Smith County’s Guide to Texas Hazing Laws & Litigation: A Resource for Parents

A Message to Smith County Families

If you are a parent in Smith County, Texas—from homes in Tyler to Whitehouse, Lindale to Bullard—the quiet worry about your child’s safety at college is always there. It sharpens when they join a fraternity, sorority, athletic team, or the Corps of Cadets, hoping to find community but stepping into a world where the traditions meant to bond can instead inflict lasting harm.

Right now, in a Harris County court, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, a former pledge at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, was subjected to degrading rituals and extreme physical hazing. He was forced to carry a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” compelled to consume milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and driven through extreme workouts that led to him passing brown urine. He was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

This is not an isolated horror story from another part of the state. The same national fraternities and sororities, backed by the same deep-pocketed insurance companies and institutional defense strategies, operate right here at the universities where Smith County families send their children. Your child attending the University of Texas at Tyler, Texas College, or traveling to Texas A&M, UT Austin, or elsewhere is part of a vast, interconnected Greek ecosystem that extends into our community.

This comprehensive guide was written specifically for parents and families in Smith County. Our goal is to arm you with the facts about hazing in 2025, the protections and pitfalls of Texas law, the reality of the Greek organizations on your child’s campus, and the concrete steps you can take if the unthinkable happens. You are not powerless. Justice and accountability are possible.

If This Is an Emergency: Immediate Steps for Smith County Families

If your child is in danger or seriously injured RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911. Get medical help first.
• Then call us, Attorney911, at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate legal guidance for emergencies. That’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

In the First 48 Hours (Critical Evidence Preservation):

1. Secure Medical Care: Prioritize health. Go to the ER or an urgent care in Tyler or your nearest town. Tell the doctors exactly what happened—that it was hazing.
2. Preserve Digital Evidence: Screenshot EVERYTHING. GroupMe, Instagram DMs, iMessage group texts, Snapchat stories. Capture full conversations with names and timestamps. Do not let your child delete anything out of shame or fear.
3. Document Physically: Photograph any injuries from multiple angles. Save dirty or damaged clothing. Write down a detailed timeline of events, names of involved students, and locations.
4. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or its members.
   • Sign anything from the university or any insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Allow your child to be talked into a “private meeting” with chapter leaders.

Time is the enemy of truth in hazing cases. Evidence disappears with a few swipes. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 within the first 24-48 hours so we can help you secure the evidence that will make all the difference.

The Nightmare in Houston: Understanding the Stakes Through a Live Case

To understand what Texas families are up against, you must understand the case we are litigating today. It serves as a stark blueprint for the institutional failure and human cost at the heart of modern hazing.

The Leonel Bermudez Case: University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The details, documented in reports by Click2Houston and ABC13, are critical for every parent to hear.

The “Tradition” of Humiliation and Control: Upon accepting a bid, Bermudez was subjected to enforced dress codes, mandatory late-night driving duties for members, and the infamous “pledge fanny pack” rule. He was required to carry a bag 24/7 containing condoms, a sex toy, nicotine devices, and other degrading items, with non-compliance met with threats of punishment or expulsion.

The Escalation to Physical Torture: Hazing occurred at the UH chapter house, an off-campus residence on Culmore Drive, and at Yellowstone Boulevard Park. Acts included:

• Extreme workouts: “save-your-brother” drills, bear crawls, and wheelbarrow races.
• Cold-weather exposure in only underwear.
• Being sprayed in the face with a hose in a manner he described as “similar to waterboarding,” with threats of actual waterboarding.
• Being forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass.
• Forced consumption of excessive amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed immediately by sprints.
• A November 3rd “workout” where he was forced to do over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion, leaving him unable to stand without help.

The Catastrophic Medical Outcome: This brutal regimen led to rhabdomyolysis—a severe breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue that flooded his bloodstream with toxins. His kidneys shut down. He passed brown urine, a classic sign of the condition, and was rushed to the hospital. Lab tests revealed critically elevated creatine kinase levels, confirming acute kidney failure. He was hospitalized for four days and faces a lifelong risk of permanent kidney damage.

The Institutional Response: After reports surfaced, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters suspended the chapter on November 6, 2025. On November 14, the chapter members voted to surrender their charter, effectively shutting down. The University of Houston called the alleged conduct “deeply disturbing” and pledged cooperation with law enforcement. A Hoodline summary of the lawsuit captured the $10 million demand for damages.

Why This Matters to Smith County: This case is not an abstraction. Pi Kappa Phi is a national organization with chapters across Texas. The pattern—systemic humiliation, forced physical exhaustion, delayed reporting, institutional hand-wringing—is the same pattern we see everywhere. The defendants—a major public university system, a national fraternity HQ, a local housing corporation, and individual leaders—represent the exact universe of entities we must investigate and hold accountable in every serious hazing case. We are in the middle of this fight right now.

Texas Hazing Law: What Smith County Parents Must Know

Texas has specific laws designed to combat hazing, but understanding their scope and limits is crucial for families seeking justice.

The Texas Education Code: Chapter 37, Subchapter F

Texas law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed at a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership in an organization that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student. Key provisions for Smith County families include:

• Crime and Penalty: Hazing is a criminal offense. It’s typically a Class B misdemeanor, but it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death—exactly what happened to Leonel Bermudez.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (Texas Education Code § 37.155): This is perhaps the most important legal concept. It does not matter if your child “went along with it” or felt pressured to agree. The law recognizes that true consent cannot exist in the coercive environment of pledging. A fraternity cannot escape liability by claiming, “He wanted to be one of us.”
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity or sorority itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized the hazing or if an officer knew about it and failed to report it.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: A person who reports hazing in good faith to university officials or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability. This is designed to encourage bystanders and victims to come forward without fear of retribution.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

It is vital to understand the distinction, as most families will need to navigate both tracks.

Criminal Case:

• Brought by: The State of Texas (via the County District Attorney’s office—for Smith County, that’s the Smith County DA).
• Goal: Punishment. Convictions can mean fines, probation, or jail time for individual perpetrators. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or more serious charges like manslaughter in fatal cases.
• Outcome: A criminal conviction is powerful, but it does not provide financial compensation to your family for medical bills, trauma, or lost future opportunities.

Civil Lawsuit:

• Brought by: The victim and their family (with attorneys like us).
• Goal: Compensation and accountability. We seek financial damages to cover medical expenses, future care, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and, in wrongful death cases, the profound loss to the family.
• Targets: We build a case against the full defendant universe: the individuals who committed the acts, the local chapter, the national headquarters, the housing corporation, and often the university itself for negligent supervision.
• The Connection: These often proceed simultaneously. Evidence gathered for the criminal case can be used in the civil case, and vice-versa. Our experience in both criminal defense (through attorney Ralph Manginello’s HCCLA membership) and civil plaintiff work is a unique advantage for our clients.

The Federal Overlay: Title IX and the Stop Campus Hazing Act

State law is just the beginning. Federal laws create additional duties and potential claims:

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based discrimination, the university has specific, mandatory obligations to investigate and address it. Failure to do so can lead to significant liability.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including aggravated assault and liquor law violations, which often accompany hazing.
• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law requires colleges to publish more transparent hazing incident reports and strengthen prevention programs. It is a tool for holding schools accountable for systemic failure.

The Greek Ecosystem Around Smith County: A Data-Driven Look

As parents in Smith County, your children likely attend or will attend universities both within our region and at major hubs across Texas. To understand the landscape of risk, you must understand the organizations involved. We maintain the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, a proprietary database built from public records, to track the entities behind the Greek letters.

Where Smith County Families Send Their Kids: Campus Connections

Local & Regional Campuses:

• The University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler): A growing university right in Smith County with its own Greek life community.
• Texas College: A historically black college in Tyler with National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations.
• Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches): A major regional university just south of Smith County with a robust Greek system.
• University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler: While primarily graduate, it hosts academic honor societies.

Major Statewide University Hubs: These are where thousands of Smith County students enroll, drawn by tradition, academics, or athletics:

• Texas A&M University (College Station)
• University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)
• University of Houston (UH)
• Southern Methodist University (SMU)
• Baylor University (Waco)
• Texas State University (San Marcos)
• Texas Tech University (Lubbock)

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses

The following is a snapshot of the real, publicly registered organizations that form the backbone of Greek life in Texas. These are not just social clubs; they are legal entities (many tax-exempt) that own property, hold insurance, and can be sued. This data comes from IRS filings (Form 990/B83) and commercial databases. We use this intelligence to find every potentially liable party in a hazing case.

This is a sample of the directory we maintain:

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity – Beta Nu Housing Corporation Inc.
  EIN: 46-2267515 | Frisco, TX 75035
  Data Source: IRS B83 Public Filing
  (This is the housing corporation for the UH chapter involved in the Bermudez case).

• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc.
  EIN: 74-1380362 | Fort Worth, TX 76147
  Data Source: IRS B83 Public Filing (Educational/Housing Foundation)

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority
  EIN: 36-4091267 | Waco, TX 76710
  EIN: 75-2609909 | Commerce, TX 75428
  Data Source: IRS B83 Public Filing (Multiple Chapter Entities)

• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – University of Texas at Tyler
  EIN: 35-2335400 | Tyler, TX 75799
  Data Source: IRS B83 Public Filing (Academic Honor Society)

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc.
  EIN: 27-3662583 | Lufkin, TX 75904
  Data Source: IRS B83 Public Filing (Chapter Corporation)

• Sigma Phi Lambda Inc. (Multiple Chapters)
  EINs: 20-1237505, 26-080411, 46-0766525, etc. | Corinth, TX 76210
  Data Source: IRS B83 Public Filing (Christian Sorority National HQ)

• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. – Theta Delta Chapter
  EIN: 47-5370943 | Houston, TX 77204
  Data Source: IRS B83 Public Filing (Chapter at UH)

• Chi Omega Fraternity – Chi Omega House Corporation
  EIN: 74-0555581 | Austin, TX 78705
  Data Source: IRS B83 Public Filing (National Housing Entity)

This is not an accusation against these organizations. It is a demonstration of the real, traceable network that exists behind campus social life. When hazing occurs, we investigate this network to identify every entity that may share responsibility—from the local chapter corporation in Texas to the national headquarters in another state. This investigative depth is what separates a serious hazing litigation firm from a general personal injury practice.

The National Pattern: Your Child’s Fraternity Has a History

The fraternity that may have harmed your child at a Texas school has almost certainly been involved in similar incidents elsewhere. This “pattern evidence” is devastating in court. It proves the national organization knew or should have known of the dangers but failed to take adequate steps to prevent them.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): The national organization paid a substantial portion of a $10 million settlement after the alcohol-poisoning death of pledge Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University in 2021.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): At the University of Alabama, a lawsuit alleges a pledge suffered a traumatic brain injury. At Texas A&M, a 2021 lawsuit alleged pledges suffered severe chemical burns from being doused with industrial cleaner.
• Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver Act in Louisiana is named for a pledge who died from alcohol poisoning during a “Bible study” drinking game at LSU.
• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI): The 2021 case of Danny Santulli at the University of Missouri left the pledge with permanent, catastrophic brain damage after a forced drinking event, resulting in multi-million dollar settlements.

These are not random “bad apples.” They are proof of systemic failure. When we take a case for a Smith County family, part of our strategy is to subpoena the national fraternity’s risk management files to expose this known history, shattering their defense that they “had no idea” this could happen.

Building a Powerful Case: The Attorney911 Approach for Texas Families

Fighting a university and a national fraternity is not like a standard car accident case. It is complex institutional litigation. Our approach is built on proven strategies from our work on cases like the BP Texas City explosion and multi-million dollar wrongful death claims.

1. Evidence Preservation: The Digital Battlefield

Modern hazing lives on smartphones. Our first step is securing evidence before it vanishes:

• Group Chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage): We work with digital forensics experts to recover even deleted messages that show planning, boasting, or cover-ups.
• Social Media (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok): Photos and videos of events, location tags, and degrading posts.
• Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” lists, emails between chapter officers and national advisors.
• University Records: Using public information requests and discovery, we obtain the school’s prior disciplinary files on the same organization, proving they were on notice.

We have a dedicated video on using your phone to document evidence that every parent and student should watch.

2. Identifying All Liable Parties: The “Defendant Universe”

We don’t just sue the obvious players. Using data like our Public Records Directory, we map the entire structure:

• The individual members who committed the acts.
• The local chapter (as an unincorporated association or corporation).
• The national fraternity/sorority headquarters.
• The housing corporation that owns the fraternity house (a separate legal entity).
• Alumni boards and advisory committees.
• The university for negligent supervision and violation of its own policies.
• Third-party property owners or alcohol providers.

3. Overcoming the Insurance Defense Playbook

This is where Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney is invaluable. Fraternity and university insurers use the same tactics to deny claims:

• Claiming “Intentional Act” Exclusions: Arguing hazing is intentional, so insurance doesn’t cover it. We counter by focusing on the negligent supervision by nationals and universities—a covered claim.
• Lowballing & Delaying: Hoping families run out of money and will to fight. We don’t settle cheap. We build trial-ready cases that force insurers to negotiate seriously.
• Blaming the Victim: Insisting the student “consented.” We use Texas law (§ 37.155) and psychological testimony on coercion to demolish this argument.

4. Damages: Accounting for the Full Harm

We work with a network of experts—medical doctors, life-care planners, economists, and psychologists—to document the true cost of hazing:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical bills, lost earning capacity if injuries are permanent, therapy costs.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the worst cases, we seek justice for families’ profound loss, grief, and funeral expenses.

We operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront legal fees. We only get paid if we secure a recovery for you. You can learn more in our video, “How Do Contingency Fees Work?”.

Practical Guide for Smith County Parents & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme exhaustion, sleep deprivation.
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities.
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Requests for money for unexplained “fines” or “requirements.”

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’m worried about you. Is there anything happening with your fraternity/sorority that makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable?”
2. Seek Medical Care: If there’s any injury, go to a doctor in Tyler or your community. Get it documented.
3. Preserve Evidence: Gently encourage your child to screenshot messages and photos. Do this together.
4. Contact an Attorney BEFORE Reporting to the University: Universities have a conflict of interest. They want to manage the scandal. We can help you navigate reporting in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves evidence. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

For Students: Your Rights & Safety

• You Have the Right to Leave: You can de-pledge or resign at any time, for any reason. No tradition is worth your health or life.
• Your “Consent” is Not a Defense for Them: Under Texas law, it doesn’t matter if you felt pressured to agree.
• Good-Faith Reporting Protects You: Texas law provides immunity for people who report hazing in good faith.
• In an Emergency, CALL 911 FIRST: Do not worry about getting in trouble. Your life and health come first.

Critical Mistakes to Avoid: We’ve seen families inadvertently damage their cases. Please watch our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case.

Why Smith County Families Choose Attorney911

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the enemy’s playbook and have the resources to win. Here is why we are uniquely equipped to fight for you:

1. We Are Currently Fighting This Battle: We are lead counsel in the Leonel Bermudez vs. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case. We are not theorizing about hazing litigation; we are in the courtroom right now against a major university and national fraternity, fighting for the exact same justice Smith County families need.

2. Insider Insurance Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense lawyer for large companies. He knows the exact tactics fraternity and university insurers will use to deny or minimize your claim. We use their playbook against them. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background here.

3. Proven Experience Against Giant Institutions: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on one of the world’s largest corporations. National fraternities and university systems do not intimidate us. We know how to manage complex, document-intensive cases against well-funded defendants. Learn about Ralph’s experience here.

4. Data-Driven Investigation: We don’t start from scratch. We use our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—the same tool that generated the public records directory in this article—to immediately identify all potentially liable organizations, their insurers, and their histories.

5. Spanish-Language Services Available: Se habla Español. Mr. Peña is fluent and can serve Spanish-speaking families directly and compassionately.

6. A Commitment to Your Family’s Well-Being: We prioritize your child’s recovery and your family’s privacy. We seek accountability to prevent this from happening to anyone else, just as we are doing in the Bermudez case.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Conversation

If you are a parent in Smith County—from Tyler to Flint, Arp to Winona—and you believe your child has been victimized by hazing, we urge you to reach out. The window for gathering evidence is short. The institutions involved will quickly begin building their defense.

Contact us for a free, completely confidential consultation. We will listen to your story, review any information you have, and explain your legal options clearly and honestly. There is no pressure, and no fee unless we win your case.

Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ 24/7:
1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)

Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Let us help you fight for the justice and security your family deserves.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The law is complex, and every case is unique. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please contact us directly for advice pertaining to your specific situation. Results in prior cases do not guarantee future outcomes.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the 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 Eyewitness News 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 YouTube Videos:

• Documenting Evidence with Your Phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes to Avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website & Contact:

• https://attorney911.com