Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Legal Guide for Town of White Deer Families

Your Child Was Hazed. What Now? A Town of White Deer, Texas, Parent’s Guide to Legal Rights and Accountability

Picture this: A student from the Texas Panhandle, maybe a graduate of White Deer High School, arrives at a major Texas university ready to embrace college life. They join an organization—a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or athletic team—seeking friendship and belonging. Then, the unthinkable happens. What starts as “tradition” morphs into something dangerous: forced drinking until they become violently ill, extreme physical workouts designed to cause pain, humiliating acts captured on smartphones, or psychological torment masked as “team building.” When they finally collapse—passing brown urine from muscle breakdown like one recent Texas victim—the people they trusted delay calling for help, afraid of “getting the chapter in trouble” more than protecting a life.

This isn’t a hypothetical scare story. It’s exactly what happened to Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student whose hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter caused rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, leading to a four-day hospitalization and an ongoing $10 million lawsuit that we at Attorney911 are actively litigating right now. The details are horrific: a “pledge fanny pack” containing humiliating items, forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and extreme physical punishment that nearly destroyed his kidneys. The chapter is now shut down, but the medical and psychological harm continues.

For parents in Town of White Deer, Carson County, and the Texas Panhandle, this case hits close to home. Your children attend or may attend universities across Texas—from nearby institutions to major hubs hours away. When hazing happens, whether at those distant campuses or closer to home, you need to know your rights, the reality of modern hazing, and how to protect your child when institutions fail them.

At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™), we represent hazing victims and families across Texas. We’re fighting the Bermudez case against UH and Pi Kappa Phi right now, and we want Town of White Deer families to understand what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law works, and what real accountability requires.

If This Just Happened: Immediate Steps for Town of White Deer Families

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 your child insists they’re “fine”
Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
- Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
- Photograph injuries from multiple angles
- Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects used in hazing)
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—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 immediately.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Texas Panhandle Students

Many Town of White Deer parents remember hazing as “dumb pranks” or “boys being boys.” That outdated view is dangerously wrong. Modern hazing is calculated, psychologically complex, and often digitally documented. It’s not just about drinking; it’s about control, humiliation, and power imbalance.

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. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not make it legal or safe when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense.

Main Categories of Modern Hazing

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common—and most deadly—form. It’s not just “partying.” It’s systematic forced consumption:

“Lineup” drinking games where pledges must chug alcohol
Big/Little reveal nights with handles of hard liquor
“Bible study” or trivia games where wrong answers mean forced drinking
Pressure to consume unknown or mixed substances

What happened to Leonel Bermudez at UH included being forced to drink milk, eat hot dogs and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediately performing sprints. This wasn’t social drinking; it was calculated abuse.

Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, modern physical hazing includes:

Extreme calisthenics or “workouts” designed to cause pain, not fitness
“Smokings”—hours of push-ups, squats, bear crawls until collapse
Sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions” or tasks
Food/water restriction as punishment
Exposure to extreme cold or heat (like being outside in underwear in cold weather)

Bermudez’s case involved lying in vomit-soaked grass, cold-weather exposure, and the November 3 “workout”: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, creed recitation under threat of expulsion.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
These acts cause deep psychological trauma:

Forced nudity or partial nudity
Simulated sexual acts or positions
Degrading costumes or roles
Acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic overtones
Public shaming on social media

At UH, the “pledge fanny pack” contained condoms, sex toys, and other humiliating items that pledges had to carry 24/7.

Psychological Hazing

Verbal abuse, screaming, threats
Social isolation from non-members
Forced confessions or embarrassing revelations
Manipulation through fear of exclusion
“Silent treatment” or shunning

Digital/Online Hazing
Smartphones have created new avenues for abuse:

Group chat dares and “challenges”
Forced social media posts (TikTok, Instagram)
Geo-tracking requirements via Find My Friends
Pressure to share compromising images
Digital humiliation through meme creation

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

For Town of White Deer families, understanding where hazing occurs is crucial. It’s not just “frat boys”:

Fraternities and Sororities (all councils: IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC at schools like Texas A&M
Athletic Teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
Spirit Squads & Tradition Groups (like Texas Cowboys at UT)
Marching Bands & Performance Groups
Some Academic, Service, or Cultural Organizations

The common thread isn’t the type of group—it’s social status, tradition, and secrecy. Organizations with strong internal identities and loyalty often develop dangerous traditions that continue because “everyone before us did it.”

Texas Hazing Law: What Town of White Deer Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws that apply whether your child is hazed in Houston, College Station, Austin, or anywhere in the state. Understanding this framework is crucial for pursuing accountability.

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 the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Plain English translation: 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.

Key points for Town of White Deer families:

Can happen on or off campus (location doesn’t matter)
Can be mental or physical harm
Intent: Doesn’t have to be malicious; “reckless” is enough (knew the risk and did it anyway)
“Consent is not a defense” (Even if your child said “yes,” it’s still hazing if it meets the definition)

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties

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

Also criminal:

Failing to report hazing (if you’re a member/officer and knew about it)
Retaliating against someone who reports hazing

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability
Organizations (fraternities, sororities, clubs) can be criminally prosecuted for hazing if:

The org authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
An officer/member acting in official capacity knew about hazing and failed to report it

Penalties for organizations:

Fine up to $10,000 per violation
University can revoke recognition and ban from campus

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting
A person who in good faith reports a hazing incident to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the report.

This is crucial: Texas law and many university policies provide amnesty for students who call 911 in emergencies, even if they were drinking underage or involved.

§ 37.155 Consent Not a Defense
Texas law explicitly states: It is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the hazing activity.

§ 37.156 Reporting by Educational Institutions
Texas colleges and universities must:

Provide hazing prevention education
Publish hazing policies
Maintain and publish annual reports of hazing violations and disciplinary actions

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

For Town of White Deer families facing hazing, it’s essential to understand two parallel legal tracks:

Criminal Cases

Brought by the state (prosecutor)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
Example: In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, criminal charges could be filed alongside our civil lawsuit

Civil Cases

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
Focus on: negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
What we’re doing in the Bermudez case: Holding UH, Pi Kappa Phi national, the housing corporation, and 13 individual members financially accountable

Both can run side-by-side, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many hazing cases involve both tracks simultaneously.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)

Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthens hazing education and prevention
Maintains public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)
Affects all Texas public universities and most private ones

Title IX / Clery Act

When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger
Clery requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics
Hazing often overlaps with these categories (assaults, alcohol/drug crimes)

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

One of our key strengths at Attorney911 is identifying all potentially liable parties, not just the obvious ones. In the Bermudez case, we sued:

Individual Students (13 fraternity leaders/members including president, pledgemaster, risk manager)
Local Chapter / Organization (Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter)
National Fraternity/Sorority (Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters)
University or Governing Board (University of Houston, UH System Board of Regents)
Housing Corporation (Beta Nu housing corporation)
Third Parties (property owners, alcohol providers if applicable)

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys know where to look for liability.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Town of White Deer Families Can Learn

The Bermudez case at UH isn’t an isolated incident. It follows patterns we’ve seen nationwide—patterns that show why hazing persists and how it can be stopped through accountability.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

20-year-old pledge forced to consume entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
Died from alcohol poisoning
$10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
Multiple fraternity members convicted

Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017)

19-year-old died from traumatic brain injuries after bid acceptance night with extreme drinking
Falls captured on fraternity security cameras; brothers delayed calling for help
18 members charged with over 1,000 criminal counts
Led to Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania

Max Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

Pledge forced to participate in “Bible study” drinking game
Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%)
$6.1 million verdict for family
Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)

Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

Pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother Night”
Pledges given handles of hard liquor
FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life

What Town of White Deer Families Should Understand:
These cases show a repeating script: formulaic drinking nights, delayed medical care, and cover-ups. The same patterns occur in Texas—including in the Bermudez case where help was delayed as his condition worsened.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)

Pledge subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat
Suffered fatal head injuries; help delayed
National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter
Pi Delta Psi banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years

Importance for Texas: Hazing often moves off-campus to avoid detection. The UH case involved locations at the chapter house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)

Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within football program
Multiple lawsuits against university and staff
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald fired; settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially

Texas Relevance: Hazing isn’t limited to Greek life. Texas athletic programs—including at schools Town of White Deer students attend—have faced similar allegations.

What These Cases Mean for Town of White Deer Families

Patterns Repeat: The same dangerous behaviors (forced drinking, physical abuse, humiliation) recur across different organizations and states
Cover-Ups Are Common: Delaying medical help, destroying evidence, and intimidating witnesses happen consistently
Accountability Requires Litigation: Multi-million-dollar settlements and criminal convictions only happen after families fight back
Laws Change After Tragedy: Pennsylvania’s Piazza Law, Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, Ohio’s Collin’s Law—all created after hazing deaths

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: How We Track Organizations That Harm Students

At Attorney911, we don’t just react to hazing cases—we proactively investigate the Greek ecosystem that enables them. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine combines public records, institutional data, and investigative research to understand exactly who’s behind Texas fraternities and sororities.

Why This Matters for Town of White Deer Families

When your child is hazed, you’re not just fighting a few students. You’re up against:

National organizations with deep pockets
Multiple insurance policies and coverage disputes
Complex corporate structures designed to limit liability
Universities with legal teams and reputation management priorities

Our data engine helps cut through this complexity. Here’s what we track for Texas:

IRS B83 Registered Greek Organizations (125+ in Texas)
These are tax-exempt organizations the IRS classifies as fraternities, sororities, and related groups. Examples from our database that serve Texas Panhandle families include:

Frank Heflin Foundation, EIN 203507402, Canyon, TX 79015 (Phi Delta Theta alumni fund)
Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association, EIN 752290669, Amarillo, TX 79118
Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter, Canyon, TX (West Texas A&M University)
Various Delta Kappa Gamma Society chapters across the Panhandle (educators’ societies)

Texas Universities (96 Campuses)
While Town of White Deer students often attend major universities elsewhere, nearby institutions include:

West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX) – 45 miles from White Deer
Amarillo College (Amarillo, TX)
Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX) – 97 miles from White Deer
Clarendon College (Clarendon, TX) – 56 miles from White Deer

Major universities Town of White Deer families commonly send students to:

Texas A&M University (College Station)
University of Texas at Austin
University of Houston
Texas Tech University (Lubbock)
Baylor University (Waco)

Metro-Level Greek Organization Counts

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metro: 510 Greek-related organizations
Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land Metro: 188 organizations
Austin–Round Rock Metro: 154 organizations
Lubbock Metro: 59 organizations (relevant for Texas Tech families)

What This Means for Your Case:
When we take a hazing case, we already know how to find:

The national organization’s insurance policies
Local chapter corporate entities
Alumni associations and housing corporations
Prior incident reports and disciplinary history

This isn’t theoretical. In the Bermudez case, we used this approach to identify and sue:

Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters
Beta Nu housing corporation (EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX)
13 individual members in leadership positions

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

For Town of White Deer families considering legal action, understanding what goes into a hazing case is crucial. These are complex, multi-defendant cases requiring sophisticated investigation and strategy.

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

Digital Communications (THE MOST IMPORTANT CATEGORY)

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord: These apps are where hazing is planned, discussed, and documented
Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok: Humiliating content is often shared here
Recovery of deleted messages: Digital forensics can often retrieve “disappeared” evidence

In the UH case, group chats documented the “pledge fanny pack” rules, forced activities, and threats of punishment. This digital evidence is often more powerful than witness testimony.

Photos & Videos

Content filmed by members during events
Security camera or doorbell footage at houses
Social media posts showing hazing activities

Internal Organization Documents

Pledge manuals and initiation scripts
Emails/texts about “traditions” or punishment
National policies and training materials

University Records

Prior conduct files and disciplinary actions
Incident reports to campus police
Clery Act reports and disclosures

Medical & Psychological Records

ER and hospitalization records
Toxicology reports
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses)

Witness Testimony

Other pledges and members
Roommates, RAs, bystanders
Former members who quit

Categories of Damages in Hazing Cases

When we evaluate a hazing case at Attorney911, we look at the full scope of harm:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Financial Losses)

Medical bills (past and future)
Lost earnings/educational impact
Future care needs (for catastrophic injuries)
Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

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

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of companionship and support
Emotional harm to parents and siblings

Punitive Damages

To punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
To deter future hazing
Available in some Texas cases for gross negligence

In the Bermudez case, damages include:

Four days of hospitalization and ongoing medical care
Risk of permanent kidney damage from rhabdomyolysis
Severe psychological trauma
Educational disruption

How Hazing Cases Actually Progress

Immediate Investigation (Days 1-30): Evidence preservation, witness interviews, medical record collection
Pre-Litigation (30-90 days): Demand letters, insurance coverage investigation, settlement negotiations
Filing Lawsuit (90+ days if no settlement): Formal complaint, identifying all defendants
Discovery (6-18 months): Document requests, depositions, expert reports
Mediation/Settlement Discussions: Most cases settle during this phase
Trial (if necessary): Less than 5% of cases go to trial, but readiness is crucial

The Bermudez case is currently in active litigation, with discovery ongoing against UH, Pi Kappa Phi national, and the individual defendants.

Attorney911’s Unique Advantages for Hazing Cases

When Town of White Deer families face hazing situations, they need more than a general personal injury lawyer. They need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. Here’s why Attorney911 is uniquely qualified:

Insurance Insider Advantage: Lupe Peña’s Defense Background

Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) 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
Use delay tactics to pressure families
Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
Deploy Independent Medical Exams (IMEs) to reduce settlements

“We know their playbook because we used to run it,” Mr. Peña explains. This insider knowledge is invaluable when negotiating with insurers who think they can lowball hazing victims.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions: Ralph Manginello’s Experience

Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar corporations with unlimited legal budgets. That same experience applies directly to hazing cases against:

National fraternities with deep pockets
University systems with powerful legal teams
Insurance companies with sophisticated defense strategies

“We’ve faced defendants who spend more on legal fees than some families make in a lifetime,” says Manginello. “We’re not intimidated by big names or big budgets.”

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience

Our firm has recovered millions for clients in complex injury and wrongful death cases. We understand how to:

Work with economists to value lifetime care needs
Present compelling damage models to juries
Handle cases involving brain injury, organ damage, and permanent disability

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise

Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of hazing cases:

How criminal charges interact with civil litigation
How to advise witnesses with potential exposure
Defense strategies that may be used against your family

Investigative Depth and Expert Network

We have relationships with:

Digital forensics experts who can recover deleted messages
Medical experts in rhabdomyolysis, traumatic brain injury, PTSD
Greek life culture experts who understand organizational dynamics
Economists who can quantify lifetime impacts

Spanish-Language Services

Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish—critical for serving Hispanic families across Texas who may be navigating both language barriers and complex legal systems.

Practical Guides for Town of White Deer Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and non-member friends
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Fear of “letting the chapter down” or “getting in trouble”
Grades dropping suddenly
Unexpected large expenses (forced purchases, “fines”)

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally):

“How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
“Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
“What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
“Have you seen anyone get hurt, or have you been hurt?”
“Do you feel like you can leave if you want to?”
“Are they asking you to keep secrets from me or the university?”

If You Suspect Hazing:

Immediate safety first: If in danger, call 911
Document everything: Write down what your child tells you
Preserve evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries
Medical attention: Get professional evaluation even if “fine”
Report appropriately: Campus authorities, local police if crimes involved
Legal consultation: Contact experienced hazing attorney early

For Students: Self-Assessment and Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? 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 (no 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 Want to Quit/De-Pledge Safely:

Tell someone outside the org first (parent, RA, friend)
Send email/text to chapter leadership: “I am resigning effective immediately”
Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where you might be pressured
If you fear retaliation, report to Dean of Students and campus police

Your Legal Rights in Texas:

You cannot be punished for calling 911 in an emergency (good-faith reporter immunity)
Hazing is a crime—you are the victim, not perpetrator
You can request a no-contact order through the university if harassed
Consent is not a defense under Texas law

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

MISTAKE #1: Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction of justice; makes case nearly impossible
What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

MISTAKE #2: Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly

Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
What to do instead: Document everything, call attorney before any confrontation

MISTAKE #3: Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms

Why it’s wrong: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often far below value
What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review

MISTAKE #4: Posting details on social media before talking to lawyer

Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
What to do instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

MISTAKE #5: Waiting “to see how the university handles it”

Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

Frequently Asked Questions for Town of White Deer Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (like UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law classifies hazing as Class B misdemeanor by default, but becomes state jail felony if causing serious bodily injury or death. The Bermudez case involved injuries that could support felony charges.

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
YES. Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize “consent” under peer pressure isn’t voluntary.

“How long do we have to file a hazing 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. Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

“What if hazing happened off-campus or at private house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and foreseeability. The UH case involved both on-campus and off-campus locations.

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

“How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?”
We work on contingency fee basis for personal injury hazing cases—no upfront costs, no fee unless we win. We advance case expenses and get reimbursed from recovery.

Why Town of White Deer Families Choose Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need attorneys who combine legal skill with genuine compassion. At Attorney911, we understand that you’re not just dealing with a legal case—you’re helping your child through one of the most traumatic experiences of their life.

Our Approach to Hazing Cases

Immediate Response: We provide 24/7 availability because evidence disappears fast
Comprehensive Investigation: We use our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine to identify all liable parties
Expert Collaboration: We work with medical specialists, digital forensics experts, and economists
Strategic Litigation: We know when to negotiate and when to prepare for trial
Client-Centered Communication: We keep you informed at every step

The Bermudez Case: Fighting for Texas Students Right Now

Our work on Leonel Bermudez’s case against UH and Pi Kappa Phi demonstrates our commitment:

We filed a $10 million lawsuit for hazing causing rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
We identified and sued 15 defendants: UH, Pi Kappa Phi national, housing corporation, 13 individual members
We secured media coverage (Click2Houston, ABC13, Hoodline) to raise awareness
We’re fighting for accountability that could prevent future hazing

Serving Town of White Deer and All of Texas

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including:

Carson County (White Deer, Panhandle, Skellytown)
The Texas Panhandle (Amarillo, Canyon, Pampa, Borger)
Major university communities statewide

We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families far from campus. Whether your child attends school hours away or closer to home, Texas law protects them, and we can help enforce those protections.

Contact Attorney911 for a Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions involved have legal teams and PR strategies—you deserve the same level of representation.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

We listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Explain your legal options clearly
Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—no fee unless we win)
No pressure to hire us—take time to decide
Everything you tell us is confidential

Contact Information:

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

Hablamos Español — Spanish-language consultations available with Mr. Lupe Peña

Whether you’re in Town of White Deer, Carson County, the Texas Panhandle, or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has hurt your child, call us today. Let us help you get answers, hold the right people accountable, and work toward preventing this from happening to another family.

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 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