The Complete Texas Hazing Guide for Seminole Families: Understanding Your Rights and Finding Justice

1. Hook & Overview: A Crisis That Hits Close to Home

1.1 A Scenario That Could Happen to Any Seminole Family

It’s a Tuesday night during fall pledge season. A student from Seminole, hours away at a Texas university, is at an off-campus fraternity house near campus. What started as a “big brother reveal” has turned into something darker. He’s being pressured to finish a bottle of liquor, told it’s the only way to prove his commitment. Around him, older members are chanting, phones are out recording, and the room is spinning. He feels nauseous and disoriented, but he’s afraid to stop—afraid of being labeled “weak,” afraid of letting his pledge brothers down, afraid of what his family back in Gaines County would think if they knew.

Hours later, he’s crawling up the stairs of his apartment, unable to stand. His urine is brown. His roommate, another student from West Texas, calls his parents in Seminole in a panic. By morning, he’s in the emergency room with acute kidney failure, facing a four-day hospitalization and the real possibility of permanent organ damage. The fraternity’s group chat is already buzzing with instructions: “Delete everything. Say it was just a party. No one talks.”

This isn’t a hypothetical horror story. This is exactly what happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston in November 2025, and it’s the kind of scenario that keeps parents in Seminole, Gail, and across Gaines County awake at night. When your child leaves for college—whether to Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas A&M in College Station, UT Austin, or any other Texas campus—you trust that the university and student organizations will keep them safe. The reality is that hazing persists in 2025, evolving to hide in plain sight through digital coercion, off-campus retreats, and psychological manipulation.

1.2 What This Guide Offers Seminole Families

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Seminole, Gaines County, and throughout West Texas who need clear, factual information about hazing in Texas. We will cover:

What modern hazing actually looks like in 2025—beyond the stereotypes of paddling and partying.
How Texas law and federal regulations protect (or fail to protect) your child.
The national hazing cases that have shaped the legal landscape, including the $10 million lawsuit we filed against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi on behalf of Leonel Bermudez.
Campus-specific realities at Texas universities where Seminole students often enroll, including Texas Tech University, the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and others.
The complex network of fraternities, sororities, and Greek organizations operating in Texas, including those with chapters in the Lubbock metro area that serve West Texas students.
Practical steps for preserving evidence, seeking medical care, and navigating university processes.
Your legal options for holding organizations accountable and seeking justice for your family.

We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911—the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We are Texas-based hazing litigation specialists currently leading the Leonel Bermudez case against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas, including here in Seminole and throughout Gaines County. This guide provides general educational information, not specific legal advice. Every hazing case is unique, and we encourage you to contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential consultation about your specific situation.

1.3 Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

IF YOUR CHILD IS IN DANGER RIGHT NOW:

Call 911 for medical emergencies. Texas law provides “good faith” reporter protections for those who call for help.
Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate legal guidance in emergencies.

IN THE FIRST 48 HOURS:

Get medical attention immediately, even if your child insists they’re “fine.” Internal injuries, kidney damage (rhabdomyolysis), and alcohol poisoning can be fatal if untreated.
Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
- Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), text messages, and social media DMs.
- Photograph injuries from multiple angles with good lighting.
- Save any physical items (clothing, paddles, alcohol bottles, receipts).
Write down everything while memories are fresh: who, what, when, where, and witnesses.
DO NOT:
- Confront the fraternity, sorority, or organization 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 disappears rapidly. Universities and national organizations move quickly to control narratives. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

2. Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

2.1 Beyond Stereotypes: The Modern Definition

Hazing is no longer just about physical beatings or forced drinking in basement parties. In 2025, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in any organization. This Texas legal definition is broad because the tactics are constantly evolving.

Crucially, “consent” is not a defense under Texas law. The power imbalance between new members and established members, combined with intense social pressure and fear of exclusion, means that “agreeing” to participate is often coerced. For Seminole parents, understanding this is critical: your child may say they “wanted” to do something, but the law recognizes they may have felt they had no real choice.

2.2 The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadliest form. It includes forced chugging, “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, and coerced consumption of drugs or unknown substances. The Leonel Bermudez case involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints.

2. Physical Hazing
This extends beyond paddling to include extreme calisthenics (“smokings”), sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, exposure to extreme elements, and dangerous “tests.” In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, pledges were forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, made to lie in vomit-soaked grass, and sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, and acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic overtones. These create profound psychological trauma. In one incident at UH, another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour.

4. Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming. This often precedes or accompanies physical acts, breaking down a student’s resistance.

5. Digital Hazing
The newest frontier. Includes 24/7 group chat monitoring with instant response demands, geo-tracking via apps, forced social media challenges, and public humiliation on TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat. Deleting evidence is often part of the ritual.

2.3 Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

While Greek organizations are frequently involved, hazing occurs across campus:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural)
Corps of Cadets, ROTC, and Military-Style Groups
Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading)
Spirit and Tradition Groups (like the Texas Cowboys)
Marching Bands and Performance Ensembles
Academic, Service, and Cultural Clubs

The common threads are power imbalance, tradition justification, and enforced secrecy. For Seminole families with children in any organized campus activity, vigilance is required.

3. Law & Liability Framework: Texas and Federal Laws

3.1 Texas Hazing Law: Education Code Chapter 37

Texas has specific anti-hazing statutes in the Education Code. For Seminole families, understanding these laws is the foundation for seeking justice.

Definition (§37.151): Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in an organization that:

Endangers the student’s mental or physical health or safety.

Key Provisions:

Criminal Penalties (§37.152):
- Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing not causing serious injury (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
- Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment.
- State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death.
- Additional penalties for failing to report hazing or retaliating against reporters.
Organizational Liability (§37.153): Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation and lose university recognition if they authorize or encourage hazing, or if an officer fails to report known hazing.
Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): Even if the victim “agreed,” it’s still hazing under Texas law. This is critical for countering the common defense that “they wanted to do it.”
Good-Faith Reporter Immunity (§37.154): Individuals who report hazing in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability resulting from the report. This encourages calling for help.

Seminole Jurisdiction Note: If hazing occurs at a Texas university, criminal charges would typically be filed in that county. Civil lawsuits can often be filed either where the injury occurred or where defendants are located. Our firm handles cases statewide.

3.2 Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (county or district attorney).
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation).
Charges may include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter in fatal cases.
Standard: “Beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or families.
Aim: Compensation for damages and accountability.
Claims include negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, and emotional distress.
Standard: “Preponderance of the evidence” (more likely than not).

These cases can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit. In fact, many hazing cases are resolved civilly even when criminal charges aren’t filed.

3.3 Federal Overlay: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Campus Hazing Act

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
Requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs by 2026. This will increase transparency for Seminole families researching campus safety.

Title IX:
When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, Title IX requires universities to investigate and address the hostile environment. This can provide additional avenues for accountability.

Clery Act:
Requires universities to disclose campus crime statistics. Hazing incidents that involve assault, alcohol crimes, or other reportable offenses must be included in annual security reports.

3.4 Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Individual Students: Those who planned, participated in, or covered up the hazing.
Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity, sorority, or club as an entity.
National Headquarters: For negligence in supervision, training, or failure to address known patterns.
University: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference, or Title IX violations.
Third Parties: Property owners, landlords, alcohol providers, or security companies.

In the Bermudez case, we sued 13 individual fraternity members, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, the national Pi Kappa Phi headquarters, the chapter housing corporation, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents. This comprehensive approach maximizes accountability and potential compensation.

4. National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families

4.1 Alcohol Poisoning & Death: The Deadliest Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): A bid-acceptance night with forced drinking led to fatal falls captured on chapter cameras. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, civil settlements, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant drinking. Gruver died with a 0.495% BAC. Result: Criminal convictions and Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute).

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Forced to drink a bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event. Result: Multiple convictions and a $10 million settlement ($7M from national Pike, $3M from BGSU).

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Died from alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother” night. Result: Chapter closure, criminal charges, and FSU’s temporary Greek life suspension.

These cases show a repeating script: Formulaic drinking events, delayed medical care, and institutional failures. The same patterns occur at Texas schools.

4.2 Physical & Ritualized Hazing: Brutal Traditions

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Blindsided, weighted down, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. Help was delayed. Result: National fraternity convicted of manslaughter, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): Forced drinking led to permanent brain damage (cannot walk, talk, or see). Result: Settlements with 22 defendants, chapter closure.

These cases prove: Off-campus locations don’t eliminate liability, and national organizations can face criminal prosecution.

4.3 Athletic & Program Hazing: Beyond Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Allegations of sexualized, racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, coach termination, and confidential settlements.

These cases remind us: Hazing permeates athletic programs and other campus groups, not just Greek life.

4.4 What These National Cases Mean for Seminole Families

These precedents create legal pathways for Texas cases. They establish:

Foreseeability: National organizations knew these rituals were dangerous.
Pattern Evidence: Similar conduct across chapters shows systemic failure.
Duty of Care: Universities and nationals have responsibilities to prevent known harms.

When your child is hazed at a Texas school, you’re not facing an isolated incident. You’re confronting a pattern that national organizations have failed to change—and that courts have repeatedly condemned.

5. Texas Focus: Universities Relevant to Seminole Families

Seminole students attend colleges across Texas. While Texas Tech University in Lubbock is the closest major university, families throughout Gaines County also send children to Texas A&M, UT Austin, University of Houston, and others. Here’s what you need to know about hazing at these campuses.

5.1 Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)

Campus & Culture Snapshot: As the nearest major research university to Seminole, Texas Tech hosts a significant Greek community and robust student organization network. The Lubbock metro area, according to our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, contains 59 Greek-related organizations, creating a dense ecosystem where hazing can hide.

Official Hazing Policy: Texas Tech prohibits hazing as defined by Texas law. Reports go to the Office of Student Conduct, the Texas Tech Police Department, or anonymously through the EthicsPoint hotline.

Documented Incidents & Response: While specific recent public cases may be limited, our data shows multiple Greek organizations registered in Lubbock, including:

Texas Tech Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Housing (IRS EIN: Not listed in provided data, but present in Lubbock)
Kappa Alpha Order – Texas Tech (Gamma Chi Chapter)
Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Lubbock (educators’ society)
Alpha Phi Omega – TTU Chapter (service fraternity)

The presence of these organizations, combined with national patterns, indicates ongoing risk. Texas Tech has suspended chapters for hazing in the past, but like many universities, detailed public records are limited.

How a Case Might Proceed: Cases would involve Lubbock Police Department and/or Texas Tech Police. Civil suits could be filed in Lubbock County courts. Given the proximity to Seminole, families might face less logistical hardship than with cases in distant parts of Texas.

What Seminole Families Should Do: If your child attends Texas Tech:

Familiarize yourself with Tech’s hazing reporting channels.
Monitor for signs of distress during pledge seasons (typically fall and spring).
If incidents occur, preserve evidence immediately—Lubbock chapters use the same digital platforms (GroupMe, etc.) as elsewhere.
Contact our firm early. We understand West Texas legal venues and can investigate connections between Lubbock chapters and their national organizations.

5.2 Texas A&M University (College Station, TX)

Campus & Culture Snapshot: Texas A&M’s strong tradition includes a large Greek system and the Corps of Cadets. Our data shows 42 Greek-related organizations in the College Station-Bryan metro area. The Corps has faced particular scrutiny for hazing.

Documented Incidents:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged being doused with industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The chapter was suspended, and a $1 million lawsuit was filed.
Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023): A cadet alleged being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages.

Official Response: A&M uses the Student Conduct office and the Corps’ own chain of command for investigations. Transparency is inconsistent.

What Seminole Families Should Do: The Corps and Greek life at A&M have documented hazing risks. If your child is involved in either:

Have explicit conversations about hazing before they join.
Understand that “tradition” is often used to justify abuse.
If incidents occur, report to both university channels and consider legal action—A&M’s size and complexity require experienced navigation.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)

Campus & Culture Snapshot: UT Austin hosts approximately 60 Greek chapters. According to our data, the Austin-Round Rock metro has 154 Greek-related organizations. UT is more transparent than most Texas schools, maintaining a public hazing violations log.

Documented Incidents (from UT’s Public Log):

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation and mandatory hazing prevention education.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): An Australian exchange student alleged assault at a party, suffering a dislocated leg, broken nose, and fractured tibia. A $1+ million lawsuit was filed.

Official Response: UT’s public hazing log at hazing.utexas.edu provides unprecedented transparency. However, sanctions are often probation or education rather than expulsion or chapter closure.

What Seminole Families Should Do:

Check UT’s hazing log before your child joins any organization.
Use the log’s pattern evidence if your child is hazed—it proves the university knew risks.
Report through UT’s Office of the Dean of Students and consider parallel legal action.

5.4 University of Houston (Houston, TX)

Campus & Culture Snapshot: UH is a large urban campus with active Greek life. The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro contains 188 Greek-related organizations, making it one of Texas’s densest Greek ecosystems.

The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi

We are currently litigating this $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a UH student who suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter hazing in fall 2025.

Key Case Details:

Hazing Conduct: “Pledge fanny pack” humiliation, forced dress codes, overnight driving duties, extreme physical workouts (sprints, bear crawls), cold-weather exposure, lying in vomit-soaked grass, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk/hot dogs/peppercorns until vomiting, and the Nov 3 workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats.
Medical Catastrophe: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.
Defendants: University of Houston, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.
Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended the chapter on Nov 6, 2025; chapter members voted to surrender their charter on Nov 14, 2025; UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary action and cooperation with law enforcement.

What This Case Means for Seminole Families: This active litigation proves that severe, life-threatening hazing is happening right now at Texas universities. If it can happen at UH, it can happen anywhere. The comprehensive defendant list shows how we hold every responsible entity accountable—from individual members to national headquarters.

5.5 Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX) and Baylor University (Waco, TX)

SMU: A private university with affluent Greek life. The Dallas-Fort Worth metro has 510 Greek-related organizations—Texas’s largest concentration. SMU has suspended chapters for hazing, including Kappa Alpha Order in 2017 for paddling and forced drinking.

Baylor: Known for its religious affiliation and past Title IX scandals. Baylor’s baseball team faced a 2020 hazing investigation resulting in 14 player suspensions. As a private institution, Baylor has less public transparency than state schools.

For Seminole Families: Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer public records requirements, making investigations more challenging. Experienced legal counsel is crucial to navigate their internal processes and secure evidence through discovery.

6. Fraternities & Sororities: The Texas Organizational Network

6.1 The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Mapping the Landscape

Our firm maintains a proprietary database of Texas Greek organizations compiled from public records. For Seminole families, understanding this network is key to holding the right entities accountable.

Statewide Snapshot: Texas has 1,423 fraternities and sororities across 25 metropolitan areas, registered through 125+ Texas entities with IRS tax-exempt status (IRS B83 classification).

Lubbock Metro Area (Relevant to Texas Tech/Seminole): 59 organizations, including:

Texas Tech Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Housing
Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Chi Chapter (Texas Tech)
Alpha Phi Omega – Eta Tau Chapter (West Texas A&M, also relevant for West Texas students)

Cross-Validated Brands: Organizations appearing in both IRS records and metro databases (like Phi Kappa Phi honor society) show how national brands operate through multiple entity types across Texas.

6.2 National Histories Matter: Pattern Evidence

When a Texas chapter hazes, it’s rarely the first time that national organization has faced such allegations. This “pattern evidence” is crucial in civil lawsuits.

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): National pattern includes Stone Foltz’s death at Bowling Green ($10M settlement) and David Bogenberger’s death at Northern Illinois ($14M settlement). When a Pike chapter at UT or Texas Tech hazes, we can show the national knew the risks.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Multiple deaths nationwide, including Carson Starkey at Cal Poly. SAE eliminated pledging in 2014 due to this pattern, yet hazing continues at chapters like those at Texas A&M (chemical burns case) and UT Austin (assault lawsuit).

Pi Kappa Phi: Andrew Coffey’s death at Florida State. Now our Bermudez case at UH shows the pattern continues.

Phi Delta Theta: Max Gruver’s death at LSU led to Louisiana’s felony hazing law.

For Seminole families, this means: if your child is hazed by a national organization with a known history, we can use that history to prove the organization should have taken stronger preventive measures. This strengthens negligence claims and can support punitive damages.

6.3 The Entity Maze: Who Actually Has Insurance?

Greek organizations operate through complex structures:

Undergraduate Chapters (often not legal entities)
Alumni Chapters (may have legal status)
House Corporations (own properties, often have insurance)
National Headquarters (have insurance and assets)

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine helps identify all potentially liable entities. For example, in the Bermudez case, we sued not just the UH chapter but also the Beta Nu housing corporation (EIN: 462267515, Frisco, TX) and the national Pi Kappa Phi headquarters.

This comprehensive approach is critical because insurance coverage often resides with house corporations or nationals, not undergraduate chapters.

7. Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

7.1 Evidence Collection: The Digital Crime Scene

Modern hazing leaves a digital trail. Preserving this evidence is the single most important step after ensuring medical safety.

Critical Evidence Types:

Group Chats & Messages: Screenshot entire threads from GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, etc. Include timestamps and participant names. In the Bermudez case, group chats revealed planning and coordination.
Social Media: Preserve posts, stories, DMs, and comments from Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook. Even “disappearing” content can sometimes be recovered.
Photos & Videos: Of injuries, locations, events, and participants. Document injuries over several days to show progression.
Medical Records: All ER reports, hospitalizations, lab results (like creatine kinase levels showing rhabdomyolysis), and psychological evaluations.
University Records: Prior discipline of the organization, incident reports, Clery Act reports. These can often be obtained through public information requests.
Witness Information: Names and contact details of other pledges, members, roommates, and bystanders.

Our Video Resource: We created a guide on using your phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

7.2 Damages: What Can Be Recovered

In a civil hazing lawsuit, victims can seek compensation for:

Economic Damages:

Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost income and diminished earning capacity
Educational costs (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
Therapy and rehabilitation

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, PTSD, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of financial support and companionship
Emotional suffering of family members

Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly reckless or intentional conduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish defendants and deter future conduct.

While we cannot guarantee specific amounts, national precedents show significant recoveries: $10M for Stone Foltz, $6.1M for Max Gruver (verdict), $12.6M for Chad Meredith (verdict). These cases inform our approach to valuing hazing claims.

7.3 Strategic Considerations for Seminole Families

Timing: Texas generally has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, but exceptions exist. Evidence preservation is most effective immediately.

Venue: We can often file in counties convenient for Texas families, not just where the university is located.

Insurance Coverage: Fraternity and university insurers often deny claims initially. Our attorney Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney gives us unique insight into their tactics.

Privacy: Many cases settle confidentially, protecting your family’s privacy while securing compensation.

Comprehensive Defendant Approach: We identify all potentially liable entities—individuals, chapters, house corporations, nationals, universities—to maximize accountability and insurance coverage.

8. Practical Guides & FAQs for Seminole Families

8.1 For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns
Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation
Sudden weight loss or gain
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
Secretive behavior about organization activities
Constant phone use for group chats, anxiety about messages
Financial strain from unexplained expenses
Declining academic performance

If You Suspect Hazing:

Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions without judgment.
Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages, photograph injuries.
Seek Medical Care: Even if injuries seem minor, internal damage like kidney strain may not be visible.
Document Everything: Write down dates, times, details, and names.
Contact Our Firm: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before reporting to the university or organization.

8.2 For Students: Is This Hazing? How to Exit Safely

Ask Yourself:

Am I being pressured or coerced?
Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Am I being told to keep secrets?

If It’s Hazing:

Your Safety Comes First: In an emergency, call 911. Texas law protects good-faith reporters.
You Can Leave: You have the legal right to quit any organization at any time.
Preserve Evidence: Screenshot everything before you quit.
Report Anonymously: Use campus reporting systems or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE.
Seek Support: Talk to a counselor, trusted professor, or your family.

8.3 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Based on our experience handling hazing cases, here are the most common errors families make:

1. Deleting Evidence: “Cleaning up” group chats or social media looks like obstruction of justice and eliminates crucial proof.

2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching before you can secure proof.

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms: Universities may pressure families to sign waivers or accept minimal settlements before understanding their rights.

4. Posting on Social Media: Public posts can be used against you and may waive certain legal protections.

5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, memories fade, and statutes of limitations expire.

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Alone: Recorded statements are used to minimize claims. Let your attorney handle all communications.

Our Video on Client Mistakes: We explain these pitfalls in detail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

8.4 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can we sue a Texas university for hazing?
A: Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities have fewer immunity barriers. Each case requires specific analysis.

Q: Is hazing a felony in Texas?
A: It can be. Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death is a state jail felony. Even misdemeanor hazing can result in jail time and fines.

Q: What if it happened off-campus at a private house?
A: Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national organizations can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Many major cases involved off-campus locations.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: Generally 2 years from the date of injury in Texas, but exceptions exist. The discovery rule may extend this if the harm wasn’t immediately apparent. Time is critical—call us immediately.

Q: Will our names be public?
A: Most cases settle confidentially. We can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms to protect your family’s privacy.

Q: How much does it cost to hire your firm?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis—no upfront costs, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Q: What about criminal charges?
A: We can coordinate with prosecutors while pursuing civil action. Our attorney Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association gives us unique insight into the intersection of criminal and civil cases.

9. About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action for Seminole

9.1 Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases

We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911—the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. While based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas, including here in Seminole and throughout Gaines County. Here’s why families choose us for hazing cases:

Active, High-Stakes Litigation Experience: Right now, we are leading the $10 million Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit—one of the most serious active hazing cases in Texas. We’re not just talking about hazing; we’re fighting it in court.

Insider Insurance Knowledge: Our attorney Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers fight claims, set reserves, and use delay tactics. This insider knowledge is invaluable for maximizing recoveries.

Complex Institutional Litigation Credentials: Attorney Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas lawyers involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar defendants. That same capability applies to universities and national fraternities with unlimited legal budgets.

Comprehensive Investigative Resources: We maintain the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a proprietary database of 1,423 Greek organizations across Texas. We don’t start from scratch; we already know the organizational networks, insurance carriers, and patterns.

Dual Civil/Criminal Capability: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand criminal hazing charges and how they interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and navigate dual-track cases.

Proven Results: We have recovered millions for clients in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We work with economists, life-care planners, and medical experts to build compelling cases that force accountability.

Spanish Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, serving Hispanic families throughout Texas. Hablamos Español.

9.2 Your Next Step: Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends Texas Tech, Texas A&M, UT Austin, UH, or any Texas campus—we are here to help.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

We Listen: We’ll hear your story without judgment, understanding this is one of the most difficult experiences a family can face.
We Explain: We’ll review any evidence you have, explain your legal options under Texas law, and outline potential paths forward.
We Advise: We’ll discuss realistic timelines, what to expect from university processes, and how we can protect your child from retaliation.
No Pressure: We won’t pressure you to hire us on the spot. Take time to decide what’s best for your family.
Everything is Confidential: What you tell us is protected by attorney-client privilege.

Contact Us Today:

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 5281-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com
Spanish Services: Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com

For Seminole Families Specifically: We understand the unique concerns of West Texas families. Whether your child was hazed at Texas Tech in Lubbock or a university hours away, we can help. Distance is no barrier—we serve families throughout Texas and have experience with venues across the state.

Don’t let powerful institutions silence your family. Don’t let tradition excuse abuse. Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re here to listen, to fight, and to help you secure justice and accountability.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

Click2Houston (KPRC 2) — “‘Urine was brown’: Pledge sues over severe hazing at University of Houston’s shut down Pi Kappa Phi fraternity”

URL: 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 (KTRK) — “Waterboarding, forced eating, physical punishment: Lawsuit alleges abuse faced by injured pledge at UH’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity”

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

Hoodline — “University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Face $10M Lawsuit Over Alleged Hazing and Abuse”

URL: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational YouTube Videos

“📱 Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case? | Attorney911 Explains”

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

“Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case? | Attorney911 with Injury Lawyer Ralph Manginello”

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

“Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case | Attorney911 with Ralph Manginello”

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

“📢 How Do Contingency Fees Work? Injury Lawyer Explains!”

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website

URL: 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)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | lupe@atty911.com