The Complete Guide for Memphis, Texas Families: Understanding Hazing, Texas Law, and Your Path to Justice

For a parent in Memphis, Texas, the call every mother and father dreads might begin with your child’s strained voice on the phone from College Station or Lubbock. They might sound exhausted, secretive, or scared. Perhaps they mention a “required” late-night event or an unexplained injury brushed off as a “workout.” For families across Hall County and the Texas Panhandle, the reality of modern hazing isn’t a distant news story—it’s a potential crisis that could involve your student at Texas A&M, Texas Tech, or any campus where tradition trumps safety.

Right now, in Houston, our firm is leading one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student whose fall 2025 pledge period with the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter allegedly involved forced vomit-inducing rituals, hours-long workouts, and degradation that led to rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and a four-day hospitalization. This active $10 million lawsuit against UH, Pi Kappa Phi nationals, and 13 fraternity leaders is proof that catastrophic hazing is happening in Texas right now.

This comprehensive guide is for you—parents, grandparents, and families in Memphis, Childress County, and throughout the Texas Panhandle. We will explain what hazing truly looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, what national patterns tell us about local fraternities and sororities, and the concrete steps you can take if your family faces this nightmare. If your child attends Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, West Texas A&M, or any Texas campus, the information here is your first line of defense.

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).
• In the first 48 hours:
  • Get medical attention immediately.
  • Preserve evidence: Screenshot group chats (GroupMe, texts), photograph injuries, save any physical items.
  • Write down everything (who, what, when, where) while memory is fresh.
  • Do NOT: Confront the fraternity/sorority, sign anything from the university, or post details on social media.
• Contact our experienced hazing team within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Texas Students

Hazing is no longer just about paddles and pranks. It is a calculated spectrum of abuse designed to create control through humiliation, exhaustion, and fear. For Memphis students on campuses far from home, the pressure to belong can make them endure the unthinkable.

Modern hazing falls into three escalating tiers:

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (The “Gateway”)
This establishes power imbalance and is often dismissed as “tradition.” It includes forced servitude like 24/7 designated driving for members, mandatory “study blocks” that interfere with class, being on-call via group chat at all hours, and social isolation from non-members. A Red River or Panhandle student might be told they cannot go home for a weekend visit unless they complete demeaning tasks.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (The “Process”)
This causes measurable physical and emotional harm. It includes sleep deprivation with 3 AM wake-up calls, forced consumption of unpalatable food (like the milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case), extreme calisthenics (“smokings”), verbal abuse sessions (“grillings”), and public humiliation. Digital hazing is rampant: pledges may be forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok, share live location data 24/7, or endure humiliation in group chats.

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (The Catastrophe)
This has high potential for permanent injury or death. It includes forced alcohol consumption during “Big/Little” nights or drinking games, physical beatings or paddling, dangerous physical tests (like the “glass ceiling” ritual that killed Michael Deng), sexualized acts, kidnapping, and exposure to extreme elements. The rhabdomyolysis suffered by Leonel Bermudez at UH—severe muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure—is a classic result of Tier 3 violent physical hazing disguised as a “workout.”

These activities don’t just happen in fraternity houses. They occur in Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, spirit groups like Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets or Texas Tech’s spirit squads, and even academic clubs. The common thread is power, secrecy, and the warped belief that abuse builds loyalty.

Texas Hazing Law Explained: What Memphis Families Need to Know

Texas has clear laws designed to protect your child. Understanding them is your first step toward accountability.

The Core Law: Texas Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F
Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, or affiliation with any organization. The act must endanger the mental or physical health or safety of the student. Crucially, the law states this applies on or off campus.

Key Provisions for Panhandle Families:

• 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.
• Organizations Can Be Prosecuted: Fraternities, sororities, and clubs themselves can face fines up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged the hazing.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§ 37.155): Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it is not a legal defense for those who hazed them. The law recognizes that true consent is impossible under peer pressure and coercion.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Individuals who report hazing in good faith to authorities are immune from civil or criminal liability for the report itself. This is meant to encourage calling 911 in emergencies.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Justice

1. Criminal Case: Brought by the state (e.g., Hall County District Attorney or county where the school is located). Aim is punishment (jail, fines, probation). Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.
2. Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim and family. Aim is financial compensation for damages and institutional accountability. This is where we hold every responsible party liable—the individual members, the local chapter, the national headquarters, and often the university itself.

A criminal conviction is not required to file a successful civil lawsuit. Our civil case for Leonel Bermudez against UH and Pi Kappa Phi proceeds regardless of parallel criminal investigations.

The National Hazing Playbook: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not anomalies; they are blueprints that repeat. When we see the same patterns at Texas schools, it proves the national organizations and universities failed to learn.

• The Forced Drinking Death: Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha (BGSU, 2021). A pledge died after being told to finish a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. This exact “Big/Little” script is used across the country, including at Texas chapters. The result was a $10 million settlement.
• The Brutal Ritual Death: Michael Deng, Pi Delta Psi (Baruch College, 2013). A pledge died from traumatic brain injury during a blindfolded “glass ceiling” tackle ritual at an off-campus retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted.
• The “Workout” Catastrophe: Danny Santulli, Phi Gamma Delta (University of Missouri, 2021). A pledge suffered permanent, severe brain damage from forced alcohol consumption. His family secured settlements from 22 defendants.
• The Athletic Hazing Scandal: Northwestern University Football (2023-2025). This revealed systemic, sexualized hazing within a major athletic program, leading to a confidential settlement with the coach and multiple player lawsuits. Hazing is not exclusive to Greek life.

What This Means for Memphis Families: The fraternities and sororities on your child’s campus—Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, and others—have national headquarters that have settled multi-million dollar lawsuits for these exact patterns. When a Texas chapter repeats the same deadly script, it shows willful disregard and strengthens claims for punitive damages.

The Texas Campus Landscape: Where Memphis, Hall County Students Are at Risk

Memphis families proudly send their students to esteemed Texas institutions. Understanding the specific environments and histories at these schools is critical.

Texas A&M University – College Station

For Memphis & Panhandle Families: Many students from Hall, Childress, and Collingsworth counties choose the tradition and prestige of Texas A&M. The vast Greek community and the intense culture of the Corps of Cadets present specific hazing risks.

Documented Incidents & Culture:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Lawsuit (~2021): Pledges alleged they were subjected to strenuous activity and had substances, including industrial-strength cleaner, poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million in damages.
• Corps Culture: The intense, tradition-heavy environment can blur the line between discipline and abuse. The university’s own “Hazing on the Quad” memorial starkly acknowledges this history.

What A&M Parents Should Do:
Report to both the Texas A&M Student Conduct Office and the Commandant’s Office if the Corps is involved. Document everything. The university has complex parallel systems for Greek life and the Corps.

Texas Tech University – Lubbock

For Memphis & Panhandle Families: As a major regional hub, Texas Tech is a common destination. Its robust Greek life and spirited campus culture carry inherent risks.

Documented Incidents & Culture:

• Kappa Sigma Rhabdomyolysis Incident (2023): Reports emerged of pledges hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis—the same life-threatening kidney injury from extreme exertion seen in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case.
• Fraternity Suspensions: Various chapters have faced disciplinary action for hazing-related alcohol violations and endangerment over the years.

What Texas Tech Parents Should Do:
Reporting channels include the Office of Student Conduct and Texas Tech Police. Lubbock is in a different judicial district, so civil actions would typically be filed in Lubbock County courts. We navigate these geographic complexities for our clients statewide.

West Texas A&M University – Canyon

For Local Panhandle Families: Many students from the immediate region attend WTAMU. Its Greek life, while smaller, is not immune to dangerous traditions.

Documented Environment:
While fewer high-profile public cases exist, the national patterns persist. Greek organizations at WTAMU are subject to the same Texas laws and their nationals’ problematic histories.

The University of Houston – Our Active Case Ground Zero

Why This Matters to All Texas Families: The ongoing Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case is a current, Texas-specific template for institutional failure and legal accountability.

The Case Details (Our Current Lawsuit):
Leonel Bermudez, a UH student, pledging the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter in fall 2025, was subjected to:

• A degrading “pledge fanny pack” he had to carry 24/7 containing condoms and sex toys.
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints.
• Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”
• A Nov. 3 “workout” of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.
• The result: Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces long-term health risks. The chapter was shut down.

This case names 17 defendants: UH, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi nationals, the chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual members. It is a living example of our firm’s data-driven approach, using public records to identify every liable entity. You can read the initial media coverage in the Click2Houston report and the ABC13 coverage.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: A Texas Public Records Directory

Fraternities and sororities are not just social clubs. They are networks of legal entities: house corporations, alumni chapters, and national organizations, each with insurance policies and assets. As part of our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain a directory of these entities. For Memphis families, this means we don’t start from scratch—we know who is behind the organizations connected to your child’s campus.

Below is a sample from our proprietary directory of Texas-registered Greek organizations, showing the scale and structure we investigate:

Sample Texas Greek Organization Entities (From IRS B83 Public Filings):

• Frank Heflin Foundation, EIN 20-3507402, Canyon, TX 79015. (Phi Delta Theta alumni fund, associated with West Texas A&M).
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc., EIN 13-3048786, College Station, TX 77845. (Texas A&M chapter housing entity).
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc., EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX 75035. (The housing corp for the UH chapter in our lawsuit).
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc., EIN 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147.
• Chi Omega Fraternity (Epsilon Zeta), EIN 75-6041410, Nacogdoches, TX 75965.
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 36-4091267, Waco, TX 76710.
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc. (Theta Rho), EIN 81-2525354, College Station, TX 77845.
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (Texas A&M Chapter), EIN 90-0293166, College Station, TX 77843.

What This Directory Means for Your Case:
When we take a case, we immediately map this universe. We identify the local house corporation that owns the property, the alumni chapter that may provide funding, and the national headquarters that sets policy. This allows us to pursue all available insurance coverage and assets, not just those of the undergraduate chapter. The national organization of Pi Kappa Phi, based in Charlotte, NC, is a defendant in our UH lawsuit for this exact reason.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Winning a hazing case requires turning paralyzing shock into a methodical, evidence-based strategy. Here is how we build a case for families from Memphis to Lubbock.

The Evidence Pyramid: What We Collect

1. Digital Forensics: GroupMe, WhatsApp, and iMessage chats are the #1 source of evidence. We recover deleted messages, preserve photos/videos of events, and trace planning conversations. We also secure social media posts and location data.
2. Medical Documentation: ER records, hospitalization notes, lab results (like creatine kinase levels proving rhabdomyolysis), and psychological evaluations for PTSD. This creates the timeline of harm.
3. Institutional Records: Via subpoena, we obtain the university’s prior conduct files on the organization, the national fraternity’s risk management reports, and insurance policies.
4. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders. We interview them early before memories fade or they are coerced into silence.
5. Physical Evidence: Photographs of injuries, saved clothing, and any items used in hazing (paddles, props).

Overcoming the Common Defenses
We anticipate the defenses and dismantle them:

• “They Consented”: Texas law §37.155 makes consent irrelevant. We demonstrate the coercive power imbalance.
• “It Was Off-Campus”: Liability is based on duty and foreseeability, not just property lines. Nationals and universities cannot hide behind geography.
• “It Was Rogue Individuals”: We use the national hazing history database to show the national organization knew or should have known this pattern was foreseeable and failed to supervise.
• “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts”: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense lawyer. He knows how to argue that negligent supervision by the national or university is a covered claim, separate from the intentional acts of members.

Damages: What Can Be Recovered
Damages go far beyond medical bills. They encompass the full scope of harm:

• Economic: All past and future medical care, lost educational costs (withdrawn semesters), and lost future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic: Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death: Funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering of the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness (like ignoring prior warnings), courts can award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future conduct.

Practical Guides for Memphis Parents, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: The 48-Hour Action Plan

1. Priority One: Safety & Health. If injured or intoxicated, get to an ER. Call 911 if needed.
2. Preserve Digital Evidence. Help your child screenshot ALL group chats and text threads related to the organization. Do not let them delete anything out of shame or fear.
3. Document Physically. Take clear, dated photos of any injuries. Write down everything your child tells you.
4. Secure Legal Counsel. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911. We will guide you on communicating with the university and preserving rights. Do not sign any university-offered resolution agreements without an attorney.
5. Report Strategically. We can advise on when and how to report to campus police, local police, and the Dean of Students to protect your child from retaliation.

For Students: Is This Hazing? How to Get Out.

• Ask Yourself: Am I being pressured? Is this dangerous or degrading? Would I do this if I could truly say no without consequences? If the answer is yes, it is hazing.
• Your Rights: You have the legal right to quit anytime. Send a clear, written resignation to the chapter president.
• Reporting Protections: Texas law and most university policies offer amnesty for those who report hazing or call 911 in a medical emergency.
• Evidence: Save everything. Take screenshots. Your phone is your most powerful tool. Watch our video on using your cellphone to document a legal case.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case

• Deleting messages or social media posts.
• Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly (they will lawyer up and destroy evidence).
• Signing a university “resolution” or speaking to insurance adjusters without an attorney.
• Waiting to see what the university does while evidence disappears and the statute of limitations ticks.

FAQ for Memphis Families

• “Can we sue the university?” Yes. Public universities like Texas A&M and Texas Tech have certain immunities, but we can sue for gross negligence or Title IX violations. Private entities have fewer protections.
• “How long do we have to file a lawsuit?” Generally, two years from the date of injury in Texas, but exceptions exist. Do not wait. Learn more in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.
• “What will this cost us?” We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront; our fee is a percentage of the recovery we secure for you. No recovery, no fee. See how it works in our contingency fee video.

Why Attorney911 Is the Texas Hazing Litigation Firm for Memphis Families

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer—you need a strategic ally who understands the institutions arrayed against you and knows how to win.

Our Unmatched Texas Hazing Intelligence:
We don’t just take your case; we engineer it. Our proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from IRS records, university databases, and national fraternity filings—allows us to immediately identify every potentially liable entity, from the local housing corporation in Frisco to the national headquarters in Charlotte. We used this exact data engine to build the lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez against 17 defendants.

Insider Knowledge of How Insurance Companies Fight:
Associate Attorney Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) spent years as a defense attorney for national insurance companies. He knows their tactics for denying coverage, undervaluing claims, and delaying justice. He now uses that insider knowledge to force insurers for fraternities and universities to pay full value on claims they would rather deny.

Proven Experience Against Goliath Institutions:
Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City Refinery Explosion litigation—a billion-dollar battle against a corporate giant. We are not intimidated by large universities or well-funded national fraternities. We have the federal court experience, expert network, and trial readiness to take them on.

A Commitment That Extends Beyond the Settlement:
We believe in accountability that creates change. We fight not just for compensation, but to expose systemic failures so other families in Memphis, Childress County, and across Texas do not suffer the same pain.

Your Path Forward Starts With a Confidential Conversation

If you are a parent in Memphis, Clarendon, Childress, or anywhere in the Texas Panhandle living the nightmare of suspected hazing, you are not alone. The journey to accountability begins with a single, protected step.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today for a free, confidential case evaluation.

In your consultation, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your family’s legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline our investigative strategy and what you can expect.
• Answer all your questions about the process, timeline, and costs.

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

Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ 24/7:
1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | For Spanish-speaking families: lupe@atty911.com

Se habla Español.

Take action now to protect your child’s future and hold the responsible parties accountable. The call is free, the consultation is confidential, and the time to act is today.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Active UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston (KPRC) Investigation: 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/
• ABC13 (KTRK) Detailed Timeline: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline Summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Documenting Evidence with Your Phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes to Avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Main Firm Website & Contact:

• Attorney911: https://attorney911.com

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 The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC for a consultation regarding your individual situation.