The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits for Lake Dallas Families: Holding Fraternities, Sororities & Universities Accountable in Texas

If you are a parent in Lake Dallas, Texas, and your phone rings with a call from your college student that chills you to the bone—a call where their voice cracks as they describe being forced to drink, being bullied, or worse, being hospitalized after a “pledge event”—you are not alone, and you are not without power. Right now, in our own state, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country on behalf of a young man and his family. This is the reality of modern hazing in Texas, and it directly impacts families in Denton County, the DFW Metroplex, and communities like ours in Lake Dallas.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for you—parents, guardians, and students in Lake Dallas and across North Texas. We will explain what hazing truly looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, what is happening on major campuses like the University of North Texas right here in Denton and at universities across the state, and the legal pathways to accountability and justice. We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLD, operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We represent hazing victims and their families in Texas and nationwide. We are currently leading the litigation in the Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi case—a $10 million lawsuit alleging horrific abuse—and we use that experience, along with our proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, to fight for families like yours.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR LAKE DALLAS FAMILIES: 48-HOUR CRISIS RESPONSE

If your child is in danger or injured from a hazing incident RIGHT NOW:

1. Call 911 for any medical emergency.
2. Call Attorney911 Immediately: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate legal guidance 24/7.
3. Get to a Hospital: If there is any sign of alcohol poisoning, injury, or distress, seek medical care immediately. Tell the doctors the truth about what happened.

In the First 48 Hours – PRESERVE EVIDENCE:

• DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING: Screenshot ALL group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), text messages, and social media DMs immediately. Once deleted, this evidence may be lost forever.
• PHOTOGRAPH INJURIES: Take clear, dated photos of any bruises, cuts, burns, or other injuries from multiple angles.
• WRITE IT DOWN: Have your child write down everything they remember: names, dates, times, locations, and specific acts while their memory is fresh.
• SAVE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE: Do not wash clothing that may have stains; keep any items involved (like a paddle, if safe to do so).
• CONTACT A LAWYER BEFORE TALKING TO THE SCHOOL OR FRATERNITY: Universities and national organizations have lawyers. You should have one too, to protect your child’s rights and prevent evidence from being destroyed. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

1. The Hazing Reality for Lake Dallas Families: A Texas Case Study Happening Now

For parents in Lake Dallas, sending a child to college is a mix of pride and worry. You imagine them in a dorm at the University of North Texas in nearby Denton, at Texas Woman’s University, or at a larger campus like Texas A&M, UT Austin, or the University of Houston. You hope they find community, perhaps in a fraternity, sorority, athletic team, or spirit group. What you don’t imagine is the phone call where they describe being systematically broken down.

This is not hypothetical. It is happening right now in Houston.

We represent Leonel Bermudez, a student at the University of Houston (UH) who pledged the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter in the fall of 2025. What was promised as brotherhood devolved into months of torture. As detailed in the Click2Houston and ABC13 investigations, Bermudez was subjected to a regime of humiliation and violence: forced to carry a degrading “pledge fanny pack” 24/7, subjected to sleep deprivation and overnight driving duties, and beaten down by extreme physical abuse.

The hazing occurred at the UH Pi Kappa Phi house, an off-campus residence on Culmore Drive, and at Yellowstone Boulevard Park. It included:

• Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by punitive sprints.
• A “workout” on November 3, 2025, where he was forced to do over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.
• Another pledge was allegedly hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour.

The result was a medical catastrophe. Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis—a severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels and faces a lifelong risk of permanent kidney damage. This is what modern hazing looks like.

This case is not an anomaly. It is a flagrant example of the systemic abuse that persists within some Greek organizations and the institutions that harbor them. For Lake Dallas families, the connection is clear: the same national fraternities and sororities present at UH have chapters at universities across Texas where your children may be students. The same dynamics of power, secrecy, and tradition enable this abuse. And the same legal tools we are using to fight for Leonel Bermudez are available to protect your child.

2. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Mapping the Greek Landscape for Lake Dallas Parents

One of the greatest advantages our firm brings to hazing cases is data-driven investigation. We maintain a proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public records, that allows us to identify every entity and insurance policy behind a Greek organization. This means families never start from zero.

When a hazing incident occurs, parents often hear: “It was just rogue members,” or “The national organization had no idea.” Our database helps us cut through that fiction. We can trace the network of liability from the individual members in the chapter house all the way to the national headquarters, its insurance carriers, alumni housing corporations, and affiliated entities.

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

To demonstrate the scale and structure of the Greek ecosystem that surrounds Lake Dallas families, here is a sample from our directory of Texas-registered organizations. These are public IRS (B83) and other filings that we track to build cases.

Sample of Texas Greek Organizations (IRS B83 Filings):

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc, EIN 273662583, Lufkin, TX 75904
• Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity (Mu Gamma Chapter), EIN 262025321, Denton, TX 76201 – Connected to University of North Texas
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (Texas Woman’s University), EIN 263170920, Denton, TX 76204
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035 – The housing corp for the UH chapter in our active case
• Kappa Delta Sorority – Gamma Beta Chapter, Denton, TX – At Texas Woman’s University (from Cause IQ data)
• Denton-Lewisville Guide Right Foundation, EIN 861205340, Flower Mound, TX 75028 – A Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity affiliated foundation
• Zeta Sigma House Corporation of Kappa Kappa Gamma, EIN 752620706, Dallas, TX 75223
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147

The DFW Metroplex Greek Universe:
According to our Cause IQ metro analysis, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area contains over 510 Greek-related organizations, including undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, honor societies, and housing corporations. This dense network means the organizations involved in hazing incidents often have deep-rooted, legally recognized entities right here in North Texas that can share liability.

Why This Directory Matters for Your Case:
If your child is hazed at a fraternity at UNT, we don’t just sue the students. We use this intelligence to identify the chapter housing corporation that owns the property, the alumni advisory board that should have been supervising, and the national headquarters that sets policy and collects dues. Each of these entities may carry insurance, and each can be held accountable for creating or enabling a dangerous environment. We already know where to look.

3. Where Lake Dallas Students Go to College: Campus Connections and Risks

Lake Dallas is uniquely positioned within one of the nation’s most education-rich regions. Our children attend a diverse array of institutions, from local public universities to major flagship schools across Texas.

Local & Regional Campuses (Within Denton County & DFW):

• University of North Texas (UNT) – Denton: A major public university with extensive Greek life, directly impacting many Lake Dallas families.
• Texas Woman’s University (TWU) – Denton: Home to sororities and student organizations.
• North Central Texas College (NCTC) – Corinth: Many students begin their higher education here before transferring.
• Various campuses of the Dallas County Community College District.

Major Texas Universities Attended by Lake Dallas Students:
In addition to local options, Lake Dallas families commonly send students to:

• Texas A&M University – College Station (Corps of Cadets and massive Greek system)
• University of Texas at Austin (The state’s flagship with a vast Greek community)
• University of Houston (Where our flagship Bermudez case is unfolding)
• Texas Tech University – Lubbock
• Baylor University – Waco
• Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Dallas
• Texas State University – San Marcos

The legal reality is that a hazing incident at any of these schools—whether your child is at UNT 20 minutes away or UT Austin three hours south—triggers a complex web of Texas law and institutional liability. The same national fraternity that hazes at UH is governed by the same national insurance policy and risk management failures if it hazes at Texas A&M. Our statewide practice and data engine are designed specifically to navigate this multi-campus, multi-defendant landscape.

4. Texas Hazing Law Explained: Your Child’s Rights in Plain English

Texas has strong laws against hazing, but they are only effective if families know how to use them. Here is what every Lake Dallas parent needs to understand.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F – The Hazing Statute:

• Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, or affiliation with any organization.
• Key Point: The act can be on or off campus. An incident at an off-campus house in Denton or a retreat in another county is still hazing under Texas law.
• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. If it causes serious bodily injury (like rhabdomyolysis or a traumatic brain injury), it becomes a state jail felony. If someone dies, it is a felony.
• “Consent is NOT a Defense”: Texas law (§37.155) is explicit. Even if your child “agreed” to participate out of fear or social pressure, it is still a crime. This rebuts the most common defense we hear.
• Personal & Organizational Liability: Individual students can be charged. The organization itself (the fraternity chapter) can also be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000. Officers who fail to report hazing can be charged.

Civil Liability – The Path to Accountability and Compensation:
A criminal case is brought by the state to punish. A civil lawsuit, which we file on behalf of victims, is designed to compensate the injured party and hold all responsible parties accountable. In a civil hazing case, we can sue:

1. The Individuals who planned, performed, or facilitated the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter as a legal entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and for creating foreseeable risk based on known patterns of abuse across the country.
4. The University for negligent supervision, Title IX violations (if gender-based harassment is involved), or Clery Act failures.
5. Housing Corporations & Landlords for allowing dangerous activities on their premises.
6. Third-Party Vendors (like alcohol providers) where applicable.

Federal Laws That Apply:

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires universities receiving federal funds to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention.
• Title IX: Prohibits sex-based discrimination. Hazing often includes sexualized humiliation or targets individuals based on gender, triggering Title IX obligations for the school.
• The Clery Act: Requires colleges to report campus crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults.

5. National Hazing Patterns: The Playbook That Failed Stone Foltz, Max Gruver, and Others

The Bermudez case at UH follows a tragic national script. By understanding these patterns, we can prove that injuries are foreseeable, not “accidental,” and that nationals and universities had a duty to prevent them.

The Alcohol Poisoning Death Pattern:

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A 20-year-old pledge was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. He died. His family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU).
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Died from alcohol toxicity after a “Bible study” drinking game. His death led to Louisiana’s “Max Gruver Act,” a felony hazing statute. His family secured a $6.1 million verdict.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Died from acute alcohol poisoning at a “Big Brother Night.” His case forced FSU to suspend all Greek life.

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern:

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid acceptance night of extreme drinking. His fall was caught on the fraternity’s own security camera while brothers delayed calling for help for hours. The case led to the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania.

The Catastrophic Injury Pattern:

• Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) (2021): An 18-year-old pledge suffered permanent, severe brain damage after being forced to drink during a “pledge dad reveal.” He cannot walk, talk, or see and requires 24/7 care. His family settled with 22 defendants.
• Texas A&M, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021): Two pledges alleged they were doused with substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns that required skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million.

What This Means for Your Lake Dallas Case:
When we take a case, we don’t treat it as an isolated incident. We investigate the national history of the fraternity or sorority involved. If Pi Kappa Alpha has a documented pattern of fatal “Big/Little” drinking events nationally, and a local chapter repeats that script at a Texas school, we argue the national organization had a duty to prevent it. This pattern evidence is powerful in court and in settlement negotiations.

6. The Attorney911 Advantage: Why Our Texas Firm is Built for Hazing Litigation

When your family is facing a hazing crisis, you need more than a generic personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand the unique ecosystem of Greek life, university politics, and high-stakes insurance fights. Here is how our specific experience serves Lake Dallas families:

1. Active, High-Stakes Litigation Experience (The Bermudez Case):
We are not theorizing about hazing law; we are practicing it at the highest level right now. Our leadership in the $10 million Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit means we are currently navigating every tactical challenge your case could face: fighting with university lawyers, taking on national fraternity insurance carriers, and managing complex digital evidence. This current experience directly benefits every client we represent.

2. Insurance Insider Knowledge (Mr. Lupe Peña’s Background):
This is a critical, unique advantage. Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He learned firsthand how large insurance companies—exactly the type that insure universities and national fraternities—value claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics to pressure families. He knows their playbook. When we negotiate or litigate against them, we do so with insider knowledge of their strategies and reserve-setting formulas. This allows us to counter lowball offers and fight exclusion arguments effectively.

3. Complex Institutional Litigation Pedigree (Ralph Manginello’s BP Experience):
Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys in Texas involved in the BP Texas City Refinery Explosion litigation—a case against a billion-dollar defendant with unlimited legal resources. Fighting a national fraternity or a major state university requires the same skill set: exhaustive discovery, expert coordination, and the tenacity to face deep-pocketed institutional defendants who prioritize their reputation over accountability. We are not intimidated by big names or big law firms.

4. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:
As detailed in Section 2, we invest in proactive investigation. Our private directory of Texas Greek entities means we can immediately identify all potential defendants and insurance policies, turning months of preliminary research into days. For Lake Dallas families, this means a faster, more informed path to justice.

5. Dual Civil & Criminal Capability:
Ralph Manginello is a member of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), an elite criminal defense bar. Hazing often involves parallel criminal investigations. Our ability to understand both sides allows us to expertly advise clients who may be witnesses in a criminal case while pursuing civil justice, and to hold institutions accountable when criminal prosecutions of individuals fall short.

6. Spanish-Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. We are committed to serving the diverse families of Texas, ensuring language is never a barrier to justice.

Our Promise to Lake Dallas Families:
We approach hazing cases with a dual mission: to secure maximum compensation for the profound harm done to your child and your family, and to force institutional change that prevents the next tragedy. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.

7. A Parent’s Guide: Steps to Take if You Suspect or Discover Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation.
• Drastic personality changes (anxiety, depression, withdrawal).
• Secretive behavior about organizational activities.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Requests for money for unexplained “fines” or “required” purchases.
• A sudden drop in grades.

Immediate Action Plan:

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: If there is any immediate danger or medical concern, call 911.
2. Listen & Document: Talk to your child in a supportive, non-judgmental way. Write down everything they say with dates and names. This contemporaneous record is vital.
3. Preserve Digital Evidence: This is the most crucial step. Work with your child to screenshot every relevant group chat, text message, and social media post. Assume anything not saved will be deleted. Our video on using your phone to document evidence explains best practices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs.
4. Seek Medical Care: Even if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation creates an official record. Tell the doctor the cause was “hazing.”
5. Consult a Lawyer BEFORE Reporting: Once you report to a university or the organization, their legal teams activate. Contact us first at 1-888-ATTY-911. We can guide you on how to report in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves legal claims.
6. Avoid Critical Mistakes: Do NOT confront the fraternity directly. Do NOT let your child delete anything out of shame or fear. Do NOT sign any documents from the university or an insurance company without legal review. We detail common mistakes in our educational video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY.

8. Call to Action for Lake Dallas: You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

If hazing has hurt your child, the path forward can feel overwhelming and isolating. The fraternity or sorority will circle the wagons. The university may offer a sympathetic ear but will also be protecting its own interests. You need an advocate whose only loyalty is to your family.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. For Lake Dallas and North Texas families, we are your dedicated Texas hazing litigation specialists.

We offer a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. In this meeting, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have already gathered.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline the investigative process and potential strategies.
• Answer all your questions about the legal process, timelines, and costs.

Time is of the essence. Evidence disappears quickly—group chats are deleted, witnesses are coached, and the statute of limitations is always ticking. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit, but the investigation must start immediately. Learn more about statutes of limitations here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 Today:

• 24/7 Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Local Office: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Email Lupe Peña (Se habla Español): lupe@atty911.com

Let us bring our data, our experience, and our fierce advocacy to your family’s fight. The call is free. The consultation is confidential. The time to act is now.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

• Click2Houston Investigation: 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 Videos:

• Using Your Cellphone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations Explained: 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

Main Firm Website & Contact: https://attorney911.com

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 law. We encourage you to seek direct legal counsel for advice on your particular situation.