Hazing Litigation Guide for Kennedale, Texas Families: Holding Fraternities, Sororities & Universities Accountable

A Kennedale Parent’s Nightmare: What Happens When “Tradition” Turns to Trauma

For families in Kennedale, Arlington, and across Tarrant County, the call every parent dreads might sound like this: Your student at the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Christian University, or another Texas campus was excited about joining a fraternity, sorority, or the Corps of Cadets. Now, weeks into the process, they’re coming home with unexplained injuries, extreme exhaustion, or they’ve stopped talking about it altogether. When you press, they reveal snippets of forced drinking, brutal workouts, or humiliating rituals—but they’re terrified to report it because “everyone goes through it” and they fear retaliation or social isolation.

This isn’t hypothetical. Right now, in Harris County, we’re actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas—the Leonel Bermudez University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. Our client, a UH student, suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after enduring what news outlets have described as systematic abuse. The detailed allegations—from forced consumption of food until vomiting to being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”—represent exactly what Kennedale parents fear could happen to their own children at any Texas university.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Kennedale, Mansfield, and throughout Tarrant County whose children may be facing hazing at Texas A&M, UT Austin, UH, Baylor, SMU, UT Arlington, TCU, or any Texas campus. We’ll explain what modern hazing really looks like, break down Texas hazing law, show you how national fraternity patterns repeat here in Texas, and provide practical steps to protect your child and pursue accountability.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES IN TEXAS

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 legal help—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

• Get medical attention immediately, even if your student insists they’re “fine”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects used in hazing)
• Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity/sorority directly
  • 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 Texas 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 from our Houston office
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

The Leonel Bermudez Case: Why This Texas Hazing Lawsuit Matters to Kennedale Families

Before we discuss hazing generally, Kennedale families need to understand that serious hazing litigation is happening right now in Texas—not just in other states. The case we’re leading provides a concrete example of what accountability looks like and demonstrates our firm’s active involvement in high-stakes campus abuse litigation.

The University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Incident

In November 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation, the UH System Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity leaders and members.

What allegedly happened to our client:

The hazing occurred at multiple locations around Houston, including the Pi Kappa Phi chapter house, a residence on Culmore Drive, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park. According to the complaint and media coverage:

1. Humiliation and Control: Bermudez and other pledges were forced to carry a “pledge fanny pack” 24/7 containing condoms, a sex toy, nicotine devices, and other humiliating items. Failure to comply meant punishment or expulsion.

2. Systematic Abuse: The hazing included enforced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interviews, overnight chauffeuring duties, and constant threats.

3. Physical Torture: Specific acts alleged include:

   • Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, and “save-your-brother” drills
   • Cold-weather exposure in underwear
   • Lying in vomit-soaked grass
   • Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding” and threatened with actual waterboarding
   • Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints
   • The “Nov 3 workout”: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, and creed recitation under threat of expulsion
   • Another pledge being hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour

4. Medical Catastrophe: After the November 3 workout, Bermudez deteriorated over several days until he passed brown urine and couldn’t stand without help. Rushed to the hospital by his mother, he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. Lab tests showed critically high creatine kinase levels confirming the life-threatening condition. He was hospitalized for four days and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Institutional Response and Why It Matters

The institutional response demonstrates both how systems can fail and how accountability can be pursued:

• November 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspended the Beta Nu chapter after receiving hazing reports
• November 14, 2025: Chapter members voted to surrender their charter, effectively shutting down the chapter
• University Statement: UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing,” promised disciplinary measures up to expulsion, and pledged cooperation with law enforcement

This case matters to Kennedale families because it shows:

• This happens in Texas—not just at distant schools in other states
• The medical consequences can be catastrophic and lifelong
• Multiple entities can be held responsible—not just individual students
• Experienced Texas hazing attorneys are already fighting these battles

The media coverage of this case from Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline provides detailed documentation of what modern hazing looks like at a Texas public university. For Kennedale families with students at any Texas campus, this case represents the level of seriousness that hazing can reach and the comprehensive legal response required.

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

For Kennedale families whose children may be at UT Arlington, Texas A&M, or other Texas schools, understanding that hazing has evolved beyond simple pranks is crucial. What was once dismissed as “boys will be boys” or “harmless tradition” now often involves systematic abuse, digital coercion, and sophisticated cover-ups.

The Modern Definition of Hazing in Texas

Under Texas law and in practical terms, hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization. The key elements Kennedale parents should understand:

1. It can be mental or physical: Emotional abuse and humiliation qualify alongside physical violence
2. Location doesn’t matter: On-campus, off-campus, at retreats—all locations count
3. “Consent” is irrelevant: Texas law explicitly states that the victim’s “agreement” doesn’t make it legal
4. It’s not just Greek life: Athletic teams, Corps programs, spirit groups, marching bands, and other organizations haze too

The Evolution of Hazing Tactics: From Paddles to Digital Control

Traditional Physical Hazing (Still Common):

• Alcohol hazing: Forced consumption remains the #1 cause of hazing deaths nationwide
• Physical beatings: Paddling, “smokings” (extreme calisthenics), endurance tests
• Sleep/food deprivation: Multi-day events with minimal rest or nutrition
• Environmental exposure: Left outside in extreme weather, locked in confined spaces

Modern Digital Hazing (Increasingly Prevalent):

• 24/7 group chat monitoring: Pledges required to respond instantly at all hours
• Location tracking: Forced sharing of real-time location via Find My Friends or similar apps
• Social media humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content or participate in TikTok challenges
• Digital “tasks”: Coerced to send compromising photos or perform dares documented online

Disguised Hazing (Harder to Recognize):

• “Voluntary” activities: Framed as optional but socially mandatory
• “Team building” or “wellness challenges”: Extreme workouts masked as fitness
• “Character development”: Sleep deprivation justified as resilience training
• “Tradition” arguments: “Everyone before you did it” used to pressure participation

Where Kennedale Students Face Hazing Risk

While fraternities and sororities receive the most attention, Kennedale families should understand the full scope of organizations where hazing occurs:

University of Texas at Arlington (Local to Kennedale):

• Fraternity and sorority life through IFC and Panhellenic councils
• Athletic teams and spirit groups
• Academic and cultural organizations

Other Texas Universities Kennedale Students Attend:

• Texas A&M University: Particularly high-risk in Corps of Cadets traditions
• University of Texas at Austin: Large Greek system with documented violations
• Texas Christian University: Significant Greek presence in nearby Fort Worth
• University of North Texas: Growing Greek community in Denton
• Texas Tech, Baylor, SMU, UH: All have documented hazing incidents

Non-Greek Organizations:

• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs
• Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Spirit and tradition organizations
• Some academic honor societies and professional clubs

Texas Hazing Laws: What Kennedale Families Need to Know

Understanding the legal framework is essential for Kennedale families considering their options. Texas has specific hazing statutes, but the legal landscape involves multiple layers of potential liability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Core Hazing Law

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

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student, or
• Involves brutal treatment, including whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics, or exposure to the elements

Criminal Penalties (§37.152):

• 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
• Additional charges: Individuals can also face assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, manslaughter, or other charges

Critical Protections for Kennedale Families:

1. Consent is NOT a defense (§37.155): Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still illegal
2. Good-faith reporter immunity (§37.154): Those who report hazing or call for medical help have protection
3. Organizational liability (§37.153): Fraternities, sororities, and other groups can be fined up to $10,000 per violation
4. University reporting requirements (§37.156): Schools must maintain and publish hazing violation records

Federal Laws Overlaying Texas Hazing Cases

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

• Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents transparently
• Mandates public hazing data reporting by approximately 2026
• Strengthens prevention education requirements
• Impact for Kennedale families: More transparency about which organizations have violations

Title IX of the Education Amendments:

• Applies when hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility
• Requires universities to investigate and address hostile environments
• Can provide additional legal avenues beyond state hazing laws

Clery Act:

• Requires colleges to report campus crime statistics
• Some hazing incidents must be included in annual security reports
• Provides transparency about campus safety issues

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Hazing Cases:

• Brought by: The State of Texas (prosecutor)
• Purpose: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Outcome control: Family has limited input
• Standard of proof: Beyond a reasonable doubt
• Potential charges: Hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, manslaughter

Civil Hazing Lawsuits:

• Brought by: Victims or their families (like the Bermudez case)
• Purpose: Compensation and accountability
• Outcome control: Family makes strategic decisions with attorney
• Standard of proof: Preponderance of evidence (more likely than not)
• Potential claims: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision

Why Both Matter for Kennedale Families:
Criminal convictions can strengthen civil cases, but a criminal case is not required to pursue civil accountability. Many families pursue both tracks simultaneously, as we’re doing in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What History Tells Us About Texas Risks

The tragic cases that have made national headlines aren’t isolated incidents—they represent patterns that repeat across campuses, including here in Texas. Understanding these patterns helps Kennedale families recognize warning signs and appreciate the seriousness of the risks.

Alcohol Poisoning Death Pattern (Most Common Fatal Hazing)

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021):

• Pi Kappa Alpha “Big/Little” night
• Forced to consume entire bottle of alcohol
• Died from alcohol poisoning
• Outcome: $10 million settlement ($7M from national Pike, ~$3M from BGSU)

Max Gruver – Louisiana State University (2017):

• Phi Delta Theta “Bible study” drinking game
• Wrong answers = forced drinking
• BAC of 0.495% at death
• Outcome: Max Gruver Act (Louisiana felony hazing law)

Andrew Coffey – Florida State University (2017):

• Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night”
• Given handle of liquor
• Died from acute alcohol poisoning
• Outcome: FSU suspended all Greek life temporarily

What This Means for Kennedale Families:
The “Big/Little” drinking night is a repeated script that has killed students at multiple schools. When your child talks about “family trees,” “bid acceptance parties,” or “Big/Little reveals,” these should raise immediate red flags.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College (2013):

• Pi Delta Psi retreat in Pennsylvania
• “Glass ceiling” ritual: blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled
• Died from traumatic brain injury
• Outcome: National fraternity convicted of involuntary manslaughter; banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years

Texas A&M Sigma Alpha Epsilon Case (2021):

• Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs
• Severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
• Outcome: $1 million lawsuit; chapter suspended

What This Means for Kennedale Families:
“Retreats,” “workouts,” and “traditions” that involve physical endurance tests, blindfolding, or exposure to substances can cause catastrophic injuries. The Texas A&M case proves this happens right here in our state.

Non-Fatal Catastrophic Injury Pattern

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri (2021):

• Phi Gamma Delta “pledge dad reveal”
• Forced to consume excessive alcohol
• Suffered permanent brain damage (cannot walk, talk, or see)
• Outcome: Settlements with 22 defendants; requires 24/7 lifelong care

University of Alabama Sigma Alpha Epsilon Case (2023):

• Pledge allegedly suffered traumatic brain injury during hazing
• Outcome: Lawsuit alleging fraud, negligence, assault

What This Means for Kennedale Families:
Hazing doesn’t have to be fatal to destroy a life. Brain injuries, organ damage (like rhabdomyolysis in the UH case), and psychological trauma can have lifelong consequences.

Athletic and Non-Greek Hazing Pattern

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025):

• Alleged sexualized, racist hazing within football program
• Multiple lawsuits against university and staff
• Outcome: Head coach fired; confidential settlements

Western Kentucky University Swim Team (2012-2015):

• Verbal and physical abuse spanning years
• Outcome: Program suspended for 5 years; $75,000 settlement

What This Means for Kennedale Families:
Hazing isn’t limited to Greek life. Athletic teams, performance groups, and other organizations can harbor equally dangerous traditions. If your child is an athlete at a Texas university, they may face different but equally serious risks.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Understanding the Greek Ecosystem Serving Kennedale Families

One of our firm’s unique advantages in hazing litigation is our comprehensive database of Texas Greek organizations built from public records. This “Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine” helps us identify every potentially liable entity—something Kennedale families should understand when considering legal action.

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Greek Landscape

Kennedale sits within the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area, which contains over 510 Greek-related organizations according to Cause IQ data. These aren’t just undergraduate chapters—they include alumni associations, housing corporations, honor societies, and educational foundations that can all carry insurance and liability.

Examples of Greek Organizations in the DFW Metro Relevant to Kennedale Families:

Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – Fort Worth, TX 76244 (Cause IQ metro listing)
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147-0061 (IRS B83 filing)
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Lambda Lambda Chapter – EIN 521278573, Dallas, TX 75241-4331 (IRS B83 filing)
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc – Psi Zeta Chapter – EIN 521345182, Fort Worth, TX 76105-8168 (IRS B83 filing)
Arlington-Grand Prairie Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi – EIN 232452759, Grand Prairie, TX 75054-2901 (IRS B83 filing)

University-Specific Greek Entities Kennedale Families Should Know

When your child joins a fraternity or sorority at a Texas university, they’re typically connecting with multiple legal entities:

1. Undergraduate Chapter: The campus group itself
2. House Corporation: Often a separate nonprofit that owns or manages the chapter house
3. Alumni Association: Former members who may provide funding and oversight
4. National Headquarters: The central organization that sets policies and collects dues
5. Educational Foundation: Sometimes a separate entity for scholarships and support

Why This Matters for Liability:
Each of these entities may carry insurance, have assets, and bear responsibility. When we investigate hazing cases for Kennedale families, we identify and pursue all potentially liable parties—not just the individual students involved.

Texas Universities Kennedale Families Send Their Children To

Based on geographic patterns and university enrollment data, Kennedale families typically have students at:

Local/Regional Campuses (Within Commuting Distance):

• University of Texas at Arlington (Tarrant County) – 12 miles from Kennedale
• Texas Christian University (Tarrant County) – 15 miles from Kennedale
• University of North Texas (Denton County) – 40 miles from Kennedale
• Texas Wesleyan University (Tarrant County) – 15 miles from Kennedale

Major Statewide Hubs (Common Choices for Kennedale Students):

• University of Texas at Austin (Travis County)
• Texas A&M University (Brazos County)
• University of Houston (Harris County)
• Texas Tech University (Lubbock County)
• Baylor University (McLennan County)
• Southern Methodist University (Dallas County)

Each of these universities has its own Greek ecosystem with documented hazing incidents. Understanding which specific fraternities and sororities operate at these schools—and their national histories—is crucial for Kennedale families assessing risk.

Fraternity and Sorority National Histories: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

National fraternities and sororities aren’t isolated entities—they’re organizations with documented histories of hazing incidents across multiple campuses. When Kennedale families understand these patterns, they can better recognize when local chapters are repeating dangerous behaviors that have caused harm elsewhere.

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – History of Alcohol Hazing Deaths

National Pattern:
Dozen of chapters suspended or closed for hazing violations nationwide
Known Texas Incidents:
University of Houston chapter suspended for hazing (2016)
University of Texas at Austin chapter sanctioned for forced consumption and calisthenics (2023)
Why Kennedale Families Should Care: The same “Big/Little” drinking tradition that killed Stone Foltz at Bowling Green exists at Texas chapters

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Chemical and Physical Abuse Pattern

National Pattern:
Multiple chapters closed for hazing deaths and injuries
Known as one of the “deadliest” fraternities statistically
Known Texas Incidents:
Texas A&M chapter sued for chemical burns from industrial cleaner (2021)
UT Austin chapter sued for assault causing broken bones (2024)
Why Kennedale Families Should Care: SAE has chapters at most major Texas universities with documented violent hazing

Pi Kappa Phi – Forced Consumption and Endurance Pattern

National Pattern:
Andrew Coffey alcohol poisoning death at Florida State
Multiple chapter suspensions nationwide
Current Texas Case:
Our Leonel Bermudez lawsuit against UH chapter for rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
Why Kennedale Families Should Care: We’re actively litigating against this national organization right now in Texas

Phi Delta Theta – Drinking Game Pattern

National Pattern:
Max Gruver death at LSU from “Bible study” drinking game
Multiple chapter closures
Texas Presence:
Chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, other Texas schools
Why Kennedale Families Should Care: The same drinking game pattern that proved fatal in Louisiana exists in Texas chapters

Kappa Alpha Order – Physical Hazing Pattern

National Pattern:
Multiple paddling and physical abuse incidents
Known Texas Incidents:
SMU chapter suspended for paddling and forced drinking (2017)
Why Kennedale Families Should Care: Private university chapters in Texas have documented violent traditions

How National Histories Create Legal Liability

When a national organization has documented hazing incidents at other chapters, that history creates what lawyers call “foreseeability.” Essentially, if Pike nationals know their “Big/Little” nights have caused deaths at other schools, they have a duty to prevent the same pattern at Texas chapters.

This legal principle matters for Kennedale families because:

1. It expands liability: Nationals can be sued alongside local chapters
2. It increases settlement value: Pattern evidence strengthens cases
3. It enables punitive damages: Knowing disregard of known risks can justify punishment beyond compensation

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and What Kennedale Families Can Expect

When hazing causes serious injury or death, building a strong legal case requires systematic investigation and strategic planning. From our Houston office, we’ve developed a comprehensive approach that Kennedale families should understand when considering legal action.

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

Digital Evidence (Most Important Category):

• Group chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity-specific apps
• Social media: Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok videos, Facebook posts
• Text messages/DMs: Between members planning or discussing hazing
• Deleted content: Digital forensics can often recover “deleted” messages
• Location data: GPS tracking from phones or apps

Physical Evidence:

• Medical records: ER reports, hospitalization records, lab results (like CK levels for rhabdomyolysis)
• Photographs/Videos: Of injuries, events, locations
• Objects: Paddles, alcohol bottles, “pledge packets,” costumes
• Clothing: Stained or damaged items worn during hazing

Institutional Records:

• University disciplinary files: Prior violations by the same organization
• National fraternity records: Incident reports, risk management files
• Insurance policies: Coverage information for all potentially liable entities
• Police reports: Campus PD or local law enforcement documentation

Witness Testimony: