Levelland Families: A Complete Guide to Hazing & The Law at Texas Universities

If your child attends Texas Tech University or another campus in West Texas, you might believe the traditions, friendships, and network of Greek life are worth the effort. But what happens when “tradition” crosses a line? Imagine a student from Levelland, new to a fraternity at Texas Tech, being told to carry a degrading “pledge fanny pack” at all times. Picture them at an off-campus house, being forced through extreme workouts until they collapse, or pressured to drink dangerous amounts of alcohol during a “Big Brother” reveal. When they start passing brown urine and can’t stand up, the other members hesitate to call for help, worried more about the chapter’s reputation than your child’s life.

This is not a hypothetical fear. Right now, we are fighting a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and 13 individual members. The allegations are severe: a “pledge fanny pack” with humiliating items, enforced servitude, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced overeating until vomiting, and brutal physical workouts that led to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring a four-day hospitalization. This case is proof that extreme, life-threatening hazing is happening right now on Texas campuses.

For parents and families in Levelland, Hockley County, and across the South Plains, this guide exists to arm you with the truth. We will explain what modern hazing really looks like, break down Texas law, connect national tragedies to the fraternities present at schools your children attend—like Texas Tech University—and show you the legal pathways to accountability and safety. You are not alone, and what happens in Houston, College Station, or Austin directly impacts the standards for student safety everywhere in Texas.

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.
    • Sign anything from the university or insurance company.
    • Post details on public social media.
    • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:
  • Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed evidence, coached witnesses).
  • Universities move quickly to control the narrative.
  • We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights.
  • Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025

Hazing is not just “boys being boys” or “harmless pranks.” It is a calculated abuse of power designed to create loyalty through fear, humiliation, and endurance. For Levelland families, understanding its modern forms is the first step in recognizing danger.

A Clear, Modern Definition

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership in, or gaining status within a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Critically, a student saying “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when power imbalances, peer pressure, and fear of exclusion are at play.

The Main Categories of Hazing Today

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the single most common cause of hazing deaths.

• Forced or coerced drinking: “Lineup” shots, chugging contests, “Big/Little” nights where a handle of liquor is given.
• Drinking games as punishment: “Bible study” or trivia where wrong answers mandate drinking.
• Pressure to consume unknown substances: Being told to drink mixtures or take drugs.

2. Physical Hazing

• Paddling and beatings: Still prevalent, despite national bans.
• Extreme, punitive calisthenics: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups or squats until collapse—exactly as alleged in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case.
• Sleep and deprivation tactics: All-night “study sessions,” wake-up calls at 3 a.m., withholding food or water.
• Exposure to elements: Locked in cold rooms, left outside in winter weather.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

• Forced nudity or partial nudity.
• Simulated sexual acts: “Elephant walks,” “roasted pig” positions.
• Degrading costumes and roles.
• Acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic overtones.

4. Psychological and Digital Hazing

• Verbal abuse, threats, and isolation.
• Social media humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok or Instagram.
• 24/7 digital control: Mandatory, instant responses in group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp); location sharing via Snapchat Maps or Find My Friends.
• “Optional” coercion: Activities framed as voluntary, where not participating means social ostracization or denial of a “Big Brother/Sister.”

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

While Greek organizations are a major focus, hazing permeates many groups:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural).
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading).
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC and military-style groups.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups.
• Spirit and Tradition Organizations (like Texas Cowboys).
• Academic and Service Clubs.

The common threads are tradition, secrecy, and a power imbalance between new and existing members. For a student from a close-knit community like Levelland, the desire to belong can make them especially vulnerable to these pressures.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What Levelland Families Must Know

Texas has specific laws against hazing, and understanding them is crucial for protecting your child. These laws apply whether the incident happens in Lubbock, College Station, or anywhere your student attends school.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37 (The Hazing Statute)

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

1. Endangers the physical health or safety of the student; OR
2. Adversely affects the mental health or safety of the student through humiliation, intimidation, or coercion.

Key Provisions for Families:

• Criminal Penalties (Sec. 37.152): Hazing 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.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (Sec. 37.155): Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it is not a legal defense for those who hazed them. The law recognizes that true consent isn’t possible under peer pressure.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (Sec. 37.154): A person who reports hazing in good faith to a university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability. Many universities also have medical amnesty policies to encourage calling 911.
• Organizational Liability (Sec. 37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 and lose university recognition.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by: The State of Texas (county or district attorney).
• Goal: Punishment (jail time, fines, probation).
• Typical Charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to a minor, assault, and in fatal cases, manslaughter or negligent homicide.

Civil Cases:

• Brought by: The injured student or their family.
• Goal: Monetary compensation for damages and institutional accountability.
• Legal Theories: Negligence, gross negligence, negligent supervision, wrongful death, premises liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

These cases can run simultaneously. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit, and the burden of proof is lower in civil court (“preponderance of evidence” vs. “beyond a reasonable doubt”).

The Federal Legal Overlay

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and strengthen prevention programs. Public reporting will ramp up by 2026.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, it triggers federal Title IX obligations for the university to investigate and respond.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including assaults and alcohol-related incidents that often accompany hazing.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A thorough investigation aims to identify every responsible party, which may include:

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or concealed the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued directly.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: For failing to supervise, enforce policies, or for having prior knowledge of dangerous traditions.
4. The University: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or Title IX violations.
5. Third Parties: Property owners of off-campus houses, landlords, or alcohol providers (under dram shop laws).

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Predict Texas Tragedies

The devastating hazing cases that make national headlines are not isolated incidents. They reveal predictable, repeating patterns. Understanding these patterns shows why universities and national fraternities are often on notice—they’ve seen this script before.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): A bid-acceptance night with forced drinking led to fatal falls captured on chapter security cameras. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case resulted in the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania and numerous criminal convictions.
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant drinking. Gruver died with a 0.495% BAC. His death led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, creating felony hazing penalties.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Forced to drink a bottle of liquor on “Big/Little” night; died of alcohol poisoning. The family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU).

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Pledge was blindfolded, weighted down, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote retreat. He died of traumatic brain injury. The national fraternity was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter.

The Athletic Program Hazing Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Allegations of widespread, sexualized hazing led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald, and confidential settlements. It proved hazing is entrenched in big-money sports programs.

What These Cases Mean for Levelland Families

These national tragedies create legal precedents and establish foreseeability. When a Texas Tech fraternity engages in forced drinking, they are repeating the exact conduct that killed Stone Foltz at BGSU. This pattern evidence is powerful in court, showing national organizations and universities should have known the risks and done more to prevent them.

Texas University Focus: Where Levelland Students Go to School

Levalland families have deep ties to Texas higher education. While many students stay close to home at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, others attend Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, or other major systems. Each campus has its own Greek ecosystem and history of hazing incidents.

Texas Tech University (Lubbock) – Your Local Campus

For Levelland and South Plains families, Texas Tech is often the most immediate concern. Its prominent Greek life community is intertwined with the local community.

Campus Snapshot: A major public university with a strong Greek system comprising Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) chapters.

Documented Incidents & Climate:

• The university maintains disciplinary records, and hazing violations have occurred across various councils.
• The Texas Tech chapter of Pi Kappa Phi (a different chapter from the UH Beta Nu in our lawsuit) and other national fraternities present on campus have been subject to national headlines for hazing deaths and injuries elsewhere, establishing pattern risks.
• The university’s Office of Student Conduct handles allegations, but internal processes are often focused on campus discipline, not victim compensation.

How a Texas Tech Hazing Case Proceeds:

• Jurisdiction may involve Texas Tech Police and/or Lubbock Police.
• Civil suits would typically be filed in Lubbock County courts.
• Evidence often includes messages from apps like GroupMe, which are widely used by Tech Greek chapters.

What Texas Tech Students & Parents Should Do:

• Report Immediately: Contact the Texas Tech Office of Student Conduct and the Dean of Students.
• Document Everything: The dry, windy climate of Lubbock doesn’t erase digital evidence—preserve all group chats and social media.
• Seek Local Medical Care: Go to University Medical Center or another local ER and explicitly state the injuries are from hazing.
• Understand the Legal Landscape: A Levelland family may need counsel experienced with Lubbock County courts and Texas Tech’s administration.

Texas A&M University

Campus Snapshot: A university with a massive Greek system and the unique, tradition-heavy Corps of Cadets, which operates almost like a separate ecosystem with its own hazing risks.

Documented Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged they were covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and lawsuits were filed.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages.

Implications for Families: The combination of powerful Greek life and the Corps means hazing can take multiple forms. The university’s response often involves its Student Conduct Office and Corps Commandant.

University of Texas at Austin

Campus Snapshot: UT Austin boasts one of the largest and most transparent Greek systems in Texas, publicly posting hazing violations online.

Documented Incidents & Transparency:

• UT’s public hazing violations log lists organizations, dates, and sanctions. For example:
  • Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: probation and mandatory hazing prevention education.
  • Various spirit groups and other fraternities have been sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, and humiliation.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (2024): An Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted at an SAE party suffered a dislocated leg, broken nose, and fractured tibia, resulting in a lawsuit.

Key Takeaway: UT’s transparency is a double-edged sword. While it alerts parents, it also creates a public record that can be used in civil suits to prove the university had knowledge of recurring problems.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

• SMU: As a private university in Dallas with a affluent student body and strong Greek life, hazing incidents often involve IFC fraternities. Investigations can be less transparent than at public institutions.
• Baylor: The Waco campus has faced scrutiny over handling of misconduct. Hazing incidents within athletic programs, like the 2020 baseball team hazing that led to 14 player suspensions, show risks exist beyond Greek life.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories & Local Chapters

The fraternity or sorority your child is rushing in Lubbock or College Station is almost always part of a national organization. These nationals have extensive—and often tragic—histories that directly impact local chapter behavior and legal liability.

Why National Histories Matter in Court

National fraternities and sororities create anti-hazing policies because they have paid millions for deaths and injuries. When a chapter at Texas Tech or UT repeats the same dangerous “tradition” that killed a student at another school, it demonstrates foreseeability. A court or jury can conclude the national organization knew or should have known this could happen again and failed to prevent it.

A Sample of High-Risk National Patterns

• Pi Kappa Alpha (“Pike”): National pattern of alcohol hazing deaths (Stone Foltz at BGSU, David Bogenberger at NIU). When a Pike chapter engages in forced drinking, it’s following a deadly national script.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): One of the deadliest fraternities historically, with multiple alcohol poisoning deaths and serious injury cases nationwide, including the chemical burns case at Texas A&M.
• Pi Kappa Phi: The national organization is a defendant in our Leonel Bermudez lawsuit from UH. It also had the Andrew Coffey alcohol poisoning death at Florida State in 2017.
• Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver death at LSU is a defining case for this organization.
• Kappa Alpha Order: Has faced repeated hazing suspensions and allegations at campuses including SMU.

Public Records: The Texas Greek Organization Directory

As part of our investigative process, we maintain intelligence on the legal and corporate structures behind Texas Greek life. This data, compiled from public IRS filings and other records, helps us identify all potentially liable entities—from the local house corporation to the national alumni foundation.

Sample of Texas-Registered Greek Entities (IRS B83 Filings):
This small sample illustrates the complex network behind campus chapters. For a family in Levelland, understanding that a local fraternity is backed by a national corporation with an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and insurance is crucial for recovery.

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc, EIN 273662583, Lufkin, TX 75904
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc, EIN 475370943, Houston, TX 77204 (Theta Delta Chapter)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 746084905, Houston, TX 77204
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Farm House Fraternity Inc, EIN 751565336, Lubbock, TX 79416 (Texas Tech University Chapter)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 900293166, College Station, TX 77843 (Texas A&M University)

This is just a glimpse of over 1,400 Greek-related organizations we track across 25 Texas metros. In a hazing case, we use this data to trace liability and insurance coverage far beyond the undergraduate members.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages

Pursuing accountability after hazing requires a meticulous, strategic investigation. It’s about building an undeniable record of what happened, who is responsible, and the full extent of the harm.

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

1. Digital Communications: The #1 source of evidence. This includes:
   • Group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord).
   • Social media DMs and posts (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok).
   • Deleted messages recovered via digital forensics.
2. Photos & Videos: Content filmed by participants, security cameras at chapter houses, or Ring doorbells.
3. Internal Organization Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” lists, emails between officers, national risk management policies.
4. University Records: Prior conduct reports on the same chapter, Clery Act reports, disciplinary letters obtained through discovery.
5. Medical Records: ER reports, hospitalization notes, toxicology screens, psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
6. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, RAs, and bystanders.

Categories of Recoverable Damages

In a civil lawsuit, the law allows families to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic harm:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

• Medical Expenses: Past and future ER care, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, medications.
• Lost Earnings & Capacity: Time off work, delayed graduation, reduced lifetime earning potential due to permanent injury.
• Other Costs: Property damage, relocation expenses.

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical Pain and Suffering.
• Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in activities or typical college life.

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

• Funeral/burial costs.
• Loss of financial support, companionship, and guidance.
• Emotional suffering of parents and siblings.

Navigating Insurance & Institutional Defenses

National fraternities and universities have deep-pocketed insurers who deploy common defenses: “The pledge consented,” “It was a rogue chapter,” “It happened off-campus,” or “Our policy doesn’t cover intentional acts.” Our experience, including Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney, is critical to overcoming these tactics and maximizing recovery.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Levelland Families

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme exhaustion or sleep deprivation.
• Sudden personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
• Secrecy about organization activities.
• Constant, anxious phone use for group chats.
• Financial requests for unexplained “fines” or “supplies.”

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Prioritize Safety: If in immediate danger, call 911.
2. Talk with Your Child: Use open, non-judgmental questions. “Is anything making you uncomfortable in your new group?”
3. Preserve Evidence: Help them screenshot messages; photograph injuries.
4. Seek Medical Care: Get a professional evaluation and mention hazing.
5. Consult an Attorney BEFORE reporting to the university or confronting the organization.

For Students: Is This Hazing? What Are My Rights?

• The Test: Are you being pressured, endangered, or humiliated to belong? Would you do this if there were no social consequences? If yes, it’s hazing.
• Your Rights: You have the right to be safe. “Consent” is not a defense for those hazing you under Texas law.
• Exiting Safely: You can quit anytime. Send a clear email/text to the chapter president. If you fear retaliation, report it to campus police and the Dean of Students.
• Reporting: You can report anonymously through campus channels or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). For legal action and compensation, you will need to come forward with an attorney’s guidance.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy a Case

1. Deleting Evidence: “Cleaning up” group chats is often seen as obstruction.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
3. Signing University Settlement Forms Early: These often waive your right to sue for fair compensation.
4. Posting on Social Media: Creates a public record defense attorneys will exploit.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and the Texas statute of limitations (generally 2 years) ticks away.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue a university in Texas for hazing?”
Yes. While public universities have some immunity, exceptions exist for gross negligence or Title IX violations. Private schools like SMU and Baylor have fewer protections. Each case is fact-specific.

“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 charges for failing to report hazing.

“What if it happened off-campus at a rental house?”
Location does not shield organizations from liability. If the group is university-recognized or the national provides oversight, they can still be held responsible.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally, two years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but exceptions exist. Do not wait. Call us to preserve your rights.

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy throughout the legal process.

Why Attorney911 Is the Right Firm for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family faces the trauma of hazing, you need more than a general injury lawyer. You need advocates who know how powerful institutions defend themselves—and how to win anyway. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) brings a unique combination of insider knowledge, proven litigation power, and deep Texas roots to hazing cases.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

1. Insurance Insider Advantage
Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurersvalue claims, deploy delay tactics, and fight coverage. We know their playbook because we used to run it. This insider knowledge is invaluable for maximizing your recovery.

2. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience
Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, facing billion-dollar corporate defendants. We are not intimidated by national fraternities or universities with unlimited legal budgets. We’ve taken on the biggest and won.

3. Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Injury Results
We have a proven track record of securing significant settlements and verdicts in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. We work with economists, life-care planners, and medical experts to ensure every future need is accounted for.

4. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise
Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal side of hazing cases. We can effectively advise families and witnesses navigating both criminal and civil proceedings.

5. Investigative Depth & Resource Network
We investigate hazing like your child’s life depends on it—because it does. We have a network of experts in digital forensics, forensic psychology, toxicology, and Greek life culture. We know how to obtain deleted messages, subpoena hidden national fraternity files, and uncover a university’s prior knowledge.

6. We Serve Families Throughout Texas, Including Levelland
Based in Houston with offices in Austin and Beaumont, we serve families across the state. We understand the connections Levelland families have to Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and other campuses. We are committed to holding accountable the organizations that harm Texas students, no matter where they are from.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to navigate this crisis alone. The path to accountability starts with a conversation.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

In your confidential consultation, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal options clearly and honestly.
• Discuss the realistic timeline and process.
• Answer all your questions about costs—we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
• There is no pressure to hire us on the spot.

We are here to help you get answers, secure justice for your child, and prevent this from happening to another family.

Call us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com

Se habla Español: Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

• Click2Houston (KPRC 2) Coverage: 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 (KTRK) Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational YouTube Videos:

• Using Your Cellphone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Understanding Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website & Contact:

• Main Website: 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