Hazing, Fraternities & Sororities in Texas: A Legal Guide for Westworth Village Parents and Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone. We Are Here to Help.

For parents in Westworth Village, the dream is seeing your child thrive at a Texas university. The nightmare is the late-night phone call—or worse, silence—that signals something has gone terribly wrong within the very organizations meant to build community. Right now, in our own state, we are fighting one of the most severe hazing cases to emerge from a Texas campus in years. In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly lost his life pledging the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. The allegations are harrowing: enforced humiliation with a “pledge fanny pack,” being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced overconsumption leading to vomiting, and extreme physical workouts that resulted in rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days. This is happening here, in Texas, and we are leading the fight for accountability.

This guide is for you—the parents, families, and students in Westworth Village, Tarrant County, and across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Whether your child attends the University of Texas at Arlington just minutes away, has ventured to Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any campus across our state, you deserve to know the reality of hazing, the legal landscape, and your family’s rights. We will explain what modern hazing looks like, the powerful Texas laws designed to protect students, and how the deep investigative resources of our firm can uncover the full truth and pursue justice.

Immediate Help for a Hazing Emergency

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call us, Attorney911, at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate legal guidance.

In the first 48 hours, act quickly to protect your child and their case:

1. Get Medical Attention: Seek care immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis or internal trauma may not be immediately apparent.
2. Preserve Evidence: This is critical. Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, texts), photograph injuries from multiple angles, and save any physical items involved. Do not delete anything.
3. Document Everything: Write down a detailed account of what happened, including names, dates, times, and locations, while memories are fresh.
4. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or its members directly.
   • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” social media.
   • Sign any documents from the university or an insurance company.
   • Discuss details publicly or on social media.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24-48 hours. Evidence disappears at alarming speed. We can immediately intervene to secure evidence, communicate with the university, and begin building your case. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

The Texas Hazing Legal Framework: What Westworth Village Families Must Know

Hazing is not a minor infraction or a “rite of passage.” In Texas, it is a serious crime with severe civil consequences. Our laws provide a strong foundation for holding abusers and the institutions that enable them accountable.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37 (Hazing): The statute defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with an organization. Key provisions crucial for families include:

• Consent is NOT a Defense (Sec. 37.155): It does not matter if your child “agreed” to participate. The law recognizes the inherent power imbalance and coercion in these settings.
• Criminal Penalties Escalate with Injury (Sec. 37.152): Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor, becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury, and rises to a State Jail Felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing.
• Organizational Liability (Sec. 37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized or encouraged the hazing.
• Immunity for Good Faith Reporting (Sec. 37.154): Those who report hazing or seek medical assistance in an emergency are protected from criminal or civil liability related to that report.

The Civil Lawsuit Pathway: Separate from any criminal case, a civil lawsuit seeks compensation for the profound harm caused. We pursue every liable entity, which can include:

• The individual students who planned and executed the hazing.
• The local chapter as an entity.
• The national fraternity or sorority headquarters, which often have deep insurance pockets and a history of prior incidents.
• The university or its board of regents, for negligent supervision and failure to protect students.
• Alumni housing corporations and property owners.

For Westworth Village families, cases may be filed in the county where the injury occurred or where a defendant resides. Many national fraternities are incorporated in other states, which can allow for strategic filing decisions. Our experience in federal and multi-district litigation is essential in these complex fights.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Westworth Village Families

If you are a parent in Westworth Village, you deserve to know who stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child’s campus. We maintain an extensive, data-driven intelligence engine tracking the ecosystem of Greek life in Texas. Below is a snapshot of the public records we utilize to investigate and build cases. These are not accusations, but examples of the registered entities we can identify and investigate in a hazing case.

Tier 1: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metroplex & Tarrant County

The DFW metro is home to over 510 Greek-related organizations. For Westworth Village families, chapters at UT Arlington, TCU, and other nearby schools are particularly relevant. Examples from public IRS and registry filings include:

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, EIN 74-2911848, 12650 N Beach St #30, Suite 114, Fort Worth, TX 76244 (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 74-1380362, PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147-0061 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Fort Worth Alumni Chapter, EIN 75-2755600, PO Box 581, Fort Worth, TX 76101-0581 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Texas Gamma Chapter, EIN 91-1981478, 2609 S University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76109-1149 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity – Tau Deuteron Chapter (Baylor, Waco), listed in DFW metro organizational data (Cause IQ Metro Listing)

Tier 2: Major Texas University Hubs for Westworth Village Students

Westworth Village families commonly send students to universities across Texas. Each hosts dozens of chapters, each supported by alumni groups and housing corporations.

At The University of Texas at Austin:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp., Austin, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing – Univ. of Texas chapter house corp.)
• Delta Tau Delta – Gamma Iota Chapter, Austin, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing – Univ. of Texas chapter house)
• Building Corporation – Alpha Delta Pi (Delta), Austin, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing – Univ. of Texas chapter property)
• Chi Omega Fraternity, EIN 74-0555581, 2711 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705-4018 (IRS B83 Filing – House Corporation)

At Texas A&M University:

• Sigma Chi Fraternity – Eta Upsilon Chapter, College Station, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing – Texas A&M chapter)
• Beta Theta Pi – Eta Chapter House Corp., College Station, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc, EIN 13-3048786, 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845-6681 (IRS B83 Filing)

At The University of Houston:

• Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Houston, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing – Alumni/house corp.)
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 74-6084905, 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204-3067 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation, EIN 37-1768785, 4102 Eastshore St, Missouri City, TX 77459-1820 (IRS B83 Filing)

Tier 3: The National Brands Present in Texas

Our data shows clear overlaps where national brands appear across multiple registries, indicating their extensive Texas footprint. For example:

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority appears in IRS filings in Waco (EIN 36-4091267) and Commerce (EIN 75-2609909), and in Cause IQ listings for Houston and Beaumont chapters.
• The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has IRS-listed chapters at nearly every major Texas university.
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity has an IRS-listed alumni entity in Nederland (EIN 74-6064445) and is listed in Cause IQ for Houston.

This directory illustrates a central point: when hazing occurs, there is rarely just one liable party. We use this detailed organizational map to identify every entity that may share responsibility and insurance coverage, ensuring families in Westworth Village do not face this fight alone.

Where Westworth Village Families Send Their Kids: Campus Hazing Realities

Westworth Village is uniquely positioned in the heart of the DFW metroplex, with students attending a wide range of institutions, from nearby public universities to flagship campuses across the state.

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) – In Our Backyard

For many Westworth Village students, UTA is a primary choice. Its large, diverse Greek community is active. While each campus has its own conduct office, hazing incidents often follow national patterns. Families should be aware that jurisdiction may involve both UTA Police and the Arlington Police Department. Evidence preserved in Tarrant County can be critical.

Texas A&M University – A Major Destination

The culture of tradition at Texas A&M extends deeply into its Greek life and the Corps of Cadets. This environment has, tragically, been the setting for severe hazing allegations.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Two Texas A&M pledges alleged they were subjected to strenuous activity and had substances, including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The fraternity was suspended, and the pledges filed a lawsuit.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth during “Frog Week.” The lawsuit sought over $1 million in damages.

University of Texas at Austin – A Statewide Draw

UT Austin maintains one of the most transparent hazing violation logs in the country. Public records show repeated sanctions against prominent fraternities, proving systemic issues.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): Sanctioned for hazing after new members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. The chapter was placed on probation.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): An Australian exchange student sued the UT SAE chapter after allegedly being assaulted at a party, suffering a dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

These private institutions have significant Greek life but often handle incidents through internal processes. This does not diminish liability. For example, SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended in 2017 following reports of paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.

The Flagship Case: University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu)

This active case, which we lead, exemplifies the extreme dangers and multiple layers of liability. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, endured months of degrading rules and brutal physical hazing at UH’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter, culminating in life-threatening kidney failure. The lawsuit names 17 defendants: the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the local housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. This case demonstrates our approach: leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of full accountability. You can read the detailed media coverage in the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case and ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit.

The Attorney911 Advantage: Why Westworth Village Families Choose Us for Hazing Cases

When your family is in crisis, you need advocates with the specific experience, resources, and determination to take on powerful institutions. We are not just personal injury lawyers; we are institutional accountability litigators.

1. Insider Knowledge of Insurance Defense Tactics: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers evaluate claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics to pressure families. This insider perspective is invaluable in negotiating maximum settlements. Learn about Lupe Peña’s insurance defense experience.

2. Proven Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, facing down one of the world’s largest corporations. We are not intimidated by the deep pockets of national fraternities or university legal teams. We’ve built cases against giants before. Learn about Ralph Manginello’s background.

3. A Data-Driven Investigative Engine: As shown in our Public Records Directory, we don’t start from scratch. We maintain intelligence on the Texas Greek ecosystem. We know how to subpoena national fraternity records, recover deleted digital evidence, and uncover prior incidents that establish a pattern of negligence.

4. Dual Civil & Criminal Capability: Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits. We can effectively advise clients navigating both systems.

5. A Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results: We have recovered millions for clients in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We work with top economists, life-care planners, and medical experts to build cases that fully value the lifelong impact of injuries like traumatic brain injury or permanent organ damage.

6. Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish (Se habla Español), ensuring we can serve all Texas families with comfort and clarity.

Practical Steps for Westworth Village Parents and Students

For Parents:

• Know the Warning Signs: Unexplained injuries, severe fatigue, personality changes, secrecy about group activities, sudden academic decline, and constant anxiety about group messages.
• Have the Right Conversation: Ask open-ended questions: “Is anything making you uncomfortable in your sorority/fraternity?” “Are you being asked to do things that scare you or seem dangerous?”
• Act Decisively: If you suspect hazing, prioritize medical care and evidence preservation. Then, consult with us to understand your legal options before engaging with the university.

For Students:

• Trust Your Instincts: If it feels dangerous, degrading, or coercive, it is hazing. Your “consent” under pressure is not a legal defense for them.
• Preserve Evidence: Screenshot everything. Photograph injuries. Save texts and emails. Our video on using your phone to document evidence provides a crucial guide.
• Report Safely: You can report to campus police, the Dean of Students, or anonymously through national hotlines. Texas law provides immunity for good-faith reporting.

Critical Mistakes to Avoid:

• Deleting Evidence: Preserve all digital communications. Destruction can severely harm a case.
• Confronting the Chapter Directly: This allows them to destroy evidence and coordinate stories.
• Signing University Settlement Offers Early: Universities often offer quick, low-value resolutions that waive your right to sue. Do not sign anything without legal counsel.
• Waiting Too Long: Texas has a statute of limitations. Evidence and witness memories fade. Watch our video on Texas statutes of limitations to understand the urgency.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation with Attorney911

The path forward after a hazing incident can feel overwhelming. You do not have to navigate it alone. Our mission is to guide Westworth Village families through this crisis with compassion, clarity, and relentless advocacy.

In a free consultation, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain the legal landscape and your family’s options in plain English.
• Discuss our investigative strategy to identify all responsible parties.
• Explain our contingency fee structure—you pay nothing unless we win your case. Learn how contingency fees work.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. If your child has been hazed at any Texas university, whether they are from Westworth Village, Fort Worth, Dallas, or anywhere else, we are here to help you seek justice, secure necessary compensation for medical care and suffering, and hold powerful organizations accountable to prevent this from happening to another family.

Contact Attorney911, The Legal Emergency Lawyers™, today.

Call: 13497
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Website: https://attorney911.com
Hablamos Español: Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique, and no outcome can be guaranteed. Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) for a consultation regarding your specific situation.