A Guide for City of Higgins, Texas Families: Hazing, the Law, and Protecting Your Student

If you are a parent in the City of Higgins, your world is built on community, hard work, and watching your children build their futures. The thought that your son or daughter could be endangered while pursuing that future at a Texas university is a nightmare that feels distant. But right now, just hours from us in Houston, a family’s nightmare became a legal battle we are fighting on their behalf. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student, against the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, the University of Houston, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

The allegations are severe and concrete: a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, enforced dress codes, overnight driving duties, and extreme physical abuse. This included being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, and a November 3rd workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats. The result was a medical catastrophe: rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. Mr. Bermudez passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces an ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended and then shut down. The University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

This case is not an abstract news story. It is active litigation handled by our firm, Attorney911, and it serves as a stark warning to every Texas family, including those of us here in Higgins and throughout the Texas Panhandle. Hazing is not a relic of the past or something that only happens “elsewhere.” It is a present danger in organized groups on campuses across our state, from the University of Houston to Texas A&M, UT Austin, and beyond.

This guide is written specifically for families in Higgins, Lipscomb County, and the surrounding Panhandle region. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, break down the Texas laws designed to protect your child, examine the realities at major Texas universities, and outline the practical, legal steps you can take if the unthinkable happens. Our goal is to arm you with knowledge, because in a crisis, information is power.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call us at Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.

In the First 48 Hours:

1. Get Medical Attention: Insist on an ER visit if there are any signs of injury, intoxication, or illness. Document everything.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It Disappears:
   • Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), text messages, and social media DMs.
   • Photograph any injuries from multiple angles.
   • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, props).
   • Write down everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations, specific acts—while their memory is fresh.
3. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
   • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” their phone.
   • Sign any documents from the university or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Evidence vanishes quickly, and institutions move fast to control the narrative. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation to protect your child’s rights.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025 (It’s Not Just “Pranks”)

For families in Higgins, the concept of hazing might bring to mind outdated movie scenes. Today’s hazing is a calculated spectrum of abuse, often disguised as “tradition,” “team building,” or “bonding.” It is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act expected of someone joining or maintaining membership in a group, that endangers their mental or physical health or safety.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

1. Subtle Hazing (The “Gateway”): Behaviors that emphasize power imbalance and normalize control.

• Mandatory Servitude: Acting as a 24/7 designated driver, cleaning members’ rooms, running personal errands.
• Social Control: Being “on call” via group chat at all hours, requiring permission to socialize outside the group, isolation from non-member friends.
• Deception: Being told to lie to parents, RAs, or university officials about activities.
• Degrading Identities: Being assigned a humiliating nickname or role.

2. Harassment Hazing: Behaviors that cause emotional or physical discomfort, creating a hostile environment.

• Sleep Deprivation: Mandatory late-night or pre-dawn “meetings,” workouts, or tasks.
• Verbal Abuse: Yelling, screaming, insults, and threats.
• Forced Consumption: Eating excessive amounts of bland food (milk, bread, raw onions) or unpleasant substances.
• Strenuous Exercise: “Smokings” or punitive calisthenics far beyond normal conditioning.
• Public Humiliation: Forced to perform embarrassing acts in public or on video.

3. Violent Hazing: Activities with a high potential for catastrophic injury or death.

• Forced Alcohol Consumption: The most common cause of hazing deaths. This includes “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, and games where wrong answers mandate drinking.
• Physical Beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking, or “tackling” rituals.
• Dangerous Physical Tests: “Glass ceiling” rituals, blindfolded challenges, forced fights.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault.
• Exposure & Restraint: Being locked in confined spaces, tied up, or exposed to extreme cold/heat without protection.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

While fraternities and sororities are often in the headlines, hazing pervades many campus groups:

• Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural councils).
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading).
• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs.
• Marching Bands and performance groups.
• Spirit & Tradition Organizations (like Texas A&M’s Corps or certain UT spirit groups).
• Academic Clubs and honor societies.

The common threads are a hierarchy, a desire to “prove” commitment, and a culture of secrecy that protects the group’s reputation over individual safety.

Texas Hazing Law: The Legal Framework Protecting Your Child

Texas has some of the nation’s most clearly defined anti-hazing statutes, found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Understanding this law is crucial for Higgins families.

The Core Definition

Under Texas law, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiating, affiliating with, or maintaining membership in an organization, that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student; or
• Involves consuming any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm.

Key Points for Parents:

• Location Doesn’t Matter: Hazing at an off-campus house, a remote retreat, or an Airbnb is still hazing under Texas law.
• “Reckless” is Enough: The act doesn’t have to be intentionally malicious; if they knew the risk and did it anyway, it qualifies.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (§37.155) explicitly states that the victim’s “consent” to the hazing activity is not a defense to prosecution. The law recognizes the power imbalance and coercion inherent in these situations.

Criminal vs. Civil Liability: Two Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases (The State vs. Individuals/Org):

• Brought by: Local or county prosecutors.
• Goal: Punishment (jail time, fines, probation).
• Penalties in Texas:
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Individuals can also be charged with related crimes: assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, manslaughter.

Civil Cases (Your Family vs. Responsible Parties):

• Brought by: The injured student or their family.
• Goal: Compensation for damages and institutional accountability.
• Basis: Lawsuits for negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress, and premises liability.
• Critical Difference: A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit. The standards of proof are different.

The Full Universe of Liability: Who Can Be Held Responsible?

A thorough hazing lawsuit looks beyond the individual who handed over the bottle. We investigate every link in the chain:

1. Individual Members: Those who planned, executed, or concealed the hazing.
2. Chapter Officers: Presidents, risk managers, pledge educators who had oversight duty.
3. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, if it exists.
4. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: For failing to adequately supervise, train, or intervene despite known patterns of behavior.
5. The University: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to a known risk, or Title IX violations (if sexual harassment is involved).
6. Alumni Boards & Housing Corporations: The legal entities that own and control chapter houses.
7. Third Parties: Property owners of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol.

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

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal funds to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs. This increases transparency for families.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, the university has specific federal obligations to respond promptly and equitably.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to disclose campus crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults.

Lessons from National Tragedy: Why History Matters for Your Case

The horrific case at the University of Houston is part of a devastating national pattern. These cases are not just news stories; they establish legal precedents about foreseeability and institutional knowledge that directly strengthen cases for families in Higgins and across Texas.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died after a bid-acceptance night of forced drinking; brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case led to sweeping reforms and criminal convictions.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died after a “Bible study” drinking game. Led to Louisiana’ Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. His family reached a $10 million settlement with the fraternity national and university.
• Takeaway for Texas Families: The “Big/Little” drinking night is a known, deadly script. When a chapter uses it, the national organization’s prior knowledge of this risk becomes a powerful liability argument.

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded, violent “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted.
• Takeaway: Off-campus retreats are high-risk venues. National organizations can be held criminally liable for the actions of their chapters.

The Athletic Hazing Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread allegations of sexualized and racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, coach firings, and confidential settlements.
• Takeaway: Hazing is not confined to Greek life. Major athletic programs with significant resources can harbor systemic abuse.

What This Means for Higgins Families: When we take a case, we don’t start from zero. We leverage this well-documented national history to show that the risks were foreseeable and that organizations that failed to prevent them should be held accountable. The same national fraternities implicated in deaths in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana have chapters at Texas A&M, UT, and UH.

The Texas University Landscape: A Guide for Higgins Families

For parents in Higgins, your children may attend regional schools like West Texas A&M University in Canyon or Amarillo College, or they may head to the major flagship universities hours away. Wherever they are, understanding the specific campus environment is key. Below, we focus on the major hubs where Texas hazing litigation often centers.

University of Houston (UH) – The Scene of Our Active Litigation

Relevance to Higgins Families: As a major urban research university, UH attracts students from across Texas. The ongoing Pi Kappa Phi case we are handling demonstrates the severe risks present even at commuter-heavy schools.

• Recent Case (Attorney911 Litigation): As detailed in our opening, the Leonel Bermudez vs. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case alleges systematic abuse leading to kidney failure. The chapter was swiftly shut down. Media coverage from Click2Houston and ABC13 provides extensive detail.
• Campus Response: UH stated the conduct was “deeply disturbing” and promised cooperation with law enforcement. This case is a prime example of the university and national organization being named alongside individual members.
• Key Takeaway: Universities can and will shut down chapters after egregious incidents, but civil litigation is often necessary to secure full accountability and compensation for the victim.

Texas A&M University – Tradition, Corps Culture, and Greek Life

Relevance to Higgins Families: Texas A&M is a destination for many Panhandle students. Its unique Corps of Cadets and strong Greek life present specific hazing risks.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged they were forced to perform strenuous activities while being doused with a mixture including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. A lawsuit sought over $1 million.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A former cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound in a “roasted pig” position. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, highlighting that hazing extends beyond Greek life.
• Key Takeaway: The combination of a powerful Greek system and the military-style Corps creates multiple environments where hierarchical abuse can fester. The university’s disciplinary processes often run parallel to civil liability.

University of Texas at Austin – Transparency and Recurring Patterns

Relevance to Higgins Families: UT Austin’s prestige draws students statewide. It is also one of the more transparent Texas schools regarding hazing violations.

• Public Hazing Log: UT maintains an online list of organizations found responsible for hazing, with descriptions of violations.
• Sample Violations: Pi Kappa Alpha (2023) for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; various spirit groups for forced drinking and humiliating acts.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (2024): An exchange student alleged a brutal assault at an SAE party, resulting in broken bones and a dislocated leg, leading to a lawsuit.
• Key Takeaway: UT’s public log is a valuable resource for showing a chapter’s pattern of behavior, which is critical in proving an organization’s negligence was not an isolated mistake.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University – Private School Dynamics

Relevance to Higgins Families: These prestigious private universities attract students seeking specific academic and social environments.

• SMU’s Greek Culture: Has faced incidents like the 2017 Kappa Alpha Order suspension for paddling and forced drinking.
• Baylor’ Context: Following past athletic scandals, Baylor has faced hazing allegations within its baseball program (2020), resulting in player suspensions.
• Key Takeaway: Private universities may have different disciplinary procedures and less public disclosure than public institutions, but they are not immune from liability. Civil discovery can uncover what internal investigations may have found.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Meet Texas Chapters

For a Higgins parent, seeing Greek letters on a shirt is one thing. Understanding the national organization behind them—and its history—is another. This history forms the backbone of a negligence claim against a national headquarters.

Why National Histories Matter in Court:
The law asks: “Did the defendant know or should they have known this could happen?” When a national fraternity like Pi Kappa Alpha has a death from forced drinking at Bowling Green (Stone Foltz), and then a similar “Big/Little” drinking culture leads to injury at a Texas chapter, it becomes indefensible for the national to claim ignorance. This pattern evidence establishes foreseeability.

A Sampling of National Organizations with Documented Histories:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Multiple hazing deaths nationally; known for high-risk “Big/Little” alcohol events.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Often called the “Deadliest Fraternity” by media; multiple deaths and severe injury cases across the country, including the Texas A&M chemical burn case.
• Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver death at LSU led to felony hazing legislation.
• Pi Kappa Phi: The Andrew Coffey death at Florida State and our active UH case involving Leonel Bermudez.
• Kappa Alpha Order: Multiple suspensions for physical hazing, including at SMU.

Our Investigative Advantage: We maintain a proprietary database tracking these national patterns. When we take a case involving one of these organizations, we already have the background to immediately subpoena the national’s records on prior incidents, training manuals, and risk management failures. We don’t start from scratch.

Building a Serious Case: Evidence, Damages, and Our Strategy

If your family is facing this crisis, you need to know what building a case truly entails. It is a methodical, investigative process designed to secure justice and prevent future harm.

The Evidence Pyramid: What Wins Cases in 2025

1. Digital Communications (The Most Critical): Deleted GroupMe chats can be recovered. Texts, Instagram DMs, Snapchat logs, and chapter Discord servers provide a real-time record of planning, execution, and cover-ups.
2. Photos & Videos: Members often document their own misconduct. Social media posts, stories, and videos shared in private groups are invaluable.
3. Medical Records: These objectively document the harm: ER reports, lab results showing toxic alcohol levels or rhabdomyolysis, psychological evaluations for PTSD.
4. Internal Organizational Records: Obtained through subpoena: the national’s risk management files, prior violation reports for the chapter, pledge education “guides.”
5. University Records: Prior conduct complaints against the same group, Clery Act reports, and internal investigation files.
6. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders.

We have a detailed video guide on using your phone to document evidence, a crucial first step for families.

Understanding Damages: What Can Be Recovered

Civil lawsuits seek to make the victim “whole” and hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (ER, hospital, surgery, therapy), future medical care, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship, love, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness or intentional conduct, courts can award damages to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

Navigating Insurance & Institutional Defenses

National fraternities and universities have sophisticated insurance and legal teams. Their common defenses include:

• “The Victim Consented.” (Texas law explicitly rejects this).
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter; We Didn’t Know.” (We counter with their own records showing prior incidents).
• “It Happened Off-Campus, So It’s Not Our Responsibility.” (Case law holds nationals and universities liable for foreseeable off-campus conduct).
• “Our Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts.” (We argue negligent supervision by the national/university is covered).

This is where our unique insider perspective is crucial. Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for large companies. He knows exactly how these insurers evaluate claims, employ delay tactics, and argue for lowball settlements. We use that knowledge to fight for our clients’ full value. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

Practical Guides & Critical Advice for Higgins Families

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Recognize the Signs: Unexplained injuries, extreme fatigue, personality changes (anxiety, withdrawal), secretive phone use, sudden drop in grades.
2. Talk to Your Child: Approach with care, not accusation. Say, “I’m worried about you. Your safety is all that matters to me.”
3. In a Crisis: Get medical care first. Then preserve evidence (screenshots, photos). Do not delete anything.
4. Document Everything: Create a timeline. Note all communications with the university.
5. Consult an Attorney Early: Before speaking to university investigators or insurance adjusters. We can guide you on protecting your child’s rights during the school’s process. Mistakes can ruin a case; watch our video on common client mistakes.

For Students: Your Safety & Rights

• Trust Your Gut: If you feel unsafe, coerced, or humiliated, it’s hazing.
• You Have the Right to Leave: No tradition is worth your life or health.
• Report Safely: You can report to the Dean of Students, campus police, or anonymously through hotlines. Texas law offers protections for good-faith reporters.
• Preserve Evidence: Screenshot everything. Tell a trusted friend or family member what’s happening.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy a Legal Case

1. Deleting Evidence: “Cleaning up” group chats is often seen as obstruction of justice.
2. Confronting the Chapter Directly: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
3. Signing University Settlement Papers Quickly: Universities may offer quick, low-value resolutions that waive your right to sue.
4. Posting on Social Media: Public posts can be used by defense attorneys to challenge your narrative.
5. Waiting Too Long: Texas has a statute of limitations. Evidence and witness memories fade. We explain these deadlines in our video on statutes of limitation.

Why Attorney911 for Your Hazing Case

When your family in Higgins is facing the trauma of hazing, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the depth of the fight and have the proven skill to win it. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) is a Texas-based complex litigation firm built for this exact challenge.

Our Proven Advantage for Texas Hazing Cases:

1. We Are In the Fight Right Now: We are lead counsel in the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit—a major, active Texas hazing case. We are not理论 attorneys; we are in the courtroom litigating against a national fraternity and a state university system as we speak.
2. Insider Insurance Knowledge: Attorney Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as a defense attorney for national insurance companies. He knows the exact tactics fraternity and university insurers use to deny, delay, and devalue claims. We use their playbook against them.
3. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants: Founding attorney Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have no fear of taking on the deepest pockets—whether it’s an international oil giant or a national fraternity with unlimited legal resources.
4. Data-Driven Investigation: We don’t guess. We use tools like our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public records tracking over 1,400 Greek organizations across Texas. We identify every liable entity—local chapters, housing corporations, alumni boards, national headquarters.
5. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Mr. Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal exposure in hazing cases. We can strategically advise families and witnesses navigating both civil and criminal proceedings.
6. A Full Network of Experts: We partner with medical specialists, toxicologists, forensic psychologists, economists, and digital forensics experts to build an irrefutable case about the cause, extent, and lifetime cost of your child’s injuries.
7. Spanish-Language Services: Se habla Español. Mr. Peña is fluent and can serve Spanish-speaking families with full cultural understanding.
8. Contingency Fee Basis: You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case, aligning our success entirely with yours. Learn how this works in our video on contingency fees.

A Final Message to Families in Higgins and Lipscomb County

The values we hold in our Panhandle community—looking out for one another, standing up for what’s right, and protecting our children—are the very values that guide our practice. If hazing has touched your family, whether your student is at West Texas A&M, Texas A&M in College Station, UT in Austin, or any campus in between, you do not have to face this alone.

The institutions involved will have teams of lawyers. You deserve a team that fights just as hard for you.

Contact us today for a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, explain your legal options in clear terms, and help you make the best decision for your family’s healing and future.

Call Attorney911 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Your location in Higgins does not limit your access to experienced counsel. We are here to help.

Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Each case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and law. We encourage you to seek independent legal counsel for advice on your particular situation. The information is current as of late 2025.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources:

• Click2Houston coverage of UH case: 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 coverage of UH case: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Video: Using Your Phone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Video: Statutes of Limitation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Video: Client Mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Video: How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
• Attorney911 Main Website: https://attorney911.com