Hazing Injury & Wrongful Death Guide for Nome and Jefferson County, Texas Families

We understand that sending your child to college is a milestone filled with hope. For families here in Nome, Sour Lake, and across Jefferson County, having a student attend Lamar University in nearby Beaumont, Texas A&M in College Station, or any other Texas campus should be about opportunity, not danger. The reality is that hidden within campus traditions and Greek life exists a dangerous culture of hazing that can change lives forever.

Right now, our firm is leading one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in Texas. 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 humiliation, extreme physical abuse, and life-threatening medical consequences. According to a $10 million lawsuit filed in Harris County, Mr. Bermudez was subjected to degrading “pledge fanny pack” rules, hours-long workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting. This culminated in him developing rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring four days of hospitalization with brown urine and critically high creatine kinase levels. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended in November 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter. The University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

This isn’t just a Houston problem. The same national fraternities and sororities that operate at UH have chapters across Texas, including at schools where Nome and Jefferson County families send their children. If your student has been hurt during pledging, initiation, or any group activity, you need information, support, and experienced legal guidance. This comprehensive guide explains what hazing looks like today, your legal rights under Texas law, and how our firm helps families like yours seek accountability and recovery.

If This Just Happened: Immediate Steps for Nome Families

Medical Emergency First: If your child is injured, intoxicated, or in danger, call 911 immediately. Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Within the First 24-48 Hours:

1. Preserve Digital Evidence: Help your child screenshot ALL group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram DMs), text messages, and social media posts related to the incident. Do not delete anything.
2. Document Injuries: Take clear, dated photos of any bruises, burns, cuts, or other visible injuries from multiple angles.
3. Write Everything Down: Record names, dates, locations, and what happened while memories are fresh.
4. Secure Physical Evidence: Keep any clothing, paddles, or objects involved. Do not wash clothing.
5. Contact Our Firm: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. We can guide you on preserving evidence and navigating next steps.

What NOT to Do:

• Do not confront the fraternity, sorority, or organization directly.
• Do not let your child delete messages or “clean up” their phone.
• Do not sign any documents from the university or an insurance company without legal advice.
• Do not discuss details on public social media.

The Complex Greek Ecosystem Surrounding Nome & Jefferson County Families

When a hazing incident occurs, liability often extends far beyond the individual students involved. National fraternities and sororities create complex networks of legal entities—house corporations, alumni chapters, educational foundations—that can hold insurance and assets. Our firm maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public IRS records and organizational data, to trace these connections from the first consultation.

For families in Nome, Bevil Oaks, and the greater Beaumont-Port Arthur metro area, your child’s campus life is supported by a web of registered Greek organizations. The Beaumont-Port Arthur metro area itself is home to 22 Greek-related entities according to Cause IQ analysis. These range from undergraduate chapters at Lamar University to graduate alumni associations serving the Golden Triangle. For example, public records show organizations like:

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Mu Epsilon Chapter (Undergrad chapter at Lamar University, Beaumont, TX)
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Alumni (Alumni association, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Lamar Univ. (Academic honor society, Beaumont, TX) – IRS EIN: Various, recorded in IRS B83 filings.
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Beaumont Alumnae (Graduate chapter, Beaumont, TX)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Beaumont Alumni (Graduate chapter, Beaumont, TX) – Cross-validated with IRS record EIN 237279532.

This is just a snapshot. Statewide, our data tracks over 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. This investigative depth means we don’t start from zero when your family comes to us. We already understand the organizational landscape and know how to identify every potentially liable entity behind the letters.

Where Nome and Jefferson County Students Go to College: Campus Connections

Parents in our community have children at a variety of institutions, from local commuter schools to major state universities. Understanding the hazing landscape means looking at the campuses your student attends.

Local & Regional Campuses:

• Lamar University (Beaumont, Jefferson County): A primary destination for many Nome-area students. Lamar has active Greek life including IFC fraternities, Panhellenic sororities, and NPHC (Divine Nine) organizations.
• Lamar Institute of Technology (Beaumont, Jefferson County): While less traditional Greek life, other student organizations may pose hazing risks.
• Texas A&M University at Galveston (Galveston County): Within driving distance, with its own student organization culture.

Major Texas Universities Attended by Nome & Southeast Texas Families:
It is common for students from our region to attend larger universities across the state. These major hubs have dense Greek ecosystems with well-documented hazing histories.

• University of Houston (Houston, Harris County): As evidenced by the active Bermudez case, hazing is a serious present-day concern at UH.
• Texas A&M University (College Station, Brazos County): Home to a massive Greek system and the Corps of Cadets, both with repeated, serious hazing allegations.
• University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Travis County): Maintains a public hazing violations log showing ongoing issues with fraternities, sororities, and spirit groups.
• Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, Walker County): A common choice with active Greek life.
• Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County): Another regional university with Greek life.

The national organizations present at these major schools frequently have histories of hazing incidents across the country, creating patterns of foreseeable risk.

National Organizations Behind the Letters: Patterns of Risk

Hazing is rarely an isolated incident. It is often a repeated pattern within specific national organizations. When we take a case, we investigate the national history of the fraternity or sorority involved to establish that the danger was foreseeable and that the national headquarters failed to take adequate steps to prevent it.

For example, the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH involved in the Bermudez case is part of a national organization that faced a nearly identical tragedy at Florida State University in 2017, when pledge Andrew Coffey died from alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother” night. Other nationals with documented, repeated patterns include:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): National involved in the Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green State University (2021), leading to a $10 million settlement.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Faced a lawsuit at Texas A&M where pledges alleged being doused with industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts.
• Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver hazing death at LSU (2017) led to Louisiana’s “Max Gruver Act” strengthening hazing laws.
• Beta Theta Pi: The Timothy Piazza death at Penn State (2017) resulted in one of the largest hazing prosecutions in U.S. history.

These national patterns are critical because they show that the organizations behind the local chapters were on clear notice about the dangers of their traditions but failed to implement effective prevention. We use this data to hold both the local actors and the national institutions accountable.

Texas Hazing Law Explained for Jefferson County Residents

Texas has specific laws designed to combat hazing and protect students. Understanding these statutes is the first step in knowing your rights.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F (Hazing):

• Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student. This applies on or off campus.
• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if the hazing causes bodily injury and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (§37.155) explicitly states that the victim’s consent is not a defense to prosecution. This legally undermines the common excuse that “they wanted to do it.”
• Individual & Organizational Liability: Both the individuals who commit hazing and the organization that authorizes or encourages it can be held criminally and civilly liable. Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation.
• Immunity for Good Faith Reporting: Individuals who report hazing in good faith to school officials or law enforcement are immune from civil or criminal liability.

Civil Liability & Lawsuits:
A criminal case (brought by the state) is separate from a civil lawsuit (brought by the victim/family). You can pursue a civil case for damages even if no criminal charges are filed. Potential defendants in a civil hazing lawsuit can include:

1. The individual students who planned and carried out the hazing.
2. The local chapter as an organization.
3. The national fraternity or sorority headquarters (for negligent supervision and failure to prevent known dangers).
4. The university (if it was deliberately indifferent to known risks or failed to enforce its own policies).
5. Property owners or landlords where the hazing occurred.
6. Third parties who provided alcohol to minors.

Building a Strong Case with Attorney911’s Data-Driven Approach

Fighting a hazing case against a national fraternity or university requires more than just a compelling story. It requires a strategic, evidence-based approach that anticipates defense tactics. This is where our firm’s unique combination of experience gives Nome families a decisive advantage.

1. The Insider Insurance Knowledge of Mr. Lupe Peña:
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how the insurance companies for fraternities and universities operate. He understands their strategies to deny coverage, delay proceedings, and undervalue claims. This insider perspective allows us to counter their tactics from day one and fight for the full value your case deserves. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

2. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience:
Managing Partner Ralph Manginello has over 25 years of experience, including involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar defendants with deep-pocketed defense teams. Universities and national fraternities use the same playbook: endless resources, delay tactics, and aggressive defense. We are not intimidated. We’ve built our practice on successfully navigating federal court and complex multi-defendant cases. Learn more about Ralph’s experience at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.

3. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine in Action:
From the initial consultation, we use our proprietary database of Texas Greek organizations. We can quickly identify the web of related entities—housing corporations, alumni associations, national headquarters—that may share liability. This allows for comprehensive investigations and ensures no responsible party is overlooked.

4. Evidence is Everything:
We guide families on preserving the critical evidence that wins cases:

• Digital Forensics: Recovering deleted group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), social media posts, and text messages.
• Medical Documentation: Securing complete medical records that detail the physical and psychological impact.
• Organizational Records: Using discovery to obtain the national fraternity’s prior incident reports, training materials, and internal communications about the chapter.
• Witness Testimony: Carefully interviewing other pledges, former members, and bystanders.

We explain the importance of evidence preservation in our video, Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?.

Practical Guidance for Parents & Students

For Parents: Recognizing Warning Signs

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight change.
• Withdrawal from family and non-Greek friends; sudden secrecy.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Personality changes: increased anxiety, depression, or irritability.
• Deteriorating academic performance.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You have the right to leave. You cannot be punished for quitting a dangerous process.
• “Consent” is not a legal defense for those hazing you.
• Texas law protects those who report. You can call for help without fear of legal retribution.
• Trust your instincts. If it feels wrong, degrading, or dangerous, it is hazing.

Critical Mistakes to Avoid
We detail common errors in our video Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case. Key mistakes include:

• Deleting text messages or group chats.
• Posting about the incident on social media.
• Giving a recorded statement to a university or insurance adjuster without a lawyer.
• Accepting a quick, low-dollar settlement before understanding the full extent of injuries.

Understanding Timelines: The Statute of Limitations
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a civil lawsuit. However, this deadline can be complex, especially with ongoing trauma or cover-ups. Do not wait. Act now to protect your rights. We discuss this in our video Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?.

Why Nome and Jefferson County Families Choose Attorney911

When your family is facing the aftermath of a hazing incident, you need advocates who understand the profound personal trauma and the complex legal battlefield. You need attorneys who have faced institutional giants before and know how to win.

We are a Texas-based firm with a national reputation for complex litigation. We represent hazing victims and their families for several key reasons:

• We Translate Local Knowledge to National Cases: While we are based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, the fraternities and insurance companies we sue operate nationwide. Our deep understanding of Texas law and procedure, combined with our investigation of national patterns, makes us effective counsel for Texas families wherever the incident occurred.
• No Fee Unless We Win: We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs or hourly fees. Our payment comes only from a successful settlement or verdict, aligning our interests completely with yours. Learn how this works in our video How Do Contingency Fees Work?.
• Spanish-Language Services Available: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish (Se habla Español), ensuring all families in our diverse community can access clear, compassionate legal counsel.
• A Mission for Accountability: Our work on cases like Leonel Bermudez’s is about more than compensation. It’s about forcing institutions to change, creating safer campuses, and ensuring no other family endures this preventable harm.

Contact Attorney911 for a Free, Confidential Consultation

If your child has been injured, humiliated, or threatened as part of a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, athletic team, or other campus organization, you are not alone. The path forward begins with a conversation.

We offer free, confidential consultations to listen to your story, review any evidence you have, and explain your legal options clearly and honestly. We serve families throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com

For families in Nome, Sour Lake, China, and all of Jefferson County, we are here to help you navigate this crisis, seek justice for your child, and hold every responsible party accountable.

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. Attorney911 / The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC can be contacted at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources:

• News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez UH Case: 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 Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Evidence Preservation Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Statute of Limitations Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• Contingency Fee Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
• Main Website & Contact: https://attorney911.com