Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Lamesa and West Texas Families

Section 1: Hook & Case Anchor – A West Texas Parent’s Worst Nightmare

Imagine you’ve just dropped your child off at a Texas university, filled with pride and hope for their future. Weeks later, you get a call that shatters your world. Your student is in the hospital, not from an accident or illness, but from rituals inflicted by a group they trusted to become part of a community.

Right now, in Houston, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history—a case that shows exactly how quickly tradition can turn into tragedy. For families in Lamesa, Dawson County, and across West Texas, this isn’t a distant news story. It’s a stark warning of what can happen when universities and national organizations fail to protect our children.

We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered catastrophic injuries during his fall 2025 pledge period with the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit, Bermudez was subjected to months of abuse, including:

• A degrading “pledge fanny pack” rule requiring him to carry condoms, a sex toy, and nicotine devices.
• Extreme physical hazing at locations including the Pi Kappa Phi house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park. This included sprints, bear crawls, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.
• A “Nov 3 workout” where he was forced to complete over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

The result was a medical catastrophe. Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis—a severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, could not stand without help, and was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels, facing a lifelong risk of permanent kidney damage.

This case is not an anomaly. It is the flagship proof that Attorney911 is actively leading the fight against hazing in Texas courts. We sued the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The chapter was swiftly suspended and then shut down after members voted to surrender their charter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

If you are a parent in Lamesa, Seminole, or anywhere in the South Plains, this case matters. The same national fraternities and sororities present at UH also have chapters at Texas Tech in Lubbock, West Texas A&M in Canyon, and other schools where our West Texas students enroll. The institutional failures are often the same. This guide is for you—to understand the reality of hazing in 2025, the legal landscape in Texas, and how to protect your child.

• IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:
  • If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW, call 911 for medical emergencies.
  • Then, call Attorney911 at 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, preserve evidence (screenshot group chats, photograph injuries, save physical items), write down everything, and do NOT confront the organization, sign anything from the university, or post on social media.

Section 2: The Lamesa and West Texas Greek Ecosystem – A Data-Driven Look

As hazing litigation specialists, we don’t rely on guesswork. We investigate using hard data. For families in Lamesa and Dawson County, it’s important to understand the scope of Greek life in our region and across Texas. We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public records, including IRS filings and organizational databases, tracking over 1,400 Greek-related entities across 25 Texas metros.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving West Texas Families

The organizations behind fraternity and sorority letters are real legal entities—often with employer identification numbers (EINs), property holdings, and insurance policies. When hazing occurs, identifying every liable entity is critical. Below is a snapshot of the public records we track, showing the infrastructure that supports Greek life at schools attended by Lamesa students.

Tier 1 – Lubbock Metro Area & West Texas (Where Many Lamesa Students Attend)

The Lubbock metropolitan area, which is the closest major educational hub to Lamesa, hosts 59 Greek organizations according to Cause IQ data. These include undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, and housing corporations supporting Texas Tech University and other institutions.

• Texas Tech Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Housing – EIN not specified. Lubbock, TX. (Cause IQ metro listing).
• Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Chi Chapter (Texas Tech) – EIN not specified. Lubbock, TX. (Cause IQ metro listing).
• Alpha Phi Omega – TTU Chapter – EIN not specified. Lubbock, TX. (Cause IQ metro listing).
• Epsilon Nu Housing Corporation – EIN 237359384. Lubbock, TX 79401. (IRS B83 public filing).
• Alpha Omega Epsilon-Beta Alpha Chapter – EIN 473967233. Lubbock, TX 79416. (IRS B83 public filing).
• TKE OP Housing – EIN 475033161. Lubbock, TX 79423. (IRS B83 public filing).
• Gamma Phi House Corporation of Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity – EIN 751283953. Lubbock, TX 79423. (IRS B83 public filing).
• Farm House Fraternity Inc. (Texas Tech University Chapter) – EIN 751565336. Lubbock, TX 79416. (IRS B83 public filing).
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas Tech Univ. Health Sciences – EIN 820644459. Lubbock, TX 79430. (IRS B83 public filing).

Tier 2 – Major State Universities Where Lamesa Families Send Their Kids

Students from Lamesa often attend schools across Texas. We track the organizational backbone at these campuses.

• University of Houston:
  • Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc. – EIN 462267515. Frisco, TX 75035. (IRS B83 filing).
  • Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter – EIN 746084905. Houston, TX 77204. (IRS B83 filing).
  • Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Houston, TX. (Cause IQ metro listing).
• Texas A&M University:
  • Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc. – EIN 133048786. College Station, TX 77845. (IRS B83 filing).
  • Sigma Chi Fraternity – Eta Upsilon Chapter – College Station, TX. (Cause IQ metro listing).
  • Beta Theta Pi – Eta Chapter House Corp. – College Station, TX. (Cause IQ metro listing).
• University of Texas at Austin:
  • Chi Omega Fraternity (House Corporation) – EIN 740555581. Austin, TX 78705. (IRS B83 filing).
  • Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi – EIN 746047117. Austin, TX 78705. (IRS B83 filing).
  • Texas Rho Housing Corporation (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) – Austin, TX. (Cause IQ metro listing).
• West Texas A&M University (Canyon):
  • Frank Heflin Foundation (Phi Delta Theta alumni) – EIN 203507402. Canyon, TX 79015. (IRS B83 filing / Cause IQ overlap).
  • Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Assn. – EIN 752290669. Amarillo, TX 79118. (IRS B83 filing).
  • Phi Delta Theta Fraternity – Texas Theta Chapter – Canyon, TX. (Cause IQ metro listing).

Tier 3 – Texas-Wide Snapshot
Statewide, our data engine monitors 1,423 fraternity and sorority organizations across 25 metro areas. This includes 510 in Dallas-Fort Worth, 188 in Houston, 154 in Austin, and 86 in San Antonio. This intelligence allows us to see patterns, track national brands across multiple chapters, and identify all potential defendants in a hazing case.

For a Lamesa family, this means we don’t start from zero. If hazing happens at Texas Tech, we already know how to find the local housing corporation, the alumni chapter network, and the national headquarters. This investigative depth is what turns a devastating incident into a case built for accountability.

Section 3: Where Lamesa and Dawson County Families Send Their Kids to College

Understanding the campus landscape is crucial. Hazing risks exist across a wide range of universities, from large state flagships to regional campuses.

Local & Regional Campuses:

• Texas Tech University (Lubbock): The closest major research university to Lamesa, with a significant Greek life presence including Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternities, Panhellenic sororities, and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations.
• West Texas A&M University (Canyon): A key university in the Texas A&M System serving the Panhandle, with active fraternity and sorority life.
• South Plains College (Levelland): While primarily a community college, students may transfer to four-year institutions and later join Greek life.
• Wayland Baptist University (Plainview): A private Christian university with its own campus life dynamics.

Major Statewide Hubs (Common Destinations):

• Texas A&M University (College Station)
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Houston
• Texas State University (San Marcos)
• Baylor University (Waco)
• Southern Methodist University (Dallas)

For a family in Lamesa, a hazing incident could occur just an hour away in Lubbock or hours away in College Station or Austin. Wherever it happens, Texas law applies, and our firm has the experience to handle cases across the state.

Section 4: The Law & Liability Framework – A Texas Hazing Lawyer’s Explanation

Hazing is not just a violation of university policy; it is a crime and a civil wrong under Texas law. Here’s what Lamesa families need to know.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37):

• Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or maintaining membership in an organization, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student. This includes forced drinking, physical brutality, and extreme stress.
• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals who fail to report hazing or who retaliate against reporters can also face charges.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (§37.155) is clear—even if a student “agreed” to participate, it is not a defense to prosecution. Courts understand the power dynamics and coercion involved.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity or sorority itself can be fined up to $10,000 per violation and lose its university recognition.

Civil Liability & Lawsuits:
A criminal case is brought by the state to punish wrongdoing. A civil lawsuit, which we specialize in, is brought by the victim or their family to recover damages and hold all responsible parties accountable. Potential defendants in a civil hazing case include:

1. The individual students who planned and carried out the hazing.
2. The local chapter as an entity.
3. The national fraternity/sorority headquarters for negligent supervision and failure to stop known patterns of abuse.
4. The university for negligent oversight and failure to protect students.
5. Housing corporations and property owners where the hazing occurred.

Federal Laws:

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, universities have specific obligations to respond.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to disclose campus crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults.
• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires increased transparency in hazing reporting and prevention from federally funded institutions.

In our Leonel Bermudez case, we are utilizing this full legal framework, suing individuals, the local chapter, the Pi Kappa Phi national organization, and the University of Houston system. It is a complex, multi-defendant institutional fight—exactly the type of case our firm is built to handle.

Section 5: Building a Case with Attorney911’s Data Engine & Experience

When you hire us, you’re not just getting a lawyer; you’re getting a team with a proven playbook for investigating hazing and fighting powerful institutions.

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation:
Digital evidence is often the key. We guide families to immediately preserve:

• Group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord).
• Social media posts and stories (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok).
• Photos and videos of injuries, events, and locations.
• Medical records detailing the harm.
  We have a video guide on using your phone to document evidence for a legal case.

2. Investigation Using Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:
We use our proprietary database to map the entire organizational structure behind a chapter. In the Bermudez case, this means identifying not just the active members, but the alumni housing corporation (based in Frisco, TX), the national headquarters, and their insurers. We know which entities have deep pockets and insurance coverage.

3. Leveraging National Pattern Evidence:
We research the national history of the organization involved. For example, Pi Kappa Phi was involved in the Andrew Coffey hazing death at Florida State University in 2017. This pattern of similar incidents—often involving forced drinking—establishes “foreseeability,” showing the national organization knew or should have known the risks and failed to prevent them.

4. Firm Advantages That Matter for Hazing Cases:

• 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 insurers evaluate claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. This insider knowledge is invaluable.
• Complex Institutional Litigation: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by billion-dollar defendants or complex, multi-party lawsuits.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal process that often runs parallel to civil hazing cases, allowing us to advise clients comprehensively.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring we can serve all Texas families, including the Hispanic community in Lamesa and the South Plains.

Section 6: Practical Steps for Parents & Students in Lamesa

If You Suspect or Discover Hazing:

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: If there is any immediate danger or injury, call 911 and seek medical care. Do not delay.
2. Preserve Evidence: Follow our evidence preservation guide. Assume digital evidence will be deleted.
3. Document Everything: Write down a timeline with names, dates, locations, and what happened while memories are fresh.
4. Report Strategically: You can report to campus police, the Dean of Students, and local law enforcement. However, be aware that universities often have conflicting interests. Consult with an attorney first to understand the implications.
5. Contact a Specialized Hazing Attorney Early: Do not wait for the university to complete its internal investigation. Evidence disappears, witnesses become reluctant, and the statute of limitations ticks away. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit, but critical investigation must begin immediately. Watch our video on Texas statutes of limitations.
6. Avoid Common Mistakes: Do not confront the fraternity/sorority, sign any documents from the university or insurers, or post details on social media. These actions can seriously harm a potential case. We explain more in our video on client mistakes that can ruin an injury case.

Section 7: Why Choose Attorney911 – Your West Texas Hazing Litigation Team

We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims and their families across Texas, including Lamesa, Dawson County, and the entire South Plains region. We have the resources and experience to travel to you and handle cases in courts statewide.

Our commitment is to provide immediate, aggressive, and professional help. We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. Learn more about how contingency fees work.

The Bermudez case is our current battle, but it is part of a decades-long commitment to holding powerful institutions accountable—from BP to national fraternities. We combine relentless investigation with trial-tested litigation strategy.

If hazing has injured your child at Texas Tech, West Texas A&M, or any Texas campus, you do not have to face this alone. The organizations involved have lawyers and insurers. You deserve a firm that knows how to fight them.

Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. Let us listen to your story, explain your legal options, and help you secure the accountability and compensation necessary for healing and justice.

Call Attorney911 24/7 at: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Se habla Español.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and law. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly to discuss your situation. The facts of the Leonel Bermudez case are based on publicly filed court documents and media reports.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit:
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/
https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs – Using your cellphone to document evidence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c – Texas statutes of limitations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY – Client mistakes that can ruin your case.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc – How contingency fees work.

Attorney911 Main Website:
https://attorney911.com