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A Parent’s Worst Fear: Understanding Hazing Risks and Rights for Lubbock County Families

The late-night phone call every parent dreads. Your child, a promising student at Texas Tech University, calls from a hospital in Lubbock. Their speech is slurred, they’re confused, and you hear medical personnel in the background. They were at a “pledge event” for a fraternity, forced to drink an entire bottle of liquor during a “Big Brother” initiation. Now, they’re being treated for acute alcohol poisoning and severe dehydration. When you ask what happened, they whisper, “I had to do it. They said I’d be kicked out if I didn’t.” This is not a hypothetical scenario. It is the daily reality of hazing on college campuses, a reality that has shattered the lives of families from the South Plains to the Gulf Coast.

Right now, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country, representing Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. Your child’s story could be the next one in the headlines. This comprehensive guide is for parents and families in Lubbock County, Slaton, Idalou, and across the Texas South Plains. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the laws designed to protect your child, the grim national patterns that keep repeating, and the specific risks at universities where Lubbock County families send their children. Our goal is to arm you with knowledge, so if the unthinkable happens, you know exactly where to turn.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger right now:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.

In the first 48 hours, your priorities must be:

1. Medical Care: Get your child to an ER or urgent care immediately, even if they protest.
2. Evidence Preservation: Do NOT let your child delete anything. Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), photograph injuries from multiple angles, and save any physical objects involved.
3. Document Everything: Write down everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations, and specific acts—while their memory is fresh.
4. Secure Legal Guidance: Contact an experienced hazing attorney. Universities and fraternities move quickly to control narratives and evidence disappears fast.

What NOT to do:

• Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
• Sign any documents from the university or an insurance company.
• Post details on public social media.
• Allow your child to attend “one last meeting” to “talk things out.”

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like on Texas Campuses

For Lubbock County parents, hazing might conjure images of old movies—paddlings and silly pranks. Today’s hazing is more insidious, digitally enabled, and often disguised as “tradition” or “team building.” The legal definition under Texas law is broad: any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. Consent is not a defense.

Modern Hazing Tactics Seen at Texas Schools:

• Alcohol & Substance Coercion: Forced consumption during “lineups,” “family tree” drinking games, or “Big/Little” nights. This remains the leading cause of hazing deaths nationwide.
• Physical “Workouts” & Abuse: Calisthenics to the point of collapse (like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case), paddlings, exposure to extreme elements, or being forced to lie in vomit.
• Psychological Torment & Humiliation: Sleep deprivation, constant verbal abuse, social isolation, and “grilling” sessions designed to break down a pledge’s will.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, or demeaning costumes and roles. This can trigger Title IX investigations alongside hazing claims.
• Digital Hazing & Control: 24/7 demands via GroupMe, forced location sharing on Snapchat Maps, public shaming on social media, and requiring immediate responses to messages at all hours.

These acts don’t just happen in fraternity houses. They occur in sororities, the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, athletic teams, spirit groups like the Texas Tech Saddle Tramps, and other campus organizations. The common thread is an abuse of power, cloaked in secrecy and tradition.

The Law & Liability Framework: A Texas Parent’s Guide

When hazing injures your child, multiple layers of law come into play. Understanding this framework is the first step toward accountability.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37):
Texas takes hazing seriously. Key provisions every Lubbock County parent should know:

• Crime & Penalties: Hazing is a criminal offense. It escalates from a Class B misdemeanor to 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.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 per violation and lose its university recognition.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (Sec. 37.155) is crystal clear—a student “agreeing” to the abuse is irrelevant. Courts recognize the power imbalance and coercion inherent in these situations.
• Good-Faith Reporting Protection: Those who call for help in a medical emergency have some legal protection, even if they were involved.

Civil Liability: Where Families Seek Justice and Compensation
A criminal case, handled by the state, aims to punish. A civil lawsuit, which we file on behalf of families, aims to compensate for harms and force institutional change. The liable parties often include:

1. The Individuals: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued for fostering a dangerous culture.
3. The National Organization: Headquarters that collect dues, provide materials, and have a history of similar incidents across the country. We use our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine to trace these connections.
4. The University: Schools like Texas Tech or the University of Houston can be liable for negligent supervision if they knew or should have known about the risks and failed to act.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, property owners, or alcohol providers.

The Federal Overlay: Title IX, Clery, and New National Laws
Federal law adds another layer of accountability, especially if the hazing involves sexual harassment, discrimination, or if the school fails to report crimes. The 2024 Stop Campus Hazing Act is now forcing universities to be more transparent in their hazing reporting, a tool we use to hold them accountable.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Predict Tragedy

The cases that make national news are not anomalies; they are the inevitable result of predictable patterns. For Lubbock County families, these cases are not just headlines—they are roadmaps showing how institutions fail and what justice can look like.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern:

• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A $10 million settlement after a pledge died from being forced to drink a bottle of liquor. This mirrors the forced consumption we see in Texas cases.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): A “Bible study” drinking game led to a fatal BAC of 0.495%. His family’s fight led to Louisiana’ felony hazing law.

The Physical & Ritualized Abuse Pattern:

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): A blindfolded, violent “glass ceiling” ritual at an off-campus retreat caused fatal head trauma. The national fraternity was criminally convicted.

The Athletic Hazing Pattern:

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): A multi-year, systemic hazing scandal alleging sexualized and racist abuse, leading to multiple lawsuits and confidential settlements. This proves hazing is not confined to Greek life.

These histories matter because they create foreseeability. When a Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH engages in forced drinking and extreme workouts, the national headquarters cannot claim ignorance. They’ve seen this script before—it killed Andrew Coffey at Florida State in 2017. We use these national patterns to prove that the harm to your child was predictable and preventable.

Texas University Focus: Risks at Schools Lubbock County Families Trust

Lubbock County parents invest in their children’s futures at universities across Texas. Here is what you need to know about the hazing landscapes at these institutions.

Texas Tech University: The Hub of the South Plains

For families in Lubbock County, Texas Tech is not just a university; it’s part of our community. With a significant Greek life presence and a campus culture steeped in tradition, the risks are real and present.

• Campus Culture & Greek Life: Texas Tech hosts a vibrant Greek community with dozens of Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic chapters, alongside a strong network of NPHC (Divine Nine) and multicultural organizations. The very traditions that build school spirit can sometimes cross the line into hazing.
• Official Policy & Reporting: Texas Tech prohibits hazing, defining it consistently with state law. Reports can be made to the Office of Student Conduct, the Texas Tech Police Department, or through anonymous online systems. However, like all schools, internal processes often prioritize institutional protection.
• Local Legal Landscape: A hazing case involving Texas Tech may involve the Lubbock County District Attorney’s office for criminal charges and would be litigated in Lubbock County courts for civil matters. We understand this local jurisdiction intimately.
• Action for Texas Tech Families: Document everything and report to both Texas Tech authorities and the Lubbock Police Department if a crime occurred. Do not rely solely on the university’s internal process. Seek independent legal counsel to ensure evidence is preserved and all liable parties—from individual students to national headquarters—are identified.

University of Houston: A Flagship Case in Our Backyard

We are currently litigating the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case, a $10 million lawsuit that is a textbook example of severe, systemic hazing.

• The Case Details: UH transfer student Leonel Bermudez pledged the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter in Fall 2025. Hazing included a degrading “pledge fanny pack,” forced overnight driving, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and extreme physical workouts. On November 3, 2025, he was forced through over 100 push-ups and 500 squats. He later developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passing brown urine and requiring a four-day hospitalization.
• Institutional Response: After media exposure by Click2Houston and ABC13, Pi Kappa Phi nationals suspended the chapter. Members voted to surrender their charter on November 14, 2025. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”
• Why This Matters to You: This case proves that catastrophic hazing is happening right now at major Texas universities. It shows the pattern: forced exertion, humiliation, delayed medical care, and institutional knowledge. We are using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine to identify every liable entity behind this chapter, from the housing corporation to the national organization.

(Detailed sections for Texas A&M University, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor University would follow a similar structure, outlining documented incidents, local jurisdictional issues, and specific advice for families connected to those schools.)

Fraternities & Sororities: The National Brands Behind the Local Chapters

When your child is harmed by a fraternity at Texas Tech, you are not just dealing with a group of students. You are facing a national organization with a history, an insurance policy, and a legal strategy. Our investigative advantage stems from our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, a proprietary database built from public records.

A Snapshot of Our Public Records Directory for Texas:
We track the ecosystem to hold it accountable. For example, within the IRS and organizational data we maintain, we see entities like:

• Farm House Fraternity Inc., EIN 751565336, at 3 Greek Circle in Lubbock, TX 79416—the Texas Tech University chapter entity.
• Epsilon Nu Housing Corporation, EIN 237359384, in Lubbock, TX 79401.
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc., EIN 273662583, in Lufkin, TX 75904.
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation, EIN 371768785, in Missouri City, TX 77459.

This is just a fraction of over 1,400 Greek-related organizations we track across 25 Texas metros. Why does this matter? Because the “Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation” in Missouri City is a legally distinct entity that may hold insurance or assets related to a chapter’s activities. Finding all responsible parties is the key to achieving full accountability.

National Histories Create Local Liability: The fraternity that hazes at Texas Tech is often part of a national network with a documented pattern. For instance:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) has faced wrongful death lawsuits, traumatic brain injury claims, and a Texas A&M lawsuit alleging chemical burns from industrial cleaner.
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) has been involved in multiple deaths, including Stone Foltz’s, leading to multi-million-dollar settlements.
• Phi Delta Theta was central to the Max Gruver death at LSU.

When we take a case, we immediately subpoena the national organization’s records to uncover prior complaints, incident reports, and risk management failures. This pattern evidence is powerful in proving negligence and securing justice.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Pursuing a hazing case requires a methodical, evidence-driven strategy. We treat it like the complex institutional litigation it is.

Critical Evidence We Immediately Secure:

• Digital Forensics: Deleted GroupMe chats, Snapchat messages, Instagram DMs. We work with experts to recover what members try to destroy.
• Chapter & National Records: Pledge manuals, “tradition” documents, emails between local officers and national headquarters, and prior disciplinary files from the university.
• Medical Documentation: ER records, toxicology reports, diagnoses of conditions like rhabdomyolysis or PTSD, and long-term care plans from specialists.
• Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders who can break the code of silence.

Understanding Damages: What Can Be Recovered
The goal is to make your child whole and force change. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost tuition if schooling is disrupted, and loss of future earning capacity in cases of permanent disability.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, severe emotional distress, PTSD, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the ultimate tragedy, families can recover funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional anguish.

We work with life-care planners and economists to build a full picture of the harm, ensuring we do not settle for less than your family deserves.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Lubbock County Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Immediate Steps

Red Flags Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries, exhaustion, or sudden weight changes.
• Becoming secretive or defensive about organization activities.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Declining grades or missing classes due to “mandatory” events.
• Personality shifts towards anxiety, depression, or anger.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “Has anything made you uncomfortable during pledging?” “Are you ever afraid to say no?”
2. Preserve Evidence: If they show you messages, screenshot them immediately.
3. Seek Medical Care: Health comes first. A medical record also creates crucial documentation.
4. Contact an Attorney Before Reporting: We can help you navigate reporting to the university or police in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves evidence. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You CAN leave. Your safety is more important than any membership. Texas law protects good-faith reporters.
• If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Then call us.
• Document everything secretly if you can: Screenshot, record (Texas is a one-party consent state), and save.
• You are not “weak” for speaking up. You are brave, and you could save someone else’s life.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

We detail this in our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case, but key errors include:

• Deleting messages or social media posts.
• Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly, giving them a head start to destroy evidence.
• Signing a university “resolution” agreement without an attorney reviewing it.
• Waiting too long. Evidence vanishes and statutes of limitations apply. Learn more about Texas deadlines in our statute of limitations video.

Why The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 for Your Hazing Case

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the enemy’s playbook and have the resources to win. From our Houston office, we serve families across Texas, including Lubbock County and the entire South Plains region.

Our Proven Advantages for Hazing Litigation:

1. Insider Insurance Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers undervalue claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. We know their strategy because we used to help build it.
2. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: 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 corporations, national fraternities, or large universities. We have federal court experience and a track record of multi-million-dollar results in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases.
3. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: We don’t start from zero. We maintain a proprietary database of over 1,400 Greek organizations in Texas, built from IRS filings, university records, and public data. We use this to immediately identify all potentially liable entities in your case.
4. Dual Civil & Criminal Capability: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal side of hazing investigations. We can advise clients navigating both criminal and civil exposure, and we know how to work with prosecutors when necessary.
5. Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. We are proud to serve Hispanic families in Lubbock County and across Texas in their native language.

We are currently leading the charge in the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case. We see firsthand the devastation hazing causes. Our mission is to secure justice for your family and force the institutional changes that will prevent the next tragedy.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If hazing has impacted your child at Texas Tech, any Texas university, or any campus nationwide, you do not have to navigate this alone.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today.

• Call our Legal Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Website: https://attorney911.com

Your free consultation includes:

• A compassionate review of what happened.
• An honest assessment of your legal options.
• A clear explanation of how we investigate hazing cases.
• A discussion of our contingency fee structure—you pay nothing unless we win.

We represent families throughout Texas and across the country. For Lubbock County families facing the nightmare of campus hazing, we are here to fight for answers, for accountability, and for your child’s future.

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 applicable law. If you believe your child has been a victim of hazing, please contact us or another qualified attorney for a case-specific consultation.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Website: https://attorney911.com