HOUSTON — Two Texas A&M students allege they suffered severe burns after an industrial cleaner was poured on them at a fraternity pledging event.
Patrick Close and Jose Figueroa filed a complaint Oct. 18 in Harris County District Court against Sigma Alpha Episilon, Texas Tau Chapter, Sigma Alpha Fraternity Inc., and others alleging negligence and other claims.
Close and Figueroa, who were freshmen at Texas A&M University at the time, had been chosen to pledge to the Local SAE fraternity in the beginning of the Spring 2021 semester, according to their complaint. They allege that when they arrived at the home of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Texas Tau Chapter, they were suddenly taken out of the vehicle, taken to the SAE House chapter room and forced to do "various kinesthetic activities."
The plaintiffs further allege that they had "foreign substances" poured on them by various Local SAE members including human spit, raw eggs, paint, food condiments and an industrial strength, high alkaline cleaner which caused them to suffer severe burns.
Close and Figueroa claim they underwent emergency skin graft surgery and have suffered permanent disfigurement. The plaintiffs allege the fraternity members' behavior violated the Texas anti-hazing statue and that the National SEC failed to have national standards regarding hazing activities for its member chapters, members and pledges.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief of more than $1 million, interest and all other just relief. They are represented by Attorneys Vuk Vujasinovic, Job Tennant, Jose Calderon in Houston and Steven Selsberg of S. Selsberg Law PLLC in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2021-68279