The Comprehensive Guide to Hazing in Texas: Protecting Weinert & Haskell County Families
For parents in Weinert, Haskell County, sending your child off to college is a proud milestone. The promise of education, new friendships, and bright futures at schools like Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University, or West Texas A&M University fills you with hope. But a hidden danger persists on campuses across Texas and the nation, one that transforms pride into panic in an instant: hazing. Right now, in a Houston courtroom, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country on behalf of a young man named Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. This case is a stark reminder that the brutal rituals of forced belonging can shatter lives, and it underscores why families in Weinert, Stamford, Rule, and across the Texas Plains need to be prepared.
This guide is written for you—parents, students, and community members in Weinert and Haskell County. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, how Texas law seeks to hold perpetrators accountable, and what has happened at universities where your children may study. Most importantly, we will provide a clear path forward for seeking justice and accountability, because when institutions fail to protect students, experienced legal counsel becomes the family’s most powerful advocate.
Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies
If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
- Call 911 for any medical emergency.
- Then call Attorney911 Immediately: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.
In the First 48 Hours:
- Get Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” seek evaluation. Internal injuries like rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) may not be immediately apparent.
- Preserve Evidence BEFORE It’s Deleted:
- Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), texts, and social media DMs.
- Photograph any visible injuries from multiple angles.
- Save any physical items (alcohol bottles, paddles, specific clothing).
- Write Everything Down: Document who, what, when, and where while memories are fresh.
- Do NOT:
- Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
- Sign anything from a university or insurance company.
- Post details on public social media.
- Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” evidence.
Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Evidence disappears with terrifying speed. Universities move quickly to control narratives. We can help you navigate this crisis from the start. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, immediate consultation.
Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like
Hazing is not a relic of the past or mere “horseplay.” It is a calculated abuse of power designed to test loyalty through humiliation, degradation, and danger. For parents in Weinert whose children may be hours away at school, understanding its modern forms is critical.
A Modern Definition: 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. Crucially, under Texas law, the victim’s “consent” is not a defense.
The Main Categories of Hazing Today:
- Alcohol and Substance Hazing: The most common and deadliest form. This includes forced consumption during “lineups,” “Big/Little” reveals, drinking games like “Bible study,” or being compelled to finish bottles of liquor.
- Physical Hazing: This ranges from seemingly “mandatory workouts” that escalate to dangerous levels (hundreds of push-ups, squats until collapse) to overt physical abuse: paddling, beating, forced exposure to extreme elements, and sleep deprivation.
- Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, wearing degrading costumes, and acts rooted in racial or sexist degradation. These cause profound psychological trauma.
- Psychological Hazing: Verbal abuse, threats of expulsion from the group, social isolation, and coerced confessions.
- Digital Hazing: A 24/7 trap. Pledges are monitored via group chats, required to share live locations, forced to post humiliating content on social media, and subjected to cyber-harassment if they fail to comply instantly.
Where Hazing Happens: It is a myth that hazing only occurs in fraternities. It pervades:
- Sororities
- Athletic Teams (from football to swimming)
- Corps of Cadets / ROTC Units
- Marching Bands and Performance Groups
- Spirit Organizations and “Traditional” Clubs
- Certain Academic or Cultural Clubs
The common threads are hierarchy, secrecy, and a twisted sense of “tradition” that prioritizes group loyalty over individual safety.
Law & Liability Framework: Texas and Federal Laws
Understanding the legal landscape is essential for Haskell County families seeking accountability.
Texas Hazing Law (Education Code, Chapter 37)
Texas has specific, strong statutes against hazing:
- Definition (§37.151): Broadly covers intentional, knowing, or reckless acts that endanger physical or mental health for purposes of initiation or affiliation, on or off campus.
- Criminal Penalties (§37.152):
- Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that does not cause bodily injury.
- Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes bodily injury.
- State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
- It is also a crime for an organization to haze or for an individual to fail to report hazing they have first-hand knowledge of.
- No Consent Defense (§37.155): “It is not a defense to prosecution that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”
- Immunity for Reporters (§37.154): Individuals who in good faith report hazing to officials are immune from civil or criminal liability.
Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability
- Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (e.g., Haskell County District Attorney or local county prosecutors). Aim is punishment: jail time, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.
- Civil Cases: Brought by the victim or their family. Aim is compensation for damages and institutional accountability. This is where our firm represents families. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Case?
A major strategic advantage is identifying every potentially responsible party:
- Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, executed, or supplied the hazing.
- Local Chapter: The fraternity, sorority, or club as an entity.
- National Headquarters: They often have deep pockets, insurance, and can be liable for negligent supervision if they knew or should have known about dangerous patterns.
- The University: Public universities like Texas Tech or Texas A&M have a duty to protect students. They can be sued for negligent supervision, premises liability, or Title IX violations if the hazing was sex-based.
- Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, property owners where hazing occurred, or alcohol providers.
Federal Law Overlay
- Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, universities have specific federal obligations to investigate and address it.
- The Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including assaults that may occur during hazing.
- The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires increased transparency in hazing reporting and prevention by colleges receiving federal funds.
National Hazing Case Patterns: The Stories That Shape the Law
Major cases across the country have defined the legal fight against hazing. They show predictable, deadly patterns.
The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern:
- Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a forced drinking “bid acceptance” night. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. Resulted in massive criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.”
- Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game. Led to Louisiana’s felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.”
- Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Forced to drink a bottle of alcohol; died. Family reached a $10 million settlement with the national fraternity and university.
The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern:
- Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from brain injuries during a blindfolded, violent “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania.
The Athletic Hazing Pattern:
- Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread allegations of sexualized and racist hazing led to fired coaches, multiple lawsuits, and confidential settlements, proving hazing is not confined to Greek life.
What This Means for Weinert Families: These are not isolated incidents. They are blueprints of failure that repeat. The same national organizations involved in these tragedies—Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta—have chapters on Texas campuses. This establishes foreseeability, a key legal concept meaning the organizations should have known the risks.
The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez vs. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi
Right now, our firm is actively litigating a case that embodies the brutal reality of modern hazing. This is not a historical example; it is our current fight, demonstrating the level of seriousness we bring for Texas families.
Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student at the University of Houston, pledged the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter in fall 2025. What followed was a campaign of abuse allegedly involving:
- Humiliation: A “pledge fanny pack” rule requiring him to carry condoms, a sex toy, and other degrading items 24/7.
- Forced Labor: Hours-long “study blocks,” overnight driving duties, and strict interview schedules.
- Extreme Physical Hazing: Sprints, bear crawls, “save-your-brother” drills, lying in vomit-soaked grass, and being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”
- Violent Rituals: Another pledge was allegedly hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour. Bermudez was forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then made to sprint.
- The Breaking Point: On November 3, 2025, he was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion. He collapsed.
The Medical Catastrophe: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis—a severe skeletal muscle breakdown that flooded his system with toxins. He suffered acute kidney failure, passed brown urine, and was hospitalized for four days. He faces an ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.
The Institutional Response & Our Lawsuit: We filed a $10 million lawsuit in Harris County against the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the local housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. Shortly after media exposure, the national fraternity suspended the chapter, and members voted to surrender their charter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”
This case is why we maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine. To hold every entity accountable, we must identify them all. This is the same investigative rigor we apply for every family we represent.
Texas Universities: Where Weinert & Haskell County Families Send Their Kids
While Weinert is a tight-knit community, its students attend universities across the state. Understanding the landscape at these schools is crucial.
Regional and State University Focus for Haskell County
Parents in Weinert often have children at universities across West Texas and beyond. Common destinations include:
- Texas Tech University (Lubbock): A major university with a significant Greek life presence and a history of hazing incidents. Its proximity makes it a likely choice for many area students.
- Texas A&M University (College Station): A flagship with a massive Greek system and the Corps of Cadets, both of which have faced serious hazing allegations.
- West Texas A&M University (Canyon): A regional university with active Greek organizations.
- University of Texas at Austin: Another flagship destination with a highly publicized hazing violations log.
- Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls): Another regional option with Greek life.
- Texas A&M University-Commerce
Hazing does not discriminate by school size or prestige. It exists wherever there are groups that value secrecy over safety.
A Snapshot of Hazing Issues at Key Texas Schools
- Texas A&M University: Beyond Greek life, the Corps of Cadets has faced litigation over alleged hazing, including a lawsuit describing cadets being bound in a “roasted pig” position. The university’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter faced a lawsuit over alleged hazing that caused severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts.
- University of Texas at Austin: UT maintains a public “Hazing Violations” log. Entries detail incidents across groups, from fraternities like Pi Kappa Alpha (forced milk consumption and calisthenics) to spirit groups like the Texas Wranglers.
- Texas Tech University: Incidents have included fraternity suspensions for hazing allegations involving alcohol and physical abuse. As a primary university for the region, its conduct directly impacts many Haskell County families.
- University of Houston: As detailed in the Bermudez case, severe hazing persists despite policies.
The Common Thread: Universities often react after tragedy or litigation. Their disciplinary processes (probation, suspension) are not designed to provide compensation or true accountability to injured students. That requires experienced civil litigation.
Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories and Local Chapters
When a hazing incident occurs at Texas Tech’s Kappa Sigma chapter, it does not exist in a vacuum. That chapter is part of a national organization with a history, a risk management playbook, and often, a trail of similar incidents.
Why National Histories Matter in Court:
If a national fraternity has seen a pledge die from alcohol poisoning at Bowling Green (Pi Kappa Alpha) or LSU (Phi Delta Theta), and then a similar forced drinking incident occurs at their Texas chapter, it demonstrates foreseeability. The national organization knew or should have known this was a risk and failed to take adequate steps to prevent it. This is a cornerstone of negligence law.
Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine in Action:
We don’t just take a client’s word about who was involved. We use public records and investigative resources to map the entire organizational landscape. For example, our data tracks Texas-registered Greek entities, such as:
- Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc (EIN: 273662583) in Lufkin, TX 75904.
- Frank Heflin Foundation (EIN: 203507402) in Canyon, TX 79015, a Phi Delta Theta alumni fund.
- Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc (EIN: 741380362) in Fort Worth, TX 76147.
- Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN: 462267515) in Frisco, TX 75035 (related to the UH case).
These entities, often housing corporations or alumni foundations, can hold insurance policies and assets critical to recovery. We identify them so families don’t start from zero.
Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Our Strategy
Pursuing a hazing case requires a methodical, evidence-driven approach. This is where our experience as complex litigation attorneys makes the difference.
Critical Evidence in a Modern Hazing Case
- Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, and Instagram/Snapchat DMs. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages.
- Photos & Videos: Content shot by perpetrators during events, often shared in group chats or on social media.
- Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “big book” rituals, emails between members, and communications with national headquarters.
- University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same organization, obtained through discovery or public records requests.
- Medical Records: Documentation of injuries, from ER visits for alcohol poisoning to long-term treatment for PTSD or kidney damage.
- Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and RAs.
Damages: What Can Be Recovered
Civil lawsuits seek to make the victim “whole” and hold defendants accountable through compensation for:
- Economic Damages: Past and future medical bills, lost wages, cost of therapy, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
- Non-Economic Damages: Physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering.
- Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, meant to punish the defendant and deter future conduct.
Overcoming Common Defense Tactics
We anticipate and counter the standard defenses:
- “They Consented”: Texas law explicitly voids this defense. We demonstrate the coercive power dynamic.
- “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We subpoena national records to show prior knowledge and pattern of similar incidents.
- “It Happened Off-Campus”: Liability is based on duty and control, not just geography.
- “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”: We show the gap between paper policy and actual enforcement.
- “Insurance Doesn’t Cover This”: Our insider knowledge from Mr. Peña’s defense background helps navigate coverage fights and bad-faith claims.
Practical Guides & FAQs for Weinert Families
For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps
Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:
- Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
- Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation.
- Sudden secrecy about group activities.
- Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
- Constant, anxious phone use for group chats.
- Requests for money for unexplained “fines” or “requirements.”
What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:
- Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “What does pledging actually involve?” “Has anything made you uncomfortable?”
- Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
- Preserve Evidence: Guide your child to screenshot messages and photograph injuries.
- Document: Write down everything your child tells you.
- Seek Legal Counsel BEFORE Reporting: An attorney can advise on how to report in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves evidence. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.
For Students: Is This Hazing? How to Get Out Safely.
Ask Yourself:
- Am I being pressured to do something illegal, dangerous, or deeply embarrassing?
- Would I do this if there was no threat of being kicked out?
- Am I told to keep this a secret from my family, university, or advisors?
If you need to exit:
- Your safety is paramount. You have the right to leave any organization at any time.
- Do not go to a “final meeting” alone. Tell a trusted friend or family member first.
- Send a simple, written resignation (text or email) to the chapter president.
- If you fear retaliation, report it immediately to campus police and the Dean of Students.
Critical Mistakes That Can Damage a Case
- Deleting Digital Evidence: Screenshot everything first. Deletions can be seen as obstruction.
- Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
- Signing University Resolution Forms: These often include waivers of your right to sue. Have an attorney review everything.
- Posting on Social Media: Defense investigators monitor everything. Inconsistencies can hurt credibility.
- Waiting Too Long: Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury, but evidence and memories fade fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
- “Can we sue a university in Texas?” Yes. Sovereign immunity for public schools has exceptions, particularly for gross negligence or willful misconduct. Private universities like Baylor or SMU have fewer protections. The strategy depends on the facts.
- “How long do we have?” Generally, two years from the date of injury in Texas, but earlier is always better. Evidence preservation is time-sensitive.
- “Will this be public?” Many cases settle confidentially. We always prioritize our clients’ privacy while fighting for public accountability to prevent future harm.
- “How much does it cost?” We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. This means you pay no upfront attorney fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you.
Why Choose The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 for Your Hazing Case
When your family in Weinert faces the aftermath of hazing, you need advocates who understand both the emotional trauma and the legal battlefield. You need attorneys who have faced billion-dollar institutions and won. Here is why we are uniquely equipped to help Haskell County families:
1. Active, High-Stakes Hazing Litigation Experience:
We are not theorists. We are currently leading the $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We know exactly how these cases unfold, from evidence preservation to fighting institutional cover-ups.
2. Insider Knowledge of Insurance Company Tactics:
Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows precisely how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny, delay, and minimize your claim. We use their playbook against them to maximize recovery.
3. Proven Experience Against Massive Institutional Defendants:
Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. Taking on a multinational corporation with unlimited resources taught us how to build complex cases, manage teams of experts, and persevere against deep-pocketed opponents. National fraternities and universities employ the same tactics.
4. A Data-Driven Investigative Advantage:
We don’t start from scratch. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from public records, IRS data, and organizational research—allows us to quickly identify all potentially liable entities, from local housing corporations to national alumni boards. This gives our clients immediate leverage.
5. Comprehensive Civil & Criminal Understanding:
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal side of hazing cases. We can effectively advise clients and witnesses who may have dual exposure, and we know how criminal and civil cases interact.
6. Full-Service Resources for Catastrophic Injury:
We have a network of medical experts, life-care planners, economists, and vocational specialists. For victims suffering from traumatic brain injury, PTSD, or permanent organ damage (like rhabdomyolysis), we build the comprehensive case needed to secure compensation for a lifetime of needs.
7. Spanish-Language Services Available:
Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish. We are committed to serving all Texas families with compassion and clear communication.
Our Commitment to Weinert and Haskell County
We are a Texas-based firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. While we are not located in Weinert, we serve families across the entire state, from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast. We understand the values of rural Texas communities—family, integrity, and accountability. When those values are violated by powerful institutions elsewhere, we are here to help you restore balance.
Contact Us for a Free, Confidential Consultation
If hazing has impacted your child and your family, you do not have to navigate this crisis alone. The universities and national organizations have teams of lawyers. You deserve an experienced advocate in your corner.
We offer a no-obligation, confidential case evaluation. In this consultation, we will:
- Listen carefully to your story.
- Review any evidence you have gathered.
- Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
- Outline our investigative approach.
- Answer your questions about the process and costs.
- Provide honest, straightforward advice on the best path forward for your family.
Time is of the essence. Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, and institutions close ranks.
Call Attorney911 Today: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
You can also contact us directly:
- Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
- Mr. Lupe Peña: lupe@atty911.com
- Website: https://attorney911.com
We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. Let us help you through yours.
Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911. Principal office in Houston, Texas.
