Hazing Victims in Live Oak County, Texas: Your Legal Rights and How Attorney 911 Can Help
🚨 Hazing Is Happening Near Live Oak County — And It’s Not “Tradition.” It’s Abuse.
If your child attends college near Live Oak County — whether at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Coastal Bend College, or any other institution — they face the same hazing risks that hospitalized our client in Houston. Waterboarding. Forced exercise until collapse. Extreme physical punishment. Sleep deprivation. Humiliation.
These aren’t harmless “rites of passage.” They’re illegal. They’re dangerous. And they’re happening right now at universities near Live Oak County.
At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now — suing Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for $10 million after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from systematic hazing. The same fraternities operate near Live Oak County. The same negligence exists at Live Oak County institutions. And we’re ready to fight for Live Oak County families with the same aggression.
🏢 Who We Are — Live Oak County’s Hazing Litigation Experts
Attorney 911 is a Texas-based personal injury and criminal defense law firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. While we serve clients nationwide, we are proudly bringing our hazing litigation expertise to Live Oak County families — no matter where the incident occurred.
Why Live Oak County Families Choose Attorney 911:
| Advantage | Why It Matters for Live Oak County Victims |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years of Courtroom Experience | We’ve taken on massive institutions — including universities and national fraternities — and won. Live Oak County families get the same battle-tested representation. |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know how insurance companies and institutions try to deny claims. We’ve seen their playbook — now we use it against them for Live Oak County victims. |
| Federal Court Authority | We’re admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas — critical for suing national fraternities headquartered outside Texas. |
| Dual-State Bar Admission | Licensed in Texas and New York — strategic advantage for suing national organizations headquartered in other states. |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking Live Oak County families. |
| Nationwide Hazing Expertise | We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case against Pi Kappa Phi and UH. The same strategies apply to Live Oak County victims. |
| We Travel to Live Oak County | For depositions, trials, and client meetings — distance is not a barrier to justice. |
Our Hazing-Specific Experience:
- Rhabdomyolysis injury litigation — the same condition that hospitalized our Houston client
- Kappa Sigma fraternity cases — experience with national Greek organizations
- Texas A&M University hazing cases — familiarity with Texas university systems
- Wrongful death from hazing — when hazing turns fatal, we fight for families
- $10 million current hazing lawsuit — we’re in this fight right now
🚨 The Hazing Crisis Near Live Oak County — What Live Oak County Families Need to Know
Hazing Isn’t Limited to Ivy League Schools. It’s Happening at Universities Near Live Oak County.
Live Oak County may be a rural community, but hazing is not limited by geography. The same national fraternities and sororities that operate at major universities also have chapters at institutions near Live Oak County, including:
- Texas A&M University-Kingsville (30 miles from George West)
- Coastal Bend College (multiple campuses including Beeville, Alice, Kingsville)
- Del Mar College (Corpus Christi)
- Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The same national organizations that paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha — have active chapters at universities near Live Oak County.
What Live Oak County Parents Need to Know:
- Hazing is illegal in Texas — and consent is not a defense
- Universities near Live Oak County can be held liable if they knew or should have known about hazing
- National fraternities/sororities have deep pockets and can be sued for failing to supervise
- Individual members can be held personally liable — including chapter officers
- The statute of limitations is only 2 years — you must act quickly
The Reality of Hazing Near Live Oak County:
- 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing (National Study of Student Hazing)
- 40% of student athletes report hazing
- Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the U.S.
- 95% of hazing victims do not report it — your child may be suffering in silence
⚠️ The Landmark Case That Shows Live Oak County Families What’s Possible — $10 Million Lawsuit Against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
This Happened in Houston. It Could Happen Near Live Oak County. We’re Fighting It — And We’ll Fight for Live Oak County Victims Too.
Case: Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al.
Filed: November 21, 2025
Damages Sought: $10,000,000
Attorneys: Ralph Manginello & Lupe Pena — Attorney 911
What Happened:
Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student who wasn’t even enrolled at UH yet, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi in September 2025. Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse and hazing that hospitalized him for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
The Hazing Activities:
| Activity | Description | Legal Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Waterboarding | Simulated drowning with a garden hose — sprayed in face while doing calisthenics | Torture; Assault |
| 500+ Squats | Forced to perform 500+ squats as punishment | Hazing; Reckless Endangerment |
| 100+ Pushups | Forced to perform 100+ pushups | Hazing; Reckless Endangerment |
| Wooden Paddles | Struck with wooden paddles | Assault; Battery |
| Forced Eating | Large amounts of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns consumed until vomiting | Hazing |
| Post-Vomiting Continuation | Forced to continue running sprints while in physical distress after vomiting | Hazing; Reckless Endangerment |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours | Hazing |
| Psychological Torture | Forced to carry fanny pack with sexual objects; another pledge hog-tied for over an hour | Hazing; Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress |
| Extreme Exercise | “Suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, two-mile warmups, 100-yard crawls | Hazing |
The Medical Consequences:
- Rhabdomyolysis — muscle breakdown releasing myoglobin into bloodstream
- Acute kidney failure — myoglobin clogs kidneys, requires hospitalization
- Brown urine — classic sign of rhabdomyolysis
- Inability to stand or walk — documented at hospital admission
- 3 nights, 4 days hospitalized — required intensive medical treatment
The Institutional Failures:
- Pi Kappa Phi National knew about a “hazing crisis” — and did nothing
- University of Houston owned the fraternity house — and failed to prevent hazing
- UH had a prior hazing incident in 2017 — and failed to implement real oversight
- Pi Kappa Phi had a prior hazing death in 2017 — and failed to fix their culture
The Legal Response:
- November 14, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi National closes Beta Nu Chapter (7 days before lawsuit filed — they knew it was coming)
- November 21, 2025: $10 million lawsuit filed by Attorney 911
- Media coverage: ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media
- UH spokesperson: “The events investigated are deeply disturbing… potential criminal charges”
Why This Case Matters for Live Oak County Families:
- The same national fraternities operate near Live Oak County — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and others
- The same hazing “traditions” exist at Live Oak County institutions — forced drinking, physical abuse, humiliation
- Universities near Live Oak County face the same liability failures — they own fraternity houses and have oversight responsibility
- The same legal strategies apply — we’re using them in Houston, and we’ll use them for Live Oak County victims
- $10 million is possible — and necessary to send a message that hazing won’t be tolerated
⚖️ Live Oak County Victims’ Legal Rights — Texas Hazing Laws
Texas Education Code § 37.151-37.157 — Anti-Hazing Law
Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151):
Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring on or off campus that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in an organization.
Live Oak County Application: The same definition applies to all Texas institutions, including those near Live Oak County. The hazing your child experienced likely violates Texas law.
Criminal Penalties for Hazing in Texas:
| Offense Level | Conduct | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| Class B Misdemeanor | Engaging in hazing | Up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine |
| Class A Misdemeanor | Hazing causing serious bodily injury | Up to 1 year jail, $4,000 fine |
| State Jail Felony | Hazing causing death | 180 days – 2 years state jail, $10,000 fine |
For Live Oak County Victims: Rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure (like our Houston client) constitute serious bodily injury — individuals who participated face Class A Misdemeanor charges.
Organizational Liability (§ 37.153):
Organizations (including fraternities, sororities, and universities) can be penalized:
- Fine up to $10,000
- Denial of permission to operate
- Forfeiture of property
Consent Is Not a Defense (§ 37.154):
“It is not a defense to prosecution that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”
This is critical for Live Oak County victims: When fraternities argue “he agreed to participate,” Texas law says consent does not matter.
💰 What Live Oak County Hazing Victims Can Recover — Damages and Compensation
Economic Damages:
| Category | Examples | Live Oak County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Past Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, ER visits, medications | If your child was hospitalized or treated for hazing injuries |
| Future Medical Expenses | Ongoing treatment, specialists, dialysis (if kidney damage) | Rhabdomyolysis can cause long-term kidney issues |
| Mental Health Treatment | Therapy for PTSD, anxiety, depression | Hazing often causes severe psychological trauma |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work during recovery | If your child had to miss work due to injuries |
| Educational Damages | Tuition for disrupted semester, lost scholarships | If hazing forced your child to drop out or transfer |
Non-Economic Damages:
| Category | Examples | Live Oak County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Pain & Suffering | Pain from injuries, medical treatments | The agony of rhabdomyolysis, forced exercise, paddling |
| Mental Anguish | Fear, humiliation, trauma | Waterboarding, forced nudity, psychological abuse |
| Emotional Distress | Anxiety, depression, PTSD | Long-term psychological impact of hazing |
| Loss of Enjoyment of Life | Inability to participate in normal activities | If hazing disrupted your child’s college experience |
| Disfigurement | Scars from branding, burns, or injuries | Physical marks from hazing activities |
Punitive Damages:
Texas allows punitive damages when conduct is:
- Fraudulent
- Malicious
- Grossly negligent
Gross negligence means:
- Extreme degree of risk
- Actual awareness of the risk
- Conscious indifference to safety
For Live Oak County Hazing Cases:
- Waterboarding (simulated drowning) — extreme risk
- 500 squats causing rhabdomyolysis — extreme risk
- National fraternities knowing about prior hazing deaths — actual awareness
- Universities failing to act despite prior incidents — conscious indifference
Punitive damages send a message: This cannot happen to another Live Oak County student.
📋 What Live Oak County Families Should Do If Their Child Is Hazed
Step 1: Ensure Immediate Safety
- Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately
- Seek medical attention — even if injuries seem minor
- Rhabdomyolysis symptoms (muscle pain, dark urine, inability to move) require emergency care
Step 2: Preserve Evidence
Do not delete anything. Save everything.
| Evidence Type | What to Save |
|---|---|
| Medical Records | Hospital records, doctor notes, therapy records |
| Photos/Videos | Injuries at all stages of healing, hazing activities if recorded |
| Communications | Text messages, GroupMe chats, Instagram/Snapchat DMs, emails |
| Witness Information | Names and contact info of other pledges, witnesses |
| Documents | Pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child |
| Financial Records | Medical bills, lost wages, tuition/fees paid |
| Academic Records | Impact on grades, enrollment status |
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- Do not confront fraternity/sorority leadership
- Do not sign anything from the organization
- Do not give statements to university administrators without legal counsel
- Do not post about the incident on social media
Step 4: Report to Authorities
- Consider filing a police report — hazing is a crime in Texas
- File a Title IX report with the university — hazing often creates hostile environments
- Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization
Step 5: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
- Email: ralph@atty911.com
- Video Consultation: Available for Live Oak County families
The statute of limitations is only 2 years — evidence disappears quickly. Act now.
🎯 Why Live Oak County Families Need an Attorney — The Defendants Will Fight Back
The Defendants Have Teams of Lawyers. You Need Your Own.
Universities and national fraternities have:
- In-house legal departments
- Insurance company lawyers
- Risk management professionals
- Crisis PR teams
Their goal? To minimize liability, shift blame, and pay as little as possible.
Your goal? To hold them accountable and secure fair compensation for your child’s suffering.
Common Defense Tactics — And How We Counter Them:
| Defense Tactic | What They’ll Say | How We Counter It |
|---|---|---|
| “He consented” | “He agreed to participate” | Texas law explicitly says consent is not a defense (§ 37.154) |
| “It’s tradition” | “This is how it’s always been done” | Tradition doesn’t justify illegal activity — assault is assault |
| “He could have left” | “He wasn’t forced to stay” | Fear of retaliation, social ostracism, and losing membership create duress |
| “It was just drinking” | “Everyone was drinking voluntarily” | Forced consumption ≠ voluntary — peer pressure creates coercion |
| “The university didn’t know” | “We had no idea this was happening” | Universities own fraternity houses and have oversight responsibility — they knew or should have known |
📢 The Message to Fraternities Near Live Oak County: We Are Watching
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and All Others:
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi for $10 million after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from your chapter’s hazing.
If your chapter operates near Live Oak County, know this:
- We track your house corporations, your alumni chapters, your national insurance structure
- We know your documented history of hazing deaths and injuries
- We know how to sue your national organization, your local chapter, and your individual members
- We will pursue every liable entity
The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.
That’s what happens when you haze near Live Oak County.
🏛️ Universities Near Live Oak County: The Same Institutional Negligence Exists Here
The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where hazing occurred. They knew about prior hazing incidents. They failed to act.
Universities near Live Oak County face the same liability:
- They own or control fraternity/sorority properties
- They have the power to regulate Greek life
- They have the responsibility to protect students
- When they fail, they can be held accountable
To University Administrators Near Live Oak County:
The same negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your institution. Act now — or face the same accountability.
📞 Live Oak County Families: Contact Attorney 911 Today
If your child has been hazed at a university near Live Oak County, you have legal rights. We can help.
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We offer:
- Free consultations for Live Oak County hazing victims
- Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront; we don’t get paid unless you win
- Video consultations for Live Oak County families who cannot travel
- Travel to Live Oak County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
Live Oak County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone.
We’re fighting this battle right now in Houston. We’ll fight it for Live Oak County families too.
Enough is enough.
