# **Hazing Lawyers for Hansford County, Texas – Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse**
Hansford County Parents & Students: Your Child’s Safety Should Never Be a Gamble
Hansford County is known for its tight-knit communities, strong family values, and commitment to education. Families in Spearman, Gruver, and across the county send their children to colleges and universities expecting them to be safe—whether they’re attending West Texas A&M in Canyon, Amarillo College, or other institutions across Texas and beyond.
But behind the polished images of Greek life—fraternities and sororities promising brotherhood, sisterhood, and lifelong connections—lies a dangerous culture of hazing, abuse, and institutional negligence. What starts as “tradition” or “initiation” too often ends in hospitalization, permanent injury, or even death.
At Attorney 911, we are actively fighting this battle right now—and we’re bringing our expertise to Hansford County families who have been betrayed by the very organizations they trusted.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Texas: It’s Happening Near Hansford County
This Isn’t Just a Big-City Problem—It’s Here Too
You may think hazing is something that happens at major universities like Texas A&M or the University of Texas. But the truth is, hazing occurs at colleges and universities near Hansford County—and the same national fraternities and sororities operate here too.
Fraternities & Sororities Near Hansford County with Documented Hazing Histories
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Incidents | Universities Near Hansford County with Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | – 2017: Andrew Coffey died at Florida State (forced alcohol) – 2025: Leonel Bermudez hospitalized at UH (waterboarding, 500 squats, kidney failure) |
West Texas A&M (Canyon), Texas Tech (Lubbock), Oklahoma State (Stillwater, OK) |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | – 2021: Stone Foltz died at Bowling Green State ($10M settlement) – 2012: David Bogenberger died at Northern Illinois ($14M settlement) |
West Texas A&M, Texas Tech, University of Oklahoma (Norman, OK) |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | – Multiple alcohol poisoning deaths – Chemical burns, forced drinking incidents |
West Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State |
| Phi Delta Theta | – 2017: Max Gruver died at LSU (6.1M verdict) – Forced drinking, physical abuse |
Texas Tech, Oklahoma State |
| Beta Theta Pi | – 2017: Timothy Piazza died at Penn State ($110M+ settlement) – 18 members criminally charged |
West Texas A&M, Oklahoma State |
| Sigma Chi | – 2024: Hazing lawsuit at College of Charleston ($10M+ settlement) – 2025: UT Austin wrongful death lawsuit (recently filed) |
West Texas A&M, Texas Tech |
These are the same organizations that have chapters at universities near Hansford County. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
💔 The Case That Proves Hazing is Torture: Our $10 Million Fight Against Pi Kappa Phi
What Happened to Leonel Bermudez Could Happen to a Hansford County Student
In November 2025, our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, the University of Houston, and multiple individuals after a young man—Leonel Bermudez—was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing.
The Hazing Activities That Nearly Killed Him
- Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting—then made to continue running
- Another pledge lost consciousness and collapsed—they kept going
- Slept in vomit-soaked grass
- Forced to strip to underwear in cold weather
- Carried a fanny pack with sexual objects at all times
- One pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour
The Result: Rhabdomyolysis & Kidney Failure
After weeks of abuse, Bermudez couldn’t stand or walk. His mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.
This didn’t happen at a “party gone wrong.” This was systematic, premeditated torture.
The Defendants Knew the Risks—and Did Nothing
- Pi Kappa Phi National had 8 years to fix their culture after Andrew Coffey died from forced drinking in 2017—but they didn’t.
- The University of Houston had a 2017 hazing case where a student was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen—but they didn’t implement real oversight.
- Individual members knew they were breaking the law—but they did it anyway.
This is the same pattern that puts Hansford County students at risk.
⚖️ Texas Hazing Laws: What Hansford County Families Need to Know
Hazing is a Crime in Texas—And Consent is NOT a Defense
Many fraternities and sororities try to claim that hazing is “voluntary” or “just tradition.” Texas law says otherwise.
Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157: Anti-Hazing Law
- Hazing is illegal—whether it happens on or off campus.
- Consent is NOT a defense. Even if a student “agrees” to participate, it’s still hazing.
- Penalties for individuals:
- Class B Misdemeanor (up to 180 days in jail, $2,000 fine)
- Class A Misdemeanor if serious bodily injury occurs (up to 1 year in jail, $4,000 fine)
- State Jail Felony if death occurs (180 days–2 years in jail, $10,000 fine)
- Penalties for organizations:
- Fines up to $10,000
- Denial of permission to operate on campus
- Forfeiture of property
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Hansford County Hazing Case?
| Defendant | Why They’re Responsible |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Knew or should have known about hazing culture; failed to enforce policies |
| University/College | Failed to supervise Greek life; owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| Housing Corporations | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
💰 Multi-Million Dollar Precedents: What Hansford County Families Can Recover
Hazing cases routinely result in seven-figure settlements and verdicts. Here’s what other families have won:
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Total Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | Death from forced drinking | $10.1 Million |
| Max Gruver (2017) | Phi Delta Theta | LSU | Death from forced drinking (BAC 0.495) | $6.1 Million Jury Verdict |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | Death from forced drinking & delayed medical help | $110+ Million |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Death from forced drinking | Confidential Settlement (Est. $5M+) |
| Adam Oakes (2021) | Delta Chi | VCU | Death from forced drinking | $4+ Million Settlement |
These cases prove that hazing lawsuits win big. The same legal strategies apply to Hansford County victims.
🛡️ What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Hansford County
Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked. Rhabdomyolysis, concussions, and psychological trauma may not be obvious right away.
- Document everything. Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts.
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
- Do NOT delete anything. Save all:
- Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
- Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
- Social media posts about hazing
- Pledge manuals, schedules, or rules
- Witness names and contact information
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Alone
- Fraternities and universities have lawyers. They will try to get your child to sign documents or make statements that hurt their case.
- Anything your child says can be used against them.
Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Lawyer Immediately
- The statute of limitations in Texas is 2 years. If you wait, you could lose your right to sue.
- Evidence disappears fast. Texts get deleted, witnesses forget, and organizations destroy records.
- Call Attorney 911 now for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 Hansford County Hazing Victims: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Hansford County Hazing Case?
✅ We’re Fighting This Fight Right Now – Our attorneys are actively litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to avoid liability. We use their own tactics against them.
✅ Federal Court Authority – We can pursue cases in federal court, giving us more leverage against national organizations.
✅ Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas & New York) – We can take on national fraternities headquartered anywhere in the U.S.
✅ Se Habla Español – We serve Spanish-speaking families in Hansford County.
✅ Contingency Fee – $0 Upfront – You pay nothing unless we win your case.
✅ We Travel to Hansford County – For depositions, meetings, and trials, we come to you.
🎯 Our Promise to Hansford County Families
“We see your child as a person—not a paycheck. We will fight for justice, not just compensation. And we will make sure this never happens to another Hansford County family.”
If your child was hazed at West Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Amarillo College, or any other school—we can help.
Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Available 24/7 for Hansford County hazing emergencies.
🚨 To Fraternities & Sororities Near Hansford County: We Are Watching
Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi—
If your chapter operates near Hansford County, know this:
- We are tracking your house corporations, alumni chapters, and insurance policies.
- We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements.
- We know Texas law holds you accountable—even if victims “consented.”
- If you haze a Hansford County student, we will sue every liable entity.
The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. That’s what happens when you haze in Texas.
Your chapter could be next.
📢 To Universities Near Hansford County: The Same Liability Applies to You
West Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Amarillo College, Oklahoma State—
- If you own or control fraternity/sorority housing, you are responsible for what happens there.
- If you knew or should have known about hazing, you are liable.
- If you failed to implement real oversight, you will pay.
The University of Houston owned the house where Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded. They are now a defendant in a $10 million lawsuit.
Your institution could be next.
💔 A Final Message to Hansford County Families
We know how hard it is to come forward. We know the shame, fear, and loyalty that keep victims silent. We know the pressure from peers, fraternity brothers, and even university officials to “keep it quiet.”
But hazing is not tradition. It’s not brotherhood. It’s abuse.
And it has to stop.
If your child was hazed—you are not alone. We are here to fight for you. We are here to hold the people who hurt your child accountable. And we are here to make sure this never happens to another Hansford County family.
Call us today. The sooner we start, the sooner we can protect your rights—and the rights of future students.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com
Justice for Hansford County hazing victims starts now.
