston, or Waco, the legal principles remain the same, but the specific defendants, courts, and strategies will be tailored to the location. We have the statewide capability to manage this.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter

When we investigate a hazing case, we don’t just look at the local chapter. We investigate the national organization’s decades-long history. This is a key part of our “Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine.” For example:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): National was involved in the Stone Foltz $10M settlement. A pattern of “Big/Little” drinking deaths creates foreseeable risk for every chapter.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Has faced wrongful death and catastrophic injury lawsuits across the country, including at Texas A&M and UT Austin.
• Pi Kappa Phi: The national involved in the UH case also had the Andrew Coffey death at Florida State.

This history matters in court. It helps prove that the national headquarters knew or should have known that their chapters were at high risk for these exact behaviors, making their failure to prevent it a form of negligence.

Public Records Directory: The Texas Greek Ecosystem

As part of our data-driven approach, we maintain intelligence on the vast network of Greek organizations in Texas. This is not speculation; it’s based on public IRS filings, university records, and corporate data. For example, the IRS B83 database alone shows over 125 Texas-registered Greek entities. Here is a snapshot of the ecosystem relevant to universities Wilson County students attend:

Organizations with Texas IRS Filings (Illustrative Examples):

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 46-2267515 – Frisco, TX 75035
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – EIN 74-6064445 – Nederland, TX 77627 (Epsilon Kappa Chapter)
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter – EIN 74-6084905 – Houston, TX 77204
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 74-1380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – EIN 90-0293166 – College Station, TX 77843 (Texas A&M University)

Metro Area Concentrations (per Cause IQ Data):

• 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

This directory illustrates the complex web of legally recognized entities—housing corporations, alumni chapters, educational foundations—that stand behind everyday fraternity and sorority life. When injury occurs, identifying every potentially liable entity is a critical first step that we are equipped to handle immediately.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

If your family is facing this crisis, you need to know what happens next. Our process is thorough, strategic, and victim-centered.

Phase 1: Evidence Preservation & Investigation

We move immediately to secure evidence before it vanishes:

• Digital Forensics: Recovering deleted group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), social media posts, and location data.
• Chapter & National Records: Subpoenaing internal fraternity/sorority documents, risk management reports, and prior incident files.
• University Files: Obtaining prior disciplinary records for the group through discovery or public records requests.
• Witness Interviews: Speaking with other pledges, former members, and bystanders who may be afraid to come forward alone.

Phase 2: Establishing Liability & Damages

We build a case that demonstrates the full scope of harm and who is responsible.

• Liability: We connect the dots from the individual actors to the chapter, the national organization (using their history), and the university’s failure to protect students.
• Damages We Fight to Recover:
  • Economic: All medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, future care), lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity.
  • Non-Economic: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
  • Wrongful Death: In tragic cases, damages for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and the family’s profound grief.

Phase 3: Negotiation & Litigation

We prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This readiness is what forces serious settlement discussions.

• Insurance Battles: We leverage Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney to counter the tactics used by fraternity and university insurers to deny or minimize claims.
• The Goal: Maximum accountability and a recovery that provides for the victim’s long-term needs, whether through a negotiated settlement or a jury verdict.

Practical Guides: For Parents, Students, & Witnesses

A Guide for Wilson County Parents

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight change.
• Secrecy about group activities, sudden withdrawal from family.
• Anxiety when their phone buzzes (constant group chat demands).
• Financial requests for unexplained “fines” or “dues.”

What to Do:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’m worried about you. Is there anything you’re being asked to do that feels unsafe or wrong?”
2. Prioritize Health: If injured, seek medical care immediately and tell the doctor the cause was hazing.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages and photograph injuries.
4. Seek Legal Counsel Early: Contact us before reporting to the university. We can help you navigate the process to protect your child’s rights and future.

A Guide for Students

• Your “Consent” is Not a Legal Defense. You cannot truly consent to being abused.
• You Have a Right to Leave. You can resign your pledge/membership at any time via email. You do not owe them an in-person meeting.
• Report Safely. You can report to the Dean of Students, campus police, or anonymously through the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE).
• Protect Yourself. If you fear retaliation, document threats and report them. You may be entitled to a no-contact order.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

1. Deleting Evidence: Do not delete group chats, texts, or photos. This looks like a cover-up.
2. Confronting the Chapter: This gives them a head start to destroy evidence and lawyer up.
3. Signing University Paperwork: Do not sign any “resolution” or “release” from the school without an attorney.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense lawyers scour social media for inconsistencies.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, and statutes of limitations run out.

Why Attorney911 for Your Texas Hazing Case

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the institutions you’re up against and have the proven skill to fight them. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) brings a unique combination of insider knowledge, relentless investigation, and courtroom experience to hazing litigation.

Our Qualifications for Hazing Cases:

1. Active, High-Stakes Litigation: We are currently lead counsel in the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi $10 million lawsuit. We are not theorists; we are in the fight right now.
2. Insurance Insider Advantage: Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, use delays, and fight coverage. We use their playbook against them.
3. Complex Institutional Experience: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced billion-dollar defendants with endless legal resources and are not intimidated by national fraternities or large universities.
4. Data-Driven Investigation: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from thousands of public records—means we start with knowledge, not guesswork. We identify all potentially liable entities, from the local chapter to the national housing corporation.
5. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand criminal hazing charges and how they interact with civil suits, allowing us to advise on all aspects of a case.
6. Spanish-Language Services: Se habla Español. Mr. Peña provides fluent Spanish-language consultations, ensuring all Texas families have access to justice.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. For Wilson County residents, we are your dedicated Texas advocates, whether the incident happened at a nearby school or across the state.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, Compassionate Consultation

If you suspect your child has been hazed, time is your most precious resource. Evidence vanishes quickly. Universities and organizations move to control the narrative.

We invite you to contact The Manginello Law Firm for a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation. In this conversation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Explain your family’s legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Discuss the investigative process and what to expect.
• Answer your questions about costs (we work on a contingency fee basis—no fee unless we win).

You are not alone in this. The traditions of Wilson County are built on community and protecting our own. Let us help you protect your child.

Call Attorney911 Today: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Hablamos Español: Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com

Plain Text Links to Key Resources:

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

• Click2Houston (KPRC 2) 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 (KTRK) 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:

• Using Your Cellphone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website & 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 and university policies can change. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and evidence. If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney for advice on your specific situation.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Website: https://attorney911.com