Hazing Lawsuit Guide for Tatum Texas Families: Fraternity & Sorority Accountability at Texas Universities

For Tatum Parents: When “Tradition” Becomes Trauma

For families in Tatum, Henderson, Longview, and across Rusk County, sending a child to college is a proud milestone. The excitement of move-in day at a Texas university—be it UT Tyler, Stephen F. Austin, Texas A&M, or the University of Houston—can quickly turn to nightmare when a call comes about an “initiation incident.” What begins as a desire for brotherhood or sisterhood can escalate into systematic abuse, leaving students hospitalized with kidney failure, traumatic brain injuries, or psychological trauma that lasts a lifetime.

Right now, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student at the University of Houston who was brutally hazed by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The detailed allegations reported by KPRC 2, ABC13, and Hoodline describe a pledge period filled with degrading humiliation, forced consumption, and violent physical abuse that caused Bermudez to develop rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passing brown urine and requiring four days of hospitalization with critically high creatine kinase levels.

This case isn’t an isolated incident. It’s a pattern we see across Texas, affecting families from Tatum to Tyler, from students at large state schools to private universities. This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Tatum, Rusk County, and throughout Northeast Texas who need to understand the reality of modern hazing, the legal landscape in Texas, and what true accountability looks like.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES IN TEXAS:

• If Your Child Is in Danger RIGHT NOW: Call 911 for medical emergencies. Then call us: 1-888-ATTY-911.
• In the First 48 Hours: Preserve all digital evidence—screenshot group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), photograph injuries, save any physical items. Write down everything your child tells you. Do not confront the organization, sign anything from the university, or let your child delete messages.
• Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Evidence disappears fast. Universities and national fraternities move quickly to control the narrative. We provide immediate consultations to protect your child’s rights and begin the investigation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Tatum Students

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks. It is intentional, often violent, behavior designed to assert power and create loyalty through fear and trauma. For Tatum students at universities across the state, hazing typically falls into three escalating categories.

Subtle Hazing (The “Gateway”)

This creates a power imbalance and sets the stage for worse. It includes mandatory, round-the-clock “pledge duties” like being an on-call chauffeur, forced “study blocks” that interfere with class, carrying humiliating “pledge fanny packs” (as in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case), and social isolation from non-members. Digitally, it involves 24/7 monitoring through group chats, required location-sharing, and social media policing.

Harassment Hazing (Psychological & Physical Discomfort)

This causes measurable harm. It includes sleep deprivation from 3 AM wake-up calls, verbal abuse and “roasts,” forced consumption of unpalatable foods (like the milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns forced on Bermudez), and extreme, punitive calisthenics. At UH, pledges were forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass and perform “save-your-brother” drills.

Violent Hazing (High Risk of Injury or Death)

This is criminal conduct. It includes forced alcohol consumption (the leading cause of hazing deaths), physical beatings and paddling, dangerous “tests” like blindfolded tackles, sexualized acts, kidnapping, and exposure to extreme elements. In the active UH lawsuit, Bermudez was sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” threatened with actual waterboarding, and another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: A Framework for Tatum Families

Texas has specific laws meant to protect students. Understanding them is crucial for accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37 (The Hazing Statute)

The law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with a group. Key provisions for Tatum families include:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. It is also a crime to fail to report hazing or to retaliate against someone who does.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (§37.155) explicitly states that a victim’s “agreement” to participate is not a legal defense. This directly counters the common fraternity argument that “they wanted to be part of the tradition.”
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 and lose university recognition.
• Immunity for Good Faith Reporting: Students who call for help in an emergency are protected from certain disciplinary actions, encouraging life-saving intervention.

Civil Lawsuits vs. Criminal Charges

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA or county attorney). Goal is punishment (jail, fines, probation). A criminal conviction is powerful but not required for a civil case.
• Civil Lawsuits: Brought by the victim and their family. Goal is financial compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, future care) and institutional accountability. Our lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez is a civil action seeking compensation for his catastrophic injuries and to force change.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

In a civil case, we pursue every entity with responsibility:

1. Individuals: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. Local Chapter: The chapter as an entity and its officers (President, Pledgemaster, Risk Manager).
3. National Headquarters: For failing to supervise, enforce policies, or act on known patterns. Pi Kappa Phi’s national organization is a defendant in the UH case.
4. The University: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or Title IX violations. The University of Houston and its Board of Regents are named defendants.
5. Housing Corporations & Alumni Groups: These separate legal entities often hold insurance and property. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Housing Corporation is also a defendant.

The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi

This active lawsuit, which we are litigating, exemplifies the brutal reality of modern hazing and the complex web of liability. For Tatum families, it demonstrates what we are capable of uncovering and fighting against.

The Hazing Conduct: Beginning in Fall 2025, Bermudez was subjected to a regime of abuse as a Pi Kappa Phi pledge. This included the degrading “pledge fanny pack,” enforced dress codes, overnight driving duties, and violent physical hazing at the chapter house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park. Specific acts included being sprayed with a hose, forced to overconsume food until vomiting, and a November 3rd “workout” of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

The Medical Catastrophe: This abuse led to rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. Bermudez was hospitalized for four days with life-threateningly high creatine kinase levels and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

The Institutional Response: After reports surfaced, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspended the chapter on November 6, 2025. On November 14, the chapter members voted to surrender their charter, shutting it down. The University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised cooperation with law enforcement.

Why This Matters for Tatum: This case shows that hazing is not a relic of the past. It is happening now at major Texas universities, involving national organizations, and causing life-altering injuries. It also shows the level of investigative detail and legal strategy required to hold every responsible party accountable—a strategy we apply for every client. Detailed coverage is available from KPRC 2 and ABC13.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Mapping the Greek Ecosystem for Tatum Families

Most families start from zero. We don’t. We maintain a proprietary data engine built from public records to understand the full landscape of Greek organizations in Texas. This allows us to immediately identify all potentially liable entities behind a fraternity or sorority.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Connected to Tatum Families

If your child in Tatum is hazed, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek letters. Below is a sample from our directory of Texas-registered organizations compiled from IRS and public data. This is the level of detail we use to launch an investigation.

Local & Regional Entities (Northeast Texas & Key University Areas):

• Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) Campus Entities:
  • Alpha Tau Omega Housing Corporation of Eta Iota Chapter, EIN 300517788, 316 E Lakewood St, Nacogdoches, TX 75965. IRS B83 filing.
  • Phi Kappa Psi Texas Epsilon Chapter, EIN 452729519, 1936 N St SFA Station Box 6159, Nacogdoches, TX 75965. IRS B83 filing.
  • Epsilon Tau Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity, EIN 756053083, 321 Old Tyler Rd, Nacogdoches, TX 75961. IRS B83 filing.
• University of Texas at Tyler & East Texas Area:
  • Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 352335400, 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75799. IRS B83 filing (academic honor society at UT Tyler).
• University of Houston & Greater Houston Area (A Major Destination for Texas Students):
  • Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 746084905, 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204. IRS B83 filing.
  • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Beta Sigma Chapter, Houston, TX. Cause IQ Metro Listing (Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land).
  • Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 462267515, 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035. IRS B83 filing (entity connected to the UH chapter in our lawsuit).

Statewide & National Organizations with Texas Presence:

• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, EIN 746064445, 1855 Highway 69 N, Nederland, TX 77627. IRS B83 filing. Also appears as “Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity” in Houston Cause IQ data.
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 364091267, 1101 Melrose Dr, Waco, TX 76710. IRS B83 filing. Also appears in Cause IQ data for Houston and Beaumont metros.
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, EIN 237279532, PO Box 2142, Prairie View, TX 77446. IRS B83 filing. Multiple alumni chapters across Texas metros.
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc., EIN 741380362, PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147. IRS B83 filing. Also in Dallas-Fort Worth Cause IQ data.

This data represents over 1,400 Greek-related organizations we track across 25 Texas metros. When your family contacts us, we already know how to find the legal entities, insurance policies, and organizational charts behind the abuse.

Where Tatum Families Send Their Kids: Campus Hazing Realities

Tatum students attend universities across Texas. Each campus has its own Greek ecosystem and hazing history. Understanding these environments is key.

The University of Texas at Tyler & East Texas Region

For many Tatum families, UT Tyler, Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, and LeTourneau in Longview are local options. These campuses have active Greek life governed by the same Texas laws. Incidents may involve Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternities, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations, and academic clubs. Evidence preservation and reporting to the local Dean of Students office are critical first steps, but families must be prepared for institutional pushback.

Texas A&M University

As a flagship destination, Texas A&M has a vast Greek system and the unique culture of the Corps of Cadets. The Corps has faced serious hazing allegations, including a 2023 lawsuit alleging cadets were bound in “roasted pig” positions. Fraternities like Sigma Alpha Epsilon have faced lawsuits at A&M over hazing that caused severe chemical burns. The university’s size and tradition can complicate investigations, requiring attorneys who understand both collegiate and military-style structures.

University of Houston

Our active litigation against UH and Pi Kappa Phi highlights severe, ongoing issues. UH has multiple Greek councils with dozens of chapters. Prior incidents, like a 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case involving a lacerated spleen, show a pattern. Cases here may involve Houston Police Department (HPD) and the Harris County court system, venues where we have extensive experience.

University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin publishes a public hazing violations log—a transparency tool we use to establish patterns. Entries show sanctions for forced drinking, punitive workouts, and psychological abuse across IFC, Panhellenic, and spirit groups like the Texas Cowboys. This public record is invaluable evidence in civil suits to prove an organization’s repeat offenses.

Baylor University & Southern Methodist University (SMU)

These private universities have significant Greek life and their own disciplinary processes. SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended for paddling and forced drinking. Baylor’s athletic programs have faced hazing scandals. Private school status doesn’t shield them from Texas hazing law or civil liability, but it requires strategic navigation of internal policies and potential arbitration clauses.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Our Advantage

Winning a hazing case requires converting trauma into a legally compelling narrative. Here’s how we build that case for Tatum families.

Evidence Collection: The Digital Crime Scene

The most critical evidence now exists on phones and in the cloud. Our immediate preservation protocol includes:

• Group Chats: Screenshots of GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, and text threads showing planning, coercion, and bragging.
• Social Media: Archived posts, stories, and DMs from Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok that document events or injuries.
• Medical Records: Comprehensive records linking injuries directly to hazing events. For rhabdomyolysis, this includes creatinine kinase (CK) levels and kidney function panels.
• University Records: Obtained via subpoena, these include prior conduct reports, Clery Act logs, and internal emails showing what the school knew.
• National Fraternity Files: Discovery into the national organization’s risk management files, prior incident reports, and communication with the local chapter.

We have a guide on using your phone to document legal evidence.

Overcoming Institutional Defenses

We anticipate and dismantle the standard defenses:

• “They Consented”: Texas law voids this. We demonstrate coercion through power imbalance and social pressure.
• “Rogue Chapter / We Didn’t Know”: We use our data engine and discovery to prove national HQ had pattern knowledge from other chapters. In the Pi Kappa Phi case, the national’s rapid suspension of the chapter admits knowledge of serious misconduct.
• “It Was Off-Campus”: Liability is based on relationship and control, not just geography. Nationals that collect dues and universities that recognize chapters retain responsibility.
• “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts”: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense lawyer. He knows how to argue that negligent supervision by the national or university is a covered claim, breaking through coverage denials.

Damages: Accounting for Full Harm

We fight to recover everything families have lost and will lose:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, lifelong care for permanent injury), lost tuition from withdrawn semesters, and diminished future earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the ultimate tragedy, we seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and the family’s emotional suffering.
• Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, to punish the defendants and deter future conduct.

For Tatum Parents & Students: Practical Guides and Urgent FAQs

A Parent’s 48-Hour Action Plan

1. Ensure Safety & Medical Care: Get your child to an ER. Be honest with doctors: “This was a hazing incident.”
2. Preserve Digital Evidence: Help your child screenshot EVERY relevant group chat, DM, and social media post. Do not delete anything.
3. Document Physically: Photograph injuries from multiple angles with a ruler for scale. Save any clothing or objects involved.
4. Write a Narrative: Have your child write down everything they remember: names, dates, times, locations, specific acts.
5. Contact an Attorney BEFORE Reporting: Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911. We will guide you on how to report to the university and/or police in a way that protects your rights and evidence. Avoid common client mistakes that can ruin a case.
6. Do NOT: Contact the fraternity/sorority, sign university resolution offers, or post on social media.

Critical FAQs for Tatum Families

“Can we sue the university?”
Yes. Public universities like UT Tyler, Texas A&M, and UH have sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private schools like Baylor and SMU have fewer immunity barriers. Our lawsuit against UH is a live example.

“What if it happened at an off-campus house?”
Location is not a barrier to liability. The organization and members are still responsible. The national fraternity and university may still be liable based on their relationship to the chapter and knowledge of its activities.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. However, complexities like the discovery rule (when you learned of the harm) or the victim’s age can affect this. Do not wait. Learn more about statutes of limitations here.

“We can’t afford a lawyer.”
We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we cover all case costs upfront, and you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case through settlement or trial. See how contingency fees work.

Why Tatum Families Choose Attorney911 for Hazing Litigation

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury firm. You need attorneys who understand the intricate, defensive world of national fraternities and university legal teams. From our Texas offices, we serve Tatum and families across the state with a unique combination of expertise.

Our Proven Competitive Advantages

• Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense lawyer for national insurance companies. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers value claims, deploy delay tactics, and fight coverage. We know their playbook because we used to run it.
• Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by billion-dollar corporations, national fraternities, or large university systems. We’ve faced them before.
• Active, High-Stakes Hazing Litigation: We are not theorists. We are currently leading the $10 million Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. This gives us current, practical knowledge of hazing litigation strategy, evidence standards, and defendant tactics.
• Data-Driven Investigation: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, exemplified by the public records directory in this article, means we start investigations ahead of the curve. We identify liable entities and insurance policies from day one.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Capability: Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits. We can effectively advise clients navigating both systems.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If hazing has impacted your child and your family in Tatum, Longview, Henderson, or anywhere in Texas, you do not have to navigate this alone. The universities and national organizations have teams of lawyers. You deserve dedicated advocates who fight only for you.

We offer a confidential, no-cost consultation to:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have preserved.
• Explain your family’s legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Detail our investigative process and proven strategy.
• Discuss our contingency fee structure—no fee unless we win.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 Today:

• 24/7 Phone: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Email Lupe Peña (Se habla Español): lupe@atty911.com

Let us put our experience, data, and unwavering commitment to work for your family. Call now.

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