The Definitive Guide to Fraternity & Sorority Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Resource for Families in Heath, Rockwall County

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

We understand the nightmare scenario that unfolds for a family in Heath, Rockwall County. Your child, excited to start their college journey at a Texas university, becomes withdrawn. Their texts are vague. They come home exhausted, with unexplained bruises, or a sudden anxiety about their phone buzzing. They mention “mandatory” events that keep them out until 3 a.m. The vibrant student you dropped off at orientation seems to be fading, replaced by someone fearful and secretive about their new “brothers” or “sisters.”

This is not just college stress. What you are witnessing may be the signs of hazing—a systematic pattern of abuse, humiliation, and coercion disguised as tradition. Right now, in Texas, these dangerous practices are not relics of the past. They are happening in real time, with life-altering consequences.

Consider this recent case our firm is actively litigating: In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge. The allegations are stark: forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; humiliating “pledge fanny pack” rules; and extreme physical workouts that led to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days. This happened in Houston, at a major Texas public university.

For families in Heath, this case is a critical warning. The universities your children attend—whether the University of Texas at Dallas just minutes away, Texas A&M University-Commerce to the east, or major hubs like UT Austin, Texas A&M in College Station, or SMU—are not immune. The same national fraternities and sororities operate there. The same dangerous traditions persist. The same institutional failures can occur.

This guide is for you. It is a comprehensive resource for parents, students, and families in Heath and across Rockwall County who need to understand the brutal reality of modern hazing, the legal landscape in Texas, and the pathways to accountability and recovery. We will demystify what hazing looks like in 2025, explain Texas and federal law, expose the national patterns behind local chapters, and provide a clear, actionable framework for protecting your child.

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: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” seek a professional evaluation. Internal injuries, alcohol poisoning, and rhabdomyolysis are silent killers.
Preserve Evidence BEFORE It’s Deleted:
- Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), texts, and DMs immediately.
- Photograph any injuries from multiple angles.
- Save physical items (torn clothing, paddles, receipts).
Write Everything Down: Document who, what, when, and where while memories are fresh.
Do NOT:
- Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
- Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
- Post details on public social media.
- Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears with breathtaking speed. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.

Hazing in 2025: It’s Not Just “Bad Pranks”

Hazing is not a harmless rite of passage. Under Texas law, it is a crime. It is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation that endangers their mental or physical health or safety. Crucially, a victim’s “consent” is not a defense. When there is a power imbalance, peer pressure, and fear of exclusion, there is no meaningful consent.

Modern hazing has evolved. It is often digitally coordinated, psychologically complex, and deliberately hidden from university oversight. For Heath families, understanding its forms is the first step to identifying it.

The Four Pillars of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadly form. It includes forced consumption during “lineups,” “family tree” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights, or as punishment for incorrect answers. The goal is often deliberate intoxication to the point of illness or unconsciousness.

2. Physical Hazing
This extends beyond stereotypical paddling. It includes:

Extreme Calisthenics: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups, squats, or wall-sits until collapse.
Sleep Deprivation: Mandatory all-night “study sessions” or 3 a.m. wake-up calls.
Environmental Exposure: Being locked in cold rooms, left outside in inclement weather, or subjected to chemical exposure (like the SAE case at Texas A&M where pledges suffered chemical burns).
Physical Assault: Beatings, tackling rituals, or forced fights.

3. Psychological and Sexualized Hazing
This is designed to break down a person’s dignity and autonomy.

Humiliation: Forced nudity, wearing degrading costumes, public “roasts.”
Sexualized Acts: Simulated sexual acts, “elephant walks,” or coercion.
Isolation and Control: Cutting off contact with family and non-member friends, controlling social media, enforcing constant availability via group chat.

4. Digital Hazing
The new frontier, using technology to exert control and humiliate.

24/7 Digital Control: Demands for immediate responses in group chats at all hours.
Social Media Humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat.
Cyberstalking: Required location sharing via Find My Friends or Life360.
Evidence Creation: Hazing is recorded and shared in private groups, creating a digital trail that can later be used for leverage or deleted to cover tracks.

Hazing is not limited to fraternities. It pervades sororities, athletic teams, Corps of Cadets programs, marching bands, spirit groups like the Texas Cowboys, and other campus organizations. The common thread is the abuse of power in the name of tradition.

The Texas Legal Framework: Criminal Penalties and Civil Liability

Texas has specific statutes to combat hazing, primarily found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Understanding this framework is essential for Heath families considering their options.

Texas Criminal Hazing Law

Definition: An intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers physical or mental health for purposes of initiation/affiliation. Location (on or off-campus) does not matter.
Penalties:
- Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that does not cause injury (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.
Key Provisions:
- Consent is NOT a Defense (Sec. 37.155): Even if a student “agreed,” it is still a crime.
- Immunity for Reporters (Sec. 37.154): Individuals who in good faith report hazing or call for medical help are generally immune from prosecution related to that report.
- Organizational Liability (Sec. 37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or knew of the hazing and failed to report it.

Civil Liability: The Path to Compensation and Accountability

A criminal case is brought by the state to punish. A civil lawsuit is brought by the victim or their family to recover damages and force change. They can proceed simultaneously. A civil case can target a broader range of responsible parties:

The Individual Perpetrators: Members who planned, executed, or facilitated the hazing.
The Local Chapter: As an organization that fostered the culture.
The National Fraternity/Sorority: For negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and ignoring known patterns of conduct across their chapters.
The University: For deliberate indifference, negligent supervision, or Title IX violations (if the hazing is sex-based). Public universities like UH or UT have some sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence.
Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, property owners, or alcohol providers.

Federal Laws That Apply

The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires universities receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and maintain public hazing data.
Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, schools have a duty to investigate and address it.
Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes, including assaults that may occur during hazing.

A Texas Case in Focus: Leonel Bermudez vs. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

To understand the stakes, look no further than the active litigation we are handling. This case is not a historical example; it is a current, multi-million-dollar lawsuit that exemplifies the extreme dangers of modern hazing.

The Parties:

Plaintiff: Leonel Bermudez, a UH student and Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu chapter) pledge.
Defendants: The University of Houston, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders (president, pledgemaster, risk manager, etc.).

The Alleged Hazing (Fall 2025):

Humiliation & Control: A “pledge fanny pack” rule requiring constant carry of condoms, sex toys, and nicotine devices. Strict dress codes, mandatory interviews, and overnight chauffeuring duties.
Physical Abuse: Sprints, bear crawls, “save-your-brother” drills at Yellowstone Boulevard Park. Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints.
The Breaking Point: On November 3, Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion. He was left unable to stand without help.

The Medical Catastrophe:
In the days following, Bermudez’s condition deteriorated. He passed brown urine—a classic sign of rhabdomyolysis, a severe skeletal muscle breakdown. Rushed to the hospital, he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His creatine kinase (CK) levels were critically high. He was hospitalized for four days and faces an ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

The Institutional Response:

November 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspended the chapter.
November 14, 2025: Chapter members voted to surrender their charter; the chapter was shut down.
UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary action and cooperation with law enforcement.

This case is the embodiment of why experienced legal counsel is critical. It involves severe injury, multiple institutional defendants, complex insurance coverage issues, and the need for a data-driven investigation to hold every responsible party accountable.

The Greek Ecosystem Surrounding Heath, Texas Families

Heath sits within the massive Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area, which, according to our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, contains over 500 Greek-related organizations. When your child joins a fraternity or sorority at a Texas school, they are not just joining a campus club. They are connecting to a vast network of legally recognized entities—house corporations, alumni chapters, educational foundations, and national headquarters—many with their own insurance policies and legal liabilities.

Public Records Directory: Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses

Our firm maintains a detailed database from public IRS and campus records. This investigative work ensures we know the landscape before we even begin a case. Below is a snapshot of the kinds of organizations operating in the DFW metro and surrounding areas that serve students from Heath.

Fraternities, Sororities, and Related Entities in the DFW Metro & Statewide:

Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, EIN 74-2911848, 12650 N Beach St, Fort Worth, TX 76244 (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 74-1380362, PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 Filing)
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Lambda Lambda Chapter, EIN 52-1278573, 3837 Simpson Stuart Rd, Dallas, TX 75241 (IRS B83 Filing)
Sigma Chi Fraternity – Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 74-6084905, 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 Filing)
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Chapter, EIN 74-6064445, 1855 Highway 69 N, Nederland, TX 77627 (IRS B83 Filing – Connected to Lamar University)
Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 46-2267515, 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 Filing – Connected to UH Chapter)
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas A&M University Chapter, EIN 90-0293166, 114 Henderson Hall, College Station, TX 77843 (IRS B83 Filing)

This is a fraction of the 1,423 Greek organizations we track across Texas. Each represents a potential point of liability and insurance coverage in a hazing case.

Where Heath Families Send Their Students: Campus Connections

Students from Heath and Rockwall County attend universities across Texas. Some of the most prominent include:

Local and Regional Campuses:

The University of Texas at Dallas (Richardson, Dallas County) – A major research university with growing Greek life, minutes from Heath.
Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce, Hunt County) – A significant regional campus with active fraternity and sorority communities.
Collin College (Various campuses, Collin County) – Many students begin here before transferring to four-year schools with Greek systems.

Major Statewide Hubs:

University of Texas at Austin – The flagship campus with over 60 Greek chapters.
Texas A&M University (College Station) – Home to a vast Greek system and the Corps of Cadets.
University of Houston – A large urban system where our flagship Bermudez case is pending.
Southern Methodist University (Dallas) – A private university with a historically strong Greek culture.
Baylor University (Waco) – A private Christian university with affiliated Greek organizations.
Texas Tech University (Lubbock), Texas State University (San Marcos), University of North Texas (Denton).

Each of these campuses has its own Greek ecosystem, populated by chapters of national organizations with documented histories of hazing incidents nationwide.

National Patterns, Local Consequences: Why Fraternity Histories Matter

When a chapter at UT Austin, Texas A&M, or SMU hazes, it is rarely an isolated incident. National fraternities and sororities have track records—patterns of the same dangerous behaviors repeating across the country. This “pattern evidence” is crucial in civil litigation, as it shows national headquarters knew or should have known the risks.

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): The national organization behind the UH chapter in our case has a history. At Bowling Green State University (2021), pledge Stone Foltz died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. His family reached a $10 million settlement. This shows a national pattern of alcohol hazing during “Big/Little” events.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): This fraternity has been involved in numerous hazing deaths and injuries. At Texas A&M, pledges alleged they were doused with industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. At the University of Alabama, a lawsuit alleges a pledge suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Phi Delta Theta: At LSU, Maxwell “Max” Gruver died after a “Bible study” drinking game. His death led to the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making hazing a felony.

Pi Kappa Phi: At Florida State University, Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother” night, leading to the suspension of all Greek life at FSU.

These national histories create a legal duty. When a national organization fails to effectively monitor, train, and discipline its chapters—allowing the same deadly patterns to recur—it can be held liable for negligent supervision. For a family in Heath, this means the lawsuit may not stop at the local students; it can reach the deep-pocketed national headquarters and their insurers.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Pursuing a hazing case requires a strategic, evidence-first approach. At Attorney911, we leverage our experience from complex litigation against billion-dollar corporations (like our work on the BP Texas City explosion cases) to build unassailable claims against universities and national fraternities.

The Evidence Matrix

Modern evidence collection is digital and immediate:

Digital Communications: We subpoena and use digital forensics to recover GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, and Discord logs—even deleted messages. These show planning, coercion, and cover-up attempts.
Social Media & Photos: Posts, stories, and videos on Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok that capture events or injuries.
Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” lists, and emails from national headquarters that show knowledge of risky practices.
University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same chapter, obtained through discovery or public records requests. UT Austin, for example, publishes a public hazing violations log.
Medical Records: Documenting the full extent of physical and psychological harm, from ER reports to diagnoses of PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and RAs.

Recoverable Damages in a Hazing Lawsuit

The goal is to make the victim whole and deter future conduct. Recoverable damages can include:

Economic Damages: All past and future medical bills, lost wages, lost educational costs (tuition, scholarships), and diminished future earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, and psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression).
Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship, love, and guidance.
Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious conduct, courts may award damages to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior.

Practical Guide for Heath Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs:

Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation.
Sudden secrecy about group activities.
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
Financial stress from unexplained “fines” or costs.

What to Do:

Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’ve noticed you’re really tired lately. Is everything okay with your group?”
Prioritize Safety: If there’s any immediate danger, call 911.
Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages and photograph injuries.
Seek Medical Care: Get a thorough medical and psychological evaluation.
Consult a Lawyer Early: Before reporting to the university, talk to an attorney who can help you navigate the process and protect your child’s rights.

For Students: Is This Hazing?

Ask yourself:

Am I being pressured or coerced?
Would I do this if I truly had a free choice?
Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or secret?
Are older members making me do things they don’t have to do?
If you answer “yes,” it is hazing. Your “consent” under pressure is not real consent under Texas law.

How to Exit Safely:

Your safety comes first. Call 911 in an emergency.
You have the right to quit. Send a clear text or email: “I am resigning my membership, effective immediately.”
Do not attend “one last meeting” where you could be pressured or threatened.
Report the conduct to the Dean of Students office and/or campus police. Texas law offers protections for good-faith reporters.
Reach out to a trusted adult or attorney.

Critical Mistakes to Avoid

Deleting Evidence: Preserve all messages and photos. Deletion can be seen as obstruction.
Confronting the Chapter Directly: This triggers their defense lawyers and leads to evidence destruction.
Signing University Paperwork Prematurely: Do not sign any waivers, releases, or “resolution” agreements without an attorney’s review.
Posting on Social Media: Public posts can be used against you and compromise your case.
Waiting Too Long: Statutes of limitations apply, and evidence fades. Act decisively.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Hazing Case in Texas

When your family in Heath is facing the trauma of hazing, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the intricate power dynamics of universities and national Greek organizations, and who have the track record to prove it.

Our Strategic Advantages:

Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies evaluate claims, deny coverage, and employ delay tactics. We know their playbook because we used to help write it.
Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing partner Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced billion-dollar defendants with limitless legal resources. We are not intimidated by national fraternity headquarters or university regents.
Data-Driven Investigation: We don’t start from scratch. We utilize our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a proprietary database of over 1,400 Greek organizations—to immediately identify all potentially liable entities, from housing corporations to alumni boards.
Dual Civil & Criminal Capability: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal side of hazing cases. We can effectively advise clients navigating both criminal investigations and civil lawsuits.
Proven Results in Catastrophic Injury: We have secured multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We work with life-care planners, economists, and medical experts to ensure every future need is accounted for.
Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is a fluent Spanish speaker, ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family in Heath, Rockwall County, or anywhere in Texas, you do not have to navigate this crisis alone. The path to accountability begins with a conversation.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today for a free, confidential, no-obligation case evaluation.

In your consultation, we will:

Listen to your story with compassion and without judgment.
Review any evidence you have gathered.
Explain your family’s legal rights and options under Texas law.
Discuss the realistic paths forward, including potential civil litigation.
Explain our contingency fee structure: You pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Distance is no barrier to justice.

Call us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com
Se habla Español.

Let us help you secure the accountability, compensation, and closure your family deserves, and ensure no other student suffers the same harm.

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)