Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Boyd Families Seeking Accountability and Justice

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone

For parents in Boyd, Wise County, the college years should be a time of growth and opportunity for your children. The reality for some families becomes a nightmare when a call home reveals their student has been injured, humiliated, or threatened during what was supposed to be a positive campus experience. Right now, in our own state, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases to emerge from a Texas campus—a case that shows exactly how dangerous these situations can become and why experienced legal intervention matters.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for families in Boyd, Decatur, Bridgeport, Alvord, and throughout Wise County who need to understand the reality of modern hazing, Texas law, and what legal options exist when institutions fail to protect students. Whether your child attends a nearby university like the University of North Texas or Texas Woman’s University in Denton, or has ventured further to major hubs like the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor, the patterns of abuse and institutional response we discuss here apply across our state.

The Case That Changed Everything: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

Before we discuss the broader landscape, you need to know about the case that currently defines serious hazing litigation in Texas. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, the UH System Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

This isn’t a hypothetical scenario or a case from years past. This is active litigation we’re handling right now, and it demonstrates exactly what Texas families are up against when hazing escalates to catastrophic injury.

What Actually Happened at UH

Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter in September 2025. What followed was a systematic campaign of humiliation, physical abuse, and psychological coercion that nearly cost him his life:

• The “Pledge Fanny Pack” Rule: Bermudez and other pledges were forced to carry a fanny pack 24/7 containing condoms, a sex toy, nicotine devices, and other humiliating items. Failure to comply meant punishment or expulsion.
• Forced Servitude & Control: He faced enforced dress codes, hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interrogative interviews, and overnight chauffeuring duties for members.
• Extreme Physical Hazing: This included sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, and “save-your-brother” drills. Pledges were forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass, were stripped to their underwear in cold weather, and were sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” with threats of actual waterboarding.
• Dangerous Consumption Rituals: Bermudez was forced to consume excessive amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediately forced to do sprints.
• The November 3 Workout: He was forced through over 100 push-ups and 500 squats while reciting the fraternity creed under threat of expulsion. He could not stand without help afterward.
• Other Pledges Suffered: The lawsuit details another pledge being hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour, and a different pledge losing consciousness during early-morning workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park in Houston.

The Medical Catastrophe That Followed

After the November 3 workout, Bermudez’s condition deteriorated over several days. He began passing brown urine, a classic sign of severe muscle breakdown. His mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was admitted for four days with a diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. Lab tests showed critically high creatine kinase levels, confirming the life-threatening condition. He faces an ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage and requires continued medical and psychological care.

Institutional Response & Why It Matters

The response from the institutions involved reveals a common pattern:

• November 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi’s 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 UH chapter.
• University of Houston issued a statement calling the alleged conduct “deeply disturbing,” promising disciplinary measures up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement.

This case is not an isolated incident. It is a blueprint for how hazing operates in 2025 and beyond—digitally coordinated, physically dangerous, and psychologically devastating. For families in Boyd, it serves as a critical warning: the universities where you send your children harbor these risks, and when things go wrong, you need advocates who understand how to navigate the complex web of fraternities, national organizations, and university legal defenses. You can read detailed media coverage of this ongoing case in the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case and ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit.

The North Texas Greek Ecosystem: What Boyd Parents Need to Know

Boyd sits within the expansive Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area, which according to our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, contains over 510 Greek-related organizations. This includes undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, honor societies, and housing corporations. When your child joins a fraternity or sorority at a DFW school or elsewhere in Texas, they are not just joining a campus club—they are connecting to a vast network of legally recognized entities, many of which hold insurance and assets that become relevant when seeking accountability for injuries.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Entities in the DFW Metro

Our firm maintains detailed intelligence on these organizations. Below is a sample of the kind of public records we track—information that becomes crucial when building a case. These are not accusations, but factual listings from IRS and public filings that show the scale of the Greek ecosystem your child may be entering.

A Sample of DFW-Area Greek Organizations from Public Records:

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – Fort Worth, TX 76244 (IRS EIN: 742911848, Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS EIN: 741380362)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Lambda Lambda Chapter – Dallas, TX 75241 (IRS EIN: 521278573)
• Delta Delta Delta – Arlington Alumnae Chapter – Dallas, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Kappa Delta Sorority – Gamma Beta Chapter – Denton, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Phi Chi Theta – Gamma Iota Chapter – Carrollton, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Delta Kappa Epsilon – Tau Gamma House Corp. – Addison, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Zeta Sigma House Corporation of Kappa Kappa Gamma – Dallas, TX 75223 (IRS EIN: 752620706)
• Fort Worth Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Fort Worth, TX 76101 (IRS EIN: 752755600)
• Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Various Chapters – Throughout DFW (Multiple Cause IQ Listings)

This is just a fraction of the network. Each of these entities may have a role in oversight, funding, insurance, or property ownership related to campus chapters. Understanding this network is the first step in holding the right parties accountable.

Where Boyd & Wise County Families Send Their Kids to College

Parents in Boyd typically see their students attend a mix of regional universities and major state flagship schools. It’s crucial to understand that hazing risks exist across this spectrum.

North Texas & Regional Campuses (Within Reach for Boyd Families):

• University of North Texas (UNT) – Denton, TX
• Texas Woman’s University (TWU) – Denton, TX
• Texas A&M University-Commerce – Commerce, TX
• Midwestern State University – Wichita Falls, TX
• Tarrant County College & other community colleges with transfer programs to four-year schools

Major Texas Universities (Common Destinations from Across the State):

• University of Texas at Austin (UT)
• Texas A&M University – College Station
• University of Houston (UH)
• Texas Tech University – Lubbock
• Baylor University – Waco
• Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Dallas

Whether your child commutes to UNT or lives on campus at UT Austin, the mechanisms of hazing and institutional liability share common threads. The national fraternities and sororities present at these schools often have documented histories of hazing incidents across the country, creating patterns that establish foreseeability—a key legal concept.

Understanding Texas Hazing Law: Your Child’s Rights

Texas has specific statutes designed to address hazing, found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. For Boyd families, here’s what you need to know:

1. The Definition (Sec. 37.151): Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student. This applies on or off campus.

2. Criminal Penalties (Sec. 37.152):

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that does not cause serious bodily injury.
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes bodily injury.
• State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.

3. Organizational Liability (Sec. 37.153): The organization itself (fraternity, sorority, team) can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.

4. The Most Important Protection for Victims (Sec. 37.155): Consent is NOT a defense. It does not matter if your child “agreed” to participate. The law recognizes the profound power imbalance and coercion inherent in these situations.

5. Good-Faith Reporting (Sec. 37.154): Individuals who report hazing in good faith to university officials or law enforcement are immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from that report. Many universities also have medical amnesty policies for alcohol-related emergencies.

Federal Law Overlay

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to improve hazing transparency, reporting, and prevention programs by 2026.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, federal Title IX procedures and obligations are triggered.
• Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain campus crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, and the Attorney911 Advantage

When hazing causes injury, building a successful civil case requires immediate action, investigative depth, and specific legal experience. This is where our firm’s unique background becomes critical for Texas families.

Critical Evidence That Disappears Fast

• Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, and Discord chats where hazing is planned, discussed, or bragged about. These are often deleted within days.
• Social Media & Photos: Instagram stories, Snapchat snaps, TikTok videos, and photos that document activities, injuries, or locations.
• Medical Records: ER reports, hospitalization records, lab results (like the critical CK levels in Bermudez’s case), and psychological evaluations.
• Physical Evidence: Clothing, paddles, props, receipts for alcohol or other items.
• Institutional Records: Prior disciplinary files against the chapter from the university, internal communications from the national fraternity, and risk management reports.

We strongly advise families to watch our educational video on using your cellphone to document a legal case to understand best evidence preservation practices.

Recoverable Damages in a Hazing Case

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim whole and hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages can include:

• All past and future medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, medications).
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity if injuries are permanent or affect career trajectory.
• Physical pain and suffering.
• Mental anguish, emotional distress, humiliation, and PTSD.
• Punitive damages in cases of particularly egregious or reckless conduct, to punish the wrongdoer and deter future behavior.
• In wrongful death cases: funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering of the family.

Why Attorney911’s Expertise Is Different

We are not just personal injury lawyers. We are complex litigation specialists with specific advantages for hazing cases:

1. Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense attorney at a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. We know their playbook because we used to run it. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

2. Experience Against Massive Institutions: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. National fraternities and university systems do not intimidate us. Learn more about Ralph’s background and experience at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.

3. Dual Civil & Criminal Understanding: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil litigation. We can effectively advise clients and navigate cases where both arenas are in play.

4. Investigative Depth & Resources: We have a network of experts—digital forensics specialists to recover deleted messages, medical experts to explain injuries like rhabdomyolysis, economists to calculate lifetime damages, and psychologists to assess trauma.

5. A Track Record of Serious Injury Results: We have recovered multi-million dollar settlements for clients with catastrophic workplace injuries, wrongful death, and complex liability cases. We apply the same rigorous approach to hazing litigation.

Practical Steps for Boyd Parents & Students

If You Suspect or Discover Hazing:

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: If there is any immediate danger or serious injury, call 911. Get medical attention immediately, even if your child resists. The medical record created is vital evidence.

2. Preserve Evidence IMMEDIATELY:

• Do NOT let your child delete any messages, photos, or social media content.
• Take screenshots of group chats, DMs, and any relevant communications. Capture full threads with timestamps and names visible.
• Photograph any visible injuries from multiple angles, with a ruler or coin for scale. Take photos over several days as bruises may worsen.
• Write down everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations, specific acts—while memories are fresh.
• Secure any physical items (clothing, paddles, receipts).

3. Seek Legal Counsel BEFORE Reporting: Contact an experienced hazing attorney to discuss the strategic approach. Universities and fraternities often launch their own investigations designed to limit liability. We can guide you on how and when to report to protect your child’s rights and the integrity of the evidence.

4. Avoid Critical Mistakes:

• Do NOT confront the fraternity/sorority members directly.
• Do NOT sign any documents from the university or any insurance company without an attorney’s review.
• Do NOT discuss details on public social media.
• Do NOT allow your child to attend “one last meeting” where they may be pressured or threatened.

We detail more of these critical errors in our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case.

Frequently Asked Questions for Texas Families

Q: We live in Boyd. Can you help us if the hazing happened at a school in Houston or College Station?
A: Absolutely. We are a Texas-based firm serving families statewide. With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we can effectively handle cases from any Texas university. The laws and institutional players are the same across the state.

Q: How much time do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including hazing, is generally two years from the date of injury. However, complexities like the “discovery rule” or a victim’s minority status can affect this. Do not wait. Evidence vanishes and memories fade. Watch our explainer video on Texas statutes of limitations and contact us immediately to preserve your rights.

Q: What if it happened at an off-campus house or Airbnb?
A: Location does not eliminate liability. Universities and national organizations can still be held responsible based on their knowledge, sponsorship, and control over recognized student groups. Many of the most severe hazing cases, including the Pi Delta Psi case that led to a death in the Pocono Mountains, occurred off-campus.

Q: How much does it cost to hire your firm?
A: We handle hazing injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront attorney fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you through a settlement or verdict. This allows families to access high-quality legal representation without financial stress. Learn more about how this works in our video on contingency fees.

Contact Attorney911: Texas Hazing Litigation Specialists

If hazing has impacted your family in Boyd or anywhere in Texas, you do not have to navigate this crisis alone. The institutions involved have teams of lawyers and crisis managers. You deserve advocates who are equally prepared, who understand the complexities of Greek life, university liability, and Texas law, and who will fight tirelessly for your child’s recovery and your family’s justice.

We offer a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, explain your legal options in clear terms, and help you decide the best path forward. We serve clients in English and Spanish.

Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ today:

Phone: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
24/7: (713) 443-4781

Online: 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. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. The outcome of any case depends on its specific facts and circumstances. If you believe you have a legal claim, please contact an attorney immediately for a case evaluation. Texas law may limit the time you have to file a claim; do not delay.