The Comprehensive Guide to Hazing Injuries, Lawsuits, and Accountability for Winkler County Families

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

Imagine receiving a call in the middle of the night from your child, a student at Texas Tech University or Midwestern State University. Their voice is weak, confused. They tell you about “pledge activities” that went too far—forced drinking, extreme physical exertion, humiliating rituals. They’re in pain, scared, and don’t know who to trust. For parents in Winkler County and across West Texas, this nightmare scenario has become a reality for too many families. The traditions we often associate with college life can mask dangerous, illegal behavior that leaves young people physically broken and emotionally scarred.

Right now, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter. The allegations are shocking: enforced “pledge fanny packs” containing humiliating items, hours-long physical abuse including bear crawls and wheelbarrow races at Yellowstone Boulevard Park, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting. This culminated in Leonel developing rhabdomyolysis—severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. He was hospitalized for four days after passing brown urine, with lab tests showing critically high creatine kinase levels confirming the life-threatening damage. The chapter has since been suspended and shut down, but the physical and psychological harm continues.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Winkler County—from Kermit to Monahans, Notrees to Winkler itself. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, what’s happening at universities where Winkler County students attend, and what legal options exist when institutions fail in their duty to protect students.

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, 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
- Sign anything from the university or 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 (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
Universities move quickly to control the narrative
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 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For Winkler County families who may be unfamiliar with modern Greek life and campus organizations, it’s crucial to understand that hazing has evolved far beyond the “harmless pranks” of decades past. Today’s hazing is often systematic, psychologically sophisticated, and dangerously concealed.

The Modern Definition of Hazing

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 automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing charges.

Main Categories of Hazing in Today’s College Environment

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and most deadly form of hazing. It includes forced or coerced drinking games like “lineups” where pledges must rapidly consume alcohol, “Big/Little” nights where new members are given handles of liquor, and games that require drinking as punishment for wrong answers. The Pi Kappa Phi case at UH involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting—a dangerous practice that can lead to aspiration and other serious medical emergencies.

Physical Hazing
This extends beyond traditional paddling to include extreme calisthenics masquerading as “workouts.” In the UH case, Leonel Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion—an extreme exertion that directly caused his rhabdomyolysis. Other physical hazing includes sleep deprivation through late-night “meetings,” food/water restriction, exposure to extreme temperatures, and dangerous physical tests.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This category includes forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. The “pledge fanny pack” requirement in the UH case—forcing pledges to carry condoms, sex toys, and humiliating items 24/7—represents this type of psychological and sexualized hazing.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, and public shaming fall into this category. Modern hazing often includes “grilling” sessions where pledges are verbally torn down, forced confessions of personal information, and systematic isolation from friends and family outside the organization.

Digital/Online Hazing
This represents the newest frontier of hazing. Groups use platforms like GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, and Snapchat to maintain 24/7 control over pledges. This includes constant message monitoring, required instant responses at all hours, forced participation in humiliating TikTok or Instagram challenges, and public shaming in group chats. Digital forensics of these communications has become critical evidence in modern hazing cases.

Where Hazing Happens: Beyond Fraternity Houses

While fraternities and sororities receive significant attention, hazing occurs across campus organizations:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural Greek organizations)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups
Athletic Teams (from football and basketball to less visible sports)
Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs
Marching Bands and Performance Groups
Academic and Honors Societies
Service and Cultural Organizations

For Winkler County families whose children may participate in various campus activities, it’s important to recognize that hazing risk exists wherever there are power imbalances between new and established members, and wherever “tradition” is used to justify dangerous behavior.

Texas Hazing Law: What Winkler County Families Need to Know

Texas has specific legal protections against hazing, but understanding how they work in practice is crucial for families considering their options.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F (Hazing)

Definition (§ 37.151)
Texas law defines hazing as 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 Points for Winkler County Families:

Location doesn’t matter—hazing can happen on or off campus
Harm can be mental or physical
Reckless behavior is enough—it doesn’t require malicious intent
Crucially, consent is not a defense (§ 37.155)

Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152)

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes injury that requires medical treatment
State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death

Organizational Liability (§ 37.153)
Organizations can be criminally prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew about hazing and failed to report it.

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§ 37.154)
Texas law protects those who report hazing in good faith, and many universities have amnesty policies for students who call for help in medical emergencies, even if they were drinking underage.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases

Brought by the state (district attorney’s office)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Common hazing-related charges: hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
Important: A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case

Civil Cases

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
Focus on: negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
Can proceed independently of or concurrently with criminal cases

For Winkler County families, understanding this distinction is crucial. While criminal prosecution seeks to punish wrongdoing, civil litigation seeks to compensate victims and force institutional change.

Federal Law Overlay: Additional Protections

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

Report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthen hazing education and prevention
Maintain public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)

Title IX and Clery Act
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. The Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics—hazing incidents often overlap with these categories when there are assaults or alcohol/drug crimes.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Individual Students
Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover them up can face personal liability. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, 13 individual fraternity leaders/members were named as defendants.

Local Chapter/Organization
The fraternity/sorority or club itself, if it’s a legal entity, can be sued. Officers acting in official capacity are particularly vulnerable.

National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters
National organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters can be liable based on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents. In the UH case, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters is a defendant.

University or Governing Board
Schools may be sued under negligence or civil rights theories. Key factors include prior warnings, policy enforcement, and deliberate indifference. The University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents are defendants in the Bermudez case.

Third Parties
Landlords of houses or event spaces, bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop theories), and security companies can also face liability.

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys know how to identify all potentially liable parties to ensure full accountability and adequate compensation.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What History Teaches Us

Understanding national patterns helps Winkler County families recognize that their situation is not isolated and that legal precedents exist to support their claims.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
A bid-acceptance event with extreme drinking led to Piazza’s death from traumatic brain injuries after multiple falls. Security camera footage showed fraternity members delaying medical help for hours. The case resulted in dozens of criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Takeaway for Texas Families: Extreme intoxication combined with delayed medical care creates devastating liability. The presence of security cameras or phone footage can be critical evidence.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Foltz died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event. The case resulted in multiple criminal convictions and a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU).

Takeaway for Texas Families: “Big/Little” events are a repeating script for disaster. Universities can face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Deng died from traumatic brain injury during a blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a fraternity retreat. Help was deliberately delayed. Multiple members were convicted, and the national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter.

Takeaway for Texas Families: Off-campus “retreats” can be particularly dangerous as organizations believe they’re beyond university oversight. National organizations can face criminal prosecution.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program. Multiple lawsuits led to head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s firing and subsequent confidential settlement.

Takeaway for Texas Families: Hazing extends far beyond Greek life into athletic programs with significant institutional backing and resources.

What These Cases Mean for Winkler County Families

Common threads across national cases include forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, and systematic cover-ups. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements typically follow only after tragedy and litigation. Texas families facing hazing at their children’s universities are operating in a legal landscape shaped by these hard-won lessons.

Texas Universities: Where Winkler County Students Attend and What’s Happening There

Winkler County families send their children to universities across Texas. Understanding the specific environments and histories at these institutions is crucial for recognizing risks and understanding legal options.

The Local Connection: West Texas Universities

While our firm handles cases statewide, we recognize that Winkler County families often have children at regional institutions. Texas Tech University in Lubbock and Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls are particularly relevant for West Texas families.

Texas Tech University – Lubbock
Texas Tech maintains an active Greek life community with both fraternities and sororities. The university has faced hazing allegations in recent years, including cases involving forced drinking and physical abuse. Like all Texas public universities, Texas Tech is subject to the state’s hazing reporting requirements under § 37.156.

Midwestern State University – Wichita Falls
As a smaller public university, MSU still maintains Greek organizations that have faced disciplinary actions for hazing violations. The university’s location makes it accessible to many Winkler County students.

Major Texas Universities with Significant Winkler County Enrollment

University of Houston (UH) – Current Case in Progress
Our firm’s ongoing litigation against UH and Pi Kappa Phi provides critical insights into how hazing cases unfold at major Texas institutions.

Campus Culture: UH is a large urban campus with active Greek life spanning multiple councils (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural). The university has faced multiple hazing incidents over the years.

Recent Incident – Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter (2025):
Our representation of Leonel Bermudez reveals systemic issues:

Multiple hazing locations: Pi Kappa Phi house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park
Systematic abuse: “pledge fanny pack” humiliation, forced physical exertion, simulated waterboarding
Medical consequences: rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, four-day hospitalization
Institutional response: Chapter suspended Nov. 6, 2025; charter surrendered Nov. 14, 2025

Legal Proceedings: A $10 million lawsuit filed in Harris County names 17 defendants including UH, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

For Winkler County Families: This active case demonstrates that even at major universities with anti-hazing policies, dangerous behaviors persist. The rapid chapter closure shows institutions will act under legal pressure.

Texas A&M University – College Station
The Corps of Cadets culture and strong Greek life create multiple environments where hazing can occur.

Notable Cases:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (2021): Pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. The fraternity was suspended for two years.
Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound in “roasted pig” position. The case sought over $1 million in damages.

University Response: Texas A&M handles hazing through both Student Conduct procedures and Corps regulations. The university has faced criticism for perceived leniency in some cases.

For Winkler County Families: The dual Greek/Corps environment means parents need to be vigilant across different types of organizations. The chemical burn case shows hazing methods becoming increasingly dangerous.

University of Texas at Austin (UT)
UT maintains one of the most transparent hazing reporting systems among Texas universities.

Public Hazing Violations Page:
UT publishes detailed records of hazing violations, including:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Chapter placed on probation with required hazing-prevention education.
Multiple other organizations sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, or punishment-based practices.

Legal Environment: UT’s transparency actually strengthens civil cases by providing documented evidence of prior violations and institutional knowledge.

For Winkler County Families: The public violations database allows parents to research organizations before their children join. Repeated violations against the same organizations demonstrate patterns that support negligence claims.

Other Texas Universities
While space limits detailed discussion of every institution, we handle cases involving:

Texas Tech University – Multiple hazing incidents in recent years
Baylor University – Facing scrutiny following broader institutional controversies
Texas State University – Active Greek life with periodic hazing incidents
University of North Texas – Multiple fraternity suspensions for hazing

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Understanding the Network Behind the Letters

For Winkler County families, understanding that fraternities and sororities exist within complex networks of legally distinct entities is crucial for effective litigation.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations in Texas

Our firm maintains a comprehensive database of Texas Greek organizations compiled from public records. This intelligence allows us to identify all potentially liable entities in hazing cases.

IRS B83 Texas-Registered Greek Organizations (125 entities):
These tax-exempt organizations include house corporations, alumni chapters, and honor societies. Examples relevant to West Texas include:

EIN 475033161: TKE OP HOUSING – 3522 158th St, Lubbock, TX 79423 (IRS B83 filing)
EIN 751565336: FARM HOUSE FRATERNITY INC – 3 Greek Cir, Lubbock, TX 79416 (IRS B83 filing)
EIN 820644459: HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI – 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX 79430 (IRS B83 filing)
EIN 752609909: SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY – 1205 Monroe St, Commerce, TX 75428 (IRS B83 filing)

Metro-Level Organizations:
Public records show Greek organizations across Texas metros:

Lubbock Metro: 59 total Greek organizations
Amarillo Metro: 18 total Greek organizations
Abilene Metro: 9 total Greek organizations

Why This Matters for Winkler County Families:
When hazing occurs, multiple entities may share liability:

Local Chapter – The undergraduate group
House Corporation – Owns or controls the physical property
Alumni Corporation – Provides oversight and funding
National Headquarters – Sets policies and receives dues
Educational Foundation – May hold assets and insurance

Our ability to identify and pursue all these entities ensures maximum accountability and adequate compensation for victims.

Campus Greek Rosters: Where Winkler County Students Join

Based on official university rosters, here are some organizations active at Texas universities Winkler County students attend:

Texas Tech University (Partial Roster):

Fraternities: FarmHouse, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi
Sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Zeta Tau Alpha

Midwestern State University:

Fraternities: Sigma Phi Epsilon, Tau Kappa Epsilon
Sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Sigma Kappa, Zeta Tau Alpha

University of Houston (From Bermudez Case):

Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu chapter – now closed)
Multiple other fraternities and sororities across four Greek councils

Important Note: Rosters change frequently. The presence of an organization on campus doesn’t indicate current wrongdoing, but national histories matter for foreseeability arguments in litigation.

National Fraternity & Sorority Histories: Patterns That Support Negligence Claims

When a Texas chapter repeats behaviors that caused tragedies elsewhere, that pattern shows national organizations had notice and failed to prevent recurrences.

Organizations with Documented National Hazing Histories

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike)

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021): $10 million settlement after fatal alcohol hazing
David Bogenberger – Northern Illinois University (2012): $14 million settlement after fatal alcohol poisoning
Pattern: Repeated “Big/Little” alcohol hazing despite national knowledge of risks

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE)

University of Alabama (2023): Pledge suffered traumatic brain injury during hazing ritual
Texas A&M University (2021): Chemical burns from industrial cleaner poured on pledges
University of Texas at Austin (2024): Assault causing dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia
Pattern: Physical violence and dangerous substance exposure across multiple chapters

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

Andrew Coffey – Florida State University (2017): Fatal alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother Night”
Leonel Bermudez – University of Houston (2025): Rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme physical hazing (our current case)
Pattern: Both alcohol and physical hazing methods causing severe injury or death

Why National Histories Matter in Texas Cases:
When we represent Winkler County families, we use these national patterns to establish:

Foreseeability: The national organization knew or should have known these dangerous practices were occurring
Negligence: Failure to implement effective prevention measures despite prior incidents
Punitive Damages Grounds: Reckless disregard for student safety

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

For Winkler County families considering legal action, understanding how cases are built and what compensation might include is crucial.

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

Digital Communications (Most Important Category)

Group Messaging: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity-specific apps
Social Media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok content
Recovery Capability: Digital forensics can often retrieve deleted messages
Our UH Case Example: Group chats showed planning of hazing activities and communications about covering up injuries

Photos & Videos

Content filmed by participants during events
Security/doorbell camera footage at houses and venues
Social media posts documenting activities
Preservation Tip: Screenshot immediately—content disappears quickly

Internal Organization Documents

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” documents
Emails/texts among officers about activities
National policies and training materials showing what should have been prevented

University Records

Prior conduct files and disciplinary histories
Incident reports to campus police or conduct offices
Clery Act reports and safety statistics
Texas Law Requirement: § 37.156 requires universities to publish annual hazing reports

Medical & Psychological Records

Emergency room and hospitalization records
Toxicology reports showing alcohol/drug levels
Psychological evaluations documenting PTSD, depression, anxiety
Our UH Case: Medical records showed critically high creatine kinase levels confirming rhabdomyolysis

Witness Testimony

Other pledges, current/former members, roommates, RAs
Bystanders, venue staff, emergency responders
Expert testimony on Greek culture, group dynamics, medical consequences

Damages: What Compensation Can Include

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

Medical Expenses: Past and future care, including potential lifelong treatment for conditions like kidney damage from rhabdomyolysis
Lost Earnings & Educational Impact: Missed semesters, delayed graduation, reduced earning capacity from permanent injuries
Other Economic Losses: Property damage, relocation costs, therapy expenses

Non-Economic Damages

Physical Pain & Suffering: From injuries and medical treatments
Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in activities, damaged relationships
Reputational Harm: Social stigma and digital footprint consequences

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of financial support and companionship
Emotional suffering of family members
Parents’ and siblings’ mental health treatment

Punitive Damages (When Available)

Purpose: Punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
Available when defendants showed callous indifference to known risks
Texas Consideration: Statutory caps apply except in certain intentional tort cases

Settlement vs. Trial: Realistic Expectations

Most Cases Settle Confidentially

Avoids public trial and appeal delays
Terms often include institutional reforms beyond money
Our Approach: We prepare every case for trial to maximize settlement leverage

Recent Settlement Benchmarks

Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha): $10 million total ($7M national + $3M university)
David Bogenberger (Pi Kappa Alpha): $14 million
Max Gruver (Phi Delta Theta): $6.1 million verdict
Sigma Chi (College of Charleston): $10+ million

Trial Considerations

Public accountability through verdict
Potential for higher awards
Longer timeline and emotional toll
Our Philosophy: We try cases when settlement offers don’t provide full accountability

Practical Guides for Winkler County Families: What to Do Now

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

Physical: Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries; extreme fatigue; weight changes; sleep deprivation
Behavioral: Sudden secrecy about activities; withdrawal from family/friends; personality changes; defensiveness about the organization
Academic: Grades dropping; missing classes; losing scholarships
Digital: Constant phone monitoring; anxiety about messages; deleting communications

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally)

“How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
“Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
“What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you wish you didn’t have to do?”
“Have you seen anyone get hurt, or have you been hurt?”
“Do you feel like you can leave if you want to, or would there be consequences?”

48-Hour Action Checklist for Parents

Hours 1-6: Ensure medical safety, document visible injuries, screenshot messages, call Attorney911
Hours 6-24: Preserve all digital evidence, secure physical items, obtain medical records
Hours 24-48: Consult with experienced hazing attorney, decide on reporting strategy
Week One: Continue medical documentation, begin evidence gathering, protect against retaliation

For Students: Self-Protection and Safe Exit Strategies

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide
Ask yourself:

Am I being forced or pressured to do something unsafe or humiliating?
Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
Are older members making new members do things they don’t do themselves?
Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about activities?

How to Exit Safely

Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
Send written resignation to chapter leadership
Do NOT attend “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
Document any threats or harassment immediately

Evidence Collection for Students

Screenshots: Capture full message threads with timestamps and participant names
Recordings: Texas is a one-party consent state—you can record conversations you’re part of
Photos: Document injuries, locations, objects used in hazing
Medical Care: Tell providers you were hazed so it’s documented in records

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Deleting Digital Evidence: What seems embarrassing now is crucial evidence later
Confronting the Organization Directly: Triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching
Signing University “Resolution” Forms: Often includes waivers of legal rights
Posting on Social Media: Creates inconsistencies defense attorneys exploit
Waiting for Internal Investigations: Evidence disappears, statutes of limitations run
Talking to Insurance Adjusters: Recorded statements are used against you
Letting Your Child Return for “One Last Meeting”: Opportunity for intimidation and coercion

Frequently Asked Questions for Winkler County Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities have fewer protections. Every case is fact-specific—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if hazing causes serious bodily injury or death—like the rhabdomyolysis in our UH case.

“My child ‘agreed’ to the activities—can we still pursue a case?”
Absolutely. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t truly voluntary.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately apparent. In cases involving cover-ups, the statute may be tolled. Time is critical—call us immediately.

“What if the hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national organizations can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. The Pi Delta Psi retreat case and our UH case both involved off-campus locations.

“Will this be confidential?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms.

Why Attorney911 for Winkler 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 powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage – 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) hazing claims
Use delay tactics to pressure families
Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
“We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Institutional Litigation – Ralph Manginello

BP Texas City Explosion Litigation: One of few Texas firms involved against billion-dollar defendants
Federal Court Experience: Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
Not Intimidated: We’ve faced the largest corporations and won
“We’ve taken on billion-dollar defendants. National fraternities and universities don’t scare us.”

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience

Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases
Collaboration with economists for lifetime care valuations
Experience with brain injury, permanent disability, and catastrophic injury cases
“We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force real accountability.”

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise

Ralph’s HCCLA membership provides elite criminal defense capability
Understanding of how criminal charges interact with civil litigation
Ability to advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure
“We speak both languages—criminal defense and plaintiff litigation.”

Investigative Depth & Expert Network

Digital forensics for recovering deleted messages
Medical experts for conditions like rhabdomyolysis and PTSD
Greek culture experts to explain coercion dynamics
Economists for lifetime damage calculations
“We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

Spanish-Language Services – Se Habla Español
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring Hispanic families in Winkler County and across Texas receive full understanding and representation.

Our Approach to Hazing Cases

Immediate Response

24/7 availability for emergencies
Evidence preservation guidance within hours
Rapid investigation before evidence disappears

Comprehensive Investigation

Identification of all potentially liable entities
Subpoena of national organization records
Discovery of prior incidents and warnings
Digital forensics for deleted communications

Strategic Litigation

Preparation for trial to maximize settlement leverage
Pursuit of all available damages categories
Focus on institutional reform beyond monetary compensation
Protection of victim privacy throughout process

Empathetic Client Service

Regular updates every 2-3 weeks
Spanish-language services available
Understanding of the emotional trauma families experience
Commitment to preventing future harm

Call to Action for Winkler County Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether Texas Tech, Midwestern State, UH, Texas A&M, UT, or any other institution—we want to hear from you. Families in Winkler County and throughout West Texas have the right to answers and accountability.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you contact The Manginello Law Firm, you’ll receive:

A Compassionate Listening Ear: We’ll listen to your story without judgment
Evidence Review: Assessment of any documentation you’ve preserved
Legal Options Explanation: Clear explanation of criminal reporting, civil litigation, and other paths
Realistic Expectations: Honest discussion of timelines, challenges, and potential outcomes
Cost Transparency: Explanation of our contingency fee structure—you pay nothing unless we win
No Pressure: Time to consider your options without immediate commitment

Contact Us Today

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Winkler County and All of 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

Spanish Language Services:
Hablamos Español
Contact Lupe Peña: lupe@atty911.com

Office Locations

Houston, Texas (Primary)
Austin, Texas
Beaumont, Texas
Serving Winkler County and Nationwide

Whether you’re in Kermit, Monahans, Winkler, or anywhere in Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions that failed to protect your child have powerful legal teams. You need experienced advocates who know how to fight back and win.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let us help you get answers, secure accountability, and prevent this from happening to another family.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit:

Attorney911 Educational YouTube Videos:

Using your phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Texas statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes that can ruin your case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:

https://attorney911.com

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