Hazing Victims in Upshur County, Texas: You Are Not Alone
If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, or any student organization in Upshur County or East Texas, Attorney 911 can help. We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit in Houston and can bring that same aggressive representation to Upshur County families.
The Hazing Crisis in East Texas
Hazing isn’t just happening in big cities like Houston or Dallas. It happens right here in East Texas too. Upshur County families send their children to colleges and universities across the region expecting them to be safe. But the reality is that Greek organizations with chapters near Upshur County have the same dangerous hazing cultures we’re fighting in our current case.
Common Hazing Practices in East Texas
While every organization is different, these are some of the hazing activities that have been documented at colleges and universities near Upshur County:
- Extreme physical punishment – Hundreds of pushups, squats, or running drills until exhaustion
- Forced alcohol consumption – Binge drinking, chugging contests, or drinking games
- Sleep deprivation – Late-night activities that prevent proper rest
- Physical abuse – Paddling, beating, or other forms of physical assault
- Psychological torture – Humiliation, degradation, or verbal abuse
- Forced eating – Consuming large amounts of food or non-food items until vomiting
- Exposure to elements – Being forced to stay outside in extreme heat or cold
These aren’t “traditions” or “rites of passage.” They’re dangerous activities that can lead to serious injury or even death. And they’re happening at colleges and universities near Upshur County.
Our Current Case: The $10 Million Fight
Right now, we’re representing Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. Our client was hospitalized for four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to weeks of systematic abuse during the pledge process.
What Happened to Our Client
- Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue exercising
- Another pledge lost consciousness during these activities
- Hospitalized with kidney failure requiring intensive medical treatment
This didn’t happen in some distant state. This happened in Texas, just a few hours from Upshur County. And the same national fraternities involved in this case have chapters at universities near Upshur County.
Why This Matters to Upshur County Families
The fraternity that hazed our client has 150+ chapters across America, including in Texas. The same national organization that paid millions after a hazing death in 2017 failed to prevent this from happening again in 2025. If they allowed this to happen at the University of Houston, what’s happening at chapters near Upshur County?
Universities near Upshur County face the same challenges with Greek life oversight that we’re seeing in our case. They have the same power to stop hazing – and the same liability when they don’t.
Legal Rights for Upshur County Hazing Victims
Texas law is clear: hazing is illegal, and consent is not a defense. Under the Texas Education Code, hazing includes:
- Any physical brutality
- Sleep deprivation
- Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or other substances
- Any activity that subjects a student to unreasonable risk
Importantly, it is not a defense that the victim consented to the hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds the perpetrators accountable.
Who Can Be Held Liable
In our current case, we’re pursuing claims against multiple parties, all of whom could be liable in Upshur County hazing cases:
- The local chapter – For organizing and conducting hazing activities
- National fraternity/sorority organizations – For failing to supervise and prevent hazing
- Universities and colleges – For failing to protect students from known hazards
- Individual members – For participating in or facilitating hazing
- Housing corporations – For allowing hazing on their property
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Upshur County
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Upshur County, time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly, and there are strict legal deadlines for filing claims.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Seek medical attention – Even if injuries seem minor, get a medical evaluation
- Preserve all evidence – Save text messages, social media posts, photos, videos
- Document everything – Write down what happened, when, where, and who was involved
- Don’t sign anything – The organization may try to get you to sign away your rights
- Contact an attorney – Before talking to the organization, university, or their insurance company
How Attorney 911 Can Help Upshur County Families
We understand that Upshur County families may be hesitant to pursue legal action against powerful institutions. But we also know that these organizations won’t change unless they’re forced to.
Here’s how we can help:
- Free case evaluation – We’ll review your situation at no cost
- Aggressive representation – We’re not afraid to take on big institutions
- Nationwide reach – We can handle cases anywhere in Texas, including Upshur County
- Contingency fee basis – You pay nothing unless we win your case
- Travel to Upshur County – We’ll come to you for meetings, depositions, and court appearances
Common Questions from Upshur County Parents
“Is this really happening in East Texas?”
Yes. While we can’t discuss specific cases without violating confidentiality, we can tell you that hazing happens at colleges and universities across Texas, including those near Upshur County. The same national fraternities and sororities involved in our current case have chapters at schools throughout the region.
“Will pursuing legal action hurt my child’s future?”
No. In fact, holding these organizations accountable may help protect future students. Many hazing victims find that taking action helps them regain control and prevents others from going through what they experienced.
“Can we really fight these big organizations?”
Yes. We have extensive experience taking on large institutions and winning. In our current case, we’re suing a national fraternity and a major university. We know how these organizations operate and how to build strong cases against them.
“What if the hazing happened at a school outside Upshur County?”
It doesn’t matter where the hazing occurred. If your child attends college near Upshur County and was hazed, we can help. We represent clients nationwide and have experience with cases involving schools across Texas and beyond.
Universities Near Upshur County with Greek Life
While we can’t comment on specific incidents at these schools, here are some of the universities near Upshur County that have Greek organizations:
- University of Texas at Tyler – About 30 miles from Upshur County
- Stephen F. Austin State University – About 50 miles away
- Texas A&M University-Texarkana – About 70 miles away
- East Texas Baptist University – About 25 miles away
- LeTourneau University – About 20 miles away
The same national fraternities and sororities involved in our current case have chapters at many of these schools. If your child was hazed at any of these institutions, we can help.
The Time to Act Is Now
Hazing cases have strict legal deadlines. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. Evidence disappears quickly, and memories fade. The sooner you contact us, the better we can protect your rights.
What to Expect When You Call
When you contact Attorney 911 about a hazing case:
- We’ll listen to your story in a confidential consultation
- We’ll evaluate the strength of your case
- We’ll explain your legal options
- We’ll outline the next steps
- We’ll start building your case immediately
Remember: You pay nothing unless we win your case.
The Message to Greek Organizations Near Upshur County
To the fraternities and sororities operating near Upshur County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters. If you haze students in East Texas, we will pursue every liable entity.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi – if your chapter operates near Upshur County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America. We have proven these cases can be won.
The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.
Contact Attorney 911 Today
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Upshur County, don’t wait. Contact Attorney 911 today for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
We serve Upshur County and all of East Texas. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
The consultation is free. The call could change everything. Enough is enough.
