The Ultimate Guide to Hazing Litigation and Accountability for Ward County, Texas Families

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

Imagine this: your child, a bright student from Ward County, excitedly joins a fraternity, sorority, or campus organization at their Texas university. They talk about brotherhood, sisterhood, or team spirit. Then, the calls home become less frequent. They sound exhausted. They make vague excuses about “mandatory events” that keep them out until 3 AM. You notice unexplained bruises in photos, or they mention being “really sore” from “workouts.” When you ask directly, they shut down—”It’s just tradition, Mom. Everyone goes through it.”

Then the unthinkable happens. You get a call from a hospital. Your child has acute kidney failure from being forced to do hundreds of squats. Or they’re in the ER with alcohol poisoning after a “Big/Little” night. Or they’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury during a “ritual.” You feel terrified, angry, and completely powerless against a university that seems more concerned with its reputation than your child’s wellbeing, and a national organization with deep pockets and experienced lawyers.

You are not imagining the danger. You are not overreacting. What you are witnessing is modern hazing—a systematic, often hidden pattern of abuse that continues to injure and kill students across Texas, including at schools where Ward County families send their children.

Right now, we are leading one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly died after brutal hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. His story—documented in a $10 million lawsuit covered by Click2Houston and ABC13—is not an anomaly. It is evidence of a broken system that prioritizes tradition over safety, secrecy over accountability.

This guide is written specifically for parents, families, and students in Ward County and across West Texas. Whether your child attends the University of Texas Permian Basin right here in our region, or has gone away to UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, or any other Texas campus, you deserve to know the truth about hazing: what it really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects (or fails) victims, what major universities are hiding, and—most importantly—what legal options your family actually has when the system fails your child.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

IF YOUR CHILD IS IN DANGER RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies. Get them to an ER immediately, even if they resist.
• Then call us: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.

IN THE FIRST 48 HOURS – CRITICAL ACTIONS:

1. Medical Care First: Get comprehensive medical attention. Tell doctors exactly what happened—”My child was hazed.” This creates a crucial medical record.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It Disappears:
   • Screenshot everything: GroupMe, WhatsApp, text threads, Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages. Do NOT let your child delete anything out of shame or fear.
   • Photograph injuries: Take multiple angles with good lighting. Place a coin or ruler next to injuries for scale.
   • Save physical evidence: Clothing, paddles, “pledge” items, receipts for forced purchases.
3. Document Everything: Write down who, what, when, where, and how while memories are fresh. Include names of members, officers, and witnesses.
4. What NOT to Do:
   • Do NOT confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
   • Do NOT sign anything from the university or any insurance company.
   • Do NOT post details on public social media.
   • Do NOT let the university investigation be your only action.

CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED HAZING ATTORNEY WITHIN 24-48 HOURS. Evidence vanishes quickly. Group chats are deleted. Witnesses are coached. Universities move to control the narrative. We can help you preserve evidence, navigate complex institutional systems, and protect your child’s rights from day one.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing is no longer just about “stupid pranks” or “boys being boys.” It has evolved into a sophisticated, often digitally coordinated system of coercion, humiliation, and abuse. For families in Ward County, understanding this evolution is critical to recognizing when your child is in trouble.

A Modern Definition: Coercion, Not Consent

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, maintaining membership in, or gaining status within a group, where the behavior:

• Endangers physical or mental health
• Humiliates, degrades, or exploits
• Occurs within a clear power imbalance (older members vs. new members)

The critical legal point for Texas families: “I agreed to it” or “I wanted to fit in” is NOT a defense in court. Texas law (Education Code § 37.155) explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure, fear of exclusion, and desire for belonging is not true voluntary consent.

The Four Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing (The Most Deadly)

• Forced Consumption: “Lineup” drinking games, chugging handles of liquor, “bomb” shots.
• Coerced Games: “King’s Cup,” “Beer Pong” with punishment drinks, “Bible study” where wrong answers mean drinking.
• Big/Little Nights: Pledges are given excessive alcohol by their “Big” as a “gift” or test of loyalty.
• Dangerous Combinations: Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, or other foods followed by extreme exercise (as in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case).

2. Physical Hazing and Assault

• Paddling and Beatings: Still prevalent despite national bans, often with customized paddles.
• Extreme “Workouts” or “Smokings”: Hundreds of push-ups, squats, or calisthenics until collapse, often leading to rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown that can cause kidney failure).
• Sleep and Food Deprivation: All-night “study sessions,” withheld meals, constant surveillance.
• Dangerous Environments: Forced exposure to extreme cold/heat, lying in vomit or trash, being sprayed with hoses.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

• Forced Nudity or Partial Nudity: “Skinning” rituals, mandatory underwear-only events.
• Simulated Sexual Acts: “Elephant walks,” “roasted pig” positions (as alleged in Texas A&M Corps cases).
• Degrading Costumes and Roles: Wearing diapers, dog collars, or “pledge fanny packs” with humiliating contents.
• Racist, Sexist, or Homophobic Themes: Use of slurs, forced role-playing of stereotypes.

4. Digital and Psychological Hazing (The 24/7 Control)

• Group Chat Tyranny: Mandatory immediate responses to messages at all hours, sleep disruption via notifications.
• Social Media Humiliation: Forced TikTok challenges, embarrassing Instagram story posts, public shaming.
• Location Tracking: Required use of Find My Friends, Life360, or Snapchat Maps to monitor pledges.
• Psychological Manipulation: Love-bombing followed by verbal abuse, isolation from non-members, gaslighting.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

While Greek life receives most attention, hazing permeates many campus organizations that Ward County students join:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural councils)
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups (Especially relevant given Texas A&M’s presence)
• Athletic Teams (Football, basketball, baseball, cheer, swimming)
• Spirit and Tradition Groups (Texas Cowboys, cheer teams, dance teams)
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups
• Academic and Honor Societies
• Cultural and Service Organizations

The common thread: social status, tradition, secrecy, and a power imbalance keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law: What Ward County Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws governing hazing, but understanding how they work in practice is crucial for families seeking accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

§ 37.151 Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization, that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, OR
• Involves brutality, forced consumption, or other dangerous activity.

Key Points for Parents:

1. Location Doesn’t Matter: Hazing at an off-campus house, Airbnb, or retreat is still hazing.
2. “Reckless” Counts: They don’t need to have intended harm—just disregarded obvious risk.
3. Mental Health Included: Severe humiliation, sleep deprivation, and psychological torment qualify.

§ 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 if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report.

§ 37.155 Consent is NOT a Defense:
This is crucial for Ward County families to understand. Even if your child “went along with it,” the law still protects them.

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting:
Students who report hazing or call 911 in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability. Many universities extend this to alcohol amnesty policies.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases (The State vs. Individuals)

• Who Brings It: District Attorney or County Attorney
• Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Charges May Include: Hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Family’s Role: Victim/witness, but not in control

Civil Cases (Your Family vs. Responsible Parties)

• Who Brings It: Your family, with our representation
• Goal: Compensation for damages and institutional accountability
• Claims May Include: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress
• Family’s Role: In control of the case strategy

Crucial Insight: These cases can run simultaneously. You do NOT need to wait for criminal charges to file a civil case. In fact, waiting can be detrimental as evidence disappears.

Federal Law Overlay: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Campus Hazing Act

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

• Publicly report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthen hazing prevention education
• Maintain public hazing databases (phased in by 2026)
  This means more sunlight on problems that were previously hidden.

Title IX:
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. Universities must investigate and take prompt action.

Clery Act:
Requires reporting of certain crimes on campus. Hazing incidents involving assault, alcohol crimes, or other reportable offenses must be included in annual security reports.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

One of our key advantages is our systematic approach to identifying every potentially responsible party. For Ward County families, this means maximum leverage and insurance coverage.

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. Chapter Officers: Presidents, risk managers, pledge educators, social chairs.
3. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity (if incorporated).
4. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: For negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and pattern of prior incidents.
5. Housing Corporations and Alumni Associations: Often separate legal entities that own property or control chapters.
6. The University/Board of Regents: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference, or Title IX violations.
7. Third Parties: Property owners, landlords, bars serving alcohol to minors.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Data-Driven Accountability

Most law firms start from zero when investigating a hazing case. We don’t. We maintain a proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public records, IRS data, and institutional filings. This means for Ward County families, we already know the organizational landscape behind the Greek letters.

Public Records Directory: The Organizations Behind Texas Greek Life

If your child was hazed, you deserve to know who really stands behind the organizations connected to their campus. Below is a snapshot of the public records we track—just a fraction of the 1,423 Greek organizations we monitor across 25 Texas metros.

Texas-Registered Greek Organizations (IRS B83 Records):

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc, EIN 13-3048786, 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845 (IRS B83 filing)
• Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Inc, EIN 16-1675890, 115 Wild Wick Way, The Woodlands, TX 77382 (IRS B83 filing)
• Sigma Phi Lambda Inc, EIN 20-1237505, 4251 FM 2181 STE 230 PMB 480, Corinth, TX 76210 (IRS B83 filing)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 46-2267515, 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing)
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc, EIN 47-5370943, 5019 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing, Theta Delta chapter)
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 74-6084905, 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 74-1380362, PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 filing)
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, EIN 74-6064445, 1855 Highway 69 N, Nederland, TX 77627 (IRS B83 filing, Epsilon Kappa chapter)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Sigma Incorporated, EIN 88-2755427, 2104 Old Ranch Rd, San Marcos, TX 78666 (IRS B83 filing)

West Texas and Permian Basin Region Connections:

• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 38-3742830, 500 W University Ave, El Paso, TX 79968 (IRS B83 filing, UTEP chapter)
• Frank Heflin Foundation, EIN 20-3507402, 9000 W Country Club Rd, Canyon, TX 79015 (IRS B83 filing, Phi Delta Theta alumni fund)
• Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter, Canyon, TX (West Texas A&M University chapter, Cause IQ listing)
• Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association, EIN 75-2290669, 7501 Alexandria Ave, Amarillo, TX 79118 (IRS B83 filing)

Where Ward County Families Send Their Kids: Campus Connections

Ward County students attend universities across Texas. Our data covers them all:

Local/Regional Campuses:

• University of Texas Permian Basin, Odessa, Ector County
• Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Lubbock County
• West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Randall County
• Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Wichita County

Major Statewide Hubs (Common for Ward County Students):

• Texas A&M University, College Station, Brazos County
• University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Travis 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

This directory represents just a fraction of what we track. When you come to us with a hazing case, we already know the organizational players, their insurance carriers, and their litigation histories. We don’t start from scratch—we start from intelligence.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Universities Knew

Major hazing cases across the country establish patterns that Texas universities and national organizations knew about—or should have known about. This “foreseeability” is crucial for holding them accountable.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Foreseeable and Preventable

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): A bid acceptance night with forced drinking led to fatal falls captured on chapter security cameras. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, civil settlements, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Universities knew delayed medical response worsens outcomes.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. BAC of 0.495%. Result: Negligent homicide convictions and Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing). National fraternities knew drinking games kill.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Pledge forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night. Died from alcohol poisoning. Result: $10 million settlement ($7M from Pike national, ~$3M from BGSU). The pattern was clear: Big/Little nights equal alcohol deaths.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Another “Big Brother” night, another handle of liquor, another dead pledge. Result: Chapter closure, criminal hazing convictions. Pi Kappa Phi national knew this script kills.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing: Extreme and Escalating

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Blindfolded, weighted with backpack, repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote retreat. Fatal traumatic brain injury. Result: National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter; banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Retreat locations don’t provide immunity.

Collin Wiant – Ohio University, Sigma Pi (2018): Death after alleged hazing-related drug use (nitrous oxide) at an unofficial fraternity house. Result: “Collin’s Law” in Ohio making hazing a felony when drugs/alcohol cause harm. Unofficial houses are not safe havens.

Athletic Program Hazing: Not Just Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program over years. Result: Head coach fired, confidential settlements, multiple lawsuits. Takeaway: Big-money athletic programs harbor systemic abuse with institutional knowledge.

What These Cases Mean for Ward County Families

These national cases establish that:

1. Patterns are predictable: Forced drinking games, Big/Little nights, physical endurance tests repeatedly cause death.
2. National organizations had notice: Each death prompted “new” policies, proving they knew the risks.
3. Universities face consequences: Multi-million dollar settlements show institutional liability is real.
4. Geographic distance doesn’t matter: The same national fraternity that killed a student in Ohio has chapters in Texas with the same rituals.

When your child is hazed at a Texas university, you’re not facing an unprecented situation. You’re facing a foreseeable, preventable pattern that organizations chose to ignore.

Texas University Focus: Where Ward County Students Are at Risk

University of Texas Permian Basin: Local Campus Concerns

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
UTPB serves the Permian Basin region, including Ward County families. While smaller than flagship campuses, it has active student organizations where hazing can occur. As a growing residential campus, group dynamics and initiation rituals in clubs, sports, and Greek organizations (if present) require vigilance.

For Ward County Families:

• Proximity: Your child may live at home or on campus. Hazing can occur in both settings.
• Jurisdiction: Cases may involve UTPD, Ector County Sheriff, or Odessa Police depending on location.
• Practical Steps: Document everything, report to UTPD and Dean of Students, and seek medical care at local Odessa hospitals. Evidence preservation is equally critical here.

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

Documented Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and other substances, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended; lawsuits sought over $1 million.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. Sought over $1 million in damages.

For Ward County Families:

• Distance: College Station is approximately 360 miles from Ward County—not an easy drive when your child is in crisis.
• Dual Systems: Texas A&M has both robust Greek life and the Corps of Cadets, each with their own hazing risks.
• University Response: A&M has detailed conduct procedures but historically emphasizes internal resolution.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

Public Hazing Violations Page (hazing.utexas.edu):
UT Austin maintains one of Texas’ most transparent hazing logs. Recent entries show patterns:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Found to be hazing; chapter probation.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (2024): Australian exchange student alleged assault resulting in dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose. Chapter already under suspension for prior violations.
• Multiple Organizations: Various groups sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, punishment-based practices.

For Ward County Families:

• Transparency Advantage: UT’s public log can help prove pattern and knowledge in litigation.
• Urban Complexity: Austin’s off-campus housing scene creates jurisdictional challenges.
• Resource Advantage: UT has extensive resources but also experienced defense counsel.

Texas Tech University: Closer to Home for West Texas Families

Campus Profile:
As a major university closest to Ward County, Texas Tech in Lubbock is a common destination for local students. Its Greek life, athletic programs, and student organizations present similar hazing risks.

For Ward County Families:

• Proximity: Lubbock is approximately 115 miles from Ward County—the closest major university.
• Practical Considerations: Medical care would likely occur in Lubbock; jurisdiction involves Lubbock PD and Texas Tech PD.
• Documentation: All evidence preservation guidelines apply equally here.

University of Houston: Our Active $10 Million Case

The Leonel Bermudez / Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Case:
We are currently litigating one of Texas’ most severe hazing cases. In fall 2025, UH student Leonel Bermudez suffered:

• Humiliation: Forced to carry a “pledge fanny pack” with condoms, sex toys, and degrading items
• Physical Abuse: Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, cold exposure, lying in vomit
• Water Torture: Sprayed in face with hose “similar to waterboarding”
• Forced Consumption: Milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting, then immediate sprints
• Extreme Workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under threat of expulsion
• Medical Catastrophe: Developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passed brown urine, hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels

Institutional Response:

• Pi Kappa Phi national suspended chapter Nov 6, 2025
• Chapter voted to surrender charter Nov 14, 2025
• UH called conduct “deeply disturbing,” promised disciplinary action
• Our lawsuit names: UH, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national, Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual members

For Ward County Families:

• Active Litigation Proof: We are not theorizing—we are actively fighting a major Texas hazing case right now.
• Pattern Evidence: The methods used (forced consumption, extreme exercise) mirror national patterns.
• University Accountability: We are holding both the fraternity AND the university responsible.

Fraternities and Sororities: National Histories, Local Consequences

The same national organizations with deadly histories elsewhere have chapters at Texas universities. This connection creates legal liability.

Why National Histories Matter in Court

When a Texas chapter repeats the same dangerous “tradition” that killed a student in another state, that shows:

1. Foreseeability: The national organization knew this activity could cause death/injury
2. Inadequate Prevention: Their policies and training failed
3. Pattern of Conduct: This wasn’t a “rogue chapter” but part of a systemic problem

National Organizations with Documented Hazing Histories

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike):

• Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State, alcohol poisoning death (2021)
• David Bogenberger: Northern Illinois, alcohol poisoning death (2012) – $14M settlement
• Texas Chapters: Multiple violations at UT Austin, other campuses
• Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol nights, forced drinking

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE):

• National Pattern: Multiple hazing deaths led to elimination of traditional pledge process in 2014
• Texas A&M: Chemical burns case (2021)
• UT Austin: Assault case (2024)
• University of Alabama: Traumatic brain injury lawsuit (2023)
• Pattern: Physical violence, dangerous substances

Pi Kappa Phi:

• Andrew Coffey: Florida State, alcohol poisoning death (2017)
• University of Houston: Our active Bermudez case (2025)
• Pattern: Extreme physical hazing combined with alcohol

Phi Delta Theta:

• Max Gruver: LSU, “Bible study” drinking game death (2017) – Louisiana felony hazing law
• Pattern: Academic-themed drinking games

Kappa Sigma:

• Chad Meredith: University of Miami, persuaded to swim drunk, drowned (2001) – $12.6M verdict, Florida hazing law
• Texas A&M: Rhabdomyolysis allegations (2023)
• Pattern: Alcohol combined with dangerous activities

The Legal Strategy: Connecting National to Local

In litigation, we use national histories to prove:

• Notice: The national knew these activities were occurring
• Inadequate Response: Their “policies” were window dressing
• Foreseeability: Injury/death was predictable
• Punitive Damages Grounds: Reckless disregard for known dangers

For Ward County parents, this means: the organization that hazed your child likely had prior warnings from similar incidents nationwide. That strengthens your case significantly.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Evidence Collection: The Digital Crime Scene

Modern hazing leaves a digital trail. We know how to recover it:

1. Digital Communications:

• Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack
• Social Media DMs: Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook
• Fraternity Apps: Custom organizational apps
• Recovery: Even deleted messages can often be recovered through digital forensics

2. Photos and Videos:

• Content filmed during events (often shared in group chats)
• Social media posts and stories
• Security/doorbell camera footage
• Critical: Time stamps and metadata

3. Internal Organization Documents:

• Pledge manuals, “tradition” documents
• Email chains between officers
• National policy manuals and training materials
• Risk management reports

4. University Records (Obtained via Discovery):

• Prior conduct violations for same organization
• Incident reports to campus police
• Internal emails about the organization
• Clery Act reports

5. Medical and Psychological Records:

• ER/hospitalization records
• Toxicology reports
• Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
• Long-term treatment plans

Watch our video on using your phone to document evidence: Attorney911 Evidence Documentation Guide

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

• Medical Expenses: Past and future care, including potential lifetime care for catastrophic injuries
• Lost Earnings: Missed semesters, delayed career entry, reduced earning capacity
• Educational Costs: Lost scholarships, transfer expenses, extra tuition

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical Pain and Suffering: From injuries and recovery
• Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
• Loss of Enjoyment: Can no longer participate in college life, sports, activities

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

• Funeral/Burial Costs
• Loss of Companionship and Support
• Emotional Harm to Family

Punitive Damages (when appropriate):

• To punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
• To deter future hazing

Insurance Coverage Battles: Our Insider Advantage

This is where Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney becomes crucial. Fraternity and university insurers routinely:

1. Deny Coverage: Claim hazing is an “intentional act” exclusion
2. Lowball Settlements: Offer quick, inadequate payments
3. Delay Tactics: Drag out cases hoping families run out of resources
4. Blame Shifting: Argue other parties are responsible

We know these tactics because we used to defend them. Now we use that knowledge to:

• Identify ALL potential insurance policies (chapter, national, university, individual homeowners)
• Navigate coverage exclusions and arguments
• Build cases that trigger coverage
• Pursue bad faith claims when insurers act unreasonably

Practical Guides for Ward County Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Immediate Actions

Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
• Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
• Fear of missing “mandatory” events
• Financial strain from unexpected “dues” or purchases
• Academic decline

How to Talk to Your Child:

• Ask open questions: “How are things with [organization]?”
• Express concern without judgment: “I’m worried about how tired you seem.”
• Emphasize safety over status: “Your health matters more than any group.”
• If they disclose hazing: Listen, don’t blame. Say “This isn’t your fault.”

For Students: Is This Hazing? What to Do

Ask Yourself:

• Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
• Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would my parents/university approve if they knew?
• Am I being told to keep secrets?

If You’re Being Hazed:

1. Prioritize Safety: Call 911 for medical emergencies
2. Preserve Evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries
3. Seek Support: Talk to a trusted adult, counselor, or RA
4. Report: Use campus reporting channels, anonymous tip lines
5. Medical Care: Get treated and tell doctors you were hazed

Exiting Safely:

• You have the right to leave any organization at any time
• Send written resignation (email/text) to chapter leadership
• Do NOT attend “one last meeting” where you might be pressured
• Report retaliation immediately to campus police

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence: Messages seem embarrassing, but they’re critical evidence. Preserve, don’t delete.

2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching. Let your lawyer handle communication.

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms: These often include liability waivers. Never sign without legal review.

4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys monitor everything. Keep details private.

5. Waiting for University Investigation: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate. Act quickly.

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Alone: Recorded statements are used against you. “My attorney will contact you.”

Watch our video on client mistakes: Attorney911 Client Mistakes Guide

Why Attorney911 for Ward County Hazing Cases

Our Texas Roots and Institutional Experience

We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911—the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. Based in Houston with offices in Austin and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Ward County and the Permian Basin region.

Ralph Manginello’s Credentials:

• BP Texas City Explosion Litigation: One of few Texas firms involved against billion-dollar defendants
• Federal Court Experience: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• HCCLA Membership: Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association signals elite criminal defense capability
• 25+ Years Practice: Handling catastrophic injury and wrongful death since 1998

Mr. Lupe Peña’s Insider Advantage:

• Former Insurance Defense Attorney: At a national defense firm
• Knows Insurance Tactics: How carriers value claims, use IMEs, delay, and deny
• Spanish Language Services: Hablamos Español – lupe@atty911.com
• Plaintiff-Side Results: Has recovered millions for injured Texans

Our Hazing Litigation Approach

1. Immediate Response: Evidence preservation begins within hours
2. Data-Driven Investigation: We deploy our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine
3. Institutional Accountability: We trace failures to policies, training, supervision
4. Expert Collaboration: Medical, psychological, economic, and Greek life experts
5. Trial Readiness: We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial (most settle favorably when defendants know we’re ready)

Ward County-Specific Commitment

We understand that Ward County families facing hazing crises need:

• Geographic Knowledge: Understanding of West Texas campuses and communities
• Practical Logistics: Navigating medical care in Odessa, Midland, or Lubbock
• Local Court Familiarity: Experience with West Texas jurisdictions
• Personal Attention: You’re not just a case number—you’re a family in crisis

Your Next Steps: Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to navigate this alone. The university’s priority is limiting liability. The fraternity/sorority’s priority is protecting the organization. Your priority should be your child’s health and holding the right people accountable.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

1. We Listen: You tell your story without judgment
2. We Review: Any evidence you’ve preserved
3. We Explain: Your legal options clearly and honestly
4. We Plan: A strategic approach tailored to your goals
5. No Pressure: Take time to decide what’s right for your family

We Work on Contingency: No upfront fees. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

Contact Us Today:

• 24/7 Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com (Spanish services)
• Website: https://attorney911.com

For Ward County Families Specifically: Whether your child attends UT Permian Basin, Texas Tech, or any Texas campus, we have the experience, resources, and determination to help you seek justice. Call us today for a free, confidential case evaluation.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston investigation: 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 detailed timeline: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline case summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Evidence preservation with your phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Main Website:

• Attorney911: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is fact-specific. Consult with a qualified attorney about your particular situation. The information is current as of late 2025 but laws and policies change. Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential case evaluation.