A former University of Houston student filed a $10 million lawsuit on Monday in Harris County, Texas, against the University of Houston and a campus fraternity, alleging he suffered severe physical and psychological injuries from hazing during his time as a pledge.
The plaintiff, identified as Leonel Bermudez, filed the civil complaint in state district court and accused the university and the fraternity of failing to protect him from alleged hazing activities that he claims took place during the pledge process.
Bermudez alleges in the filing that fraternity members subjected him to extreme physical tasks and abusive conduct that resulted in lasting injuries and emotional trauma.
The complaint claims the hazing incidents took place over a period of time rather than in a single event and that Bermudez reported or disclosed the alleged abuse after he began to experience serious effects on his health and well-being.
The lawsuit alleges that the fraternity violated university policies and Texas state law that prohibit hazing and that the organization failed to supervise its members during pledge-related activities.
The filing also claims the University of Houston did not adequately enforce its anti-hazing rules and did not take reasonable steps to prevent or stop the alleged misconduct.
Bermudez seeks $10 million in damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other costs that he attributes to the alleged hazing.
The petition names the fraternity, its local chapter at the University of Houston, and the university itself as defendants and alleges negligence, gross negligence, and violations of hazing statutes.
The complaint asserts that the fraternity and its members owed Bermudez a duty of care during pledge and initiation activities and that they breached that duty by engaging in or allowing conduct that the filing describes as dangerous and degrading.
The lawsuit further alleges that the University of Houston had knowledge or should have had knowledge of hazing risks associated with fraternity activities and that the institution did not implement sufficient oversight, training, or enforcement to prevent harm.
The lawsuit requests a jury trial and asks the court to award compensatory and punitive damages, along with attorneys’ fees and court costs, against all named defendants.
The complaint also asks the court to issue any additional relief it deems appropriate, which could include orders related to policy changes, training, or other measures addressing hazing, depending on future rulings.
The lawsuit does not specify the exact dates of each alleged incident but places the events during the period when Bermudez was a student and an active pledge of the fraternity at the University of Houston.
As of the filing date, the court docket does not show a trial date, and the defendants have not yet filed formal answers or responses in the publicly available records.