A Guide to Hazing Lawsuits and Student Safety for Clarendon, Texas Families

For parents and families in Clarendon, Texas, the dream of your child’s college experience can turn into a nightmare with one phone call. The reality of modern hazing—extreme physical abuse, forced drinking, and psychological torment—is happening right now at Texas universities, including schools where Donley County students enroll.

We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. Right now, we are leading one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in Texas: the $10 million case of Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. This case represents exactly what we do and the level of institutional fight we undertake for Texas families. If hazing has impacted your student at West Texas A&M, Texas Tech, or any campus, this guide explains your rights, the legal landscape, and how experienced counsel can help families in Clarendon and across the Panhandle seek accountability.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

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 the student insists they are “fine.”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately.
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles.
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects).
• Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where).
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
  • Post details on public social media.
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney: Evidence disappears fast. We can help preserve it and protect your rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

For Clarendon families, hazing isn’t an old-fashioned relic; it’s a modern, dangerous, and often hidden reality. It extends far beyond “frat parties” to sororities, Corps programs, athletic teams, and spirit groups.

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining or maintaining membership in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health or involves humiliation and exploitation. Critically, a student saying “I agreed to it” does not make it legal or safe under Texas law when power imbalance and peer pressure are at play.

Main Categories of Modern Hazing

Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the deadliest form. It includes forced consumption during “Big/Little” nights, “lineup” drinking games, and coerced ingestion of unknown substances. The results can be alcohol poisoning, drug overdose, and death.

Physical Hazing: This involves paddling, beatings, and extreme calisthenics disguised as “workouts.” In the active University of Houston case we are handling, Leonel Bermudez was forced through over 100 push-ups and 500 squats, leading to rhabdomyolysis—a severe muscle breakdown that caused acute kidney failure and a four-day hospitalization. Other physical hazing includes sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. It is designed to shame and break down the individual.

Psychological Hazing: This involves verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, and public shaming in meetings or, increasingly, on social media.

Digital/Online Hazing: The modern evolution includes group chat dares, “challenges” shared on Instagram or TikTok, and pressure to create or share compromising images. Members often use apps like GroupMe, WhatsApp, and Snapchat to coordinate and hide these activities.

Hazing happens in fraternities and sororities, within the Corps of Cadets, on athletic teams, in marching bands, and in various clubs and spirit organizations. It persists due to tradition, social status, and a powerful code of secrecy that intimidates victims and witnesses.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What Clarendon Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws governing hazing, and understanding them is the first step toward accountability. The primary statute is found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F.

Texas Hazing Law Basics

The law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization, that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student.

Key points for Clarendon parents:

• It can happen on or off campus—location doesn’t matter.
• It can cause mental or physical harm.
• “Reckless” conduct is enough—they don’t need to have intended to cause severe harm, just to have disregarded a known risk.
• “Consent is not a defense.” Even if your child felt pressured to agree, it is still hazing under Texas law (Texas Education Code § 37.155).

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

It’s important to understand the two parallel legal paths.

Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (a district or county attorney). The aim is punishment: jail time, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, and, in fatal cases, manslaughter. For example, in the Pi Kappa Phi case at UH, the conduct could lead to criminal referrals by the university.

Civil Cases: Brought by the victims or their families. The aim is monetary compensation for damages and institutional accountability. These cases focus on negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, and infliction of emotional distress.

A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. We often pursue civil actions to secure compensation for medical bills, trauma, and future care needs, even while a separate criminal investigation proceeds.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Lawsuit?

A proper hazing investigation identifies every potentially liable party to ensure full accountability and access to insurance coverage.

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, carried out, or helped cover up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself, if it is a legal entity.
3. The National Organization: Headquarters that set policies, collect dues, and supervise chapters. Their prior knowledge of similar incidents at other schools is crucial.
4. The University: Schools like West Texas A&M or Texas Tech can be liable for negligent supervision, particularly if they knew or should have known about a pattern of dangerous behavior.
5. Third Parties: This includes landlords of off-campus houses, property owners where hazing occurred, and even alcohol providers under Texas dram shop laws.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Script That Repeats

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not isolated incidents; they are patterns. The same dangerous scripts repeat across the country, including at Texas schools. Understanding these patterns shows Clarendon families that what happened to their child was foreseeable and preventable.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): A bid-acceptance night with extreme drinking led to fatal falls. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case resulted in dozens of criminal charges and a new Pennsylvania law.
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. Gruver died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%). This led to Louisiana’s felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.”
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A pledge was forced to drink a bottle of liquor. He died from alcohol poisoning. The case settled for roughly $10 million ($7M from the national fraternity, ~$3M from the university).

Why this matters for Texas: The “Big/Little” night, the drinking game, the forced consumption—these are repeated scripts. When a national fraternity has seen this pattern kill a pledge in Ohio or Louisiana, they cannot claim ignorance when it happens again in Texas.

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): A pledge was blindfolded, weighted down, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. He died from traumatic brain injury. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania.

Why this matters: Hazing often moves off-campus to rentals or retreats to avoid detection. Liability follows.

What These Cases Mean for Clarendon Families

These national precedents create a legal landscape where universities and national organizations are on clear notice. The patterns of forced drinking, humiliation, violence, and cover-up are well-documented. When we represent a family from Donley County, we use this national history to show that what happened was not a “freak accident,” but a predictable and preventable result of a broken system.

Texas University Focus: Where Clarendon Students Attend

Clarendon families send their students to universities across Texas. It is essential to understand the specific landscapes, policies, and histories of these schools.

West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX)

For Clarendon & Donley County Families: Located in nearby Canyon, West Texas A&M is a primary destination for local students. Its Greek life and campus traditions fall under the scrutiny of Texas hazing law.

Campus Culture: As a part of the Texas A&M University System, it carries a tradition-rich environment. Greek life and student organizations are active.

Hazing Policy & Reporting: WTAMU prohibits hazing as defined by Texas law. Reports can be made to the Dean of Students’ Office, Campus Police, or through online reporting systems.

Relevant Incidents & Context: While specific public reports may be limited, the patterns seen across the Texas A&M system are relevant. The university would be liable for negligent supervision if it failed to act on known risks within recognized student organizations.

How a Case Might Proceed: Incidents could involve the WTAMU Police Department or the Randall County Sheriff’s Office. Civil suits could be filed in Randall or nearby district courts. Potential defendants include individuals, the local chapter, its national organization, and the university itself.

What WTAMU Students & Parents Should Do:

• Report any incident to the WTAMU Dean of Students and Campus Police.
• Document everything: use your phone to photograph injuries and screenshot all communications.
• Contact an attorney familiar with Texas university systems to understand the full scope of potential liability.

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)

Many Texas Panhandle students attend Texas Tech, a major university with a significant Greek life presence.

Greek Life & Tracking: Texas Tech hosts numerous fraternities and sororities. Using public records, we can identify entities connected to these groups. For example, public IRS filings show a “Texas Tech Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Housing” entity in Lubbock (EIN 20-8732473). This is the type of organizational detail we investigate to build a case.

Legal Context: A hazing incident at Texas Tech would likely involve the Lubbock Police Department and the Lubbock County court system. The scale of the university and its national Greek organizations means cases can become complex, multi-defendant lawsuits.

Other Major Texas Universities

While students from Clarendon also attend schools like the University of Texas at Austin or Texas A&M in College Station, the legal principles remain consistent. These large institutions often have more publicized disciplinary records. For instance, UT Austin maintains a public “Hazing Violations” log, which can be used as evidence to show an organization’s repeated misconduct.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories and Local Chapters

When hazing occurs, it is rarely the first time for that national organization. Their histories in other states are directly relevant to a case in Texas.

Why National Histories Matter

National fraternities and sororities have risk management manuals precisely because they have faced lawsuits, deaths, and scandals. When a chapter at a Texas school repeats a dangerous “tradition” that has already caused death elsewhere, it demonstrates foreseeability. This strengthens claims against the national headquarters for negligent supervision and training.

Organizational Patterns

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): Nationally involved in the Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green ($10M settlement). Their pattern of “Big/Little” alcohol hazing is well-established.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Has faced numerous hazing-related deaths and lawsuits nationwide, including a traumatic brain injury case at Alabama and a chemical burns case at Texas A&M.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): The national organization is a defendant in our ongoing UH case involving Leonel Bermudez. They were also involved in the Andrew Coffey hazing death at Florida State University in 2017.
• Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ): Has faced hazing suspensions at multiple schools, including Southern Methodist University (SMU).

For a parent in Clarendon, this means the organization your child sought to join may have a documented, deadly history of the very conduct that injured them. This history forms a critical part of the evidence in a lawsuit.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

Building a successful hazing case requires immediate, systematic action and experienced legal strategy. For Clarendon families facing this crisis, here is what the process entails.

Critical Evidence Collection

Digital evidence is often the most compelling. It includes:

• Group Chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage): These show planning, coordination, threats, and boasts about the hazing.
• Social Media (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok): Photos, videos, and DMs that document acts and injuries.
• Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” lists, or emails from officers.
• University Records: Prior conduct complaints against the organization, obtained through discovery.
• Medical Records: Documentation from ER visits, hospitalizations, and psychological evaluations that directly link injuries to the hazing events.

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, evidence included descriptions of the “pledge fanny pack,” specific workout routines, and messages that established the coercive environment.

Types of Damages in a Hazing Case

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim whole and hold defendants accountable through financial compensation for:

• Economic Damages: Past and future medical bills, lost wages, therapy costs, and educational expenses (like withdrawing from a semester).
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the unspeakable event of a death, families can seek damages for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and their own emotional anguish.

The Role of Insurance

National fraternities and universities carry insurance. A key part of the battle is ensuring these policies respond. Insurers often initially deny claims, arguing hazing is an “intentional act” excluded from coverage. Our experience—particularly Attorney Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense lawyer—is vital here. We know how to counter these tactics and fight for coverage that can provide meaningful compensation for families.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Clarendon Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Steps

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation.
• Sudden personality changes: anxiety, withdrawal, depression.
• Secretive behavior about group activities.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Requests for money without clear explanation.

What to Do:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “How are things going with your group? Is anything making you uncomfortable?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If they are injured, seek medical care immediately. Tell the doctor what happened.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help them screenshot texts and photograph injuries. Do not let them delete anything.
4. Seek Legal Counsel Early: Before reporting to the university, consult with an attorney. We can help you navigate the process to protect your child’s rights and future.

For Students: Is This Hazing?

If you feel pressured, unsafe, humiliated, or forced to do something to belong, it likely is. Remember:

• “Consent” is not a defense in Texas. You cannot truly consent under peer pressure and threat of exclusion.
• You have a right to be safe. Your well-being is more important than any membership.
• Exiting Safely: You can quit. Send a clear text or email: “I resign my membership/pledgeship effective immediately.” Tell a trusted adult, RA, or the Dean of Students.
• Reporting: You can report anonymously through campus channels or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE. Texas law offers certain immunities for good-faith reporting.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

1. Deleting Evidence: Do not delete texts, photos, or group chats, no matter how embarrassing.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This gives them a head start to destroy evidence and lawyer up.
3. Signing University Paperwork Alone: Do not sign any settlement, waiver, or resolution form from the university without an attorney’s review.
4. Posting on Social Media: Public posts can be used against you. Keep details private.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, and the two-year statute of limitations in Texas continues to tick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we sue a university for hazing in Texas?
Yes. While public universities have certain immunity defenses, exceptions exist for gross negligence or deliberate indifference. Lawsuits against universities are complex but possible and are a critical tool for forcing systemic change.

Is hazing a felony in Texas?
It can be. Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death is a state jail felony. Individuals can also face misdemeanor charges for failing to report hazing.

What if it happened off-campus at a rented house?
Location does not eliminate liability. Universities and national organizations can still be responsible for off-campus activities of their recognized groups, especially if they knew or should have known about them.

How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. However, specific circumstances can affect this. Do not wait—consult an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.

Will my child’s name be public?
Most civil cases settle confidentially before a public trial. We always prioritize our clients’ privacy and can seek protective orders to seal sensitive information.

Why Attorney911 for Clarendon Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand the intricate power dynamics of Greek life, the tactics of institutional defendants, and the complex interplay of Texas hazing law. Here is why our firm is uniquely equipped to help families in Clarendon and across Texas.

Our Active, Texas-Based Hazing Litigation

We are not theorists; we are litigators in the fight right now. We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi nationals, and its members. We know firsthand how universities and national fraternities respond when confronted with serious allegations. This current case is our flagship commitment to holding powerful institutions accountable for the safety of students.

Insurance Insider Knowledge

Attorney Lupe Peña spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, deploy delay tactics, and argue for exclusions. This insider knowledge is invaluable when negotiating settlements or fighting coverage disputes to secure compensation for our clients. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

Experience Against Massive Institutions

Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on a corporation with limitless resources. That same tenacity and complex litigation skill are applied to hazing cases against wealthy national fraternities and university systems. We are not intimidated by big names or deep pockets. Learn more about Ralph’s experience at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.

Comprehensive Investigative Strategy

We treat every hazing case as a full-scale investigation. We utilize:

• Digital Forensics: To recover deleted messages and social media evidence.
• Public Records Analysis: Like the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine data, to map organizational liability.
• Expert Networks: Medical professionals, life-care planners, and economists to document the full extent of harm.
• Psychological Evaluation: To diagnose and document PTSD, anxiety, and other trauma.

A Commitment to Your Family

We know this is one of the most painful experiences a family can endure. Our approach combines aggressive legal strategy with genuine empathy. We fight not just for compensation, but for answers, accountability, and change to prevent future harm.

Your Next Step: A Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your student at West Texas A&M, Texas Tech, or any college campus, you do not have to navigate this alone. The path forward begins with a conversation.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We serve families throughout Texas, including Clarendon, Hedley, and all of Donley County.

During your consultation, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal options under Texas law.
• Discuss the realistic process, timeline, and strategies.
• Answer all your questions about costs—we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.

Take action today to protect your child’s rights and future.

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 or lupe@atty911.com

Hablamos Español. Attorney Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish-language legal services.

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 coverage with detailed timeline: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Using your phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Understanding statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Common 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:

• Homepage & Contact: https://attorney911.com

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 the 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)
Website: https://attorney911.com