The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits for Families in Fritch, Texas: Your Path to Accountability

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Have Rights

For parents in Fritch and across Hutchinson County, sending your child to college represents hope, opportunity, and pride. Watching them potentially join a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or campus organization can feel like seeing them find their place in a new community. But what happens when that community turns dangerous? When tradition becomes torture, and bonding becomes abuse?

Right now, in Texas, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. Our firm represents Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, and 13 individual members of the Beta Nu chapter. The allegations are horrifying: forced consumption of food until vomiting, hours of extreme physical workouts, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” mandatory humiliation through a “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms and sex toys, and ultimately, life-threatening rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure that left him hospitalized for four days.

This isn’t happening in some distant state. It’s happening here in Texas, at one of our largest public universities. And if it can happen at UH, it can happen at West Texas A&M, Texas Tech, or any campus where your child from Fritch might be studying.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for families in Fritch, Hutchinson County, and the Texas Panhandle region. We’ll explain what modern hazing really looks like, your legal rights under Texas law, where Fritch students typically enroll, how national patterns connect to local campuses, and what steps you can take immediately if your child has been harmed.

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
• Write down everything while memory is fresh
• Do NOT confront the organization, sign anything from the university, or post details on social media

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24-48 hours. Evidence disappears fast – deleted group chats, destroyed evidence, coached witnesses. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Many parents in Fritch remember hazing from their own college days as perhaps some harmless pranks or excessive drinking. What’s happening today is different – more systematic, more dangerous, and better hidden. Hazing has evolved into sophisticated patterns of abuse that leverage technology, psychological manipulation, and institutional cover-ups.

The Modern Definition of Hazing

Under Texas law, hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers their mental or physical health or safety for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or holding office in any organization. The key elements Fritch families need to understand:

1. It can be mental or physical – Psychological torment counts just as much as physical abuse
2. Location doesn’t matter – Off-campus houses, Airbnbs, remote retreats are all covered
3. “Consent” is not a defense – Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing under Texas law
4. It’s not just fraternities – Sororities, athletic teams, Corps programs, spirit groups, marching bands, and academic clubs all engage in hazing

The Four Categories of Modern Hazing

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadly form. What we see includes forced “family tree” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, lineups where they must chug until they vomit, and punishment drinking for incorrect answers during trivia. The Stone Foltz case at Bowling Green State University showed exactly how this kills – he was forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey and died from alcohol poisoning.

Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, we now see extreme calisthenics designed to cause injury. In the Bermudez case at UH, he was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in a single session. Other methods include “smokings” (exhaustive workouts), sleep deprivation rituals, food/water restriction, exposure to extreme temperatures, and dangerous physical tests. At Texas A&M, chemical burns from industrial cleaner poured on pledges have required skin graft surgeries.

Psychological and Digital Hazing
This is where hazing has evolved most dramatically. Fritch parents might not recognize:

• 24/7 group chat monitoring with immediate response demands
• Social media humiliation through forced TikTok challenges or Instagram stories
• Geo-tracking via Find My Friends or Life360
• Public shaming in chapter meetings or group texts
• Sleep deprivation through 3 AM “mandatory” meetings
• Isolation from non-member friends and family

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
The most damaging forms include forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (like the “roasted pig” position found in Texas A&M Corps cases), degrading costumes, and racial or sexist role-playing. The Northwestern University football scandal revealed systemic sexualized hazing that had continued for years despite “awareness” training.

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

While fraternities dominate headlines, Fritch families should know that hazing occurs across campus organizations:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs
• Athletic Teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer, swimming)
• Spirit and Tradition Groups (like Texas Cowboys at UT)
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups
• Some Academic and Service Organizations

The common thread isn’t the type of organization but the dynamics of power, tradition, and secrecy that allow abuse to continue.

Texas Hazing Law: What Fritch Families Need to Know

Texas has some of the nation’s clearest hazing laws, but understanding how they work in practice is crucial for Hutchinson County families considering legal action.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

Definition (Section 37.151)
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
• Occurs for purposes of joining, maintaining membership in, or holding office in any organization

Key Points for Fritch Parents:

• “Reckless” is enough – they don’t need to have intended harm
• Mental health harm counts (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
• Off-campus location doesn’t matter
• Your child’s “consent” is irrelevant (Section 37.155 explicitly says consent isn’t a defense)

Criminal Penalties (Section 37.152)

• Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (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

Organizational Liability (Section 37.153)
The organization itself (fraternity, sorority, club) can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report it.

Good-Faith Reporting Protection (Section 37.154)
Students who report hazing in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability. This is critical – your child won’t get in trouble for reporting, even if they were drinking underage.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases

• Brought by the State of Texas (prosecutor)
• Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Your family has little control over the process
• Outcome doesn’t provide compensation for medical bills, therapy, or other losses

Civil Lawsuits

• Brought by victims and families
• Goal: Compensation and accountability
• You control the strategy with your attorney
• Can recover damages for:
  • Medical expenses (past and future)
  • Therapy and counseling
  • Lost educational opportunities
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Wrongful death damages (if applicable)

Most hazing cases involve both tracks running simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required to win a civil case – they operate on different standards of proof.

Federal Laws That Apply in Texas Hazing Cases

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

• Report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthen hazing education and prevention
• Maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026)

Title IX
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. Universities must investigate and take appropriate action.

Clery Act
Requires reporting of certain crimes and maintaining campus safety statistics. Hazing incidents that involve assault, alcohol crimes, or sexual offenses must be included.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Texas Hazing Case?

Fritch families often ask, “Who can we hold responsible?” The answer is more comprehensive than you might think:

Individual Students

• Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, risk manager)

The Local Chapter

• As a legal entity (many are incorporated)
• Chapter housing corporations

National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters

• They set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
• Liability increases if they knew or should have known about patterns

Universities and Governing Boards

• Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some immunity but can still be sued for gross negligence
• Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer protections
• Liability turns on what they knew and failed to prevent

Third Parties

• Landlords of off-campus houses
• Bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop laws)
• Security companies or event organizers

In our Bermudez case against UH and Pi Kappa Phi, we’re suing 17 different defendants – because accountability requires holding every responsible party to answer.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What They Mean for Fritch Families

The tragic cases that make national headlines aren’t just distant stories – they set legal precedents that affect how Texas courts handle hazing cases involving your child.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
The 20-year-old pledge was forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event. He died from alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, $3M from BGSU) and multiple criminal convictions. For Fritch families: This shows how “traditional” drinking nights become lethal, and how universities share liability.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
Forced to participate in a “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant drinking. His blood alcohol reached 0.495%. The case led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute) and a $6.1 million verdict. For Fritch families: This demonstrates how “games” become deadly and how one case can change state law.

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
The bid acceptance night involved extreme drinking, falls captured on security cameras, and delayed medical care. 18 members faced over 1,000 criminal counts. Pennsylvania enacted the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. For Fritch families: Security footage and delayed response are critical evidence issues we see in Texas cases too.

The Physical Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote retreat. He died from traumatic brain injuries. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter – a rare instance of organizational criminal liability. For Fritch families: Off-campus “retreats” are particularly dangerous, and national organizations can face direct criminal prosecution.

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021)
Forced to drink excessive alcohol during a “pledge dad reveal” night, suffering severe, permanent brain damage. He cannot walk, talk, or see and requires 24/7 care. Settlements with 22 defendants reached multi-millions. For Fritch families: Non-fatal injuries can be more costly than death cases due to lifetime care needs.

The Athletic Program Hazing Pattern

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the program over years. Multiple lawsuits, coach fired, confidential settlements. For Fritch families: Hazing isn’t limited to Greek life – athletic programs with multi-million dollar budgets can harbor systemic abuse.

What These National Cases Mean for Your Texas Case

1. Pattern Evidence Matters: When a Texas chapter repeats conduct that caused death elsewhere, it shows foreseeability
2. Institutional Knowledge is Key: Nationals and universities that knew about patterns face greater liability
3. Settlement Values Are Established: The $10M Foltz settlement, $6.1M Gruver verdict, and multi-million Santulli settlements set benchmarks
4. Legislative Momentum Exists: Public outrage after high-profile cases leads to stronger laws

Texas Universities: Where Fritch Students Attend and What Parents Need to Know

Fritch families typically send students to universities across Texas, with many choosing schools in the Panhandle region or major state universities. Understanding the hazing landscape at these schools is crucial.

West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX)

For Fritch Families: Just 45 minutes from Fritch in neighboring Randall County, WTAMU is the most geographically accessible four-year university for Hutchinson County students. Its Greek life and athletic programs attract many local students.

Campus Culture Snapshot:

• Mid-sized public university with growing Greek life
• Active athletic programs (football, basketball, baseball)
• Traditional campus culture with strong regional ties

Documented Hazing Issues:
While WTAMU hasn’t had national headline cases, our research shows recurring patterns:

• Greek life conduct violations involving alcohol hazing
• Athletic team discipline for “initiation” activities
• Social club incidents reported through conduct channels

What Fritch Parents Should Know:

• WTAMU follows Texas hazing reporting requirements
• Incidents often handled internally first
• The university has Greek life advisors and conduct offices
• Local jurisdiction: Randall County courts and Canyon PD

If Your WTAMU Student is Hazed:

1. Report to WTAMU Dean of Students immediately
2. Document everything with timestamps
3. Contact local Canyon attorneys who understand Texas A&M System procedures
4. Consider that evidence may need preservation across county lines (Hutchinson to Randall)

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)

For Fritch Families: Many Hutchinson County students choose Texas Tech for its strong engineering, business, and agricultural programs. The 2.5-hour drive makes it accessible for families while providing a “going away to college” experience.

Campus Culture Snapshot:

• Large public university with vibrant Greek life
• Strong athletic traditions (Big 12 Conference)
• Active Corps of Cadets program
• Known for school spirit and tradition

Documented Hazing Issues:
Texas Tech has faced multiple hazing incidents:

• Fraternity suspensions for alcohol-related hazing
• Sorority discipline for mental hazing practices
• Athletic team violations
• Corps of Cadets investigations

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine Data for Lubbock Metro:
Our tracking shows 59 Greek organizations in the Lubbock metro area, including:

• Texas Tech Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Housing (Lubbock, TX – IRS EIN data)
• Kappa Alpha Order – Texas Tech Chapter (Gamma Chi, per Cause IQ data)
• Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Lubbock chapter (educators’ society)
• Alpha Phi Omega – TTU Chapter (service fraternity)

What Fritch Parents Should Know:

• Texas Tech has a public conduct database (less detailed than UT’s)
• Lubbock PD often handles off-campus incidents
• The university’s size means investigations can be slow
• National fraternities have strong presence here

Texas A&M University (College Station, TX)

For Fritch Families: While farther away (6+ hours), Texas A&M attracts Fritch students through its Corps of Cadets, engineering programs, and family traditions. Many Panhandle families have multi-generation Aggie ties.

Campus Culture Snapshot:

• Massive Greek life system (one of nation’s largest)
• Legendary Corps of Cadets with deep traditions
• Strong athletic programs (SEC Conference)
• Culture steeped in tradition and ritual

Documented Hazing Issues – Serious Cases:

1. Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)

   • Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner
   • Severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
   • $1 million lawsuit filed, fraternity suspended for two years

2. Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023)

   • Cadet allegedly bound between beds in degrading position with apple in mouth
   • Simulated sexual acts and humiliation
   • $1+ million lawsuit filed

3. Multiple Greek Life Suspensions

   • Annual disciplinary actions for alcohol hazing, physical abuse
   • Pattern of “tradition” justifying dangerous conduct

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine Data for College Station-Bryan Metro:
Our tracking shows 42 Greek organizations in the metro, including:

• Sigma Chi Fraternity – Eta Upsilon Chapter (College Station – Cause IQ data)
• Omega Psi Phi – Tau Tau Chapter (Texas A&M – Cause IQ data)
• Beta Theta Pi – Eta Chapter House Corp. (College Station – Cause IQ data)
• Delta Sigma Theta – Brazos Valley Alumnae (College Station – Cause IQ data)

What Fritch Parents Should Know:

• Texas A&M has extensive internal conduct systems
• Corps cases often involve military-style hierarchy and discipline
• The university’s tradition culture can enable hazing
• Brazos County courts handle local cases

University of Texas at Austin

For Fritch Families: UT Austin attracts top students from across Texas, including academically strong Hutchinson County graduates. The 6-hour distance makes it less common but still a destination for ambitious students.

Campus Culture Snapshot:

• Elite academic reputation
• Active Greek life with historic chapters
• Strong athletic programs (Big 12 Conference)
• Diverse student organizations

UT’s Transparency Advantage:
UT maintains a public Hazing Violations page showing:

• Organization names
• Dates of violations
• Summary of conduct
• Sanctions imposed

Example Violations:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter probation
• Texas Wranglers (spirit group): Forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing
• Multiple other fraternities and sororities with documented violations

What Fritch Parents Should Know:

• Check UT’s hazing violation database if concerned about specific organizations
• Austin PD handles off-campus incidents
• Travis County courts have seen multiple hazing cases
• UT’s size means some cases may not make the public list

Other Texas Universities Fritch Students Attend

Amarillo College

• Two-year college with transfer programs to WTAMU and Texas Tech
• Some student organizations with hazing risks
• Local jurisdiction: Potter County

Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls)

• About 3 hours from Fritch
• Greek life and athletic programs
• Documented hazing incidents in past years

University of North Texas (Denton)

• 4.5 hours from Fritch
• Large Greek system
• Multiple hazing investigations annually

The Leonel Bermudez Case: A Texas Hazing Lawsuit in Action

Right now, our firm is actively litigating one of Texas’s most significant hazing cases. Understanding this case shows Fritch families what serious hazing litigation looks like and why experienced counsel matters.

The Facts of the Case

Victim: Leonel Bermudez, University of Houston transfer student
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi, Beta Nu chapter
University: University of Houston
Filed: Late 2025 in Harris County
Damage Demand: $10+ million

The Hazing Conduct

From September to November 2025, Bermudez endured:

Psychological Control

• Mandatory “pledge fanny pack” 24/7 containing condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices, humiliating items
• Enforced dress codes and appearance rules
• Weekly interrogation-style interviews
  3Overnight and late-night driving duties for members

Physical Abuse

• Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races until collapse
• “Save-your-brother” drills designed to exhaust
• Cold-weather exposure in underwear
• 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, then immediate sprints

The November 3 Workout

• 100+ push-ups
• 500 squats
• Creed recitation under threat of expulsion
• Left him unable to stand without help

Other Chapter Conduct

• Another pledge hog-tied face-down on a table with object in mouth for over an hour
• Pledge losing consciousness during early-morning Yellowstone Park workouts

Medical Catastrophe

November 6-9, 2025:

• Bermudez’s urine turned brown
• Could not walk without assistance
• Hospitalized for four days
• Diagnosis: Rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and Acute Kidney Failure
• Critically high creatine kinase levels
• Ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage

Defendants in the Lawsuit

1. University of Houston
2. UH System Board of Regents
3. Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters
4. Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Housing Corporation
5. 13 Individual Fraternity Leaders/Members (president, pledgemaster, sorority relations chair, risk manager, others)

Institutional Response

• November 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu chapter
• November 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender charter; chapter shut down
• UH Statement: Conduct “deeply disturbing,” promises disciplinary measures up to expulsion, cooperation with law enforcement

Why This Case Matters for Fritch Families

1. It’s Current: This isn’t historical – we’re fighting this case right now
2. It’s in Texas: Shows hazing happens here, not just “back East”
3. It’s Comprehensive: We’re suing everyone – university, nationals, housing corp, individuals
4. It Shows Medical Severity: Rhabdomyolysis is a catastrophic injury we see in other Texas cases
5. It Demonstrates Our Approach: We investigate deeply, fight aggressively, and seek full accountability

Fraternities and Sororities: National Histories, Texas Chapters

When your child joins a Greek organization at a Texas university, they’re not just joining a local club – they’re connecting to a national brand with its own history of hazing incidents. Understanding these patterns helps Fritch families assess risks.

Why National Histories Matter in Your Case

National fraternity and sorority headquarters:

• Set policies that local chapters supposedly follow
• Collect dues and maintain oversight
• Have risk management departments
• Keep records of prior incidents

When a Texas chapter repeats conduct that caused death or injury elsewhere, it shows:

1. Foreseeability: The national knew this could happen
2. Pattern Evidence: This isn’t an isolated “rogue chapter”
3. Negligence: Failure to prevent known dangers

Major National Organizations at Texas Campuses

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike)

• National History: Stone Foltz death (BGSU, $10M settlement), David Bogenberger death (NIU, $14M settlement)
• Texas Chapters: Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
• Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol hazing, tradition-based drinking games

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE)

• National History: Multiple deaths nationwide, traumatic brain injury case (Alabama), chemical burns (Texas A&M)
• Texas Chapters: All major Texas campuses
• Pattern: Physical hazing, alcohol coercion, chemical substances

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

• National History: Max Gruver death (LSU, felony hazing law named after him)
• Texas Chapters: Active across Texas
• Pattern: Drinking games disguised as “education”

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

• National History: Andrew Coffey death (FSU), our current Bermudez case (UH)
• Texas Chapters: Multiple Texas campuses including UH
• Pattern: Physical endurance hazing, humiliation rituals

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)

• National History: Multiple hazing suspensions including SMU chapter
• Texas Chapters: Texas A&M, SMU, others
• Pattern: Paddling traditions, alcohol hazing

How We Use This Data in Your Case

When we take a hazing case for a Fritch family, we:

1. Research the National’s History: Subpoena prior incident reports
2. Establish Patterns: Show this conduct has happened before
3. Prove Knowledge: Demonstrate the national knew the risks
4. Build Negligence Case: Show failure to prevent foreseeable harm

Example: If your child was hazed by a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at Texas Tech, we’d obtain records showing they knew about the Stone Foltz death and failed to implement meaningful prevention.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, Damages

For Fritch families considering legal action, understanding how hazing cases are built helps you make informed decisions and preserve critical evidence.

Critical Evidence in Hazing Cases

Digital Communications (Most Important)

• Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, chapter apps
• Text Messages: iPhone/SMS threads between members
• Social Media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook Messenger
• Emails: Chapter communications, national correspondence
• Recovery: Even deleted messages can often be recovered through digital forensics

Photos and Videos

• Event footage on phones
• Social media posts/stories
• Security camera footage from houses
• Ring/doorbell camera recordings

Internal Organization Documents

• Pledge manuals and “tradition” documents
• Meeting minutes mentioning hazing
• Risk management reports
• National policy manuals

University Records

• Prior conduct violations (obtained through discovery)
• Incident reports to campus police
• Dean of Students correspondence
• Clery Act reports

Medical Documentation

• ER records and hospitalization reports
• Lab results (blood alcohol, kidney function)
• Therapy notes for PTSD/depression
• Specialist evaluations

Witness Testimony

• Other pledges
• Former members
• Roommates and friends
• Medical providers
• University staff

The Evidence Preservation Race

Hazing evidence disappears rapidly:

• Group chats are deleted within hours of incidents
• Phones are “cleaned” of incriminating content
• Witnesses are coached on what to say
• Physical evidence (paddles, alcohol bottles) is destroyed

What Fritch Families MUST Do Immediately:

1. Screenshot everything – don’t worry about embarrassment
2. Photograph injuries from multiple angles daily
3. Write detailed notes of what happened while fresh
4. Save physical items – clothing, receipts, objects
5. Contact an attorney within 24-48 hours for preservation demands

Damages: What Your Family Can Recover

Hazing cases seek compensation for:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable)

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Therapy and counseling costs
• Lost educational expenses (withdrawn semesters)
• Lost earning capacity (if permanent injury)
• Future care needs (for catastrophic injuries)

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Humiliation and reputational harm

Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable)

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

Punitive Damages

• Available in cases of gross negligence or intentional conduct
• Designed to punish and deter
• Capped in Texas but significant in hazing cases

Settlement vs. Trial: What to Expect

Most Cases Settle

• Confidential terms often
• Avoids public trial for victim
• Provides certainty and closure
• Typical range: $100,000 to multi-millions depending on injury

When Cases Go to Trial

• Jury decides damages
• Public accountability
• Higher potential recovery but risk
• Lengthy process (2-4 years)

Our Approach for Fritch Families
We prepare every case for trial from day one because:

• Trial readiness gets better settlements
• Defendants know we’re serious
• We never settle cheap just to avoid work

Practical Guide for Fritch Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Immediate Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

Physical Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Weight changes (from food restriction or stress)
• Sleep deprivation (constant late nights, 3 AM calls)
• Injuries to hands/back from paddling or exercise
• Chemical burns or rashes

Behavioral Changes:

• Sudden secrecy about organization activities
• Withdrawal from family and old friends
• Personality changes (anxiety, depression, irritability)
• Defensive when asked about the group
• Fear of “getting in trouble” or “letting the chapter down”
• Obsession with pleasing older members

Academic Red Flags:

• Grades dropping suddenly
• Missing classes or sleeping through them
• Skipping assignments for “mandatory” events
• Losing scholarships or academic standing

Digital Behaviors:

• Constant phone monitoring of group chats
• Anxiety when phone buzzes
• Deleting messages obsessively
• Calls/texts at all hours demanding immediate response
• Social media posts showing concerning activities

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally)

1. “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
2. “Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
3. “What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
4. “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
5. “Have you seen anyone get hurt, or have you been hurt?”
6. “Do you feel like you can leave if you want to?”
7. “Are they asking you to keep secrets?”

48-Hour Action Checklist for Parents

Hour 1-6 (Immediate Crisis):
✅ Medical: If injured/intoxicated, get to ER immediately
✅ Safety: Remove child from dangerous situation
✅ Evidence: Screenshot any messages shown; photograph injuries
✅ Notes: Write down everything they tell you (date, time, details)
✅ Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate guidance

Hour 6-24 (Evidence Preservation):
✅ Digital: Help child preserve all group chats, texts (DO NOT DELETE)
✅ Physical: Secure clothing, receipts, objects used
✅ Medical Records: Request copies of all ER/hospital records
✅ Witnesses: Write down names/contact info for others involved
✅ University: Note any communications from school but don’t respond yet

Hour 24-48 (Strategic Decisions):
✅ Legal Consultation: Speak with experienced hazing attorney
✅ Reporting Decision: Decide whether/how to report (with lawyer’s guidance)
✅ University Response: If school contacts you, refer them to your attorney
✅ Insurance: DO NOT talk to insurance adjusters without lawyer
✅ Evidence Backup: Upload all screenshots/photos to cloud storage

For Students: Safety Planning and Rights

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide
Ask yourself:

• Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to?
• Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would my parents/university approve if they knew exactly what’s happening?
• Are older members making new members do things they don’t do themselves?
• Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this?

If you answered YES to any, it’s likely hazing.

How to Exit Safely

• If in immediate danger: Call 911
• You have the legal right to leave at any time
• Tell someone outside the group first (parent, RA, friend)
• Send email/text to chapter president: “I resign effective immediately”
• Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where pressure/retaliation might occur
• If fearing retaliation, report to Dean of Students and campus police

Your Legal Rights in Texas

• You cannot be punished for calling 911 in an emergency (good-faith reporter immunity)
• Hazing is a crime – you are the victim, not perpetrator
• You can file civil lawsuit even if no criminal charges
• You can request no-contact order through university if harassed after reporting

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Your Child Delete Evidence
   Mistake: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
   Reality: Looks like cover-up, can be obstruction of justice
   Solution: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Organization Directly
   Mistake: “I’ll give them a piece of my mind”
   Reality: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
   Solution: Document everything, call attorney first

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms
   Mistake: Trusting university to handle it fairly
   Reality: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often lowball
   Solution: DO NOT sign anything without attorney review

4. Posting on Social Media Before Talking to Lawyer
   Mistake: “I want people to know what happened”
   Reality: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
   Solution: Document privately; let lawyer control public messaging

5. Letting Your Child Go to “One Last Meeting”
   Mistake: “They just want to talk it out”
   Reality: Pressure, intimidation, extracting harmful statements
   Solution: Once considering legal action, all communication through lawyer

6. Waiting for University to Handle It
   Mistake: “The university is investigating”
   Reality: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
   Solution: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without Lawyer
   Mistake: “They just need my statement to process claim”
   Reality: Recorded statements used against you; early settlements are lowball
   Solution: “My attorney will contact you”

Why Attorney911 for Fritch Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back – and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Texas Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña)
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

• Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
• Use delay tactics to pressure families
• Fight coverage under “intentional act” exclusions
• Deploy Independent Medical Exams to reduce settlements
  Translation for Fritch families: We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello)
As one of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation, we’ve faced billion-dollar defendants before. We’re not intimidated by:

• National fraternities with unlimited legal budgets
• University legal teams with dozens of attorneys
• Insurance companies that drag out cases for years
  Translation for Fritch families: We’ve taken on the biggest corporations and won. We know how to fight powerful defendants.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience
We’ve recovered millions in complex wrongful death cases involving:

• Economists calculating lifetime losses
• Life care planners for catastrophic injuries
• Vocational experts on diminished earning capacity
  Translation for Fritch families: We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force full accountability.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand:

• How criminal hazing charges interact with civil cases
• How to advise witnesses/former members with dual exposure
• Constitutional issues in campus police investigations
  Translation for Fritch families: We handle both sides of hazing cases – criminal defense for those facing charges, civil litigation for victims.

Investigative Depth
Our network includes:

• Digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages
• Medical experts specializing in rhabdomyolysis, TBI, PTSD
• Greek life culture experts
• Institutional policy analysts
  Translation for Fritch families: We investigate like your child’s life depends on it – because it does.

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine
We maintain Texas’s most comprehensive database of Greek organizations, tracking:

• 1,423 fraternities/sororities across 25 Texas metros
• 125+ IRS-registered Texas Greek entities with EINs and addresses
• Campus-by-campus chapter rosters
• National incident patterns
  Translation for Fritch families: We start investigations with more data than most firms collect in a lifetime.

Our Approach to Hazing Cases

We Listen First

• We understand this is traumatic for your family
• We work at your pace
• No pressure to hire us immediately
• Everything you tell us is confidential

We Investigate Thoroughly

• Digital forensics on phones/computers
• Subpoenas for national fraternity records
• Public records requests for university files
• Witness interviews and scene investigation

We Fight Strategically

• Identify ALL potentially liable parties
• Preserve evidence before it disappears
• Build cases for maximum leverage
• Prepare for trial while seeking fair settlement

We Communicate Constantly

• Regular updates (at least every 2-3 weeks)
• Clear explanations of legal processes
• Realistic expectations about timelines
• 24/7 availability for emergencies

Call to Action for Fritch Families

If you or your child has experienced hazing at any Texas campus – whether it’s West Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any other school – we want to hear from you. Families in Fritch, Hutchinson County, and throughout the Texas Panhandle have the right to answers and accountability.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911:

1. We Listen Without Judgment

   • Tell us what happened in your own words
   • Share whatever evidence you have (or don’t have yet)
   • Ask all your questions – no question is too basic

2. We Explain Your Legal Options

   • Criminal reporting possibilities
   • Civil lawsuit pathways
   • University disciplinary processes
   • What each option involves

3. We Review Realistic Outcomes

   • Potential damages based on similar cases
   • Timelines for resolution
   • Challenges you might face
   • Strategic advantages we can leverage

4. We Discuss Costs Honestly

   • Contingency fee basis (we don’t get paid unless you win)
   • No upfront costs or retainers
   • What expenses might be involved
   • How we advance costs and get reimbursed

5. You Decide With No Pressure

   • Take our information home
   • Discuss with family
   • Call back with more questions
   • Hire us when/if you’re ready

Contact 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

Spanish Language Services Available
Hablamos Español – Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish.

Serving Fritch and All of Texas

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including:

• Fritch and Hutchinson County
• The entire Texas Panhandle region
• Students at all Texas universities
• Cases with Texas connections anywhere in the U.S.

Whether your child attends school in Canyon, Lubbock, College Station, Austin, or beyond, Texas hazing law applies, and experienced Texas counsel can help.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

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

2. ABC13 Eyewitness News (KTRK) – “Waterboarding, forced eating, physical punishment: Lawsuit alleges abuse faced by injured pledge at UH’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity”
   https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

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

1. “📱 Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case? | Attorney911 Explains”
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

2. “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case? | Attorney911 with Injury Lawyer Ralph Manginello”
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

3. “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case | Attorney911 with Ralph Manginello”
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

4. “📢 How Do Contingency Fees Work? Injury Lawyer Explains!”
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:

1. Attorney911 – Main Website & Contact
   https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com