The Complete Guide to Hazing Injuries & Lawsuits for City of Tahoka Families: Holding Fraternities, Sororities, and Universities Accountable

A Message to City of Tahoka Parents: When “Tradition” Becomes Trauma

It starts with excitement. Your child, maybe a student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock or another Texas campus, earns a bid to join a fraternity, sorority, athletic team, or Corps program. Then comes the quiet change. The unexplained exhaustion. The secretive phone use at all hours. The excuses for bruises or injuries. And then, the call no parent wants: your child is in the emergency room from forced drinking, extreme exercise, or physical abuse during an initiation ritual.

Right now, in Houston, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student, was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after enduring what the lawsuit calls “waterboarding-like” abuse, forced overeating until vomiting, and extreme physical hazing at the hands of the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. His urine was brown—a classic sign of severe muscle breakdown. The chapter has been shut down, but our fight for accountability continues against the university, the national fraternity, and the individual members who orchestrated this abuse.

If you’re a parent in City of Tahoka, Lynn County, or anywhere in West Texas, this guide is for you. We’ll explain exactly what hazing looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, and what legal options exist when institutions fail in their duty to protect students.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

• Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • 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: Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing in modern Texas isn’t just about “boys being boys” or harmless pranks. It’s a calculated system of coercion that has evolved to avoid detection while causing serious physical and psychological harm.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – The psychological groundwork

• 24/7 group chat monitoring with instant response demands
• Mandatory servitude (cleaning rooms, running errands at all hours)
• Social isolation from non-members and family
• “Voluntary” events that are socially mandatory
• Geographic tracking via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – Escalating danger

• Sleep deprivation through late-night “meetings” or tasks
• Food and water restriction
• Forced consumption of unpalatable substances (hot sauce, spoiled food, excessive milk)
• Extreme calisthenics framed as “conditioning”
• Public humiliation through social media challenges or degrading costumes
• Constant verbal abuse and threats of expulsion

Tier 3: Violent Hazing – Life-threatening conduct

• Forced alcohol consumption: lineups, chugging contests, “Big/Little” nights
• Physical beatings: paddling, punching, kicking (common in NPHC traditions despite national prohibitions)
• Dangerous physical tests: blindfolded tackles, extreme workouts until collapse
• Sexualized hazing: forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault
• Chemical exposure: industrial cleaners poured on skin (as in the Texas A&M SAE case causing chemical burns)
• Kidnapping and restraint: blindfolded transport, being tied up for hours

The Digital Transformation of Hazing

Today’s hazing leaves a digital trail that can be both evidence and weapon:

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord chats coordinating abuse
• Snapchat and Instagram stories documenting humiliation
• Deleted messages that digital forensics can recover
• Location tracking through shared phone locations
  1- Livestreamed abuse for entertainment of older members

The Leonel Bermudez case at UH illustrates how traditional physical hazing combines with modern coercion. He was forced to carry a “pledge fanny pack” 24/7 containing condoms, sex toys, and humiliating items. His every move was monitored through mandatory interviews, dress codes, and overnight chauffeuring duties. The physical abuse culminated in 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, and forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting—all documented through text messages and witness statements.

Texas Hazing Law: What City of Tahoka Families Need to Know

Texas has some of the nation’s strongest anti-hazing statutes, but understanding how they apply is critical for protecting your child.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Foundation

§ 37.151 Definition of Hazing:
Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
• Occurs on or off campus
• Consent is NOT a defense (§ 37.155)

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

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

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

• Fined up to $10,000 per violation
• Banned from campus by the university
• Prosecuted criminally if they authorized or encouraged hazing

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting:
Students who report hazing or call for medical help in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (District Attorney)
• Purpose: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Charges can include: hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Burden of proof: Beyond a reasonable doubt

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims and families
• Purpose: Compensation and accountability
• Claims can include: negligence, wrongful death, emotional distress, premises liability
• Burden of proof: Preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not)

Critical Insight: A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many hazing cases succeed civilly even when criminal charges aren’t filed or don’t result in conviction.

Federal Overlay: Title IX and the Stop Campus Hazing Act

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, universities must investigate and take appropriate action. Failure to do so can result in federal liability.

Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including hazing incidents that involve assault, alcohol violations, or other reportable offenses.

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Phased in through 2026, this federal law requires:

• Transparent reporting of hazing incidents
• Public hazing data from universities receiving federal aid
• Enhanced hazing prevention education

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The same fraternities that have caused deaths and catastrophic injuries nationwide operate right here in Texas. These patterns show why national organizations can’t claim “we didn’t know” when local chapters repeat the same deadly behaviors.

Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: The Deadliest Tradition

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

• Forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night
• Died from alcohol poisoning
• $10 million settlement: $7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, $3M from BGSU
• Chapter president personally ordered to pay $6.5 million

Max Gruver – Phi Delta Theta, LSU (2017):

• Forced drinking during “Bible study” game
• Blood alcohol concentration: 0.495%
• Died from alcohol toxicity
• Max Gruver Act: Louisiana’s felony hazing statute
• Multiple members convicted; chapter closed

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

• “Big Brother” night with handles of hard liquor
• Died from acute alcohol poisoning
• FSU suspended all Greek life temporarily
• Criminal charges against multiple members

Physical and Ritualized Hazing Pattern

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

• Blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual
• Died from traumatic brain injury
• Fraternity convicted of manslaughter and assault
• Banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
• Multiple members received jail sentences

Danny Santulli – Phi Gamma Delta, University of Missouri (2021):

• Forced to consume excessive alcohol during “pledge dad reveal”
• Suffered permanent brain damage (cannot walk, talk, or see)
• Requires 24/7 care for life
• Settlements with 22 defendants, reportedly multi-million dollar total

Athletic Hazing Pattern

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025):

• Allegations of sexualized and racist hazing within the program
• Multiple lawsuits against university and coaches
• Head coach Pat Fitzgerald fired, then settled wrongful-termination suit
• Demonstrates hazing extends beyond Greek life to high-revenue sports

What These Cases Mean for City of Tahoka Families

The same national organizations involved in these tragedies have chapters throughout Texas. When your child is hazed by Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Texas A&M or Pi Kappa Alpha at Texas Tech, you’re dealing with organizations that have nationally documented patterns of dangerous behavior. This pattern evidence is crucial in civil litigation to establish foreseeability and overcome “rogue chapter” defenses.

Texas Universities: Where City of Tahoka Families Send Their Children

Parents in City of Tahoka and Lynn County typically have children attending universities throughout West Texas and the state. Understanding the specific hazing landscapes at these schools is essential for prevention and response.

Texas Tech University: The Closest Major Campus to City of Tahoka

Distance from City of Tahoka: Approximately 60 miles (about an hour drive)
Jurisdiction: Lubbock County courts, Lubbock Police Department, Texas Tech Police Department

Campus Culture:
Texas Tech in Lubbock hosts a vibrant Greek community with approximately 40 fraternities and sororities. The campus also features Corps of Cadets programs and active athletic teams—all environments where hazing can occur.

Documented Hazing Incidents:

• Kappa Sigma: Historical incidents of alcohol hazing and physical abuse
• Multiple fraternities: Periodic suspensions for hazing violations involving forced drinking and physical endangerment
• Corps of Cadets: Traditional military-style programs with documented hazing risks

Texas Tech’s Hazing Policy:

• Prohibits hazing on and off campus
• Requires reporting through Dean of Students office
• Provides amnesty for good-faith reporters seeking medical help
• Maintains disciplinary records that can be critical evidence in civil cases

What City of Tahoka Families Should Know:

1. Jurisdiction: Hazing cases involving Texas Tech students typically fall under Lubbock County courts, whether the incidents occurred on campus or at off-campus houses in Lubbock.
2. Evidence Preservation: The Lubbock Police Department and Texas Tech PD may both have jurisdiction depending on location. Request reports from both.
3. Pattern Evidence: Texas Tech’s Greek life has historical patterns of alcohol hazing that mirror national trends.

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

Distance from City of Tahoka: Approximately 350 miles (5-6 hour drive)
Common for Lynn County families due to Texas A&M’s statewide draw

Campus Culture:
Texas A&M’s unique Corps of Cadets tradition and extensive Greek system create multiple environments where hazing can thrive under the guise of “tradition” or “team building.”

Documented Hazing Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. Lawsuit sought $1 million.
• Corps of Cadets (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. Lawsuit sought over $1 million.
• Multiple fraternities: Regular disciplinary actions for alcohol hazing, physical abuse, and endangerment.

Texas A&M’s Hazing Response:

• Separate processes for Greek life and Corps violations
• Public transparency limited compared to UT Austin
• History of internal handling that sometimes avoids public scrutiny

What City of Tahoka Families Should Know:

1. Dual Systems: Corps hazing cases involve different regulations than Greek life cases. An attorney must understand both.
2. Geographic Challenges: Brazos County jurisdiction for on-campus incidents, but many hazing events occur at off-campus houses in College Station.
3. Historical Pattern: Texas A&M has decades of documented hazing incidents showing institutional awareness of the problem.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

Distance from City of Tahoka: Approximately 400 miles (6+ hour drive)

Campus Culture:
UT Austin hosts one of Texas’s largest and most transparent Greek communities, with public hazing violation logs that provide valuable evidence for victims.

Documented Hazing Incidents (From UT’s Public Hazing Log):

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: probation and mandatory hazing prevention education.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted at party, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. Lawsuit seeks over $1 million.
• Texas Wranglers and other spirit groups: Repeated sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, and punishment-based practices.

UT Austin’s Hazing Transparency:

• Maintains public online database of hazing violations
• Provides detailed descriptions of conduct and sanctions
• This transparency makes UT cases particularly strong for establishing pattern evidence

What City of Tahoka Families Should Know:

1. Public Evidence: UT’s hazing log provides ready-made evidence of prior incidents and institutional knowledge.
2. Travis County Courts: Civil cases typically filed in Travis County, but can include defendants from other jurisdictions.
3. Multiple Venues: Hazing often occurs at off-campus West Campus houses, creating complex premises liability issues.

Other Texas Universities Relevant to City of Tahoka Families

West Texas A&M University (Canyon):

• Approximately 120 miles from City of Tahoka
• Active Greek life with historical hazing incidents
• Amarillo/Canyon legal jurisdiction

University of North Texas (Denton):

• Approximately 300 miles from City of Tahoka
• Large Greek community with documented hazing patterns
• Denton County jurisdiction

Angelo State University (San Angelo):

• Approximately 175 miles from City of Tahoka
• Growing Greek presence with hazing risks
• Tom Green County jurisdiction

The Greek Organizations Behind the Letters: National Patterns Meet Texas Chapters

When a fraternity or sorority hazes your child in Texas, you’re not just dealing with college students—you’re confronting national organizations with decades of documented dangerous behavior.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): “The Deadliest Fraternity”

National Pattern:
SAE has been involved in more hazing deaths than any other fraternity, leading to their 2014 elimination of the traditional pledge program (though problems persist).

Texas Chapters with Documented Issues:

• Texas A&M Chapter: Chemical burns lawsuit (2021)
• UT Austin Chapter: Assault lawsuit (2024)
• University of Alabama Chapter: Traumatic brain injury lawsuit
• Multiple chapters nationwide: Alcohol poisoning deaths

Liability Insight: SAE’s national headquarters cannot claim ignorance when the same patterns repeat across chapters. Their extensive risk management manuals exist precisely because they know the dangers.

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): The “Big/Little” Night Pattern

National Pattern:
“Big/Little” nights have caused multiple deaths nationwide, including Stone Foltz at Bowling Green ($10M settlement) and David Bogenberger at Northern Illinois ($14M settlement).

Texas Presence:
Active chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and most major Texas campuses.

Legal Strategy: When a Texas Pike chapter repeats the Big/Little drinking ritual that killed Stone Foltz, national headquarters faces compelling “foreseeability” arguments.

Pi Kappa Phi: The UH Case and National History

National Pattern:
Andrew Coffey’s death at Florida State University (2017) from alcohol poisoning during a Pi Kappa Phi event.

Texas Connection:
The Leonel Bermudez case at University of Houston involves the same national organization. Pi Kappa Phi headquarters suspended the Beta Nu chapter within days of the hazing report, showing their awareness of the danger.

Critical Evidence: National fraternities often have internal “watch lists” or prior incident reports showing which chapters are at risk. Discovery in hazing lawsuits can uncover these documents.

Other High-Risk National Organizations with Texas Presence

Phi Delta Theta:

• Max Gruver death at LSU
• Chapters at Texas A&M, UT Austin, Texas Tech
• Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act created felony hazing statute

Kappa Alpha Order:

• Repeated hazing suspensions including SMU chapter
• Traditional “Old South” events with alcohol risks
• Active throughout Texas

NPHC Organizations (Divine Nine):

• Historical paddling traditions despite national prohibitions
• Complex cultural considerations in litigation
• Active at all Texas HBCUs and predominantly Black campuses

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages for City of Tahoka Families

When hazing injures your child, building a successful case requires immediate action, strategic evidence collection, and understanding the full scope of damages.

Critical Evidence That Wins Hazing Cases

Digital Evidence (Most Important):

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord chats: Screenshot immediately before deletion
• Text messages and iMessage: Preserve full threads with timestamps
• Social media posts: Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok documenting events
• Deleted message recovery: Digital forensics can often recover “permanently” deleted content
• Location data: Phone GPS showing presence at hazing locations

Physical Evidence:

• Medical records: ER reports, hospitalization records, lab results (like creatine kinase levels showing rhabdomyolysis)
• Photographs of injuries: Multiple angles, include ruler for scale, document progression over days
• Hazing objects: Paddles, alcohol bottles, costumes, “pledge packs”
• Damaged clothing: Blood, vomit, chemical stains

Institutional Records:

• University conduct files: Prior violations by same organization
• National fraternity records: Risk management files, prior incident reports
• Insurance policies: Coverage information for chapters and nationals
• 911 call recordings and police reports

Witness Testimony:

• Other pledges and victims
• Former members who quit due to hazing
• Roommates and friends who observed changes
• Medical personnel who treated injuries

The Defendant Universe: Who Can Be Held Accountable

1. Individual Students:

   • Those who planned, executed, or covered up hazing
   • Chapter officers with supervisory responsibility

2. Local Chapter/Housing Corporation:

   • Legal entity that owns/controls chapter house
   • Often has separate insurance coverage

3. National Fraternity/Sorority:

   • Sets policies, collects dues, provides oversight
   • Can be liable for negligent supervision

4. University/Board of Regents:

   • Duty to protect students they have special relationship with
   • Liability for deliberate indifference to known risks
   • Title IX obligations for gender-based hazing

5. Third Parties:

   • Property owners of off-campus houses
   • Alcohol providers (dram shop liability)
   • Security companies hired for events

Damages: What City of Tahoka Families Can Recover

Economic Damages:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost educational opportunities (tuition, delayed graduation)
• Lost earning capacity (for permanent injuries)
• Therapy and counseling costs

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Humiliation and reputational harm

Wrongful Death Damages (when applicable):

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship and support
• Emotional suffering of family members
• Lost future earnings of deceased

Punitive Damages:

• Available when defendants show gross negligence or malice
• Designed to punish and deter future misconduct
• Often triggered by cover-ups or repeated violations

Insurance Coverage Battles: The Hidden Legal War

Fraternities and universities carry complex insurance policies that often exclude “intentional acts” or “criminal conduct.” Our experience as former insurance defense attorneys gives us unique insight into:

• Identifying all potential insurance policies (national, local, university, homeowner’s)
• Overcoming coverage exclusions through creative legal arguments
• Pursuing bad faith claims when insurers wrongfully deny coverage
• Maximizing recovery within policy limits

Practical Guides for City of Tahoka Parents, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Sudden secrecy about organizational activities
• Personality changes (anxiety, depression, withdrawal)
• Constant phone monitoring for group chat demands
• Financial drains (forced purchases, “fines”)
• Academic decline from missed classes/study time

Questions to Ask (Without Confrontation):

1. “How are the new member activities going? Are they respectful of your time?”
2. “Have you had to do anything that made you uncomfortable?”
3. “Are you getting enough sleep with all the activities?”
4. “What happens if someone doesn’t participate in an event?”
5. “Are you ever asked to keep things secret from the university or family?”

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Prioritize safety: Remove child from dangerous situation
2. Seek medical care: Even if injuries seem minor
3. Document everything: Write down what your child tells you
4. Preserve evidence: Help screenshot messages, photograph injuries
5. Consult an attorney BEFORE reporting to university or police
6. Do NOT confront the organization directly

For Students: Protecting Yourself and Your Rights

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide:
Brad Yates would be forced or pressured to do something dangerous, degrading, or illegal to join or stay in a group?

• Would you do this if there were no social consequences?
• Is this “tradition” really about bonding, or is it just entertainment for older members?
• Are you being told to keep secrets or lie about activities?

If You’re Being Hazed:

1. Your safety comes first: Call 911 if in immediate danger
2. You have the right to leave: No matter what they’ve told you
3. Preserve evidence: Screenshot everything before it’s deleted
4. Seek medical attention: Tell providers you were hazed
5. Talk to someone you trust: Parent, RA, counselor, attorney

Exiting Safely:

• Send written resignation to chapter president (email for documentation)
• Inform university officials of your resignation and any safety concerns
• Document any retaliation or threats
• Seek protective order if necessary

For Witnesses and Former Members: Finding a Path to Accountability

If you participated in hazing or witnessed it, you may feel guilt, fear, or confusion about coming forward. We can help you:

• Understand your legal exposure and protections
• Navigate cooperation with investigations
• Access counseling and support services
  – Find ethical closure through truth-telling

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

Mistake #1: Deleting Evidence

• What happens: Messages are deleted to “protect” the chapter
• Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up, destroys crucial evidence
• Better approach: Preserve everything; deletions can often be recovered anyway

Mistake #2: Confronting the Organization Directly

• What happens: Parents angrily call the chapter president
• Why it’s wrong: Triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching
• Better approach: Let your attorney handle all communication

Mistake #3: Signing University “Resolution” Agreements

• What happens: University offers quick settlement with confidentiality clause
• Why it’s wrong: Often far below case value, waives right to sue others
• Better approach: Have attorney review ANY agreement before signing

Mistake #4: Posting on Social Media

• What happens: Families vent on Facebook or Twitter
• Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; hurts credibility
• Better approach: Keep details private until case resolves

Mistake #5: Waiting for University Investigation

• What happens: Family trusts university to “handle it internally”
• Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
• Better approach: Parallel investigation by your attorney from day one

Mistake #6: Talking to Insurance Adjusters

• What happens: Adjuster calls for “just a quick statement”
• Why it’s wrong: Recorded statements used against you; early lowball offers
• Better approach: “Please contact my attorney”

Mistake #7: Letting Your Child Return for “One Last Meeting”

• What happens: Chapter pressures victim to recant or downplay
• Why it’s wrong: Coerced statements damage case
• Better approach: Once legal action considered, all communication through attorney

Frequently Asked Questions for City of Tahoka Families

Can we sue a university for hazing in Texas?
Yes, under specific circumstances. Public universities (Texas Tech, Texas A&M, UT) have sovereign immunity with exceptions for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individual employees. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case is fact-specific—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case analysis.

Is hazing a felony in Texas?
It can be. Texas Education Code §37.152 makes hazing a state jail felony when it causes serious bodily injury or death. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH, involving rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, could potentially support felony charges.

What if my child “agreed” to the initiation?
Consent is not a defense to hazing in Texas. Education Code §37.155 explicitly states that the victim’s consent doesn’t matter when power imbalance, peer pressure, and fear of exclusion create coercive environments.

How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
Generally two years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm wasn’t immediately apparent. In cases involving cover-ups or fraud, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

What if hazing happened off-campus?
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and foreseeability. The Pi Delta Psi case (fatal retreat) and many others succeeded despite off-campus locations.

Will my child’s name be public?
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. We can often negotiate sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
We work on contingency—no fee unless we win. We cover all case expenses and only get paid from the recovery. Watch our video explaining contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

What’s the first step?
Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your options, and help you decide on the best path forward. There’s no obligation, and everything you tell us is protected by attorney-client privilege.

Why Attorney911 for City of Tahoka Hazing Cases

When your family faces the trauma of hazing, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how fraternities, sororities, and universities fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña):
As a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm, Mr. Peña knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, deploy delay tactics, and argue coverage exclusions. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Institutional Litigation (Ralph Manginello):
Our involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation proves we can take on billion-dollar defendants. We’re not intimidated by national fraternities or university legal teams. We’ve faced the toughest defense attorneys and won.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience:
We have a proven track record in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, with economist collaboration to properly value lifetime care needs, lost earning capacity, and non-economic damages.

Dual Civil-Criminal Capability:
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure.

Investigative Depth:
We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracking 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. This data-driven approach helps us identify all potentially liable entities and insurance coverage.

Digital Forensics Expertise:
We work with experts who can recover deleted messages, reconstruct social media activity, and trace digital evidence that organizations try to destroy.

Local Texas Knowledge:
From our Houston headquarters, we serve families throughout Texas, including City of Tahoka, Lynn County, and all of West Texas. We understand Texas courts, Texas juries, and Texas values.

Our Approach to Hazing Cases

1. Immediate Response: 24/7 availability for hazing emergencies
2. Evidence Preservation: Digital forensics, witness interviews, record requests
3. Comprehensive Investigation: Identifying all defendants and insurance coverage
4. Strategic Litigation: Balancing settlement opportunities with trial readiness
5. Client-Centered Advocacy: Keeping you informed, protecting your privacy, pursuing justice on your terms

Our Record Speaks for Itself

While every case is unique and we cannot guarantee specific outcomes, our firm has:

• Recovered millions in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases
• Taken on billion-dollar corporations in complex litigation
• Successfully navigated insurance coverage battles
• Protected client privacy while achieving accountability
• Built cases that forced institutional change

Call to Action for City of Tahoka Families

If hazing has injured your child at Texas Tech, Texas A&M, UT, or any Texas campus, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions responsible will have teams of lawyers working to minimize their liability. You need an experienced team fighting for you.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation:

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com
• Spanish Services: Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com

What to expect in your free consultation:

1. We listen to your story without judgment
2. Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
3. Explain your legal options clearly
4. Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
5. Answer your questions about costs (contingency fee – no fee unless we win)
6. No pressure to hire us immediately

Serving City of Tahoka and All of Texas:
While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas. Distance doesn’t matter in the digital age—we can begin protecting your rights immediately, no matter where you’re located.

The call you make today could prevent another family from suffering what yours has endured. It could force institutions to reform their practices. It could save lives.

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations run. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez/UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit

Click2Houston (KPRC 2) 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 Eyewitness News (KTRK) Coverage:
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 YouTube Videos

Using Your Cellphone to Document Evidence:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

Texas Statutes of Limitations Explained:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

How Contingency Fees Work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website

Homepage and Contact:
https://attorney911.com

Wrongful Death Practice Area:
https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/

Criminal Defense Practice Area:
https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/

Ralph Manginello Profile:
https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/

Lupe Peña Profile:
https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

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