Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Legal Guide for Parents in Castro County and City of Hart

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

Imagine receiving a phone call in the middle of the night. Your child, a student at a Texas university you worked hard to send them to, is in the emergency room. Their story comes out in fragments—forced drinking, humiliating acts, extreme physical exertion, threats, and a culture of silence. They were trying to join a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or spirit group, and what was sold as “brotherhood” or “tradition” nearly killed them. For families right here in Castro County, from the quiet streets of City of Hart to the surrounding farms and communities, this nightmare is real. It happened recently at the University of Houston, and it could happen to any Texas student.

Right now, we represent Leonel Bermudez in a landmark $10 million hazing lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter. The details are harrowing: a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and extreme workouts that led to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine was brown. He was hospitalized for four days. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter has been shut down. This is not a story from decades past; this is an active, high-stakes Texas hazing case we are litigating right now.

This guide is for you—parents and families in City of Hart, Dimmitt, and across Castro County. We will explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, what we’ve learned from national tragedies, and what specific risks exist at universities where Panhandle students often enroll. Most importantly, we will outline the legal pathways to accountability and recovery, so you have a clear plan during a chaotic time.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate legal guidance—that’s why we are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

In the First 48 Hours:

1. Get Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” seek evaluation. Injuries like rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) or internal trauma may not be immediately obvious.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It’s Deleted:
   • Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), texts, and social media DMs.
   • Photograph any injuries from multiple angles.
   • Save physical items (clothing, paddles, receipts, alcohol bottles).
3. Write Down Everything: Document who, what, when, and where while memories are fresh.
4. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or university directly.
   • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence vanishes quickly. We can help secure it and protect your family’s rights. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like on Texas Campuses

Hazing is not just “boys will be boys” or harmless pranks. For families in Castro County, it’s crucial to understand the modern reality, which often involves digital coercion, psychological manipulation, and dangerous physical tests disguised as “team building.”

A Clear, Modern Definition

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, affiliating with, or maintaining membership in a group, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student. Under Texas law, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

Main Categories of Hazing Today

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing:

• Forced/Coerced Drinking: “Lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, trivia games where wrong answers mandate drinking.
• Consumption of Unknown Substances: Being forced to ingest unpleasant or dangerous mixtures.

2. Physical Hazing:

• Paddling, Beatings, and “Smokings”: Extreme calisthenics (hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits to collapse).
• Sleep and Deprivation: All-night “study sessions,” 3 AM wake-up calls, multi-day events with minimal rest.
• Exposure to Elements: Being left outside in cold weather in minimal clothing, locked in freezing rooms.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing:

• Forced nudity or wearing degrading costumes.
• Simulated sexual acts or positions.
• Acts involving racist, sexist, or homophobic overtones.

4. Psychological and Digital Hazing:

• Verbal abuse, isolation from friends and family, “roasting” sessions.
• 24/7 Digital Control: Mandatory constant monitoring of group chats, required instant responses at all hours, location tracking via apps.
• Social Media Humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat.

Where Hazing Happens

While fraternities and sororities are often in the news, hazing pervades many groups:

• Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural)
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading)
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC Programs
• Spirit and Tradition Organizations (like Texas Cowboys or Aggie Bonfire crew)
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups
• Some Academic, Service, and Cultural Clubs

The common threads are power imbalance, secrecy, and the flawed belief that abuse builds loyalty.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What Castro County Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws against hazing, and understanding them is the first step toward accountability.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F

The cornerstone is the Texas hazing statute, which defines the crime and its penalties.

• Definition (§37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers a student’s physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152):
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes bodily injury.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or other group itself can be fined up to $10,000 per violation and lose university recognition.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): Even if your child “agreed,” it is still hazing under Texas law.
• Immunity for Reporters (§37.154): Those who report hazing in good faith are protected from liability, and many schools have medical amnesty policies to encourage calling 911.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Case: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aims to punish with jail, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.
• Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim and their family. Aims for financial compensation (damages) and institutional accountability. This is where we help families recover for medical bills, trauma, and future care.

These paths can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit.

The Federal Legal Overlay

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs (fully phased in by 2026).
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, the university has specific federal obligations to investigate and respond.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain campus crimes, which can include hazing-related assaults.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A thorough investigation identifies all responsible parties, which often include:

1. Individual Students who planned, participated in, or concealed the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter as an entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and prior knowledge of dangerous patterns.
4. The University for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or failure to enforce its own policies.
5. Third Parties like landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol, or security companies.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Tragedies That Shape Today’s Laws

Major cases across the country have exposed systemic failures and created legal precedents that directly benefit Texas families seeking justice.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Died after a bid-acceptance night of forced drinking. His horrific falls were caught on the fraternity’s own security cameras, but brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case led to the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania and resulted in over 1,000 criminal charges.
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Died after a “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers mandated drinking. His death spurred Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, creating felony hazing penalties.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event; died from alcohol poisoning. His family reached a $10 million settlement with the fraternity national and university. The chapter president was later ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.

The Physical Ritual Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Pledge died from traumatic brain injury after a violent, blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted of manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Athletic and Institutional Hazing

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread, sexualized hazing allegations led to numerous player lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements, proving hazing is not limited to Greek life.

What This Means for You: These cases established that courts and juries will hold organizations accountable, award significant damages, and that national fraternities cannot claim ignorance when the same deadly patterns repeat. The fraternities present on Texas campuses—Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi, and others—have national histories replete with these exact patterns.

Texas Focus: Where Castro County and City of Hart Students Attend College

Families in our region often send their students to major universities across the state. Understanding the specific landscape at these schools is critical.

For Castro County Families: The Local & Regional Campus Context

While our students attend schools statewide, several campuses are within driving distance or are common choices for Panhandle families. It’s also vital to remember that the same national fraternities and sororities that have caused tragedies elsewhere operate chapters across Texas.

Major Texas Universities Relevant to Our Community:

1. Texas Tech University (Lubbock) – The Closest Major Hub

   • For City of Hart Families: Lubbock is the nearest major city with a Tier 1 research university, making Texas Tech a primary destination for local students.
   • Greek Life Profile: A large and active Greek community with a significant presence on campus.
   • Hazing Policy & Reporting: Texas Tech prohibits hazing and has reporting channels through the Office of Student Conduct, the Texas Tech Police Department, and an online form.
   • Legal Jurisdiction: A hazing case here would typically involve the Lubbock County court system. We are familiar with this venue and can serve families statewide.

2. West Texas A&M University (Canyon) – In Our Backyard

   • For Castro County Families: WTAMU is part of the Texas A&M System and is the regional university serving the Panhandle. Many students commute or live on campus.
   • Greek Life Profile: A active Greek system with national and local chapters.
   • Documented Incidents: Universities in the A&M system, including WTAMU, are not immune to hazing risks. National patterns do not stop at campus borders.
   • Local Courts: Cases here would be filed in Randall County courts.

3. Texas A&M University (College Station) – A Statewide Draw

   • Culture & Risk: Beyond its massive Greek system, Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets has a documented history of hazing incidents.
   • Notable Cases:
     • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Chemical Burns Lawsuit: Pledges alleged being doused with industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended.
     • Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit: A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth.
   • Implication for Families: The combination of a powerful Greek system and a tradition-heavy Corps creates multiple potential avenues for abuse.

4. University of Texas at Austin – Academic Destination

   • Transparency Benchmark: UT Austin maintains a public Hazing Violations Log, listing sanctioned organizations.
   • Example from Log: Pi Kappa Alpha was sanctioned for directing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
   • Legal Advantage: This public record is a powerful tool in litigation, demonstrating prior knowledge and pattern.

5. University of Houston – Site of Our Active Litigation

   • The Leonel Bermudez Case: We are currently litigating the severe Pi Kappa Phi case detailed at the start of this guide. This proves hazing causing catastrophic injury is happening right now in Texas.
   • UH’s Response: The university called the conduct “deeply disturbing,” and the chapter was shut down. This shows institutional action often follows only after litigation or media exposure.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: A Network of Registered Organizations

To hold groups accountable, you must identify the legal entities behind them. We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public records. For example, the following are just a few of the over 125 Texas-registered Greek organizations (from IRS B83 filings) that form the backbone of the system parents are dealing with:

• EIN 133048786: KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC, 3007 EARL RUDDER FWY S, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845
• EIN 161675890: GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC, 115 WILD WICK WAY, THE WOODLANDS, TX 77382
• EIN 462267515: BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC, 10601 BIG HORN TRL, FRISCO, TX 75035 (The housing corp for the UH chapter in our lawsuit)
• EIN 746064445: PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY, 1855 HIGHWAY 69 N, NEDERLAND, TX 77627
• EIN 900293166: HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI, 114 HENDERSON HALL 4233 TAMU, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77843

Additionally, data shows 188 Greek-related organizations in the Houston metro area and 59 in the Lubbock metro area, illustrating the vast network behind campus letters.

Building a Serious Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

When a family from City of Hart comes to us, we deploy a systematic, evidence-driven approach built on 25+ years of complex litigation experience.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

1. Digital Evidence (Most Critical): We secure and analyze group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), text messages, social media posts, and emails. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages.
2. Photographic & Video Evidence: Photos of injuries, videos of events, security footage from houses or venues.
3. Internal Organization Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” scripts, emails between chapter officers and national headquarters.
4. University Records: Obtained through discovery or public records requests, these can reveal prior complaints, disciplinary history, and knowledge of risks.
5. Medical & Psychological Records: Documents the full extent of physical injuries and diagnoses like PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
6. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders.

Understanding Damages: What Can Be Recovered

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim whole and hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, future care, therapy), lost wages, lost educational expenses (tuition for withdrawn semesters), and diminished future earning capacity if injured permanently.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, mental anguish, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of love, companionship, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence or malicious conduct, to punish the wrongdoer and deter future behavior.

Our Strategic Advantages in Hazing Litigation

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers try to deny, delay, and undervalue claims. We know their playbook.
• Experience Against Giants: Founding attorney Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by billion-dollar corporations or powerful universities.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits.
• A Network of Experts: We collaborate with medical specialists, toxicologists, economists, digital forensics experts, and Greek life culture experts to build an undeniable case.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Castro County Parents and Students

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Guide

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme exhaustion, sleep deprivation.
• Sudden personality changes: withdrawal, anxiety, depression.
• Secrecy about group activities; being “on call” 24/7 via phone.
• Declining academic performance.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
2. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “Are you ever asked to do things that make you uncomfortable?” “What happens if someone says no?”
3. Document Everything: Write down what they tell you with dates. Help them screenshot evidence.
4. Seek Medical Care: Get a full evaluation.
5. Consult an Attorney Before Reporting: We can advise on how to report to the university or police in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves evidence.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• Is This Hazing? If you feel coerced, unsafe, or humiliated, it likely is. “Tradition” is not an excuse.
• You Can Leave: You have the legal right to quit a pledging process or organization at any time.
• How to Report Safely: You can report anonymously through campus hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). Texas law offers protections for good-faith reporters.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots, photos, and notes. Tell a trusted friend or family member.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

1. Deleting Evidence: “Cleaning up” group chats or texts is often seen as obstruction.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers their defense lawyers and leads to evidence destruction.
3. Signing University Paperwork Without Counsel: Universities may offer quick “resolutions” that waive your right to sue.
4. Posting on Social Media: Public posts can be used by defense attorneys to contradict your story.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, memories fade. Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury, but the clock starts ticking the day of the injury.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue the university?”
Yes, under theories of negligent supervision or deliberate indifference. Public universities have some immunity, but exceptions exist, especially for gross negligence.

“My child ‘agreed’ to it. Do we have a case?”
Yes. Texas law (§37.155) explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Coercion and peer pressure invalidate true consent.

“What if it happened at an off-campus house?”
Location does not eliminate liability. Nationals and universities can still be responsible if they sponsored, knew about, or should have known about the activity.

“How long will this take?”
Every case is different. Some resolve in months; complex litigation against multiple institutions can take years. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which often prompts serious settlement discussions.

“Can we afford a lawyer?”
We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees or hourly costs. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you through a settlement or verdict.

Why The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 for Your Hazing Case

When your family is in crisis, you need advocates who combine deep legal expertise with genuine compassion. We are not a settlement mill; we are trial-tested litigators who build undeniable cases to force accountability from the most powerful institutions.

Our Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

• Active Texas Hazing Litigators: We are counsel in the major Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case. We are in the fight right now.
• Data-Driven Investigation: We use our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—mapping over 1,400 Greek entities across Texas—to identify every potentially liable organization from the start.
• Insider’s Knowledge of the Defense: Mr. Peña’s background as an insurance defense attorney is an invaluable asset in anticipating and countering the strategies fraternity and university insurers will use.
• Proven Record Against Giants: Our experience with the BP Texas City explosion litigation proves we can manage massive, document-intensive cases against well-funded opponents.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is a fluent Spanish speaker, ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.
• We Listen First: We know the pain, anger, and confusion you feel. Our first job is to listen to your story without judgment and provide a clear, honest assessment of your legal options.

Call to Action for Castro County and City of Hart Families

If hazing has impacted your child at Texas Tech, West Texas A&M, or any university, you have the right to answers, accountability, and justice. The institutions involved have lawyers; you should too.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. During this call, we will:

• Listen carefully to what happened.
• Explain your family’s legal rights under Texas law.
• Outline the potential paths forward.
• Answer your questions about process, timeline, and costs.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Distance is no barrier; we will come to you or meet virtually.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com
Se habla Español.

You do not have to navigate this nightmare alone. Let us help you protect your child and fight for the accountability that can prevent this from happening to another family.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Each case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. If you need legal assistance, please contact an attorney directly. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 is licensed to practice in Texas. Principal office in Houston.