Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Matador Families

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

For parents in Matador and across Motley County, sending your child to college is filled with pride and hope. You imagine them making lifelong friends, excelling in their studies, and building a bright future at Texas Tech, West Texas A&M, or any of Texas’s great universities. The last thing you expect is a phone call telling you your child has been hospitalized because of what a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or athletic team did to them.

Right now, in our own state, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who was hazed by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter in fall 2025. His story—documented in a $10 million lawsuit covered by Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline—shows exactly what Texas families are up against: forced humiliation, extreme physical abuse, and institutional failure that nearly cost a young man his kidneys.

This guide is for you, the parents and families of Matador. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like today, what Texas law says, and how the same national organizations that harmed Leonel Bermudez at UH operate chapters across our state—including at schools where your children study. We’ll show you what legal options exist and how our firm uses data-driven investigation to hold every responsible party accountable.

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 immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted using techniques from our evidence preservation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity/sorority
  • Sign anything from the university or insurance company
  • Post details on public social media
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:
Evidence disappears fast. We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For families in Matador who may be less familiar with modern campus Greek life, hazing has evolved far beyond “pranks” or “initiation rituals.” It’s systematic abuse that endangers lives while being carefully hidden from parents and university officials.

The Three Tiers of Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – Often dismissed as “harmless tradition”

• Deception & secrecy: Pledges told to lie to parents, RAs, and university officials
• Servitude requirements: Mandatory chauffeuring at all hours, cleaning members’ rooms, running personal errands
• Social control: Permission required to socialize with non-members, 24/7 group chat monitoring
• Psychological manipulation: Demeaning nicknames, forced confessional sessions

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – Creates hostile, abusive environments

• Sleep deprivation: Mandatory 3 AM wake-ups, all-night “study sessions”
• Food/water manipulation: Forced consumption of disgusting combinations, deprivation as punishment
• Extreme physical exertion: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups/squats until collapse
• Public humiliation: Forced embarrassing performances, wearing degrading costumes

Tier 3: Violent Hazing – High potential for serious injury or death

• Forced alcohol consumption: The #1 cause of hazing deaths – “Big/Little” drinking games, handles of liquor, binge drinking challenges
• Physical beatings: Paddling, punching, “gladiator” fights
• Sexualized abuse: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault
• Dangerous environments: Locked in freezing rooms, left outside in extreme weather, dangerous driving while impaired

Digital Hazing: The 24/7 Pressure Cooker

Modern hazing follows students everywhere through their phones:

• Group chat tyranny: Pledges must respond instantly to messages at all hours
• Social media humiliation: Forced TikTok challenges, Instagram story dares
• Location tracking: Required sharing of real-time location via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
• Evidence destruction coaching: Members teach pledges how to use disappearing messages and delete evidence

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

While fraternities and sororities receive most attention, hazing occurs across campus organizations:

• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs (particularly at Texas A&M)
• Athletic teams from football to cheerleading
• Spirit organizations like Texas Cowboys at UT Austin
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Academic honor societies and professional organizations

Texas Hazing Law: What Matador Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws addressing hazing that apply whether your child attends school in Lubbock, Canyon, College Station, or Houston. Understanding these laws is the first step toward accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

§ 37.151 Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
• Occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization

Key points for Matador families:

• Location doesn’t matter: Hazing at an off-campus house, Airbnb, or retreat is still illegal
• “Consent is not a defense”: Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing under Texas law (§ 37.155)
• Mental harm counts: Psychological abuse, humiliation, and coercion qualify

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

• Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability:
Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can be:

• Fined up to $10,000 per violation
• Permanently banned from campus
• Held criminally liable if they authorized or knew about hazing

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the State of Texas (district attorney)
• Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Charges can include: hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims and families
• Goal: Compensation and accountability
• Claims can include: negligence, wrongful death, emotional distress, negligent supervision

Important: These cases can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required to file a civil lawsuit, and vice versa.

Federal Laws That Apply to Texas Hazing Cases

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

• Requires universities receiving federal funds to publicly report hazing incidents
• Mandates hazing prevention education programs
• Phased implementation through 2026

Title IX: Applies when hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based discrimination

Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes occurring on or near campus

The Leonel Bermudez Case: What Happened at University of Houston

Right now, we’re leading one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas. Understanding what happened to Leonel Bermudez shows exactly how hazing operates and why experienced legal representation matters.

The Timeline of Abuse

Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter at UH in September 2025. What followed was systematic abuse:

September-October 2025:

• Forced to carry a “pledge fanny pack” 24/7 containing condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices, and humiliating items
• Mandatory dress codes, hours-long “study blocks,” weekly interrogations
• Overnight chauffeuring duties for members
• October 13: Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour

Early November 2025:

• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, immediately followed by sprints
• Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”
• Lying in vomit-soaked grass during “workouts”
• November 3: Forced through 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under threat of expulsion

Medical Catastrophe

After the November 3 hazing, Bermudez’s condition deteriorated rapidly:

• Could not stand without help, crawled upstairs
• Passed brown urine – a classic sign of muscle breakdown
• Hospitalized November 6-9 with critically high creatine kinase levels
• Diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure
• Faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage

Institutional Response

• November 6: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspended the Beta Nu chapter
• November 14: Chapter members voted to surrender their charter
• University of Houston: Called conduct “deeply disturbing,” promised disciplinary action up to expulsion
• Our lawsuit: Filed against UH, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national, Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders

Why This Case Matters for Matador Families

The same national organization that harmed Leonel Bermudez at UH operates chapters across Texas. The same insurance companies that will fight his case insure fraternities at Texas Tech, West Texas A&M, and everywhere your children might attend school. This case shows our firm’s active, frontline experience in holding powerful institutions accountable.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: Organizations Serving Matador Families

When your child joins a fraternity or sorority in Texas, they’re not just joining a campus club. They’re connecting to a complex network of legal entities, insurance policies, and national organizations. We maintain what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine – a comprehensive database of every Greek organization operating in our state.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Across Texas

If you are a parent in Matador, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. Below are examples from public records showing the scale and structure of Texas’s Greek ecosystem.

Texas-Registered Greek Organizations (IRS B83 Records):
The IRS recognizes 125+ Texas-registered Greek entities. These are not casual clubs – they’re formal organizations with Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), legal names, and registered addresses. Examples include:

• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity | EIN: 746064445 | Nederland, TX 77627 | IRS B83 filing
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc | EIN: 741380362 | Fort Worth, TX 76147 | IRS B83 filing
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc | EIN: 462267515 | Frisco, TX 75035 | IRS B83 filing
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi | EIN: 900293166 | College Station, TX 77843 | Texas A&M University chapter
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority | EIN: 364091267 | Waco, TX 76710 | Xi Chi chapter
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity | EIN: 237279532 | Prairie View, TX 77446 | Prairie View A&M Alumni
• Chi Omega Fraternity | EIN: 740555581 | Austin, TX 78705 | House corporation
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc | EIN: 475370943 | Houston, TX 77204 | Theta Delta chapter

Greek Organizations in Key Texas Metros:

• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510+ Greek organizations
• Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188+ Greek organizations
• Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154+ Greek organizations
• Lubbock Metro: 59+ Greek organizations serving Texas Tech and surrounding areas

Where Matador Families Send Their Children

Parents in Matador and Motley County typically have children attending:

Regional Universities:

• Texas Tech University (Lubbock) – Major Greek life presence
• West Texas A&M University (Canyon) – Active Greek community
• Angelo State University (San Angelo)
• Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls)

Major Texas Hubs (Common Choices):

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

Each of these campuses hosts dozens of fraternity and sorority chapters, each connected to national organizations, housing corporations, and alumni networks that our data engine tracks.

National Organizations Behind Texas Chapters

The same national fraternities involved in high-profile hazing deaths operate chapters at Texas schools:

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ):

• Stone Foltz hazing death at Bowling Green State ($10M settlement)
• Chapters at: UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, SMU, Baylor

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ):

• Multiple hazing deaths nationwide
• Chemical burns case at Texas A&M ($1M lawsuit)
• Assault case at UT Austin
• Chapters at: UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, SMU

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

• Max Gruver hazing death at LSU ($6.1M verdict)
• Chapters at: UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

• Andrew Coffey hazing death at Florida State
• Leonel Bermudez case at University of Houston ($10M lawsuit)
• Chapters at: UT Austin, Texas A&M

This pattern matters because when a national organization has prior knowledge of hazing risks but fails to implement effective prevention, they can be held liable for what happens at their Texas chapters.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Recovery

When hazing injures your child, building a strong case requires immediate action and strategic expertise. Here’s how our approach works:

Critical Evidence That Wins Cases

Digital Evidence (Most Important):

• Group chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, iMessage (screenshot immediately)
• Social media: Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook posts
• Deleted message recovery: Digital forensics can often recover “disappearing” messages
• Location data: Geo-tags, Find My Friends history, Uber/Lyft receipts

Physical Evidence:

• Photograph injuries immediately: Multiple angles, include ruler for scale
• Preserve clothing: Don’t wash items with stains, tears, or substances
• Save objects: Paddles, bottles, props used in hazing
• Medical records: Request complete records including toxicology reports

Institutional Records:

• University conduct files: Prior violations by same organization
• National fraternity records: Incident reports, risk management files
• Insurance policies: Coverage documents for chapter and national

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

• Medical expenses: Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment
• Future medical needs: Lifelong care for permanent injuries (brain damage, organ failure)
• Lost educational opportunity: Tuition for semesters missed, lost scholarships
• Diminished earning capacity: Reduced lifetime earnings due to disability

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering: Physical pain from injuries
• Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment: Can’t participate in activities they once loved

Wrongful Death Damages (If Applicable):

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and guidance
• Family’s emotional suffering

Our Investigative Strategy

1. Immediate evidence preservation: We send digital preservation instructions within hours
2. Witness identification: Interviewing other pledges, members, roommates, RAs
3. Pattern evidence development: Researching prior incidents involving same organization
4. Defendant identification: Naming every potentially liable party:
   • Individual perpetrators
   • Chapter officers
   • Housing corporations
   • National headquarters
   • University officials
   • Property owners
5. Insurance coverage analysis: Identifying all potential policy sources

Common Defense Tactics (And How We Counter Them)

Defense: “The student consented”

• Our counter: Texas law § 37.155 states consent is not a defense to hazing

Defense: “This was rogue individuals, not the organization”

• Our counter: Pattern evidence shows national knew about risks but failed to prevent

Defense: “It happened off-campus, not our responsibility”

• Our counter: Location doesn’t eliminate duty when organization sponsors/controls activity

Defense: “We have anti-hazing policies”

• Our counter: Paper policies mean nothing without enforcement and oversight

Practical Guide for Matador Parents and Students

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

Physical signs:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Weight changes (from forced eating/deprivation)
• Signs of alcohol poisoning (even if they don’t normally drink)

Behavioral changes:

• Sudden secrecy about organization activities
• Withdrawal from family and old friends
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
• Constant phone checking/responding to group chats
• Fear of “getting in trouble” or “letting the chapter down”

Academic red flags:

• Grades dropping suddenly
• Missing classes or falling asleep in class
• Losing scholarships or academic standing

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing

Immediate actions:

1. Prioritize safety: If danger is immediate, call 911
2. Get medical attention: Even if injuries seem minor
3. Preserve evidence: Screenshot chats, photograph injuries, save clothing
4. Document everything: Write down dates, times, names, details
5. Contact us: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate guidance

Reporting options:

• Campus authorities: Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct
• Campus police: For criminal violations
• Local police: If off-campus incidents involve crimes
• National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (anonymous)

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

1. Deleting messages or “cleaning up” evidence – Looks like cover-up, destroys case
2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly – Triggers evidence destruction, witness coaching
3. Signing university “resolution” forms – May waive legal rights
4. Posting details on social media – Inconsistencies hurt credibility, waives privacy
5. Waiting to see “how the university handles it” – Evidence disappears, statutes run

Watch our video on common client mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue a Texas university for hazing?”
Yes. Public universities (UT, Texas A&M, Texas Tech) have some immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer protections. Every case depends on specific facts.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury in Texas, but the discovery rule may extend this. Time is critical – call us immediately to preserve your rights. Learn more in our statute of limitations video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

“What if it happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t matter for liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship and control.

“Will this be confidential?”
Most cases settle confidentially. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

“How much will this cost?”
We work on contingency – no fee unless we recover compensation. Watch our fee explanation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

• Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
• Use delay tactics to pressure families
• Argue coverage exclusions
• Set reserves and negotiate settlements
  His insider knowledge is invaluable when facing well-funded institutional defendants.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello):

• One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation against billion-dollar corporate defendants
• Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
• 25+ years of high-stakes litigation experience
• Not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams

Multi-Million Dollar Results:

• Multi-million dollar settlements in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases
• Experience working with economists to value lifetime care needs
• Proven track record against institutional defendants

Dual Civil/Criminal Capability:

• Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
• Understanding of how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
• Ability to advise witnesses and former members with potential exposure

Texas-Specific Expertise:

• Offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont
• Deep understanding of Texas hazing laws and university systems
• Bilingual services available (Se habla Español – contact Mr. Peña)

Our Data-Driven Approach

We don’t start from zero. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks:

• 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros
• 125+ IRS-registered Texas Greek entities with EINs and addresses
• Prior incident patterns across national organizations
• Insurance coverage structures and defense tendencies

This means when you come to us with a hazing case, we already understand the organizational landscape and can immediately begin targeted investigation.

Our Philosophy

We believe every hazing case is about three things:

1. Recovery for the victim – Comprehensive compensation for all harms suffered
2. Accountability for responsible parties – Holding every liable entity responsible
3. Prevention of future harm – Using litigation to force institutional change

We’ve seen what happens when organizations prioritize reputation over safety. We know how to uncover the truth and fight for the justice your family deserves.

Call to Action for Matador Families

If your child has been hazed at any Texas campus—whether Texas Tech, West Texas A&M, UT Austin, Texas A&M, or any other school—we want to hear from you. Families in Matador and throughout the Texas Panhandle have the right to answers and accountability.

What to Expect When You Contact Us

Free, Confidential Consultation:

• We’ll listen to your story without judgment
• Review any evidence you’ve preserved
• Explain your legal options clearly
• Answer all your questions about process, timing, and costs
• No pressure to hire us – take time to make the right decision

If We Take Your Case:

• Immediate evidence preservation protocols
• Comprehensive investigation using our data resources
• Regular communication every 2-3 weeks
• Aggressive pursuit of every responsible party
• Trial-ready preparation if settlement isn’t fair

Contact Attorney911 Today

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
24/7 Availability: We understand emergencies don’t wait for business hours

Spanish Services Available:
Hablamos Español – Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish

Visit Our Website:
https://attorney911.com
Learn more about our wrongful death practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
Learn about our criminal defense capability: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/

A Final Word to Matador Families

The values that define our Texas communities—family, integrity, looking out for one another—are the same values that guide our work. When powerful institutions betray the trust of our children, they must be held accountable. We’ve dedicated our careers to fighting for families like yours, and we’re ready to fight for you.

Whether your child attends school here in the Panhandle or anywhere in Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Call us today.

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)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Spanish Services: lupe@atty911.com