Hazing Dangers at Texas Universities: A Legal Guide for Families in Daingerfield and Across Morris County
For parents in Daingerfield, Longview, Omaha, and throughout Morris County, sending your child to college is a proud milestone. You envision them gaining an education, lifelong friendships, and a bright future. The nightmare scenario—that your son or daughter could be systematically abused, injured, or worse in the name of “tradition” or “brotherhood”—feels like something from another era or a distant news story. Tragically, it is a present and pervasive danger on campuses across Texas and the nation.
Right now, in Texas, our firm is actively litigating one of the most severe hazing cases in recent memory, proving that these horrors happen here, to our neighbors. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a former pledge at the University of Houston’s Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to a detailed lawsuit filed in late 2025, Bermudez endured months of degrading and violent hazing that culminated in a life-threatening medical catastrophe.
The alleged abuse included being forced to carry a humiliating “pledge fanny pack” at all times, enduring hours-long “study” blocks, acting as an overnight chauffeur, and suffering extreme physical torment. This included cold-weather exposure, being sprayed in the face with a hose in a manner “similar to waterboarding,” and forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed immediately by punitive sprints. The breaking point came on November 3, 2025, when he was forced through over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.
Shortly after, his urine turned brown—a classic sign of severe muscle breakdown. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, requiring a four-day hospitalization. He faces an ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. Following reports, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspended the chapter on November 6, and members voted to surrender their charter on November 14. The University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”
This is not an isolated incident. It is evidence of a systemic failure. If your child attends Texas A&M, UT Austin, the University of Houston, Baylor, SMU, Texas State, or any other Texas campus, they are in an ecosystem where these organizations operate. As hazing litigation attorneys, we help families in Daingerfield, across Northeast Texas, and throughout the state navigate the aftermath of these betrayals, hold every responsible party accountable, and fight for the justice and security your family deserves.
If you suspect your child is being hazed or has been injured in a hazing incident, time is the most critical factor. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, and we provide immediate, aggressive help.
The Greek Ecosystem Surrounding Daingerfield & Northeast Texas Families
When we talk about fraternity and sorority hazing, we are not just talking about a group of college students. We are talking about a complex network of legally recognized organizations—many with substantial assets, insurance policies, and deep connections. To hold them accountable, you must first identify them. Through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built on exhaustive public records research, we maintain detailed data on this network so families never start from zero.
Daingerfield is in Morris County, within the broader Northeast Texas region. While our city may not host a major university campus, our families are directly connected to the statewide Greek system. Students from Daingerfield and neighboring communities like Naples, Hughes Springs, and Linden commonly attend universities within a short drive, as well as the major flagship schools hours away. The organizations at those schools have tentacles that reach back into our region through alumni networks, housing corporations, and funding entities.
Public Records: A Snapshot of Texas Greek Organizations
The following are real entities recorded in Texas, illustrating the depth of the system. This is not an accusation but a demonstration of the landscape we map for every case.
Organizations with IRS Filings in Texas (IRS B83 Records):
- Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc, EIN 273662583, Lufkin, TX 75904
- Sigma Chi Fraternity Zeta Eta, EIN 756060974, Commerce, TX 75429 (Texas A&M University-Commerce)
- Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 752609909, Commerce, TX 75428-2561
- Alpha Tau Omega Housing Corporation of Eta Iota Chapter, EIN 300517788, Nacogdoches, TX 75965 (Stephen F. Austin State University)
- Epsilon Tau Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity, EIN 756053083, Nacogdoches, TX 75961
- Chi Omega Fraternity (Epsilon Zeta), EIN 756041410, Nacogdoches, TX 75965
- Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 352335400, Tyler, TX 75799 (University of Texas at Tyler)
- Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (Epsilon Kappa Chapter), EIN 746064445, Nederland, TX 77627
- Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035
- Sigma Phi Epsilon Texas Gamma Chapter, EIN 911981478, Fort Worth, TX 76109
Metro-Level Greek Presence (From Cause IQ Data):
The broader “Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington” metro area, which influences our region, contains over 510 Greek-related organizations. Examples include:
- Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity in Fort Worth, TX
- Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation in Fort Worth, TX
- Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) national sorority headquarters in the Dallas area
Why This Directory Matters for Your Case
This is more than a list. It is investigative intelligence. The “Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc” in Frisco is a separate legal entity from the national fraternity and the undergraduate chapter at UH. Each entity may carry its own insurance policy and bear its own share of liability. Universities themselves are often enmeshed with these groups through licensing agreements, land leases, and alumni relations. When we take a case for a family in Daingerfield, we already know how to find every organization behind the letters and every insurance policy that may provide coverage. The fight for accountability starts with knowing exactly who you’re fighting.
Where Daingerfield & Morris County Families Send Their Kids to College
The journey from Daingerfield to a college campus is a common one. Our children seek education and opportunity at institutions across the state. Understanding the specific universities they attend—and the Greek life present on those campuses—is the first step in recognizing risk and knowing where to turn if something goes wrong.
Local and Regional Universities (Within Reach for Commuters or Nearby Living):
- Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce, Hunt County) – A major regional university with active Greek life, located just over an hour from Daingerfield.
- University of Texas at Tyler (Tyler, Smith County) – A growing university with Greek organizations, approximately 90 minutes away.
- Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County) – A traditionally strong Greek life school, about an hour and a half drive.
- Texas A&M University-Texarkana (Texarkana, Bowie County) – Serving the far Northeast corner of the state.
Major Statewide University Hubs (Common Destinations for Daingerfield Graduates):
It is a reality that many of our brightest students set their sights on Texas’s largest and most prestigious schools. These institutions have the most extensive and entrenched Greek systems in the state.
- Texas A&M University (College Station, Brazos County)
- University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Travis County)
- University of Houston (Houston, Harris County)
- Baylor University (Waco, McLennan County)
- Southern Methodist University (Dallas, Dallas County)
- Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Lubbock County)
- Texas State University (San Marcos, Hays County)
Whether your child is at A&M-Commerce down the road or UT Austin several hours away, the dynamics of hazing are tragically similar. The organizations at these schools are chapters of the same national brands that have been implicated in deaths and severe injuries across the country.
The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Patterns, Local Harm
The fraternity that allegedly harmed Leonel Bermudez at UH—Pi Kappa Phi—is the same national organization that has faced lawsuits and tragedy elsewhere, like the death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University. This is not coincidence; it is pattern. When we investigate a hazing case for a Daingerfield family, we look at both the local chapter’s conduct and the national organization’s history. This pattern evidence is crucial for establishing that the harm was foreseeable and that the national headquarters failed in its duty to supervise and control its chapters.
Liability Extends Beyond the Student Members
In a hazing lawsuit, the defendant universe is broad. Using the UH case as a blueprint, liable parties can include:
- The Individual Students who planned, executed, or supervised the hazing.
- The Local Chapter as an entity.
- The Chapter’s Housing Corporation (like the Beta Nu corporation in Frisco).
- The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters (like Pi Kappa Phi national).
- The University (like UH and the UH System Board of Regents) for negligent supervision and failure to protect students.
- Alumni Advisors and Chapter Officers.
Our data engine helps us immediately identify these entities. For example, our cross-referenced data shows brand overlaps where the same national organization appears in both IRS records and metro databases. For instance, “Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority” appears in IRS filings in Waco and Commerce, and also as chapter listings in Houston and Beaumont metro data. This interconnectedness shows how we track specific brands across the state.
Texas Hazing Law Explained for Daingerfield Families: Criminal and Civil Liability
Texas has specific laws designed to combat hazing, but navigating them requires an understanding of both the criminal justice system and the civil courts where families seek accountability and compensation.
Texas Education Code, Chapter 37: The Criminal Statute
- Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with a group.
- Key Provision: Consent is NOT a Defense. Even if your child felt pressured to “go along with it,” the law does not accept that as a justification (Texas Education Code § 37.155).
- Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals who fail to report hazing can also face charges.
- Good-Faith Reporter Immunity: The law provides protections for those who report hazing in good faith or seek emergency medical assistance.
Civil Lawsuits for Damages and Accountability
A criminal case is brought by the state to punish wrongdoing. A civil lawsuit is brought by the victim and their family to recover damages and force institutional change. They can proceed simultaneously. In a civil hazing case, we seek compensation for:
- Medical Expenses (past and future, including lifelong care for catastrophic injuries like kidney damage or brain injury).
- Pain and Suffering (physical and emotional).
- Psychological Trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression).
- Lost Educational Opportunity (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships).
- Wrongful Death Damages (in the worst cases, for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and family grief).
We sue under theories of negligence, negligent supervision, premises liability, and, when applicable, violations of Title IX. A critical part of our strategy is overcoming common defenses, such as insurance companies claiming hazing is an “intentional act” excluded from coverage. This is where our insider experience is invaluable.
Building an Unbeatable Case: The Attorney911 Data-Driven Advantage
When you choose Attorney911 to represent your family, you are not just hiring lawyers; you are engaging a strategic unit with a proven playbook for taking on powerful institutions. The Bermudez case is our current flagship, demonstrating our active, aggressive approach.
Our Multifaceted Strategy:
- Immediate Evidence Lockdown: We guide you in preserving digital evidence—screenshots of GroupMe chats, Instagram DMs, location data—before it disappears. As detailed in our video on using your phone to document a legal case, this step is critical.
- Leveraging Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: We use our proprietary directory of Texas Greek entities to identify every potential defendant and insurance policy from day one.
- Uncovering Pattern Evidence: We subpoena national fraternity records to prove prior incidents and knowledge. We obtain university disciplinary records to show a pattern of ignored warnings.
- Insurance Insider Knowledge: Mr. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how insurance companies for fraternities and universities value claims, deploy delay tactics, and fight coverage. We use this insider knowledge to counter their strategies at every turn.
- Preparing for Trial to Force Fair Settlements: Our experience in federal court and complex litigation like the BP Texas City explosion means we are not intimidated by large defense firms. We prepare every case as if it is going to trial, which forces defendants to offer serious settlement negotiations.
We combine this with a network of medical experts, life-care planners, economists, and digital forensics specialists to build an undeniable case of the harm your child has suffered and the lifetime impact it may carry.
Practical Steps for Parents & Students in Daingerfield: What to Do Right Now
If You Suspect Hazing Is Happening:
- Talk to Your Child: Ask open, non-judgmental questions. “Are you safe?” “Is anything making you uncomfortable?” “What happens at these events?”
- Look for Signs: Unexplained injuries, drastic weight change, extreme fatigue, withdrawal from family/friends, anxiety around their phone or group chats, needing money for unexplained “fines” or “requirements.”
- Educate Yourself: Understand that hazing isn’t just physical violence. It can be sleep deprivation, forced servitude, degrading acts, or coerced alcohol consumption.
If Hazing Has Occurred or an Injury Has Happened:
- Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Health comes first. A medical record created at the time is powerful evidence.
- Preserve ALL Evidence: Do NOT let your child delete texts, group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), or social media messages. Take screenshots. Photograph injuries. Write down a timeline of events with names, dates, and locations.
- Report Internally: You can report to the university’s Dean of Students Office, Office of Student Conduct, and campus police. Document these reports.
- Report to Law Enforcement: Serious hazing is a crime. You can file a report with the local police department where the incident occurred.
- Consult a Hazing Attorney BEFORE Making Statements: Do not give formal statements to the university, the fraternity/sorority, or their insurance companies without legal counsel. They are not on your side.
Critical Mistakes to Avoid:
- Waiting to See What the University Does. Universities often prioritize their reputation over your child’s justice. Evidence vanishes quickly.
- Letting Your Child “Handle It” or Go to “One Last Meeting.” This leads to intimidation and evidence destruction.
- Posting About the Incident on Social Media. This can compromise your case and be used against you.
- Not Understanding the Statute of Limitations. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit, but the clock starts ticking immediately. Watch our video explaining Texas statutes of limitations.
Why Daingerfield Families Choose Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases
We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating statewide as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims and their families across Texas, including right here in Daingerfield, Morris County, and all of Northeast Texas. We understand the communities, the schools your children attend, and the profound breach of trust that occurs when hazing shatters a family’s dreams.
Our team brings a unique combination of firepower to hazing litigation:
- Ralph Manginello: With over 25 years of experience, federal court admission, and a background that includes the massive BP Texas City explosion litigation, Ralph is adept at managing complex, high-stakes cases against well-funded institutional defendants.
- Mr. Lupe Peña: Lupe’s previous career as an insurance defense attorney is our secret weapon. He knows the exact tactics fraternity and university insurers will use to deny, delay, and underpay claims. He turns their playbook against them. Hablamos Español – Lupe provides fluent Spanish-language services for Hispanic families.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. We invest our resources, expertise, and time into building the strongest possible claim for your family because our success is tied to yours.
You don’t have to navigate this crisis alone. If your child has been hazed at any Texas university, from Texas A&M-Commerce to the University of Texas at Austin, contact us for a free, confidential consultation. Let us help you secure the evidence, understand your rights, and pursue the accountability that can help your family heal and protect other students.
Call Attorney911 Today: 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
Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and law. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult with an attorney regarding your specific situation.
