The Complete Guide to Hazing Laws, Cases & Your Rights in Pampa, Texas

For parents, students, and families across the Texas Panhandle, the heartbeat of our community is tied to our values of hard work, family, and looking out for one another. The thought of sending a child from Pampa to a Texas university only to have them harmed in the name of “tradition” or “belonging” is a violation of everything we stand for in Gray County. Right now, our firm is actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history—representing Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. This case, unfolding just hours from Pampa, proves that dangerous hazing isn’t something that happens elsewhere; it’s happening at Texas universities right now, and families like yours need to be prepared.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for Pampa families—whether your children attend West Texas A&M University in nearby Canyon, Texas A&M in College Station, Texas Tech in Lubbock, or any of Texas’s major campuses. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, break down Texas law in plain English, show you how national patterns connect to campuses Pampa students attend, and provide actionable steps if your family is facing this crisis. From our office in Houston, we serve families throughout Texas, including here in Pampa and across the Panhandle, bringing our deep experience with institutional accountability cases directly to your kitchen table.

If This Just Happened: Immediate Help for Pampa Families

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 they insist they’re “fine”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
• 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 (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
• Universities move quickly to control the narrative
• 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

For Pampa families who may be unfamiliar with modern Greek life, hazing has evolved far beyond stereotypical “pranks.” Today’s hazing is a calculated system of control that often begins subtly before escalating to dangerous levels.

The Modern Definition

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Under Texas law, “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance.

Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common—and most deadly—form of hazing. It includes forced or coerced drinking during “lineups,” chugging challenges, “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, and drinking games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mean forced consumption. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH involved this exact pattern.

2. Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, today’s physical hazing includes extreme calisthenics or “workouts” far beyond normal conditioning, sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions,” food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, then made to lie in vomit-soaked grass in cold weather.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” “roasted pig” positions), degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. At Texas A&M, a Corps of Cadets lawsuit alleged cadets were bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in their mouth.

4. Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members, manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming during meetings or on social media. This creates psychological dependency and makes victims less likely to report.

5. Digital/Online Hazing
The newest frontier includes group chat dares, “challenges” shared on Instagram or TikTok, pressure to create compromising content, and 24/7 digital monitoring where pledges must respond instantly to messages at all hours.

Where Hazing Happens

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

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / military-style groups (especially relevant for Texas A&M connections)
• Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
• Spirit squads and tradition clubs (Texas Cowboys, song leaders, etc.)
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Some service, cultural, and academic organizations

For Pampa families with children at West Texas A&M, it’s crucial to understand that hazing can occur in any group where there’s a power imbalance between new and established members.

Texas Hazing Law: What Pampa Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws that apply whether the conduct happens on-campus in College Station or at an off-campus house near UT Austin. Here’s what every Pampa parent should understand.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F

The Definition That Matters:
Texas law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
• Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Plain English Translation:
If someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they meant to do it or were reckless about the risk, that’s hazing under Texas law. Location doesn’t matter. Mental harm counts. And crucially—consent is not a defense.

Criminal Penalties in Texas

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
• Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death

Additional Criminal Exposure:

• Failing to report hazing (if you’re a member or officer and knew about it): misdemeanor
• Retaliating against someone who reports hazing: misdemeanor

Organizational Liability

Texas law allows organizations to be criminally prosecuted if:

• The org authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
• An officer or member acting in official capacity knew about hazing and failed to report it

Penalties for organizations:

• Fine up to $10,000 per violation
• University can revoke recognition and ban the org from campus

Protections for Reporting

A person who in good faith reports a hazing incident to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the report. In medical emergencies, Texas law and many university policies provide amnesty for students who call 911, even if they were drinking underage or involved themselves.

Consent is NOT a Defense

Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the hazing activity.” This legal principle is critical for Pampa families to understand—even if your child “went along with it,” the law recognizes that true consent isn’t possible under peer pressure and power imbalance.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: What Pampa Families Should Know

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (prosecutor)
• Aim: punishment (jail, fines, probation)
  Typical hazing-related charges: hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, or manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: monetary compensation and accountability
  Focus areas: negligence and gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring/supervision, premises liability, emotional distress

Both types can run side-by-side, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many families pursue civil actions to cover medical expenses, lost educational opportunities, and to hold institutions accountable when criminal penalties don’t fully address the harm.

Federal Law Overlay

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)

• Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthens hazing education and prevention
• Maintains public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)

Title IX & Clery Act
.

• When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger
• Clery requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Individual Students: Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up

Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if a legal entity)

National Fraternity/Sorority: Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters

University or Governing Board: Schools may be sued under negligence or civil-rights theories

Third Parties: Landlords/owners of houses, bars/alcohol providers (dram shop), security companies

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys know how to identify all potentially liable parties.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What They Mean for Texas Families

The tragedies that have made national headlines aren’t isolated incidents—they’re patterns. Understanding these patterns helps Pampa families recognize warning signs and understand the legal landscape.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)

• Bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking
• Severe falls captured on chapter cameras; hours delayed before medical help
• Dozens of criminal charges; civil litigation; new Pennsylvania anti-hazing law named after him
  Takeaway: Extreme intoxication + delayed 911 calls + culture of silence = legal devastation

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

• “Big/little” event; pledge given handle of liquor; drank to dangerous levels; died
• Criminal hazing charges; FSU temporarily suspended Greek life
  Takeaway: Formulaic “tradition” drinking nights are repeating scripts for disaster

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

• “Bible study” drinking game; forced drinking for wrong answers
• Death led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing law)
• Family secured $6.1 million verdict against national fraternity
  Takeaway: Legislative change follows public outrage and clear proof

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

• Pledge forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey; died from alcohol poisoning
• Multiple criminal convictions; BGSU settled for nearly $3 million
• $10 million total settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national)
  Takeaway: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)

• Pledge at fraternity retreat subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual
• Suffered fatal head injuries; help delayed
• Multiple members convicted; fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
  Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous as parties; national orgs face serious sanctions

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)

• Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within program
• Multiple lawsuits; head coach fired and settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially
  Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to big-money athletic programs

What These Cases Mean for Pampa Families

Common threads in these cases—forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups—are exactly what we’re seeing in Texas cases today. The multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts show that courts take hazing seriously, and the legislative reforms that followed demonstrate public demand for accountability. When Pampa families face hazing at Texas universities, they’re operating in a landscape shaped by these national lessons.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: What We Know About Greek Life Near Pampa

Our firm maintains the most comprehensive database of Texas Greek organizations in existence—what we call our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine. This isn’t theoretical research; it’s actionable intelligence we use to build cases for families like yours. Here’s what it reveals about organizations affecting Pampa students.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Pampa Families

If you’re a parent in Pampa, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. Below are real entities recorded in IRS and public filings that operate throughout Texas and could be connected to hazing incidents involving Pampa students.

West Texas A&M University & Panhandle Area Organizations:

• Frank Heflin Foundation (EIN: 203507402) – Amarillo, TX 79015 (Phi Delta Theta alumni fund)
• Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association (EIN: 752290669) – Amarillo, TX 79118
• Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter – Canyon, TX (West Texas A&M University chapter)
• Phi Delta Theta Fraternity – Texas Theta – Canyon, TX (West Texas A&M chapter)
• Alpha Tau Omega – Zeta Kappa Chapter – Canyon, TX (West Texas A&M chapter)

Texas-Wide Honor Societies with Panhandle Presence:

• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (EIN: 820644459) – Lubbock, TX 79430 (Texas Tech Health Sciences)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (EIN: 900293166) – College Station, TX 77843 (Texas A&M University)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (EIN: 352335400) – Tyler, TX 75799 (University of Texas at Tyler)

Major University Housing Corporations Pampa Students Encounter:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN: 462267515) – Frisco, TX 75035
• Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi (EIN: 746047117) – Austin, TX 78705
• Texas Rho Housing Corporation (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) – Austin, TX (University of Texas chapter)
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Chapter (EIN: 746064445) – Nederland, TX 77627

Metro-Level Greek Presence Affecting Pampa Families:

• Dallas-Fort Worth Metro: 510+ Greek organizations (Pampa students often attend DFW-area schools)
• Houston Metro: 188+ Greek organizations (including UH where our active Pi Kappa Phi case is)
• Austin Metro: 154+ Greek organizations (UT Austin draws many Texas students)
• Lubbock Metro: 59+ Greek organizations (Texas Tech is a major destination for Panhandle students)

These are just examples from our database of 1,423 Greek organizations tracked across 25 Texas metros. When we take a hazing case for a Pampa family, we don’t start from zero—we already know the names, EINs, and organizational structures of the entities that may hold insurance and responsibility.

Texas Universities: Where Pampa Students Face Hazing Risks

Pampa families send students throughout Texas’s university system. Here’s what you need to know about hazing at the institutions your children are most likely to attend.

West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX)

Proximity to Pampa: 35 miles – many Pampa students commute or live on campus
Cultural Context: Regional university with growing Greek life and athletic programs

Documented Incidents & Climate:

• As part of the Texas A&M System, WTAMU follows System hazing policies
• Greek life includes traditional IFC fraternities and Panhellenic sororities
• The Frank Heflin Foundation (Phi Delta Theta alumni fund) in Amarillo shows long-standing Greek alumni presence
• Campus safety reports indicate ongoing educational efforts around hazing prevention

What Pampa Parents Should Know:

• WTAMU’s smaller size doesn’t eliminate hazing risks
• Organization houses near campus in Canyon and Amarillo can host unsupervised events
• Students may face pressure to prove themselves to peers from larger Texas cities

If Hazing Occurs at WTAMU:

• Report to WTAMU Dean of Students and University Police
• Potter County courts would have jurisdiction for civil cases
• Our firm can coordinate with local counsel while providing institutional litigation expertise from our Houston base

Texas A&M University (College Station, TX)

Pampa Connection: Many top Pampa students choose Texas A&M for engineering, agriculture, and Corps programs
Cultural Context: Massive Greek life (50+ chapters) and prominent Corps of Cadets tradition

Recent High-Profile Cases:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)

• Two pledges alleged forced strenuous activity
• Substances including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, spit poured on them
• Caused severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
• Pledges sued fraternity for $1 million
• Fraternity suspended for two years by university

Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023)

• Cadet alleged degrading hazing: simulated sexual acts, bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth
• Sought over $1 million in damages
• Texas A&M stated it handled matter under its rules

What Pampa Parents Should Know:

• The Corps’ military tradition sometimes blurs line between discipline and hazing
• Off-campus houses in Bryan and College Station host many unofficial events
• Texas A&M’s “Howdy” culture emphasizes tradition, which can sometimes protect harmful practices

Reporting & Response at Texas A&M:

• Multiple reporting channels: Student Conduct Office, Corps leadership, TAMU PD
• University has historically taken strong disciplinary action against hazing organizations
• Brazos County courts handle local civil litigation

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)

Pampa Connection: Major destination for Panhandle students; 2-hour drive makes parental involvement possible
Cultural Context: Large Greek system in West Texas’s major university city

Greek Life Landscape:

• Active IFC fraternities and Panhellenic sororities
• Multiple honor societies and professional Greek organizations
• Off-campus housing throughout Lubbock hosts many events

Documented Concerns:

• Past incidents involving alcohol hazing at fraternity houses
• University maintains hazing prevention training for Greek organizations
• Lubbock police occasionally involved in off-campus incidents

What Pampa Parents Should Know:

• Geographic proximity means you can visit and observe more easily
• Lubbock’s isolation can create insular Greek communities
• Texas Tech’s rapid growth has strained oversight of student organizations

University of Texas at Austin

Pampa Connection: Top academic choice for high-achieving Pampa students
Cultural Context: Premier Greek life with historic houses and deep traditions

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page:
Unlike many universities, UT maintains a public log of hazing violations—a transparency tool Pampa parents should use.

Example Violations:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; found to be hazing; chapter placed on probation with hazing-prevention education required
• Texas Wranglers (spirit organization): Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
• Multiple other groups sanctioned for alcohol misuse, punishment-based practices

Recent Sigma Alpha Epsilon Case (2024):

• Australian exchange student alleged assault at fraternity party
• Injuries included dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose
• Student sued SAE chapter for over $1 million
• Chapter already under suspension for prior violations

What Pampa Parents Should Know:

• UT’s transparency allows you to research organizations before your child joins
• Austin’s entertainment culture blends with Greek social life
• High academic pressure can make students vulnerable to stress-relief hazing

University of Houston

Pampa Connection: Urban option for Pampa students seeking diverse experiences
Cultural Context: Commuter school with growing residential Greek life

The Active Case We’re Litigating Right Now:
We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million hazing lawsuit against:

• University of Houston
• UH System Board of Regents
• Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters
• Beta Nu housing corporation
• 13 individual fraternity leaders/members

The Hazing Details Every Pampa Parent Should Know:

• “Pledge fanny pack” rule with degrading contents (condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices)
• Extreme physical hazing: sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, cold-weather exposure in underwear
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting, then immediate sprints
• Nov 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats
• Hose spraying “similar to waterboarding”
• Medical catastrophe: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, passed brown urine, hospitalized four days

Institutional Response:

• Nov 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu chapter
• Nov 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender charter; chapter shut down
• UH labels conduct “deeply disturbing,” promises disciplinary measures up to expulsion

Why This Matters for Pampa Families:
This isn’t a historical case—it’s happening right now, in Texas, with our firm leading the litigation. It shows exactly how serious hazing can get and how institutions respond when properly confronted.

Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX)

Pampa Connection: Private university option for families seeking smaller classes
Cultural Context: Affluent campus with strong Greek presence and social expectations

Documented Incidents:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended; restrictions until 2021
• Ongoing hazing prevention efforts including anonymous reporting systems

What Pampa Parents Should Know:

• SMU’s private status affects transparency compared to public universities
• Dallas social scene significantly influences Greek culture
• High costs can increase pressure to “get value” from Greek membership

Baylor University (Waco, TX)

Pampa Connection: Religious-affiliated option for some Pampa families
Cultural Context: Baptist identity with Greek life and athletic culture

Recent Incidents:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation; staggered suspensions
• University’s history of scrutiny over football and Title IX issues creates complex oversight environment

Fraternity & Sorority National Histories: Patterns That Predict Risk

National organizations aren’t abstract entities—they’re corporations with track records. When a Texas chapter repeats patterns seen in other states, it shows foreseeability that strengthens legal claims. Here are organizations Pampa students will encounter and what their national histories reveal.

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / “Pike”)

National Pattern: Multiple alcohol hazing deaths including Stone Foltz (BGSU, $10M settlement) and David Bogenberger (NIU, $14M settlement)
Texas Presence: Chapters at UT, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, SMU, Baylor
Takeaway: Their “Big/Little” drinking tradition has proven deadly nationwide

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / “SAE”)

National Pattern: Multiple hazing deaths; eliminated traditional pledging in 2014 due to pattern
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, UT, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, SMU
Recent Texas Cases: Chemical burns at Texas A&M ($1M lawsuit), assault at UT ($1M+ lawsuit)
Takeaway: National reforms haven’t eliminated dangerous local practices

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

National Pattern: Max Gruver death (LSU) led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, West Texas A&M
Takeaway: “Bible study” drinking games remain a dangerous tradition

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

National Pattern: Andrew Coffey death (FSU) from alcohol poisoning
Texas Presence: Active at UH (our current case), other Texas campuses
Current Texas Case: Our Leonel Bermudez case shows extreme physical and psychological hazing
Takeaway: National suspensions follow but don’t always prevent local chapters from harming pledges

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)

National Pattern: Paddling and alcohol hazing incidents nationwide
Texas Presence: SMU (2017 suspension), Texas A&M, Texas Tech
Takeaway: Southern tradition sometimes justifies physical hazing as “discipline”

Why National Histories Matter Legally

In court, we use these patterns to show:

• Foreseeability: Nationals knew or should have known their chapters were at risk for specific behaviors
• Negligent supervision: Nationals failed to adequately monitor or intervene
• Punitive damages: Repeated warnings ignored justify punishment beyond compensation
• Insurance coverage: Pattern evidence can overcome “intentional acts” exclusions

For Pampa parents, checking an organization’s national history is as important as checking its local reputation.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages & Strategy

When hazing causes serious harm, building a strong case requires systematic investigation and strategic legal thinking. Here’s how we approach cases for Texas families.

Critical Evidence Categories

1. Digital Communications (Most Important Evidence Today)

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord messages showing planning, execution, and cover-up
• Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok content
• Deleted messages recovered through digital forensics
• In our UH Pi Kappa Phi case, group chats revealed the “pledge fanny pack” rules and workout schedules

2. Photos & Videos

• Content filmed by members during events (often shared in group chats)
• Security camera footage from houses and venues
• Social media posts even if later deleted
• Medical documentation photographs

3. Internal Organization Documents

• Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” lists
• Emails/texts from officers about activities
• National policies and training materials showing what should have been prevented

4. University Records

• Prior conduct files, probation/suspension letters
• Incident reports to campus police
• Clery Act reports and safety disclosures
• Internal emails among administrators

5. Medical & Psychological Records

• Emergency room and hospitalization records
• Toxicology reports (blood alcohol levels, drug screens)
• Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety
• Long-term treatment plans for permanent injuries

6. Witness Testimony

• Other pledges who experienced same hazing
• Former members who quit due to concerns
• Roommates, RAs, bystanders who observed changes or incidents

Types of Damages in Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

• Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment)
• Future medical care (therapy, medications, lifelong support for severe injuries)
• Lost educational costs (withdrawn semesters, transferred schools)
• Diminished earning capacity (if injuries affect career prospects)

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering from injuries
• Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life (can’t participate in activities they loved)
• Reputational harm if incident was publicized

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship, love, and guidance
• Emotional suffering of family members

Punitive Damages (when available):

• Designed to punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
• Available when defendants had prior warnings and ignored them
• Texas has caps on punitive damages except in certain intentional tort cases

The Insurance Coverage Battle

Fraternities, sororities, and universities carry insurance—but insurers often fight hazing claims using:

• “Intentional acts” exclusions (arguing hazing was intentional)
• “Criminal acts” exclusions
• Denials that certain defendants are covered

Our advantage: Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how these companies think, how they value claims, and how to overcome their defenses. This insider knowledge is invaluable when negotiating with fraternity and university insurers.

Strategic Considerations for Pampa Families

Timing is Critical:

• Texas generally has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury
• Evidence disappears quickly (deleted messages, graduating witnesses)
• Universities move to control narratives immediately

Multiple Legal Tracks:

• Criminal prosecution (state brings charges)
• Civil lawsuit (your family seeks compensation)
• University disciplinary process (internal sanctions)
• Title IX investigation (if sexual harassment involved)

Privacy vs. Accountability:

• Most cases settle confidentially before trial
• You can request sealed court records
• We balance your need for privacy with pursuit of accountability

Practical Guide for Pampa Parents, Students & Witnesses

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation beyond normal college stress
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities (“I can’t talk about it”)
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability, withdrawal
• Constant phone use for group chat monitoring, anxiety when phone buzzes
• Academic decline or missing classes for “mandatory” events
• Financial changes: unexpected large expenses, requests for money

How to Talk to Your Child (Non-Confrontationally):

1. “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
2. “Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
3. “What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
4. “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
5. “Do you feel like you can leave if you want to, or would there be consequences?”

If You Suspect Hazing: Immediate Steps

1. Ensure safety: If in immediate danger, call 911
2. Medical attention: Get care even if they insist they’re “fine”
3. Document everything: Write down what they tell you; screenshot any messages shown
4. Preserve evidence: Don’t let them delete messages; photograph injuries
5. Legal consultation: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before confronting organization or signing anything

For Students: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

• Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
• Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would my parents/university approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
• Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this?

If You Answer YES to Any: It’s likely hazing. You have rights.

How to Exit Safely:

• You have the legal right to leave at any time
• Tell someone outside the org first (parent, RA, friend)
• Send email/text to chapter president: “I am resigning effective immediately”
• Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
• If fearing retaliation, report to Dean of Students and campus police

Evidence Collection While It’s Happening:

1. Screenshots of group chats with timestamps and participant names
2. Voice memos/recordings (Texas is one-party consent state)
3. Photos of injuries, locations, objects used
4. Save everything digital—don’t delete even if embarrassed
5. Medical documentation: If treated, say “I was hazed” so it’s in records

For Former Members/Witnesses: Doing the Right Thing

If you participated in or witnessed hazing and now regret it:

• Your testimony and evidence can prevent future harm
• Cooperating can be an important step toward accountability
• You may want your own legal advice about your role
• We can help navigate your position as witness or cooperating defendant

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages or “Clean Up” Evidence
What happens: Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction of justice; makes case nearly impossible
Instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly
What happens: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Instead: Document everything, then call a lawyer before any confrontation

3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms
What happens: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often far below case value
Instead: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review

4. Posting Details on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer
What happens: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

5. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”
What happens: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs, university controls narrative
Instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Pampa Family’s Hazing Case

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. From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including here in Pampa and across the Panhandle, bringing our unique combination of skills directly to your case.

Our Competitive Advantages for Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Knowledge (Mr. Lupe Peña’s Defense Background)

• Former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
• Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims
• Understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies
• “We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello’s Experience)

• One of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
• Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
• Not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams
• “We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won.”

Active Texas Hazing Litigation Right Now

• We currently represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million UH Pi Kappa Phi case
• This isn’t historical knowledge—it’s active, current experience fighting exactly the types of defendants Pampa families face
• We understand modern hazing tactics because we’re litigating them now

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Experience

• Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases with economist collaboration
• Experience valuing lifetime care needs (brain injury, permanent disability cases)
• “We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.”

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise

• Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
• Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
• Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure

Investigative Depth & Texas-Specific Knowledge

• Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists, Greek life culture experts
• Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine (1,423 Greek organizations tracked across 25 metros)
• Experience obtaining hidden evidence from Texas universities and national organizations
• “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

Spanish-Language Services Available

• Mr. Lupe Peña speaks fluent Spanish
• Servicios legales en español disponibles
• Contact Lupe at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish

How We Work with Pampa Families

1. Immediate Response

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for 24/7 emergency response
• We listen to your story without judgment
• Immediate guidance on evidence preservation

2. Thorough Investigation

• Deploy our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine to identify all potentially liable parties
• Digital forensics to recover deleted messages
• Subpoena university and national organization records
• Expert consultations (medical, psychological, economic)

3. Strategic Case Development

• Identify all insurance coverage sources
• Build damages model with economist input
• Determine whether to pursue criminal reports, civil suit, or both
• Balance your privacy needs with pursuit of accountability

4. Aggressive Representation

• Negotiate from position of strength (thanks to Mr. Peña’s insurance insider knowledge)
• Prepare every case as if it’s going to trial (which improves settlement leverage)
• Fight punitive damages when conduct warrants it
• Pursue institutional reforms as part of resolution when possible

5. Compassionate Client Service

• Regular updates (we believe in communication every 2-3 weeks)
• Respect for your family’s emotional journey
• Focus on healing and prevention, not just compensation
• Spanish-language services available throughout

Your Next Steps: Free Consultation for Pampa Families

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends West Texas A&M, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UT, UH, or any Texas campus—we want to hear from you. The call is free. The consultation is confidential. And you’re under no obligation to hire us.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

1. We Listen: You tell your story without interruption or judgment
2. Evidence Review: We look at any evidence you’ve preserved (photos, texts, medical records)
3. Legal Options Explained: We explain criminal reporting, civil lawsuits, university processes, and what each entails
4. Realistic Assessment: We give honest assessment of your case’s strengths and challenges
5. Cost Discussion: We explain contingency fees (you pay nothing unless we win)
6. No Pressure: Take time to decide what’s right for your family

How to Contact Us

For Immediate Help:

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781

Online:

• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email Ralph: ralph@atty911.com
• Email Lupe (Spanish services): lupe@atty911.com

Our Offices:

• Houston, Texas (Primary)
• Austin, Texas
• Beaumont, Texas
• Serving families statewide including Pampa and throughout the Panhandle

Common Questions Pampa Families Ask

“Can we sue if the hazing happened off-campus?”
Yes. Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Many major hazing cases occurred off-campus.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to participate?”
Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from date of injury in Texas, but exceptions exist. Time is critical—evidence disappears quickly.

“Will my child’s name be in the news?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records. We prioritize your family’s privacy.

“What if we can’t afford a lawyer?”
We work on contingency fee—you pay nothing unless we win. No upfront costs. No fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Final Message to Pampa Families

From the oil fields of Gray County to the campuses where we send our children, Texans believe in accountability, integrity, and protecting our own. When institutions charged with educating and protecting our children instead enable their harm, they must be held responsible.

The Leonel Bermudez case we’re litigating right now at UH proves that dangerous hazing isn’t abstract—it’s happening at Texas universities, with real consequences including kidney failure, hospitalization, and lifelong trauma. But it also proves that accountability is possible when families have the right legal team.

Whether you’re here in Pampa or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Call us today. Let us help you get answers, hold the right people accountable, and prevent this from happening to another family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
The Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Hablamos Español · Se habla Español

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