The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Resource for Van Zandt County Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone

Imagine this: Your son, a bright student from Canton or Wills Point, excitedly accepted a bid to a fraternity at the University of North Texas or Texas A&M-Commerce. What began as weekly meetings and study sessions has escalated. He’s getting texts at 3 a.m. demanding he drive to Dallas for “pledge duties.” You notice unexplained bruises, extreme exhaustion, and a new secretiveness when you ask about his activities. Then comes the late-night call from a hospital in Tyler or Denton—your child is being treated for acute kidney failure after a brutal “workout” endured as part of his initiation. He’s scared, injured, and the university’s initial response feels more concerned with protecting its reputation than protecting your child.

This is not hypothetical. Right now, Attorney911 is fighting exactly this kind of case. In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly lost his life to fraternity hazing. His story—involving forced physical abuse, humiliation, and medical catastrophe—is happening right here in Texas, to students from communities just like yours in Van Zandt County. This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families across our county, from the farmlands of Fruitvale to the neighborhoods of Edgewood, who need to understand the reality of modern hazing, your legal rights, and how to protect your child when powerful institutions fail them.

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, photograph injuries, save physical items
• Write down everything while memory is fresh
• Do NOT: Confront the fraternity/sorority, sign anything from the university, post details on social media, or let evidence be deleted

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast, universities move quickly to control the narrative, and 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 Texas Today

For families in Van Zandt County, the word “hazing” might conjure images of harmless pranks or “boys being boys.” The reality in 2025 is far more dangerous, sophisticated, and psychologically damaging. Modern hazing is a calculated system of power and control that puts young lives at risk, and it extends far beyond fraternity houses to sororities, athletic teams, spirit groups, Corps programs, and other campus organizations.

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. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (Often Dismissed as “Tradition”)

• Being “on call” 24/7 for senior members’ errands
• Mandatory late-night meetings that interfere with academics
• Forced isolation from non-member friends and family
• Carrying degrading “pledge packs” with humiliating items
• Constant group chat monitoring with instant response demands

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (Creates Hostile Environment)

• Sleep deprivation through 3 a.m. wake-up calls
• Food/water restriction or forced consumption of unpleasant substances
• “Smokings”—extreme calisthenics beyond safe limits
• Public humiliation and verbal degradation
• Forced financial expenditures for older members

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (High Probability of Injury or Death)

• Forced alcohol consumption (chugging, funneling, drinking games)
• Physical beatings, paddling, or branding
• Dangerous physical tests (“glass ceiling” tackles, blindfolded challenges)
• Sexualized hazing, forced nudity, or simulated sexual acts
• Exposure to extreme temperatures or dangerous environments

The Digital Transformation of Hazing

Today’s hazing doesn’t just happen in basements—it lives in group chats and social media:

• 24/7 Digital Control: GroupMe, WhatsApp, and Discord messages at all hours with immediate response demands
• Location Tracking: Forced sharing of live location via Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps
• Social Media Humiliation: Required TikTok challenges, Instagram story dares, public shaming
• Evidence Destruction: Instructions to delete messages, coached responses if investigated
• “Voluntary” Coercion: Activities framed as “optional” but with clear social consequences for refusal

For Van Zandt County families whose children attend universities hours away, this digital layer means hazing can maintain constant psychological pressure even when your child is physically distant from campus.

Texas Law & Liability: What Van Zandt County Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws that provide both criminal penalties and civil liability pathways. Understanding this framework is essential for families in Van Zandt County seeking accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

Definition (Paraphrased for Clarity):
Hazing means 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.

Key Provisions for Van Zandt County Families:

1. Criminal Penalties:

   • Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (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
   • Additional Crimes: Failing to report hazing or retaliating against reporters

2. Organizational Liability:

   • Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation
   • Universities can revoke recognition and ban organizations from campus
   • Both individuals AND the organization can be held accountable

3. Critical Protections:

   • Consent is NOT a defense (Texas Education Code § 37.155)
   • Good-faith reporters have immunity from liability
   • Medical emergency callers often receive amnesty protections

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (district attorney), aiming for punishment (jail, fines, probation). Common charges include hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, and in fatal cases, manslaughter.

Civil Cases: Brought by victims or surviving families, aiming for compensation and accountability. These focus on negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, and emotional distress.

Crucially: A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Both can proceed simultaneously, and many families find civil litigation provides the comprehensive accountability and compensation that criminal proceedings alone cannot deliver.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing
2. Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself as a legal entity
3. National Headquarters: Organizations that set policies, collect dues, and supervise chapters
4. Universities & Governing Boards: Schools that knew or should have known about risks
5. Third Parties: Landlords, property owners, alcohol providers, security companies

For Van Zandt County families, this multi-defendant approach is crucial. The chapter house in Denton, the national headquarters in another state, the university regents in Austin, and individual members from across Texas may all share liability.

Federal Law Overlay: Additional Protections

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing transparently and strengthen prevention programs
• Title IX: Triggered when hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility
• Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes that often overlap with hazing incidents

The Leonel Bermudez Case: Why This Matters for Van Zandt County Families

Right now, Attorney911 is actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history—and it demonstrates exactly what Van Zandt County families might face. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

What Happened at University of Houston

Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student, accepted a bid to Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter in September 2025. What followed was a systematic campaign of abuse:

The Humiliation:

• Mandatory “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices, and humiliating items
• Enforced dress codes and hours-long “study/work” blocks
• Weekly interviews and overnight chauffeuring duties

The Physical Abuse:

• Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races at Yellowstone Boulevard Park
• Cold-weather exposure in underwear, lying in vomit-soaked grass
• Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints
• The November 3 “workout”: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under threat of expulsion

The Medical Catastrophe:
After the November 3 session, Bermudez’s condition deteriorated for days. He passed brown urine, could not stand without help, and was rushed to the hospital by his mother. Diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, he was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels. He faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Institutional Response:

• November 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspended the Beta Nu chapter
• November 14, 2025: Chapter members voted to surrender their charter
• University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary measures

Why This Case Matters for Van Zandt County:
This isn’t an isolated incident at one university. The same national organizations, the same patterns of abuse, and the same institutional responses affect students from our communities attending universities across Texas. When we take on universities and national fraternities in Houston, we’re building precedent that protects students from Edgewood attending UT Tyler, students from Canton at Texas A&M-Commerce, and every Van Zandt County family with a child in the Texas university system.

Texas Universities: Where Van Zandt County Families Send Their Children

Van Zandt County families have deep educational connections across Texas. Our children attend regional universities close to home and major institutions across the state. Understanding the hazing landscape at these schools is essential for prevention and response.

Northeast Texas & Regional Universities

University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler)
Just 45 minutes from Van Zandt County, UT Tyler serves many local families. With growing Greek life and campus organizations, hazing risks exist here as they do at larger institutions. Texas law applies equally whether the incident happens in Tyler or Austin.

Texas A&M University-Commerce
Many Van Zandt County students choose A&M-Commerce for its proximity and strong programs. As part of the Texas A&M system, the university has comprehensive anti-hazing policies, but enforcement and transparency remain concerns familiar to families across the system.

University of North Texas (UNT) & Texas Woman’s University (TWU)
The Denton universities attract Van Zandt County students seeking larger university experiences. UNT’s substantial Greek life and TWU’s organizational landscape both present hazing risks that require vigilant awareness from our families.

Major Texas Universities with Van Zandt County Connections

Texas A&M University (College Station)
The Aggie network includes many Van Zandt County alumni and current students. Texas A&M’s unique challenges include:

• Corps of Cadets Culture: Traditional military-style environment with documented hazing risks
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound in “roasted pig” position

University of Texas at Austin
UT Austin’s relatively transparent Hazing Violations page reveals ongoing issues:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics
• Various spirit organizations sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
• Public logging of violations provides evidence for civil cases showing institutional knowledge

University of Houston
As detailed in the Bermudez case, UH faces serious hazing challenges. The urban campus environment and substantial Greek life create specific risks that Van Zandt County families should understand when their children choose UH.

Baylor University & Southern Methodist University (SMU)
These private institutions have their own hazing histories and disciplinary approaches. Baylor’s baseball hazing suspensions (2020) and SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order incident (2017) demonstrate that private university status doesn’t eliminate risks.

What This Means for Van Zandt County Jurisdiction

When hazing affects your child, legal proceedings may involve:

• Local Police: Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office or municipal police if incidents occur locally
• Campus Police: University PD at the institution where hazing occurred
• County Courts: Van Zandt County courts for local elements, plus courts where the university is located
• Federal Courts: Possible for Title IX or civil rights claims

Attorney911’s experience navigating multiple jurisdictions is essential for Van Zandt County families dealing with incidents that span county lines and involve distant universities.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: What’s Really Behind the Letters

For Van Zandt County parents trying to understand the organizations their children join, it’s crucial to recognize that fraternities and sororities are not just social clubs—they’re complex networks of legal entities with substantial assets and insurance policies. Attorney911 maintains what we call our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, a comprehensive database of Greek organizations across the state. This investigative depth is what allows us to hold the right parties accountable.

Public Records: Greek Organizations Serving Texas Students

Based on IRS filings and public records, here are examples of the types of organizations we track:

IRS B83 Texas-Registered Organizations (Examples):

• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC (EIN: 133048786) | College Station, TX 77845
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC (EIN: 462267515) | Frisco, TX 75035
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC (EIN: 475370943) | Houston, TX 77204
• TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC (EIN: 741380362) | Fort Worth, TX 76147
• PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY (EIN: 746064445) | Nederland, TX 77627

Metro Area Concentration (From Cause IQ Data):

• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510+ Greek-related organizations
• Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188+ organizations
• Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154+ organizations
• College Station-Bryan Metro: 42+ organizations

National Brands with Texas Presence (IRS-Cause IQ Overlap):

• Beta Upsilon Chi (Fort Worth, TX 76244)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation (Fort Worth, TX 76147)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (multiple Texas locations)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (multiple Texas chapters)

Why National Histories Matter for Van Zandt County Cases

When a chapter at UT Tyler or Texas A&M-Commerce repeats hazing practices that have caused deaths at other universities, that history matters. National organizations have pattern knowledge that creates legal responsibility. Consider these national histories:

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike):

• Stone Foltz, Bowling Green State University (2021): Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol, died
• David Bogenberger, Northern Illinois University (2012): Alcohol poisoning death during fraternity event
• Pattern: Big/Little nights with forced drinking

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE):

• Multiple hazing deaths nationwide
• Texas A&M chemical burns case (2021)
• UT Austin assault case (2024)
• Pattern: Physical abuse combined with substance hazing

Phi Delta Theta:

• Max Gruver, LSU (2017): “Bible study” drinking game death
• Pattern: Academic-themed drinking rituals

For Van Zandt County families, these national patterns mean that when your child is hazed by an organization with this history, we can demonstrate that the national headquarters knew or should have known the risks—strengthening claims against deep-pocketed defendants who can provide meaningful compensation.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Compensation

When hazing injures your child, building a strong case requires immediate action, investigative depth, and strategic understanding of how these cases work. Attorney911 brings particular strengths to this process that matter for Van Zandt County families.

Critical Evidence That Wins Cases

Digital Evidence (Most Important Category):

• Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity apps
• Social Media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook messages
• Recovered Data: Deleted messages through digital forensics
• Location Data: GPS from phones, Find My Friends histories

Physical & Medical Evidence:

• Injury Documentation: Photos from multiple angles with scale reference
• Medical Records: ER reports, hospital records, specialist evaluations
• Psychological Records: PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses
• Physical Items: Clothing, paddles, alcohol containers, props

Institutional Records:

• University conduct files and prior incident reports
• National fraternity risk management files
• Insurance policies and coverage documents
• Membership rosters and officer lists

Witness Networks:

• Other pledges and new members
• Former members who quit or were expelled
• Roommates, RAs, bystanders
• Medical providers and first responders

Attorney911’s Investigative Advantage

Our experience with complex institutional cases gives Van Zandt County families specific advantages:

Insurance Insider Knowledge (Lupe Peña):
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

• Value and undervalue claims
• Use delay tactics to pressure families
• Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
• We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello):

• One of 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 or university legal teams
• We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won.

Digital Forensics Capability:

• Partnerships with experts who recover deleted messages
• Experience obtaining data from all major platforms
• Understanding of how organizations coach members on evidence destruction

Compensation: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost educational costs (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity
• Therapy and rehabilitation costs

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective Harm):

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, PTSD, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Damage to reputation and relationships

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families):

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of companionship and support
• Emotional suffering of family members
• Loss of guidance for siblings

Punitive Damages (When Appropriate):

• To punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
• To deter future hazing
• Available in cases showing gross negligence or intentional harm

For Van Zandt County families, understanding this full compensation framework is essential. These damages reflect the true cost of hazing—not just medical bills, but lifelong impacts on education, career, and emotional wellbeing.

Practical Guide for Van Zandt County Parents & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Immediate Response

Early Warning Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Sudden secretiveness about organizational activities
• Withdrawal from family, old friends, or non-member activities
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
• Constant phone use for group chats with immediate response anxiety
• Financial changes: unexpected large expenses, maxed credit cards

How to Talk to Your Child:

• Use open questions: “How are things with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
• Express concern without judgment: “I’ve noticed you seem exhausted lately.”
• Emphasize safety over status: “Your health matters more than any membership.”
• Listen carefully if they share partial information.

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Document Everything: Write down dates, times, what your child says
2. Preserve Evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries
3. Medical Attention: Get professional evaluation even if injuries seem minor
4. Legal Consultation: Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 before taking other actions
5. University Reporting: Consider reporting through official channels with legal guidance

For Students: Recognizing & Escaping Hazing

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

• Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would my parents or university approve if they knew exactly what’s happening?
• Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about activities?

How to Exit Safely:

• Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, trusted friend)
• Send written resignation: “I am resigning my membership effective immediately.”
• Do NOT attend “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
• If threatened, report immediately to campus police and Dean of Students

Evidence Preservation for Students:

• Screenshot ALL messages (including deleted ones if possible)
• Record conversations if safe (Texas is one-party consent state)
• Photograph injuries immediately and over several days
• Save physical items (clothing, props, receipts)
• Document witness names and contact information

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Evidence Be Deleted: Messages disappear within days. Screenshot immediately.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms: These often include waivers of legal rights.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys monitor everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility.
5. Waiting for University “Internal Process”: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitations run.
6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Alone: Recorded statements are used against you.
7. Letting Your Child Return for “One Last Meeting”: This is often a pressure tactic.

Why Attorney911 for Van Zandt County Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how universities and national organizations fight back—and how to win anyway. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Van Zandt County and all surrounding communities.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Cases

Dual Civil-Criminal Expertise:
Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of hazing cases. We can advise on criminal exposure while pursuing civil accountability—a crucial advantage when cases involve both proceedings.

Texas-Specific Institutional Knowledge:
We know how Texas universities operate—from the UT System to the Texas A&M System to private institutions like Baylor and SMU. We understand their internal processes, their defense strategies, and how to navigate their systems effectively.

Community Understanding for Van Zandt County:
We recognize the values that matter to East Texas families: accountability, integrity, and protecting our children. When we take your case, we’re not just lawyers—we’re advocates who understand what’s at stake for your family and our community.

Proven Results Against Powerful Defendants:
Our BP Texas City explosion litigation experience proves we can take on billion-dollar defendants. National fraternities and university systems don’t intimidate us—we know how to investigate them, challenge their defenses, and hold them accountable.

Our Process for Van Zandt County Families

1. Immediate Response: 24/7 availability when crisis strikes
2. Evidence Preservation: Digital forensics, witness interviews, record collection
3. Strategic Investigation: Uncovering prior incidents, pattern evidence, institutional knowledge
4. Comprehensive Damages Analysis: Working with economists, medical experts, life-care planners
5. Accountability-Focused Resolution: Seeking meaningful compensation and institutional change

No Fee Unless We Win

We work on a contingency fee basis for hazing cases—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your family. This removes financial barriers and aligns our success with yours.

Contact Attorney911 Today for a Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Whether you’re in Edgewood, Canton, Wills Point, Fruitvale, or anywhere in Van Zandt County, we’re here to help.

Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward for your family.

What to expect in your free consultation:

• We’ll listen to your story without judgment
• Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
• Explain your legal options clearly and honestly
• Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
• Answer all your questions about the process
• No pressure to hire us—take time to decide what’s right for your family

Spanish-language services available:
Hablamos Español—contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish.

Additional Contact Information:

• Direct Office: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com

Serving Van Zandt County from our Texas offices:
Houston | Austin | Beaumont

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