The Complete Guide to Hazing in Texas for White Oak Families: Your Path to Accountability

A White Oak Parent’s Nightmare and the Fight for Justice in Texas

It’s a quiet evening in White Oak. Your college student, attending a university you trust, calls home. Their voice is strained, evasive. They mention “mandatory activities” that keep them out until 3 AM, vague injuries they brush off as “just sore from workouts,” and a sudden, intense loyalty to a group you’ve never met. The vibrant young adult you sent off to school seems diminished, anxious, and secretive. You piece together the clues: sleep deprivation, forced drinking, humiliating tasks shared in encrypted group chats. Your child is being hazed, and the powerful institutions involved—the fraternity, the sorority, the university itself—are closing ranks.

Right now, in Texas, families just like yours are facing this reality. We know, because we are leading one of the most serious hazing cases in the state. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered catastrophic injuries during his fall 2025 pledge period with the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to detailed media reports from Click2Houston and ABC13, Bermudez was subjected to a regime of degradation and abuse that included carrying a humiliating “pledge fanny pack,” enduring simulated waterboarding with a hose, being forced to overconsume food until vomiting, and participating in extreme physical workouts. This culminated in him developing rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring a four-day hospitalization with brown urine and critically elevated creatine kinase levels. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter has since been shut down, but the physical and psychological harm—and the fight for accountability—continues.

This guide is for you, the parents and families in White Oak, Gregg County, and across East Texas. Whether your child attends the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any other Texas campus, you deserve to understand what hazing really looks like today, the legal landscape in Texas, and your family’s path to answers, healing, and accountability. We serve families throughout Texas, and we are here to help you navigate this crisis.

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. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Texas Students

For White Oak families, hazing may conjure images of outdated movie scenes. Modern hazing is more insidious, digitally enabled, and often disguised as “tradition” or “team building.” It’s any coerced activity expected of someone joining or maintaining membership in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them. Consent is not a defense under Texas law.

Main Categories of Hazing

• Alcohol & Substance Hazing: Forced consumption games (“lineups,” “cents,” “family trees”), hazing retreats with handle-of-liquor challenges, coerced use of drugs or unknown substances.
• Physical Hazing: Paddling, beatings, “smokings” (extreme calisthenics), sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme elements, food/water restriction, and dangerous physical tests. In the Bermudez case, this included 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, and lying in vomit-soaked grass.
• Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk”), degrading costumes or roles, acts with racist or sexist overtones. Another pledge in the UH case was allegedly hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth.
• Psychological Hazing: Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, “silent periods,” forced confessions, and manipulation designed to break down identity.
• Digital/Online Hazing: 24/7 demands via GroupMe or Discord, forced social media posts/challenges, geo-tracking via apps, public shaming in group chats, and recording of humiliating acts for members’ entertainment.

Hazing occurs in fraternities, sororities, Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, spirit groups, marching bands, and other campus organizations. It thrives on secrecy, tradition, and the powerful human desire to belong.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What White Oak Families Need to Know

Texas has a specific legal framework for hazing, primarily found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. This law governs cases for White Oak families, whether the hazing occurred at a school minutes away or hours across the state.

Texas Hazing Law Basics

• Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed at a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership that endangers the student’s physical or mental health or safety.
• 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. Individuals who fail to report hazing or retaliate against reporters can also face charges.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas Education Code § 37.155 is clear: a victim’s “consent” to the hazing activity is not a valid legal defense.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Those who report hazing in good faith to authorities are immune from civil or criminal liability for their own minor involvement (like underage drinking), encouraging the critical call for help.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office) to punish wrongdoing with jail, fines, or probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: Brought by victims and their families to obtain compensation and accountability. These lawsuits target individuals, chapters, national organizations, and universities for negligence, wrongful death, and other harms. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil case—they are separate paths to justice.

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

Federal laws create additional duties for universities:

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, schools must investigate and address it.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including assaults that may occur during hazing.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Phasing in requirements for increased transparency in hazing reporting by universities that receive federal funds.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Our investigation in the Bermudez case targets a full “defendant universe,” a strategy we employ for all our clients. Liability can extend to:

1. Individual Students who planned, participated in, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter as an entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and prior knowledge of dangerous patterns.
4. The University for negligent oversight, failing to act on prior complaints, or creating an unsafe environment.
5. Chapter Housing Corporations & Alumni Associations that own properties or facilitate activities.
6. Third Parties like landlords of off-campus houses or commercial venues where hazing occurs.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Blueprints for Texas Accountability

The tragedy in Leonel Bermudez’s case is not an isolated incident. It follows a national pattern of institutional failure. Understanding these landmark cases shows White Oak families that precedent exists for holding powerful organizations accountable.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): A bid-acceptance night with forced drinking led to fatal falls captured on chapter security cameras. The delayed 911 call resulted in one of the largest hazing prosecutions in U.S. history and spurred Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers mandated drinking led to a fatal alcohol toxicity level (BAC 0.495%). This case drove Louisiana to enact the Max Gruver Act, creating felony hazing penalties.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A “Big/Little” night where the pledge was forced to drink a bottle of alcohol led to his death. The subsequent $10 million settlement ($7M from the national fraternity, ~$3M from the university) demonstrates the significant financial liability these incidents create.
• Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): A “pledge dad reveal” night with forced drinking caused catastrophic, permanent brain injury. Settlements with multiple defendants underscore the lifelong costs of non-fatal hazing.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): A “Big Brother” night with a handle of liquor caused fatal alcohol poisoning, leading to a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU.

These cases share haunting commonalities: forced consumption, delayed medical care, cover-up attempts, and national organizations with prior knowledge of risky traditions. They prove that when families fight back with experienced counsel, they can secure justice and drive systemic change.

Texas Focus: Where White Oak Families Send Their Students

White Oak families are deeply connected to the Texas higher education system. Students from Gregg County attend local institutions like LeTourneau University in Longview and UT Tyler, while many others head to major flagship campuses. Our firm maintains detailed intelligence on the Greek ecosystems at these schools to build the strongest possible cases.

University of Houston (UH) – A Stark Case Study

The ongoing Bermudez litigation makes UH a primary reference point. The alleged hazing occurred at the chapter house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park, showing how activity migrates off-campus to avoid detection.

• For White Oak Families: A student may attend UH for its strong programs. If hazing occurs, jurisdictional issues may involve both UHPD and Houston Police. Our firm’s Houston office is centrally positioned to handle such cases, leveraging local court experience.
• Key Takeaway: Universities and nationals often move swiftly to contain fallout (as seen with Pi Kappa Phi’s chapter suspension and closure). Families must move even faster to preserve evidence and secure independent legal counsel.

Texas A&M University – Corps and Greek Life Complexities

The culture at Texas A&M, including its storied Corps of Cadets, carries unique hazing risks. Past incidents include a Sigma Alpha Epsilon lawsuit where pledges allegedly suffered chemical burns from industrial cleaner, and a Corps of Cadets lawsuit alleging degrading “roasted pig” style binding.

• For White Oak Families: The A&M network in East Texas is strong. Hazing cases here may involve both the University’s student conduct system and the separate Corps disciplinary structure. Our experience with complex, multi-defendant institutional cases is critical here.

University of Texas at Austin – Transparency and Patterns

UT Austin maintains a public online log of hazing violations, offering a window into recurring issues. Sanctions have been levied against groups like Pi Kappa Alpha for forced milk consumption and calisthenics, and other spirit organizations for abusive practices.

• For White Oak Families: This public record can be a valuable tool in establishing that the university had prior knowledge of a group’s dangerous conduct, a key element in proving negligence.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University – Private School Dynamics

Private universities like SMU and Baylor have significant Greek life but different procedural and transparency rules than public institutions. Past incidents, like hazing within Baylor’s baseball program, show that abuse spans all types of organizations.

• For White Oak Families: Litigation against private universities involves different legal strategies regarding discovery and institutional control. Our firm’s breadth of experience is essential in navigating these distinct landscapes.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter

When a hazing incident occurs at a Texas chapter, the national organization’s history is profoundly relevant. In litigation, we use this “pattern evidence” to prove that the harm was foreseeable and that the national headquarters failed in its duty to supervise and prevent it.

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks these entities. For example, the national Pi Kappa Phi organization named in the Bermudez lawsuit has a history that includes the Andrew Coffey death at Florida State. This pattern is critical for establishing liability.

Below is a snapshot of the type of organizational data we maintain and investigate, illustrating the complex network behind campus Greek life. These are public records of entities that may hold insurance, assets, and responsibility.

Public Records: Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses
This is a sample from our proprietary directory of Texas-registered Greek entities.

Organizations with IRS Filings (IRS B83 Data):

• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, EIN 746064445, Nederland, TX 77627. IRS B83 filing.
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035. IRS B83 filing.
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc, EIN 133048786, College Station, TX 77845. IRS B83 filing.
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 746084905, Houston, TX 77204. IRS B83 filing.
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 900293166, College Station, TX 77843 (Texas A&M University). IRS B83 filing.

Metro-Area Organizations (Cause IQ Data):

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity – Texas Rho Corp., Austin, TX (Cause IQ metro listing).
• Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Houston, TX (Cause IQ metro listing).
• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, Fort Worth, TX 76244 (Cause IQ metro listing).

This web of house corporations, alumni chapters, and educational foundations is where we often find the insurance coverage and assets necessary to compensate victims. Most families start from zero; we start with this data.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Recovery for Your Family

If your family is facing this crisis, you need to understand what building a claim entails. It is a detailed investigative process designed to secure maximum accountability.

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

• Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, and Instagram/Snapchat messages. We use digital forensics to recover deleted content.
• Photos & Videos: Media captured during events, social media posts, and security footage from houses or venues.
• Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “lineup” schedules, emails from national headquarters, and risk management reports.
• University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same group, obtained via discovery or public records requests.
• Medical Records: ER reports, hospitalization records, lab tests (like CK levels for rhabdomyolysis), and psychological evaluations for PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
• Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders.

We have a dedicated video on how to properly use your phone to document evidence, which you can view at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs.

Recoverable Damages in Hazing Lawsuits

A successful civil case seeks to make the victim “whole” and punish egregious conduct. Recoveries can include:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost educational costs (tuition, scholarships), and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, humiliation, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of love, companionship, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness or intentional conduct, courts may award additional damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Our firm works with life-care planners, economists, and medical experts to fully quantify the lifetime impact of catastrophic hazing injuries.

Practical Guides & FAQs for White Oak Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries, constant exhaustion, or sudden weight changes.
• Drastic mood shifts: anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or defensiveness about the group.
• Constant, secretive phone use related to group chats and mandatory events.
• Financial requests for unexplained “fines,” alcohol, or gifts for older members.

What to Do:

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: Get medical/psychological care immediately.
2. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot everything. Do not delete.
3. Document: Write down a timeline with names, dates, and locations.
4. Seek Legal Counsel First: Before reporting to the university, consult with a hazing attorney. We can help you navigate the process strategically to protect your child’s rights and future.

For Students: Is This Hazing and How to Get Out

• Trust Your Instincts: If you feel coerced, unsafe, or humiliated, it is hazing.
• You Have a Right to Leave: You can de-pledge or quit at any time. Send a clear text/email and inform a trusted adult outside the group.
• Report Safely: You can report to the Dean of Students, campus police, or anonymously through national hotlines (1-888-NOT-HAZE). Texas law offers protections for good-faith reporters.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots, photos of injuries, and save any physical objects.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm Your Case

1. Deleting Digital Evidence: This is the single biggest error. It looks like a cover-up and destroys your leverage.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers their defense playbook—evidence disappears, and witnesses are coached.
3. Signing University Settlement Papers Prematurely: Universities may offer quick, low-value resolutions that waive your right to sue. Have an attorney review anything before you sign.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense investigators monitor everything. Inconsistencies can be used against you.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence vanishes, witnesses scatter, and the Texas statute of limitations (generally 2 years from injury) continues to tick. Learn more about statutes of limitations in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c.

Frequently Asked Questions

• “Can we sue the university?” Yes, under theories of negligent supervision or if they were deliberately indifferent to known risks. Public universities have some immunity hurdles, but successful claims are made.
• “What if it happened off-campus?” Location does not absolve liability. Nationals and universities can still be responsible for activities they sponsor or know about.
• “How much does a lawyer cost?” We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay no upfront costs, and our fee is a percentage of the recovery we secure for you. We don’t get paid unless you win. Watch our explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.
• “Will this be public?” Many cases settle confidentially. We always prioritize our clients’ privacy and control over their story.

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases

When your family is up against a national fraternity, a major university, and their insurance companies, you need more than a generic personal injury lawyer. You need a team with specific, proven advantages.

Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense lawyer for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers undervalue claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. We know their playbook because we used to run it. You can learn more about Mr. Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Managing partner Ralph Manginello and our firm were involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, facing down billion-dollar defendants. We are not intimidated by powerful institutions. We have federal court experience and a network of medical and economic experts ready to build an unbeatable case. See Ralph’s full profile at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.

Data-Driven Investigation: We don’t start from scratch. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—tracking over 1,400 Greek entities—gives us a map of organizational liability and insurance assets from day one.

Dual Civil & Criminal Understanding: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the criminal exposure your child or witnesses might face, allowing us to navigate both legal tracks strategically.

Proven Results in Catastrophic Injury: We have secured multi-million dollar settlements for wrongful death and life-altering injuries. We understand how to work with economists and life-care planners to value the true, long-term cost of harm.

For White Oak Families: We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. We understand the values and concerns of East Texas communities. If hazing has impacted your family at any Texas campus, we are here to help you find the truth and secure justice.

Your Path Forward: A Confidential Consultation

The journey begins with a conversation. If you suspect your child has been hazed—whether they attend a university near White Oak or anywhere in Texas—we encourage you to reach out.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.

During this consultation, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your family’s legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline the investigative process and what you can expect.
• Answer your questions about timelines, costs, and strategies.
• There is no pressure to hire us. Our goal is to ensure you have the information needed to make the best decision for your family.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | For Spanish-speaking families: Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com

You don’t have to face this alone. Let us use our experience, data, and dedication to help your family find answers, achieve accountability, and begin the process of healing.

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

Plain Text Links to Key Resources:

• Click2Houston coverage of UH Pi Kappa Phi case: 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 coverage of Leonel Bermudez lawsuit: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Attorney911 video on documenting evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Attorney911 video on statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Attorney911 video on contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
• Attorney911 main website: https://attorney911.com