The Definitive Guide to Hazing Litigation in Texas: A Resource for Canadian Families

For families in Canadian, Texas, the call comes late at night. Your child, a student at a Texas university, sounds different—exhausted, secretive, or injured. The story emerges in fragments: forced drinking, brutal workouts, humiliating rituals, all under the guise of “tradition” or “brotherhood.” The university pledges an investigation, but the fraternity brothers close ranks. You feel powerless against a system designed to protect institutions, not your child.

This is not a hypothetical fear. Right now, in Houston, we are leading one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The allegations are stomach-turning: a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, forced sprints and bear crawls until collapse, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting. This culminated in Mr. Bermudez developing rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passing brown urine, and being hospitalized for four days with a critically high creatine kinase level. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter has been shut down, but the fight for accountability is just beginning.

This comprehensive guide is written for you—parents and families in Canadian, Hemphill County, and across the Texas Panhandle. Whether your child attends West Texas A&M in nearby Canyon, Texas Tech in Lubbock, or any major university across the state, you need to understand the reality of modern hazing, the legal framework in Texas, and the path to true accountability. We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, and we are Texas-based hazing litigation specialists.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW: Call 911 for medical emergencies. Then call us at 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. Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted: screenshot group chats, photograph injuries, save physical items. Write down everything. Do NOT confront the fraternity/sorority, sign anything from the university, or post details on social media.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney: Evidence disappears fast. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

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

For parents in Canadian, the old stereotypes of harmless pranks no longer apply. Modern hazing is a calculated spectrum of abuse designed to assert control, often disguised as “team building” or “tradition.” It happens in fraternities, sororities, Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, and spirit groups.

Hazing is defined under Texas law as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. Consent is not a defense. The categories are stark:

Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the most common and deadly form. It includes forced chugging, “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor (as in the Pi Kappa Phi case at UH), and coerced consumption of drugs or unknown substances.

Physical Hazing: This extends beyond paddling to extreme calisthenics designed to cause injury—like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats forced upon Leonel Bermudez. It includes sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, exposure to extreme elements, and violent rituals.

Psychological and Sexualized Hazing: This involves profound humiliation: forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, racial or sexist role-playing, and isolation from non-members. The psychological trauma often outlasts the physical injuries.

Digital Hazing: This is the new frontier. Pledges are controlled via 24/7 GroupMe chats, forced to share their location, required to post embarrassing content on social media, and harassed if they don’t respond instantly to messages. This digital leash creates constant anxiety and makes evidence collection critical.

These acts frequently occur off-campus at houses, Airbnbs, or remote retreats to avoid university oversight. The culture is one of secrecy and fear: fear of retaliation, fear of being ostracized, and fear that reporting will ruin their college experience. For a student from a close-knit community like Canadian, this pressure can feel insurmountable.

The Texas Legal Framework: Criminal Penalties and Civil Liability

Understanding the law is your first step toward empowerment. Texas has robust statutes, but they require knowledgeable navigation.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37 (Hazing Laws):

• Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation or affiliation into a group.
• Criminal Penalties: It is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes injury and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Importantly, consent is not a defense (Texas Education Code § 37.155).
• Organizational Liability: The organization itself (fraternity, sorority, team) can be fined up to $10,000 if it authorizes or knowingly permits hazing.
• Reporting Immunity: Individuals who in good faith report hazing are immune from civil or criminal liability.

Civil Liability – The Path to Accountability and Compensation:
A criminal case, pursued by the state, aims to punish. A civil lawsuit, which we file on behalf of victims, aims to compensate for harm and force institutional change. The defendants can include:

1. Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned and carried out the acts.
2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity.
3. The National Organization: Headquarters can be liable for negligent supervision, especially if they had prior knowledge of similar incidents in other chapters—a concept known as “pattern evidence.”
4. The University: Public universities like UH or Texas A&M have some sovereign immunity, but they can be sued for gross negligence, Title IX violations (if the hazing is sexualized), or deliberate indifference to a known risk.
5. Third Parties: Property owners, alcohol providers (under dram shop laws), and security companies.

Federal Overlay: The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024) now requires colleges to report incidents more transparently. Title IX applies if the harassment is sex-based, and the Clery Act mandates reporting of certain campus crimes.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Script Repeats Itself

The tragic case at UH is not an anomaly. It follows a national script written in decades of preventable tragedies. Understanding these patterns is crucial, as they form the basis for proving that national organizations and universities should have known the risks.

• The Alcohol Poisoning Script: Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021) died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017) died during a “Bible study” drinking game. Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017) died at a “Big Brother” night. Each followed a nearly identical formula: a tradition, peer pressure, excessive consumption, and a delayed 911 call.

• The Physical Brutality Script: Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013) died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded “glass ceiling” tackling ritual at a retreat. This shows hazing moves off-campus to avoid detection.

• The Athletic Hazing Script: The Northwestern University football scandal (2023-2025) involved alleged sexualized and racist hazing, proving abuse is systemic in high-profile sports programs, not just Greek life.

• The Severe Injury Script: Danny Santulli (University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021) suffered permanent brain damage after a pledging event. His family’s settlements with 22 defendants show the web of liability.

These national precedents matter for Canadian families. When a fraternity at a Texas school repeats the same dangerous “tradition” that killed someone in Ohio or Louisiana, it demonstrates foreseeability. It proves the national headquarters knew the risks and failed to adequately supervise, train, or intervene.

The Texas University Landscape: Where Canadian Families Send Their Kids

Parents in Canadian and the Panhandle send their students to a mix of regional universities and major state hubs. Hazing is a risk at all of them.

West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX)

Just 30 minutes from Canadian in Canyon, West Texas A&M is a primary destination for local students. It has an active Greek life community and a proud athletics program. Hazing allegations can arise in fraternities, sororities, and athletic teams. As a public university in the Texas A&M System, cases here would involve Potter County courts and may implicate system-wide policies. Families should be vigilant about changes in their student’s behavior, especially if they live on or near campus.

Major State University Hubs for Canadian Students

Many Canadian students also attend larger universities across Texas. The hazing risk and institutional response vary by campus.

Texas A&M University (College Station): Beyond its massive Greek system, the Corps of Cadets has faced serious allegations. In one lawsuit, a cadet alleged being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. The Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) chapter was sued after pledges suffered severe chemical burns from being doused in industrial cleaner. Texas A&M’s size and tradition-heavy culture can complicate reporting, but its disciplinary processes are active.

University of Texas at Austin: UT maintains a public Hazing Violations log, a transparency tool other schools lack. It lists sanctions against groups like Pi Kappa Alpha for forcing milk consumption and calisthenics, and spirit groups for forced workouts. This public record is a powerful tool for proving a pattern of known misconduct.

Texas Tech University (Lubbock): As a major Panhandle university, Texas Tech draws many regional students. Its significant Greek life and athletic programs have faced hazing scandals. Investigations often involve the Lubbock Police Department alongside campus authorities.

University of Houston: The ongoing Leonel Bermudez vs. Pi Kappa Phi case is the flagship example. It reveals a system of degrading rules, physical torture, and life-threatening injury. UH’s response—calling the conduct “deeply disturbing” and cooperating after the chapter was shut down—shows the typical institutional path: condemn, investigate, but let the civil litigation reveal the full truth.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: A Data-Driven Look

National fraternities and sororities are not just social clubs; they are intricate networks of legal entities, house corporations, and alumni chapters—all with insurance policies and assets. Our firm maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public records, to map this ecosystem. For families, this means we don’t start from zero; we know how to find the parties that share liability.

Public Records Directory: Greek Organizations Serving Texas Families

The following are real entities recorded in IRS and state filings, illustrating the complex web behind campus Greek life. This is a fraction of the over 1,400 Greek-related organizations we track across 25 Texas metros.

For Canadian & Panhandle Families:

• Frank Heflin Foundation, EIN 20-3507402, Canyon, TX 79015. A Phi Delta Theta alumni fund linked to West Texas A&M.
• Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association, EIN 75-2290669, Amarillo, TX 79118. A chapter housing corporation.
• Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter, listed in Cause IQ data for Canyon, TX (West Texas A&M University chapter).

Major Statewide Entities (Present at Schools Canadian Students Attend):

• Beta Upsilon Chi, EIN 74-2911848, Fort Worth, TX 76244. A Christian fraternity with chapters statewide.
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc., EIN 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147.
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Chapter Alumni, EIN 74-6064445, Nederland, TX 77627 (linked to Lamar University in Beaumont).
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, multiple EINs including 90-0293166 for Texas A&M University. This academic honor society demonstrates the breadth of “Greek” organizations.

Why This Data Matters: When hazing occurs, liability often extends beyond the undergraduate members. The housing corporation that owns the house, the alumni board that advises, and the national foundation that holds insurance may all bear responsibility. Our investigative approach identifies every link in this chain.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

If hazing has injured your child, taking swift, strategic action is critical. The defense playbook is standardized: deny, delay, destroy evidence, and claim the victim “consented.” We counter with a methodical, evidence-first strategy.

Critical Evidence Collection:

1. Digital Evidence: Screenshot ALL group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage) immediately. Capture social media posts, stories, and location tags. Even deleted messages can often be recovered through digital forensics.
2. Medical Documentation: Go to the ER or a doctor. State clearly that the injuries are from hazing so it enters the medical record. Obtain all records, including toxicology and bloodwork (like the CK test that diagnosed Bermudez’s rhabdomyolysis).
3. Physical Evidence: Photograph injuries over several days. Save clothing, paddles, or props. Do not wash or discard anything.
4. Witness Information: Document names of other pledges, members, or roommates. They may be fearful but can be crucial later.
5. Timeline: Write down everything your child recalls—dates, times, locations, names—while memories are fresh.

Overcoming Common Defenses:

• “They Consented”: Texas law explicitly nullifies this defense. We demonstrate the coercive power imbalance.
• “It Was Off-Campus”: Liability is not determined by zip code. If the organization sponsored or knew about the event, location is irrelevant.
• “It Was Rogue Members”: We use “pattern evidence” from our national database to show the national organization knew this type of hazing was a recurring problem in its chapters and failed to prevent it.
• “University Immunity”: We pursue claims for gross negligence or violations of specific duties like Title IX, which can pierce sovereign immunity.

Damages You Can Recover:
A civil lawsuit seeks to make your child whole and hold offenders accountable. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost tuition if education is disrupted, and loss of future earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, anxiety, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the ultimate tragedy, families can recover funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious conduct, these punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Practical Guide for Canadian Parents & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Steps

• Signs: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, sudden secrecy, personality changes (anxiety, withdrawal), declining grades, constant phone anxiety from group chats.
• What to Do: Listen without judgment. Prioritize medical care. Preserve evidence. Contact an attorney before reporting to the university. Do not confront the organization directly.
• Dealing with the University: Document all communications. Understand that the university’s primary interest is often risk management. Have legal counsel present for any serious meetings.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• Is This Hazing? If you feel coerced, endangered, or humiliated for membership, it is. Trust your instincts.
• Exiting Safely: Your safety is paramount. You have the right to quit. Send a clear written resignation. If you fear retaliation, notify the Dean of Students and campus police.
• Reporting: You can report anonymously through campus hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). Texas law provides immunity for good-faith reporters.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case:

1. Deleting Evidence: Do not let your child “clean up” group chats or social media.
2. Confronting the Fraternity: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
3. Signing University Papers: Do not sign any waiver, release, or resolution agreement without an attorney’s review.
4. Posting on Social Media: Public posts can be used by the defense to undermine the case.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence vanishes, witnesses scatter, and the statute of limitations passes.

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family in Canadian faces a hazing crisis, you need specialists who understand both the heartbreaking human toll and the complex legal battlefield. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) is not a general personal injury firm. We are Texas-based hazing litigation authorities.

Our Proven Advantages:

• Active, High-Stakes Litigation: We are lead counsel in the Leonel Bermudez vs. UH Pi Kappa Phi case. We are in the fight right now against a major university and national fraternity.
• Insider Insurance Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense lawyer for national firms. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, deny coverage, and drag out cases. We know their playbook because Mr. Peña used to help write it.
• Experience Against Giant Institutions: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by billion-dollar defendants, deep-pocketed universities, or national fraternities with endless legal budgets.
• The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: We don’t guess. We investigate using data. Our proprietary directory of over 1,400 Texas Greek organizations allows us to immediately identify housing corporations, alumni associations, and national links that other firms miss.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Mr. Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal exposure witnesses and participants may face, allowing us to navigate both legal tracks effectively.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. We are committed to serving all Texas families.

We believe in accountability that changes behavior. Our goal is not just compensation, but also ensuring that no other family in Canadian or anywhere else endures this pain.

Your Path Forward: A Confidential Consultation

If hazing has touched your family, you do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved have teams of lawyers; you deserve dedicated, expert advocates in your corner.

We offer a free, completely confidential consultation to families in Canadian and across Texas. In this meeting, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain the legal options specific to your situation.
• Outline the investigation we would undertake.
• Discuss our contingency fee structure—you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.
• Answer your questions with honesty and clarity.

Take the first step toward accountability and healing.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 today.

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 | For Spanish: lupe@atty911.com

We serve families throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Your child’s safety and your family’s future are too important to leave to chance.

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