The Definitive Guide to Hazing Litigation for Snyder, Texas Families: Holding Fraternities, Sororities & Universities Accountable

An Urgent Message for Parents in Snyder & Across West Texas

Imagine this scenario, one that has become tragically familiar: Your child, a bright student from Snyder, has joined a fraternity or sorority at one of Texas’s major universities. What begins as excitement about new friendships and campus involvement slowly turns concerning. There are late-night calls, unexplained injuries, sudden withdrawal from family conversations, and a growing fear in their voice when they mention “mandatory” events. Then comes the phone call no parent wants—your child is in the hospital with kidney failure, severe physical injuries, or psychological trauma from what they euphemistically call “traditions.”

Right now, in Harris County, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after severe hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case, Bermudez endured forced consumption of food until vomiting, extreme physical workouts, humiliation with a “pledge fanny pack,” and being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” His urine turned brown, he was hospitalized for four days, and he faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

This $10 million lawsuit against UH, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, and 13 individual fraternity leaders is not an isolated incident. It’s part of a pattern affecting Texas families from Snyder to Houston, College Station to Austin. For parents in Snyder, Scurry County, and throughout West Texas, this case represents exactly what can—and does—happen when powerful institutions fail to protect students.

This comprehensive guide serves Snyder families who need answers about hazing at Texas universities. We’ll explain what modern hazing really looks like, break down Texas law, examine patterns at universities where Snyder students attend, and detail how experienced legal counsel can pursue accountability. Whether your child attends Texas Tech University in nearby Lubbock, Texas A&M in College Station, or any campus across Texas, the legal principles and institutional patterns remain disturbingly consistent.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

Call 911 for medical emergencies
Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
- Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately – watch our video on using your phone to document evidence
- Photograph injuries from multiple angles
- Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
Do NOT:
- Confront the fraternity/sorority
- Sign anything from the university or insurance company
- Post details on public social media
- Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
Universities move quickly to control the narrative
We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

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

Many Snyder parents remember hazing as “pranks” or “initiation rituals” from their college days. What’s happening today is more systematic, more dangerous, and more hidden than ever before. Modern hazing combines traditional power imbalances with digital coercion and sophisticated cover-up tactics.

The Digital Transformation of Hazing

Today’s hazing often begins and proliferates in digital spaces before manifesting in physical abuse. Snyder students might experience:

24/7 Digital Control: Pledges are required to maintain constant communication through GroupMe, WhatsApp, or Discord servers. Failure to respond instantly at any hour—even 3 AM—triggers punishment. Location-sharing through apps like Find My Friends becomes mandatory, creating unprecedented surveillance.

Social Media Humiliation: Compromising photos or videos taken during hazing events circulate in private group chats or, worse, public platforms. Students from Snyder might be forced to create TikTok videos performing humiliating acts or post embarrassing content on Instagram stories as “proof of loyalty.”

Evidence Destruction Protocols: Fraternities and sororities now coach members on digital hygiene—using disappearing messages on Snapchat or Signal, creating burner accounts, and systematically deleting group chats after hazing events. This isn’t accidental; it’s institutionalized obstruction.

The Physical Realities Beyond the Stereotypes

While alcohol-related hazing remains prevalent, Snyder families should understand the full spectrum:

Medical Danger Hazing: The Leonel Bermudez case exemplifies this category—extreme physical exertion leading to rhabdomyolysis, where muscle breakdown floods the bloodstream with toxins that can cause kidney failure and death. This isn’t “just working out”; it’s calculated, supervised overexertion designed to break pledges.

Chemical and Substance Hazing: Beyond alcohol, Snyder students have reported forced consumption of:

Industrial cleaning chemicals (as in the Texas A&M SAE case that caused chemical burns requiring skin grafts)
Large quantities of milk, hot sauce, or other foods to induce vomiting
Unknown substances or “mystery drinks” during initiation rituals

Psychological Warfare: Sleep deprivation extends beyond “all-nighters”—we’ve seen cases where Snyder students were woken hourly for days, forced to memorize obscure facts, then punished for inevitable failures. This creates cognitive impairment that parallels torture techniques.

Retreat Hazing: Organizations increasingly move the most severe hazing off-campus to Airbnb rentals, remote cabins, or members’ family properties outside Snyder. This deliberate location change avoids campus security cameras and jurisdictional boundaries, making investigations harder.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas Statutes and Federal Protections

For Snyder families navigating a hazing crisis, understanding the legal landscape is critical. Texas has specific statutes governing hazing, supplemented by federal laws that create additional accountability avenues.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Foundation

Texas law defines hazing broadly and provides clear consequences. For Snyder parents, these key provisions matter most:

§ 37.151 Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for purposes of initiation into, affiliation with, or maintaining membership in any organization that:

Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
Includes forced consumption of alcohol, drugs, or other substances
Involves physical brutality or excessive physical activity
Involves sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, or confinement
Involves activity that induces extreme mental stress, shame, or humiliation

Critical for Snyder Families: The law applies on or off campus and regardless of whether the victim “consented.” Location doesn’t immunize conduct.

§ 37.152 Penalties: Hazing escalates based on harm:

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

§ 37.155 Consent Defense Eliminated: Texas explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.” This legal principle is vital for Snyder families who hear “your child agreed to it.”

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Different Paths to Accountability

Snyder families often ask: “Should we pursue criminal charges, a civil lawsuit, or both?” The answer depends on your goals:

Criminal Prosecution:

Initiated by the state (DA’s office)
Requires evidence “beyond a reasonable doubt”
Outcomes: jail time, fines, probation, criminal records
Limited to Snyder’s jurisdiction: If hazing occurred in Lubbock (Texas Tech), prosecution would be through Lubbock County DA, not Scurry County

Civil Litigation:

Initiated by victims/families like yours from Snyder
Standard: “preponderance of evidence” (more likely than not)
Outcomes: Financial compensation, injunctive relief, policy changes
Jurisdiction follows defendants: Can sue in county where harm occurred, where defendants reside, or where organization is headquartered

Our Approach for Snyder Clients: We typically recommend pursuing both tracks simultaneously when evidence supports it. Criminal convictions strengthen civil cases, while civil discovery can uncover evidence prosecutors might miss.

Federal Law Overlay: Title IX, Clery, and Campus Accountability

Beyond Texas law, federal statutes create additional obligations for universities receiving federal funding—which includes all major Texas public universities:

The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires universities to:

Publicly report hazing incidents annually starting 2026
Implement comprehensive hazing prevention programs
Maintain accessible reporting systems
This transforms internal campus discipline into public accountability

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based discrimination, universities have independent obligations to investigate and remedy. For Snyder students, this might apply if hazing included forced nudity, sexualized rituals, or gender-based humiliation.

Clery Act: Requires universities to disclose campus crime statistics and maintain public crime logs. Hazing incidents involving assaults, alcohol crimes, or other reportable offenses must be documented and disclosed.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Our Data-Driven Advantage for Snyder Families

What separates serious hazing litigation from generic personal injury work is investigative depth. For Snyder families, we maintain what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a proprietary database tracking over 1,423 fraternity and sorority entities across 25 Texas metros. This isn’t abstract; it’s concrete data that wins cases.

Public Records Directory: Organizations Serving Snyder-Area Students

As parents in Snyder, you deserve to know who stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. Below are examples from our public records tracking:

Texas-Registered Greek Organizations (IRS B83 Records):

KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC | EIN: 133048786 | 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845-6681 | IRS B83 filing
SIGMA PHI EPSILON TEXAS ETA | EIN: 824398421 | 1305 FM 359 Rd, Richmond, TX 77406-2017 | IRS B83 filing
BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC | EIN: 462267515 | 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035-6629 | IRS B83 filing
ALPHA EPSILON PI FRATERNITY | EIN: 262025321 | 920 W Prairie St, Denton, TX 76201-5816 | Mu Gamma Chapter | IRS B83 filing
TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC | EIN: 741380362 | PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147-0061 | IRS B83 filing
PI KAPPA PHI DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER BUILDING CORPORATION | EIN: 371768785 | 4102 Eastshore St, Missouri City, TX 77459-1820 | IRS B83 filing
SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER | EIN: 746084905 | 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204-3067 | IRS B83 filing
HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 900293166 | 114 Henderson Hall 4233 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-0001 | Texas A&M University | IRS B83 filing
ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 475370943 | 5019 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204-7005 | Theta Delta | IRS B83 filing
CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY | EIN: 740555581 | 2711 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705-4018 | Chi Omega House Corporation | IRS B83 filing

Lubbock Metro Area Greek Organizations (Serving Texas Tech & Snyder-Area Students):

Texas Tech Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Housing | Lubbock, TX | Cause IQ metro listing
Kappa Alpha Order – Texas Tech (Gamma Chi) | Lubbock, TX | Cause IQ metro listing
Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Lubbock | Lubbock, TX | Cause IQ metro listing
Alpha Phi Omega – TTU Chapter | Lubbock, TX | Cause IQ metro listing
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – TTU Health Sciences Center | EIN: 820644459 | 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX 79430-0002 | IRS B83 filing
Farm House Fraternity Inc | EIN: 751565336 | 3 Greek Cir, Lubbock, TX 79416-5814 | Texas Tech University Chapter | IRS B83 filing

Why This Directory Matters for Snyder Families: When hazing occurs, these aren’t just “college clubs.” They’re registered legal entities with Employer Identification Numbers, insurance policies, and organizational structures. We track them so Snyder families don’t start from zero when seeking accountability.

Where Snyder Families Send Their Kids: Campus-Specific Hazing Realities

Snyder students attend universities across Texas, each with distinct Greek ecosystems and hazing patterns. Here’s what Snyder parents need to know about specific campuses:

Texas Tech University (Most Proximate Major University to Snyder)

For Snyder Families: Located just 90 miles north in Lubbock, Texas Tech represents the closest major university for many Snyder students. Its Greek life involves 59+ registered organizations in the Lubbock metro area.

Documented Incidents & Patterns:

Multiple fraternity suspensions for alcohol-related hazing violations
Physical hazing incidents involving forced calisthenics and endurance tests
Recent emphasis on “off-campus retreat” hazing to avoid university oversight

Texas Tech’s Reporting Structure: Snyder parents should know that hazing reports go through the Office of Student Conduct, with potential involvement of Texas Tech Police Department for criminal matters. Civil cases typically proceed through Lubbock County courts.

Snyder-Specific Considerations: The proximity means Snyder families may be dealing with medical care at Covenant Health or University Medical Center in Lubbock, and legal proceedings in Lubbock County rather than Scurry County. We maintain relationships with medical experts and investigators in the Lubbock area specifically for West Texas cases.

West Texas A&M University (Regional Option)

For Snyder Families: Located in Canyon (Amarillo metro), approximately 110 miles north, WTAMU serves many Panhandle and South Plains students.

Greek Life Context: 18 registered Greek organizations in the Amarillo metro, including:

Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association | EIN: 752290669 | 7501 Alexandria Ave, Amarillo, TX 79118-6252
Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter | Canyon, TX | Cause IQ listing
Alpha Tau Omega – Zeta Kappa Chapter | Canyon, TX | Cause IQ listing

Key Insight for Snyder Parents: Smaller regional universities often have less public scrutiny but similar hazing patterns. Their cases may require different media and legal strategies than major universities.

Major Statewide Universities Attended by Snyder Students

Texas A&M University (College Station):

Corps of Cadets Culture: Military-style traditions with documented hazing cases including the “roasted pig” binding incident
SAE Chemical Burns Case: Sigma Alpha Epsilon forced pledges to endure substances causing severe burns requiring skin grafts
Greek Life Scale: 42+ registered organizations in College Station-Bryan metro

University of Texas at Austin:

Public Transparency Leader: UT maintains a public hazing violations log—Snyder parents can check organizations before allowing membership
Documented Patterns: Multiple Pi Kappa Alpha violations for forced milk consumption and calisthenics
Greek Ecosystem: 154+ organizations in Austin-Round Rock metro

University of Houston (Site of Our Flagship Bermudez Case):

Urban Commuter Context: Different dynamics than residential campuses
Pi Kappa Phi Case: The $10M Bermudez lawsuit demonstrates severe physical hazing risks
Reporting Reality: UHPD and Houston Police Department jurisdictional overlaps

Baylor University & Southern Methodist University:

Private University Dynamics: Different reporting obligations and transparency standards
Documented Incidents: Baylor baseball hazing suspensions; SMU Kappa Alpha Order paddling incident
Insurance Complexities: Private schools often have different insurance structures than public institutions

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Snyder Families Can Learn from History

The hazing affecting Snyder students today follows decades-old patterns that national organizations have failed to eliminate. These precedents matter for your case:

Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: The Deadliest Script

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State (Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021):

Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
$10 million settlement ($7M from national Pike, $3M from university)
Takeaway for Snyder: The “Big/Little” tradition exists at Texas chapters too

Max Gruver – LSU (Phi Delta Theta, 2017):

“Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking
0.495% BAC at death
Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act created felony hazing statute
Takeaway for Snyder: “Drinking games” aren’t games—they’re deadly rituals

Timothy Piazza – Penn State (Beta Theta Pi, 2017):

Bid acceptance night with extreme drinking
18 fraternity members charged with over 1,000 criminal counts
Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law enacted
Takeaway for Snyder: Delayed medical care dramatically increases liability

Physical Hazing Pattern: Beyond “Just Working Out”

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College (Pi Delta Psi, 2013):

Blindfolded, weighted “glass ceiling” ritual at off-campus retreat
Fatal head injuries; delayed 911 call
National fraternity convicted of manslaughter
Takeaway for Snyder: “Retreats” are high-risk environments

Texas A&M SAE Chemical Burns (2021):

Industrial cleaner poured on pledges causing severe burns
Skin graft surgeries required
$1 million lawsuit filed
Takeaway for Snyder: Hazing methods evolve to include chemical dangers

Athletic & Corps Hazing Patterns

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025):

Sexualized, racist hazing allegations
Multiple lawsuits against university and coaches
Confidential settlement with fired head coach
Takeaway for Snyder: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to athletics

Texas A&M Corps “Roasted Pig” Case (2023):

Cadet bound between beds with apple in mouth
$1+ million lawsuit filed
Takeaway for Snyder: Military-style organizations have unique hazing risks

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages for Snyder Families

When Snyder families come to us after a hazing incident, we implement a systematic approach honed through cases like the UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit.

Evidence Collection: The Digital Crime Scene

Immediate Preservation Protocols for Snyder Families:

Group Chat Capture: Screenshot entire threads from GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage before deletion. Include timestamps and participant names.
Social Media Documentation: Save Instagram stories, TikTok videos, Snapchat memories before they disappear. According to our video on using your phone to document evidence, proper documentation can make or break a case.
Medical Correlation: Document symptoms with photos (brown urine, bruises, injuries) and immediately connect them to medical records. In the Bermudez case, the “brown urine” evidence was critical for proving rhabdomyolysis.
Witness Identification: List all participants, bystanders, and enablers while memories are fresh. Other Snyder-area pledges may be afraid to come forward initially but often cooperate once a case is filed.

Our Investigation Process for Snyder Cases

Phase 1: Immediate Evidence Triage (0-48 Hours)

Digital forensics consultation to recover deleted messages
Preservation letters to universities and organizations
Medical record collection from Snyder-area hospitals or campus health centers

Phase 2: Organizational Mapping (Weeks 1-4)

Identify all potential defendants using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine
Research prior incidents at same chapter and national level
Subpoena university conduct records

Phase 3: Discovery & Expert Development (Months 2-12)

Depose members, officers, advisors
Consult medical experts on injuries (rhabdomyolysis specialists for cases like Bermudez’s)
Economic analysis of damages with life-care planners for catastrophic injuries

Damages Framework: What Snyder Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

Medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, ongoing treatment)
Future medical care (dialysis for kidney damage, therapy for PTSD)
Lost educational costs (withdrawn semesters, transferred schools)
Diminished earning capacity (if permanent injury affects career)

Non-Economic Damages (Substantial but Real):

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, humiliation, PTSD
Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families):

Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of companionship and support
Emotional anguish of Snyder parents and siblings

Punitive Damages (When Conduct Warrants):

Available when defendants show reckless indifference or intentional misconduct
The Pi Kappa Phi case allegations—forcing someone to lie in vomit, simulated waterboarding—could support punitive claims

Practical Guide for Snyder Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Snyder Student May Be Hazed

Physical Indicators:

Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns (especially patterned injuries)
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden weight changes from food/water manipulation
Signs of alcohol poisoning or substance use (even if not typical for your child)

Behavioral Changes:

Secretiveness about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and non-Greek friends
Personality shifts: anxiety, depression, irritability
Defensiveness when asked about the group
Constant phone monitoring for group chat messages

Academic Red Flags:

Grades dropping suddenly
Missing classes or assignments for “mandatory” events
Sleep deprivation affecting performance

Critical Questions for Snyder Parents to Ask

“What exactly happens at new member events?”
“Are you ever pressured to drink or use substances?”
“Do you feel safe saying no to activities?”
“What happens if someone refuses to participate?”
“Are you required to keep secrets from the university or family?”

Immediate Action Steps for Snyder Families

Within First 24 Hours:

Medical Priority: Get professional medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor. Internal damage like rhabdomyolysis may not be immediately apparent.
Evidence Preservation: Follow our evidence documentation guide. Assume any digital evidence will be deleted within days.
University Notification: Report to Dean of Students office, but understand their interests may conflict with yours.
Legal Consultation: Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 before making any statements or decisions.

Common Mistakes Snyder Families Must Avoid:

MISTAKE #1: “Letting the university handle it internally.”

Reality: Universities prioritize limiting liability and protecting reputation. Internal “resolution” often means minimal consequences and confidentiality agreements that prevent real accountability.

MISTAKE #2: “Letting our child delete embarrassing messages.”

Reality: Digital evidence is the strongest proof. Deletion appears as obstruction and destroys your case. As we explain in our video on client mistakes, preserving evidence is critical.

MISTAKE #3: “Confronting the fraternity directly.”

Reality: This triggers immediate lawyer involvement, evidence destruction, and witness coaching on their side.

MISTAKE #4: “Waiting to see how things develop.”

Reality: Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, memories fade. Our video on Texas statutes of limitations explains why timing matters.

Why Attorney911 for Snyder Hazing Cases: Our Texas-Specific Advantages

When Snyder families face hazing crises, they need more than a general personal injury lawyer. They need attorneys who understand how Texas universities, national fraternities, and insurance companies operate. Here’s why our approach differs:

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña’s Defense Background)

Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers:

Value and undervalue hazing claims
Use Independent Medical Exams (IMEs) to minimize injuries
Drag out cases to pressure financially-strained families
Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”

For Snyder families, this means we don’t just react to insurance tactics—we anticipate and neutralize them. We know the playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello’s Background)

Our involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation taught us how to fight billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal resources. National fraternities and major universities operate similarly:

Deep-pocketed defense firms
Multi-layered insurance coverage
Sophisticated public relations strategies
Institutional resistance to accountability

For Snyder clients, this means we’re not intimidated by opposing counsel from large firms. We’ve faced them before and won.

Texas-Specific Greek Life Intelligence

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. For Snyder families, this means:

We already know the organizational structures behind fraternities at Texas Tech, Texas A&M, UT, and other schools
We maintain relationships with experts familiar with Texas campuses
We understand jurisdictional nuances between Scurry County, Lubbock County, and other relevant venues

Dual Criminal/Civil Capability

Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of hazing cases. For Snyder families, this is crucial when:

Criminal charges are pending against perpetrators
Your child may have exposure as a witness or participant
You need to navigate parallel criminal and civil proceedings

Spanish-Language Services for Snyder’s Hispanic Community

Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish and understands the cultural considerations for Hispanic families facing institutional challenges. For Snyder’s significant Hispanic community, this means:

Consultation in your preferred language
Cultural sensitivity to family dynamics and community concerns
Understanding unique barriers Hispanic students may face in reporting hazing

Frequently Asked Questions for Snyder Families

Q: Can we sue if the hazing happened at Texas Tech, but we live in Snyder?
A: Yes. Jurisdiction is based on where the harm occurred, where defendants are located, or where the organization operates. Most Texas hazing cases proceed in the county where the university is located (Lubbock County for Texas Tech), but we can often file in alternative venues. We handle cases statewide from our Texas offices.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney911 for a hazing case?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation. This aligns our interests with yours and ensures Snyder families can access quality representation regardless of financial means. Watch our video explaining how contingency fees work for details.

Q: Will our case be public, or can we protect our child’s privacy?
A: Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. We can request sealed court records and negotiate confidentiality provisions. However, some public disclosure may be necessary to overcome institutional resistance. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

Q: What if our child “agreed” to the activities?
A: Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing (Education Code §37.155). Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion isn’t truly voluntary. This is especially true for Snyder students seeking belonging away from home.

Q: How long will a hazing case take?
A: Simple cases may resolve in 12-18 months; complex litigation like our UH Pi Kappa Phi case can take 2-3 years. The timeline depends on the university’s cooperation, the fraternity’s response, insurance company tactics, and whether the case goes to trial. We provide regular updates throughout the process.

Call to Action for Snyder Families: Your Next Steps

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends Texas Tech, Texas A&M, UT, or any Texas campus—you don’t have to navigate this alone. The institutions protecting themselves have experienced lawyers; you deserve the same.

What to Expect When You Contact Us

Your Confidential Consultation Includes:

Case Evaluation: We’ll listen to what happened and assess legal options
Evidence Review: We’ll examine any documentation you’ve preserved
Strategy Discussion: We’ll explain potential approaches—civil lawsuit, criminal reporting, university complaint, or combination
Realistic Expectations: We’ll discuss possible outcomes, timelines, and challenges
No Pressure: Take time to decide if we’re the right firm for your Snyder family

Why Time Matters for Snyder Families

Evidence Disappears: Group chats are deleted within days
Witness Memories Fade: Details become blurred over time
Statutes of Limitations: Texas generally allows two years from injury, but exceptions apply
University Pressure: Schools often push quick “resolutions” that limit future options

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 | lupe@atty911.com

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

Serving Snyder & All Texas Families

From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Snyder, Scurry County, and all West Texas communities. Whether your child was hazed at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas A&M in College Station, or any campus across our state, we have the experience, resources, and determination to pursue accountability.

The hazing affecting Snyder students follows patterns we’ve seen across Texas—patterns of institutional failure, organizational neglect, and individual harm. With the right legal strategy, these patterns can be interrupted, and accountability achieved.

Your family deserves answers. Your child deserves justice. Call us today.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

For your reference, here are verified resources mentioned in this guide:

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

Click2Houston Investigation: 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 Eyewitness News Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
Hoodline Summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

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

Attorney911 Main Website:

Contact & Information: 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