The Definitive Guide for Seagoville Families: Understanding Hazing Risks at Texas Universities & Your Legal Rights

When your child leaves for college from our close-knit Seagoville community, you envision them growing, learning, and building friendships that last a lifetime. You trust the university to provide a safe environment. The nightmare begins when a phone call shatters that trust—your child is hurt, humiliated, and the institution meant to protect them seems more concerned with protecting its reputation. For families right here in Seagoville, in Dallas County, this is not a hypothetical fear. It is happening at campuses across Texas where our children study, and it demands immediate, informed action.

We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLD, operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We represent hazing victims and their families across Texas, from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Right now, we are actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in the country—the case of Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston. We created this comprehensive guide for Seagoville parents, grandparents, and students because you deserve to know the truth about hazing risks, your legal rights under Texas law, and how to fight for accountability when prevention fails.

If This Just Happened: Immediate Help for Seagoville Families

If your child is in danger or injured RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call Attorney911 immediately: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).

In the first 48 hours, you must:

1. Get Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” see a doctor. Internal injuries like rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) may not be immediately apparent.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It Disappears:
   • Screenshot every group chat (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord).
   • Photograph injuries from multiple angles with good lighting.
   • Save physical items (torn clothing, paddles, receipts for alcohol).
   • Write down everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations, specific acts.
3. DO NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
   • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” their phone.
   • Sign anything from the university or an insurance adjuster.
   • Post details on public social media.
4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney: Evidence vanishes within days. Universities move quickly to control the narrative. We can help you navigate this crisis. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

The Case That Changed Everything: Leonel Bermudez vs. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

For Seagoville families, understanding the current reality of hazing starts with a case happening right now in our state. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student whose fall 2025 pledge period to the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity (Beta Nu chapter) turned into a nightmare of sustained abuse, culminating in a life-threatening medical crisis.

The Hazing Conduct: The lawsuit alleges a relentless campaign of humiliation and violence. Bermudez was forced to carry a “pledge fanny pack” 24/7 containing condoms, a sex toy, and nicotine devices. He endured enforced dress codes, overnight chauffeuring duties, and hours-long “study” blocks. The physical abuse included forced sprints, bear crawls, and wheelbarrow races in the cold. He was sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding” and forced to consume excessive amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, only to be forced to sprint again. On November 3, 2025, he was ordered to complete over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

The Medical Catastrophe: This relentless abuse caused Bermudez to develop rhabdomyolysis—a severe skeletal muscle breakdown that flooded his system with toxins. He passed brown urine, could not stand without help, and was rushed to the hospital. Lab tests confirmed critically high creatine kinase levels, leading to a diagnosis of acute kidney failure. He was hospitalized for four days and faces an ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

The Institutional Response & Our Fight: The defendants in this $10 million lawsuit include the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the chapter’s housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. After reports surfaced, Pi Kappa Phi national suspended the chapter on November 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter on November 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised cooperation with law enforcement. This case is active, high-stakes proof of the serious, ongoing fight against institutional hazing in Texas. You can read the detailed media coverage in the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case and ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit.

This is not an isolated incident. It is a pattern repeated across Texas campuses, often involving the same national organizations. For Seagoville parents, the takeaway is clear: the universities where we send our children are not immune, and the fraternities and sororities on those campuses have national histories of the same dangerous behaviors.

The Greek Ecosystem Surrounding Seagoville & Dallas County Families

Seagoville sits within the vast Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area, a hub for higher education and Greek life. When we investigate hazing cases, we don’t start from scratch. We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public records, giving us—and you—an unmatched view of the organizations involved.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Connected to Seagoville

Using IRS Business Master File data (NTEE Code B83 for student fraternities/sororities), we track over 125 Texas-registered Greek entities. These are not just social clubs; they are legal organizations with Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), mailing addresses, and often, latent liability. For Seagoville families, understanding this landscape is the first step toward accountability.

A Snapshot of Texas Greek Organizations from Public IRS Filings:

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc, EIN 133048786, College Station, TX 77845
• Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Inc, EIN 161675890, The Woodlands, TX 77382
• Sigma Phi Lambda Inc, EIN 201237505, Corinth, TX 76210
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, EIN 237279532, Prairie View, TX 77446
• Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, EIN 262025321, Denton, TX 76201
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Beta Upsilon Chi, EIN 742911848, Fort Worth, TX 76244
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 746084905, Houston, TX 77204
• Fort Worth Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, EIN 752755600, Fort Worth, TX 76101
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Sigma Incorporated, EIN 882755427, San Marcos, TX 78666

This is just a small sample. According to broader metro analysis from Cause IQ data sources, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area contains over 500 Greek-related organizations, including undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, honor societies, and housing corporations. This dense network means the fraternity or sorority that harmed your child is part of a much larger, often well-funded, system.

Where Seagoville Families Send Their Students: Campus Connections

Parents in Seagoville and across Dallas County have children at universities throughout Texas. Some attend local colleges, while others go to major flagship institutions. Our legal approach is informed by this reality—we are prepared to handle cases from any Texas campus.

Major Universities for Seagoville Area Students Include:

Local/Regional Campuses:

• The University of Texas at Dallas (Richardson, Dallas County)
• University of North Texas (Denton, Denton County)
• Texas Woman’s University (Denton, Denton County)
• Dallas Baptist University (Dallas, Dallas County)
• Southern Methodist University (Dallas, Dallas County)
• University of North Texas at Dallas (Dallas, Dallas County)
• Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce, Hunt County)

Statewide Flagship & Hub Universities (Common Destinations):

• University of Texas at Austin (Travis County)
• Texas A&M University (College Station, Brazos County)
• University of Houston (Houston, Harris County)
• Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Lubbock County)
• Baylor University (Waco, McLennan County)
• Texas State University (San Marcos, Hays County)

Each of these campuses has an active, and in some cases massive, Greek life system. The fraternities and sororities at these schools are frequently chapters of the same national organizations implicated in hazing deaths and severe injuries across the country.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Patterns Meet Local Chapters

The fraternity that harmed a student at UT Austin or Texas A&M is often part of a national organization with a documented history of hazing incidents. This pattern is critical for establishing liability. It shows that the national headquarters knew or should have known about the risks but failed to implement effective safeguards.

National Histories with Local Texas Connections:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): Responsible for the death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University (2021), leading to a $10 million settlement. PIKE chapters operate at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, and others.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Faced a lawsuit at Texas A&M where pledges alleged being doused in industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. SAE has a pattern of hazing-related incidents nationwide.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): The national organization currently named as a defendant in our Leonel Bermudez lawsuit at UH. Previously, a Pi Kappa Phi chapter at Florida State University was involved in the alcohol-poisoning death of pledge Andrew Coffey in 2017.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): The fraternity involved in the death of Max Gruver at LSU (2017), which led to Louisiana’s “Max Gruver Act” strengthening hazing laws.

When we take a case, we immediately investigate this national history. A pattern of similar incidents at other chapters establishes foreseeability—a key legal concept proving the organization should have anticipated and prevented the harm.

Texas Hazing Law Explained: Rights for Seagoville Victims & Families

Texas has specific laws criminalizing hazing and providing a framework for civil lawsuits. Understanding these laws is empowering for families feeling overwhelmed.

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 student’s mental or physical health or safety. This includes forced drinking, physical brutality, sleep deprivation, and other coercive activities.
• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes injury and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Critical Provision – Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (§37.155) explicitly states that the victim’s consent to the hazing activity is not a defense to prosecution. This defeats the common argument that “they wanted to do it.”
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or other student organization itself can be fined up to $10,000 if it authorizes or knowingly permits hazing.
• Immunity for Reporting: Individuals who in good faith report hazing or seek medical assistance are immune from civil liability and disciplinary action from the university, encouraging life-saving intervention.

Civil Liability & Your Lawsuit: A criminal case is brought by the state to punish wrongdoing. A civil lawsuit, which we handle, is brought by the victim and family to recover damages and hold all responsible parties accountable. These can include:

• The individual students who participated.
• The local chapter officers who organized or permitted it.
• The national fraternity or sorority headquarters.
• The university (for negligent supervision, Title IX violations, etc.).
• The housing corporation that owns the property where it occurred.

Building a Powerful Case with Attorney911’s Data Engine & Experience

At Attorney911, we don’t just file lawsuits. We build institutional cases using a methodical, data-driven approach honed over decades of complex litigation. Our strategy is what sets us apart for Seagoville families facing this daunting challenge.

1. The Data Advantage: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, featuring the public records directory you saw above, allows us to immediately identify every legal entity behind a chapter. We find the EINs, the housing corporations, the alumni associations, and the insurance policies. We know how to trace liability up the chain to the deep-pocketed national organizations.

2. Insider Knowledge of Insurance Defense Tactics: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, fight coverage, and employ delay tactics. We use this insider knowledge to anticipate and counter their strategies from day one. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

3. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello has experience taking on billion-dollar defendants, including involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by university regents or national fraternity legal teams. We have federal court experience and the resources to conduct discovery against powerful institutions. See Ralph’s full profile at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.

4. Evidence Preservation & Investigation: We act with urgency to secure evidence before it disappears. This includes:

• Digital Forensics: Recovering deleted group chats (GroupMe, Snapchat, Discord), social media posts, and location data.
• Subpoenaing Records: Obtaining internal chapter minutes, national fraternity risk management files, and university disciplinary records.
• Expert Collaboration: Working with medical experts to document injuries like rhabdomyolysis, toxicologists on alcohol poisoning, and economists to calculate lifetime damages.

5. A Track Record of Serious Results: We have recovered multi-million dollar settlements for clients with catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. We apply the same rigorous approach to hazing cases, understanding the profound physical, emotional, and academic toll on victims.

Practical Steps for Seagoville Parents & Students

For Parents: If You Suspect Hazing

• Listen Without Judgment: Create a safe space for your child to talk.
• Document Conversations: Write down what they tell you, including names, dates, and specific acts.
• Seek Medical Care: Insist on a thorough medical evaluation; some injuries are internal.
• Secure Evidence: Help your child safely screenshot digital messages and photograph injuries.
• Report Strategically: Consult with an attorney before making formal reports to the university or police to ensure your child’s rights are protected.

For Students: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

• Trust Your Instincts: If it feels dangerous, degrading, or coercive, it likely is hazing.
• Know the Law: In Texas, your “consent” is not a legal defense for those hazing you.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots, photos, and notes as it happens.
• Have an Exit Plan: Know that you can leave. Your safety is more important than any organization.
• Seek Help: Talk to a trusted adult, contact the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE), or call us. Watch our video on using your phone to document evidence for guidance.

Critical Mistakes to Avoid

• Deleting Evidence: Do not clear group chats or text histories.
• Confronting the Chapter Alone: This can lead to evidence destruction and witness coaching.
• Accepting a Quick University “Resolution”: Do not sign any agreements or accept a informal resolution without legal advice. The university’s interests are not always aligned with yours.
• Waiting Too Long: Texas has a statute of limitations for filing lawsuits. Evidence and witness memories fade. Learn more about timing in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

Why Seagoville Families Choose Attorney911

When your family is in crisis, you need advocates who combine deep legal expertise with genuine compassion and a fierce commitment to justice. We serve families throughout Texas from our home base in Houston, and we understand the unique concerns of Seagoville parents navigating a hazing nightmare.

We Offer:

• Free, Confidential Consultations: We listen to your story and provide straightforward advice about your options.
• Contingency Fee Basis: You pay no upfront attorney fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. See how this works in our video on how contingency fees work.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish (Se habla Español).
• Comprehensive Investigation: We leave no stone unturned in building your case.
• A Commitment to Accountability: We fight not just for compensation, but to force change that protects future students.

Your Path Forward Starts with a Conversation

The journey from victim to survivor begins with a single step. If hazing has impacted your child at any Texas university—whether it’s a fraternity at UT, a sorority at Texas A&M, the Corps of Cadets, a spirit group at Baylor, or any other campus organization—we are here to help you understand your rights and options.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Let us use our experience, our data-driven approach, and our dedication to your family to pursue the accountability and justice you deserve.

Contact Attorney911 Today for a Free, Confidential Case Evaluation.

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

We stand with Seagoville families and stand up to powerful institutions. Call us now.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston Report: 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/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Using Your Cellphone as Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Website & Profiles:

• Main Website: https://attorney911.com
• Ralph Manginello Profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
• Lupe Peña Profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.