A Message to Parents in Ropesville and Across West Texas
You sent your student to college with pride, hoping for academic success, lifelong friendships, and a bright future. The last thing you expected was a late-night call from a hospital, a panicked text about a “bad night” with the fraternity, or a sudden, unexplained change in your once-vibrant child. Hazing—the dangerous, degrading, and often illegal rituals tied to campus organizations—is not just a problem at distant, sprawling universities. It is a reality at schools throughout Texas, including those where families from Ropesville, Lubbock County, and the South Plains send their children.
Right now, our firm, Attorney911, is actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas: the $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The allegations are severe: forced consumption of food until vomiting, extreme physical workouts, humiliation with a “pledge fanny pack,” and being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” This conduct allegedly caused Mr. Bermudez to develop rhabdomyolysis—a severe muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure, leading to brown urine and a four-day hospitalization. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH has been shut down.
This case is not an isolated incident. It is proof of a dangerous pattern. If your child has been hurt while pledging a fraternity, sorority, Corps of Cadets unit, spirit group, or athletic team anywhere in Texas, you are not alone, and you have rights. This guide is written specifically for families in Ropesville, Hockley County, and the surrounding South Plains region to help you understand the truth about hazing in 2025, the legal landscape in Texas, and the steps you can take to protect your child and seek accountability.
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, and 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 directly.
- Sign anything from the university or an 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. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.
Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas
For families in Ropesville, the idea of hazing might conjure images of old movies or vague rumors. Today’s hazing is more insidious, often disguised as “team building” or “tradition,” and leverages digital tools to control and humiliate.
A Modern Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or affiliating with any organization. The critical point Texas law recognizes is that “consent” is not a defense. A student’s “agreement” under peer pressure, fear of exclusion, and a power imbalance is not true voluntary consent.
Main Categories of Hazing Today:
- Alcohol & Substance Hazing: Forced or coerced drinking games (“lineups,” “Bible study”), chugging challenges, or consumption of unknown substances. This remains the most common cause of fatal hazing.
- Physical Hazing: Paddling, beatings, extreme “smokings” or calisthenics (like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats alleged in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case), sleep deprivation, and exposure to extreme elements.
- Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes or roles, and acts with racist or sexist overtones.
- Psychological Hazing: Verbal abuse, isolation from friends and family, threats of expulsion from the group, and manipulation.
- Digital Hazing: 24/7 monitoring via group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), demands for immediate response at all hours, forced posting of humiliating content on social media, and location tracking.
Where It Happens: While fraternities and sororities are frequently involved, hazing also occurs in Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, marching bands, spirit organizations (like cheer or mascot squads), and other campus clubs. The common threads are power imbalance, secrecy, and the exploitation of a desire to belong.
Law & Liability Framework: Texas Statutes and Your Rights
Families in Ropesville need to know that Texas has strong laws on the books, but enforcing them requires decisive action.
Texas Education Code – Chapter 37 (Hazing):
Texas law defines hazing broadly and imposes serious penalties. Key provisions include:
- Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury and a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
- Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing.
- Immunity for Reporting: Individuals who in good faith report hazing to authorities are immune from civil or criminal liability for that report. Many universities also have medical amnesty policies to encourage calling 911.
- Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas Education Code § 37.155 states unequivocally that the victim’s consent is not a defense to prosecution.
Criminal vs. Civil Cases:
- Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (e.g., Lubbock County District Attorney, campus police). Aim to punish through fines, probation, or jail time. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.
- Civil Cases: Brought by the victim and their family. Aim to secure compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, therapy) and hold all responsible parties accountable. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil lawsuit. Our civil case for Leonel Bermudez is proceeding independently of any criminal investigation.
Potential Defendants in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit:
- Individual Students who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
- The Local Chapter as an organization.
- The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters (like Pi Kappa Phi in the UH case), which may be liable for negligent supervision.
- The University (like UH), which can be sued for negligent oversight or failing to protect students.
- Third Parties, such as property owners or alcohol providers.
Federal Overlay: The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024) now requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and strengthen prevention programs. Title IX may apply if the hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination.
National Hazing Case Patterns: The Script Repeats
The tragic case at UH follows a national script. Understanding these patterns shows that these are not “accidents” but foreseeable, preventable tragedies.
- Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injury after a night of forced drinking; help was delayed for hours. Resulted in the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania.
- Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game. Led to Louisiana’s felony hazing statute, the Max Gruver Act.
- Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. His family secured a $10 million settlement ($7M from the national fraternity, ~$3M from the university).
- Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning at a “Big Brother” event, leading to a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU.
These cases share a blueprint: forced consumption, a culture of secrecy, delayed medical help, and institutions that failed to intervene despite known risks. For a family in Ropesville, this means the hazing your child endured is part of a national crisis with established legal precedents for accountability.
Texas Focus: Where Ropesville Families Send Their Kids
Students from Ropesville and Hockley County attend universities across Texas. Whether your child is at a major research institution or a regional campus, they may encounter Greek life or other organizations with hazing risks.
The Local and Regional Landscape:
Many Ropesville-area students choose schools close to home or within the broader West Texas region. Key campuses include:
- Texas Tech University (Lubbock): As the major university nearest to Ropesville, Texas Tech has a significant Greek life presence and a Corps of Cadets. Hazing incidents here directly impact South Plains families.
- South Plains College (Levelland): While primarily a community college, student clubs and organizations are not immune to misconduct.
- West Texas A&M University (Canyon): Serves the Panhandle region with active fraternity and sorority life.
Major Statewide Hubs:
Ropesville families also send students to flagship universities across Texas, where Greek life is deeply entrenched:
- University of Houston (UH): The site of our active Leonel Bermudez/Pi Kappa Phi litigation. UH has multiple Greek councils and a history of hazing violations.
- Texas A&M University (College Station): Home to a large Greek system and the Corps of Cadets, which has faced its own high-profile hazing lawsuits alleging degrading physical and sexualized abuse.
- University of Texas at Austin (UT): Maintains a public online log of hazing violations, showing sanctions against fraternities, sororities, and spirit groups for forced drinking, extreme workouts, and humiliation.
- Texas Tech University (Lubbock): As mentioned, this is a primary destination for South Plains students. Its Greek community is substantial, and its proximity means incidents here are local news for Ropesville families.
- Baylor University (Waco) & Southern Methodist University (Dallas): These private universities have active Greek systems and have dealt with hazing scandals within fraternities and athletic teams.
How a Hazing Case Proceeds at a Texas University:
Jurisdiction depends on where the hazing occurred. If at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Lubbock police and the Lubbock County District Attorney’s office may be involved. If at an off-campus house in College Station, local police and Brazos County authorities have jurisdiction. Civil lawsuits are typically filed in the county where the injury occurred or where a defendant resides. This is why having a Texas-based firm with statewide reach is crucial—we understand these local legal landscapes.
Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Meet Local Chapters
The organizations on Texas campuses are almost always chapters of national brands. This is critical for liability. When a chapter at UT or Texas Tech repeats the same dangerous behaviors that have caused deaths at other schools, it demonstrates the national organization had prior knowledge and a duty to act.
Why National Histories Matter in Court:
In litigation, we seek records from national headquarters to prove “foreseeability.” If the national fraternity knew its chapters repeatedly engaged in forced drinking during “Big/Little” nights (like in the Foltz and Coffey cases), but failed to effectively monitor or stop the same practice at UH, that failure can be grounds for liability.
A Sample of National Patterns:
- Pi Kappa Alpha (“Pike”): National pattern of alcohol-related hazing deaths (Stone Foltz at BGSU).
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Has faced numerous lawsuits nationwide, including at Texas A&M where pledges alleged being doused with industrial cleaner causing chemical burns.
- Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver death at LSU exposed fatal “drinking game” hazing.
- Pi Kappa Phi: The Andrew Coffey death at FSU and the current, severe UH case involving our client show a dangerous pattern within this national organization.
Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks these entities. For example, public IRS records show Texas-registered Greek organizations that serve as housing corporations or alumni chapters, creating a web of potential liability. This investigative depth is how we build cases that reach every responsible party.
Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, and the Attorney911 Advantage
If hazing has injured your child, building a strong case requires immediate, strategic action and deep investigative resources.
Critical Evidence to Preserve:
- Digital Communications: Screenshots of GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, and Discord groups. These often contain planning, bragging, or covers-up. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages. For guidance, see our video on using your phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs.
- Photos/Videos: Media from the event, social media posts, or location tags.
- Medical Records: Complete records from ER visits, hospitalization, and follow-up care. In cases like rhabdomyolysis, lab reports showing creatine kinase levels are vital.
- Witness Information: Names and contact details for other pledges, members, or roommates.
- Physical Evidence: Save clothing, paddles, or other items used.
Types of Damages Recoverable:
- Economic: All medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, lost educational costs (tuition for withdrawn semesters), and diminished future earning capacity if permanently disabled.
- Non-Economic: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, PTSD, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful Death: If tragedy strikes, families can seek funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
The Attorney911 Difference in Hazing Litigation:
Fighting a university and a national fraternity requires a specific skill set. Our firm brings unique advantages:
- Insider Insurance Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as an insurance defense lawyer for large companies. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny, delay, or lowball claims. We know their playbook.
- Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas lawyers involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by billion-dollar defendants or deep-pocketed institutions.
- Texas-Wide Investigative Depth: We maintain a proprietary data engine of Texas Greek organizations, built from public records, to identify every potentially liable entity—from the local chapter house corporation to the national alumni foundation.
- Dual Civil & Criminal Insight: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits, allowing us to effectively advise clients through both processes.
- Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña is fluent in Spanish, ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.
Practical Guides & FAQs for Ropesville Families
For Parents – Warning Signs:
- Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
- Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight changes.
- Sudden secrecy about organizational activities.
- Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
- Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
- Requests for large sums of money with vague explanations.
For Students – If You’re Being Hazed:
- Your safety comes first. In an emergency, call 911. Good-faith reporter protections exist.
- You have the right to say no and to leave. You cannot be legally punished for refusing illegal activity.
- Preserve evidence: screenshot everything, photograph injuries, tell a trusted person.
- Report to campus authorities (Dean of Students, campus police) and consider contacting an attorney to understand your full rights.
Critical Mistakes That Can Harm Your Case:
- Deleting Evidence: Instructing your child to “clean up” their phone destroys the case.
- Confronting the Fraternity Directly: This triggers their defense lawyers and leads to evidence destruction.
- Signing University Paperwork Prematurely: Universities may offer quick “resolutions” that waive your right to sue.
- Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations runs. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file suit. Learn more in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c.
- Talking to Insurance Adjusters: Never give a recorded statement without an attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- “Can we sue the university?” Yes, depending on the facts. Public universities have some immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence. Private universities like Baylor and SMU have fewer protections.
- “What if it happened off-campus?” Location does not absolve responsibility. Nationals and universities can still be liable for activities they sponsor or knew about.
- “How much does a lawyer cost?” We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. This means you pay no upfront fees; we only get paid if we win your case. Learn how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.
- “Will our name be in the news?” Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy while aggressively pursuing justice.
Why Ropesville Families Choose Attorney911
When your family is facing the trauma of hazing, you need more than a generic personal injury lawyer. You need advocates who understand the unique dynamics of campus organizations, the tactics of institutional defendants, and the Texas legal landscape from Lubbock to Houston.
We are currently on the front lines of hazing litigation with the Leonel Bermudez case against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We see the patterns, we know the defenses, and we have the resources to fight for the accountability and compensation your family deserves.
We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Whether your child was hazed at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas A&M in College Station, or any campus in between, we can help.
Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation
If you suspect your child has been hazed, time is your most critical asset. Contact us for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
- We will listen compassionately to your story.
- We will review any evidence you have.
- We will explain your legal options clearly.
- We will answer your questions about process, timing, and costs.
You don’t have to navigate this crisis alone. Let us use our experience, data-driven strategy, and relentless advocacy to help your family find answers, secure justice, and prevent this from happening to others.
Contact Attorney911 Today:
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Se habla Español.
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
