Texas Hazing Litigation Guide: Protecting Your Child from Fraternity, Sorority, & Campus Abuse in Odem, Texas

If you are a parent in Odem, Texas, watching your child leave for college is a proud moment filled with hope. You’ve supported them through high school in San Patricio County, and now they’re heading to a Texas university to build their future. But what happens when that dream is shattered by a phone call in the night—a call where your child is injured, hospitalized, or worse, and the words “hazing” or “initiation” are whispered? For families in Odem and across the Coastal Bend, this nightmare is real, and the path to justice is complex.

Right now, we are actively fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas. We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The allegations are horrific: forced consumption of food until vomiting, extreme physical workouts leading to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, and threats of expulsion for non-compliance. This case, detailed in Click2Houston and ABC13 reports, proves that severe, life-altering hazing is not a relic of the past—it is happening today at major Texas institutions.

This guide is for you, the parents and families of Odem, Sinton, Taft, and all of San Patricio County. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, your legal rights under Texas law, the stark realities at universities where your children study, and how our firm uses a powerful investigative engine to hold every responsible party accountable. If you are facing this crisis, you are not alone.

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 and texts, photograph injuries, save physical items.
  • Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where).
  • Do NOT: Confront the fraternity/sorority, sign anything from the university, post on social media, or let your child delete messages.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

What Hazing Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For Odem families, hazing might bring to mind old movies of minor pranks. The reality in 2025 is far more sinister, systematic, and digitally enabled. Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in a group. “Consent” is not a defense under Texas law when power imbalances and coercion are at play.

Modern hazing tactics fall into three escalating tiers:

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing & Digital Control
This establishes power imbalances and often precedes worse abuse. It includes enforced dress codes, mandatory “on-call” status for errands, required attendance at events that sabotage academics, and social isolation. In 2025, this is enforced through 24/7 digital monitoring: pledges must respond instantly to GroupMe or WhatsApp messages, share live location via Snapchat Maps, and have their social media policed by older members.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing
This causes emotional or physical discomfort and includes verbal abuse, sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and forced physical activity like “smokings” (hundreds of push-ups, wall sits to collapse). Public humiliation, such as being forced to wear degrading costumes or perform embarrassing acts, is common. The “pledge fanny pack” in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case—filled with condoms, sex toys, and nicotine devices—is a textbook example of harassment hazing designed to demean.

Tier 3: Violent & Life-Threatening Hazing
This has the highest potential for catastrophic injury or death. It includes:

• Forced Alcohol/Substance Consumption: “Big/Little” nights, “Bible study” drinking games, lineups, and forced chugging.
• Physical Assault: Paddling, beatings, “glass ceiling” tackling rituals, dangerous physical tests.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault.
• Extreme Environmental Exposure: Being locked in freezing rooms, left outside in extreme weather, or subjected to chemical exposure (like the industrial cleaner used in a Texas A&M SAE case).

Today, this violence is often disguised as “team building” or “wellness challenges” and moved to off-campus Airbnbs or rural properties to avoid university oversight. The physical toll can be permanent, as with Leonel Bermudez, who suffered kidney failure from forced overconsumption and extreme exercise.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: A Framework for Odem Families

Texas has specific laws to combat hazing, primarily under Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Understanding this framework is crucial for Odem families seeking accountability.

Texas Hazing Law (Plain-English Summary):

• Definition: Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of joining, affiliating with, or holding office in a school organization.
• Criminal Penalties: Ranges from a Class B misdemeanor to a State Jail Felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (§37.155) explicitly states that a victim’s “consent” is irrelevant.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 and lose university recognition.
• Good-Faith Reporting Immunity: Individuals who report hazing or call for medical help in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability for their own minor involvement (like underage drinking).

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office) to punish individuals with jail, fines, or probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: Brought by the victim or their family to seek financial compensation and institutional accountability. This is where we focus our practice, holding every responsible entity liable through claims of negligence, wrongful death, and negligent supervision.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, if it authorized or condoned the conduct.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority: Headquarters that collect dues, set policies, and often have prior knowledge of risky traditions.
4. The University: If it knew or should have known about the dangers and failed to act (though public universities like UT or Texas A&M have certain immunity hurdles).
5. Third Parties: Property owners, landlords, or alcohol providers.

The National Hazing Epidemic: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases making national news are not isolated. They reveal scripts that repeat across the country, including at Texas schools. Understanding these patterns helps prove “foreseeability”—that the organizations involved should have known the risks.

• The Alcohol Poisoning Script (Pi Kappa Alpha): Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State (2021) was forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event and died. This echoes similar “Big/Little” or bid acceptance nights everywhere.
• The Deadly Drinking Game (Phi Delta Theta): Max Gruver at LSU (2017) died during a “Bible study” game where wrong answers meant drinking. This led to Louisiana’ felony hazing “Max Gruver Act.”
• The Brutal Physical Ritual (Pi Delta Psi): Chun “Michael” Deng at Baruch College (2013) died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded “glass ceiling” tackling ritual during a retreat.
• The Catastrophic Non-Fatal Injury (Phi Gamma Delta): Danny Santulli at the University of Missouri (2021) suffered permanent brain damage from forced drinking, requiring 24/7 care for life.
• Athletic Program Abuse (Northwestern University): Widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the football program (2023-2025) shows this abuse extends far beyond Greek life.

These cases show common threads: forced consumption, delayed medical care, cover-ups, and organizations with prior warnings. They result in multi-million dollar settlements and new laws. For Odem families, they provide a roadmap and precedent for pursuing justice in Texas.

The Texas University Landscape: Where Odem Families Send Their Kids

Parents in Odem and San Patricio County often have children at a mix of local regional universities and major statewide hubs. The hazing risk exists across this spectrum.

For Odem Families: The Local & Regional Connection

While Odem itself is a tight-knit community, students commonly attend universities within the broader Coastal Bend and South Texas region, including:

• Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (Nueces County)
• Texas A&M University-Kingsville (Kleberg County)
• Del Mar College (Corpus Christi)
• Coastal Bend College

These campuses have active student organizations where hazing can occur. Furthermore, many Odem students head to powerhouse schools hours away, where Greek life and tradition are deeply entrenched.

The Major Texas Universities: In-Depth Analysis

University of Houston (UH)

UH is a major urban campus with a significant Greek system. The ongoing Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case is a stark example of severe hazing here. The alleged acts—from the degrading “fanny pack” to workouts causing kidney failure—show how hazing can escalate rapidly. UH has policies and reporting channels, but as this lawsuit alleges, systemic failures can occur. For a family in Odem, a case at UH would involve potential defendants in Harris County and national fraternity headquarters elsewhere, requiring a legal team with statewide reach and federal court experience.

Texas A&M University

The culture at Texas A&M in College Station is defined by deep tradition, including the Corps of Cadets and a massive Greek system. This environment can sometimes enable abuse under the guise of “tradition.”

• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges allegedly had industrial-strength cleaner poured on them, causing severe burns requiring skin grafts and a $1 million lawsuit.
  These cases show that hazing at A&M can involve both military-style discipline and Greek life rituals. For Odem families with children in the Corps or a fraternity, understanding this dual risk is critical.

University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin is notable for its relative transparency, maintaining a public online log of hazing violations. This log shows a pattern of recurring issues:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): Sanctioned for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
• Various Spirit Groups: Organizations like the Texas Wranglers have been disciplined for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
  This public record can be a powerful tool in litigation, proving the university had prior knowledge of specific dangerous practices within specific groups.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

These private institutions have their own distinct cultures and challenges. SMU’s affluent Greek life has seen suspensions, like the Kappa Alpha Order chapter penalized for paddling and forced drinking in 2017. Baylor, still navigating the aftermath of a major athletics scandal, has faced hazing issues within its baseball program. Pursuing cases against private universities involves different legal strategies than with public institutions.

The Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter

The fraternities and sororities on Texas campuses are chapters of national organizations. These nationals have long, documented histories of hazing incidents across the country. When a chapter at UH or Texas A&M repeats a dangerous “tradition,” it’s often a script written by decades of negligence elsewhere. This “pattern evidence” is crucial for holding national headquarters accountable.

Why National Histories Matter in Your Case:

1. Foreseeability: If Pi Kappa Alpha nationals knew about fatal “Big/Little” drinking events at Bowling Green, they should have known to prevent them at UH.
2. Negligent Supervision: Nationals that issue paper policies but fail to enforce them meaningfully can be liable.
3. Punitive Damages: Repeated, willful ignorance of known dangers can justify punishment beyond compensation.

A Sample of National Patterns:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): One of the deadliest fraternities historically, with multiple alcohol-poisoning deaths and lawsuits nationwide, including the recent chemical burns case at Texas A&M.
• Pi Kappa Alpha (“Pike”): The national organization has faced multi-million dollar settlements after deaths at Bowling Green (Stone Foltz) and Northern Illinois University.
• Phi Delta Theta: The death of Max Gruver at LSU led to felony hazing legislation and showed the dangers of organized drinking games.

For an Odem family, this means our investigation doesn’t stop at the local chapter house. We use our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine to trace liability to the national headquarters, their insurance carriers, and related alumni and housing corporations.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Entities Relevant to Odem & Texas Families

If you are a parent in Odem, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. Below is a sample of the public records we maintain—a fraction of over 1,423 Greek-related organizations tracked across 25 Texas metros. This data, sourced from IRS filings and commercial databases, helps us identify every entity that may hold insurance or responsibility.

The Corpus Christi Metro Area (Including Odem’s Region):
Our data shows 21 Greek organizations in the Corpus Christi metro area. These include local alumni chapters, honor societies, and housing corporations that support campus chapters. Examples from public records include:

• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – Iota Phi Chapter. EIN: 83-1418972. Corpus Christi, TX 78412.
• Phi Kappa Phi – TAMU Corpus Christi Chapter. An academic honor society chapter at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
• Sigma Chi Fraternity – Zeta Pi Chapter. EIN: 36-4091267 (associated with Texas A&M-Kingsville).

Major University Hubs Where Odem Students Attend:

• Texas A&M University System: Multiple housing corporations and alumni foundations, like the Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN: 46-2267515, Frisco, TX) and the Texas A&M Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Housing.
• University of Texas System: Entities like the Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi (EIN: 74-6047117, Austin, TX 78705) and the Texas Rho Housing Corporation (ΣAE) in Austin.
• University of Houston: Organizations like the Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN: 74-6084905, Houston, TX 77204).

This directory illustrates the complex network behind a simple set of Greek letters. When hazing occurs, we know how to find every legally responsible organization, from the local chapter to the national brand and its supporting entities. We maintain this intelligence so Odem families never start their fight for justice from zero.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Building a successful hazing case requires immediate, strategic action and deep investigative resources. Here is what the process entails.

Critical Evidence That Wins Cases:

1. Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, and Instagram DMs that plan, execute, or discuss the hazing. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages.
2. Photos & Videos: Content shot by participants, surveillance footage from houses, and social media posts.
3. Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, “tradition” lists, emails between members and nationals.
4. University Records: Prior disciplinary files on the organization, obtained through discovery or public records requests.
5. Medical Records: Documentation of injuries, hospitalization reports, toxicology screens, and psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
6. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and advisors.

The Damages Families Can Recover:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical bills, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and educational costs (like lost tuition).
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship, love, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of especially reckless or malicious conduct, courts can award additional damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Our role is to meticulously document the full scope of harm—both the immediate medical crisis and the lifelong impact—to build a case for full and fair compensation.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Odem Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme exhaustion, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight change.
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities (“I can’t talk about it”).
• Personality changes: withdrawal, anxiety, depression, or defensiveness.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Declining academic performance.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: If injured or intoxicated, seek medical care immediately.
2. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot all relevant messages and photograph injuries. Do not let them delete anything.
3. Document: Write down everything your child tells you, with dates and names.
4. Consult a Lawyer BEFORE Reporting: An attorney can guide you on how to report to the university or police without jeopardizing evidence or your rights. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.
5. Do Not: Confront the organization, sign university resolutions, or post on social media.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• Is This Hazing? If you feel coerced, unsafe, or humiliated to join or belong, it likely is. Trust your instincts.
• You Have a Right to Leave: You can quit any organization at any time. Your safety is more important than membership.
• How to Report Safely: You can report to campus police, the Dean of Students, or anonymously through national hotlines (1-888-NOT-HAZE). Texas law offers good-faith immunity for those who call for medical help.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots, photos, and notes. Our video on using your phone to document evidence can help.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Hazing Case

1. Deleting Messages: This destroys the most critical evidence and can look like a cover-up.
2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority First: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms: These often contain waivers that forfeit your right to sue.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense attorneys scour social media for inconsistencies.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses become hostile, and the Texas statute of limitations runs. Watch our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue the university in Texas?”
Yes, under specific legal theories. Public universities have certain immunities, but exceptions exist for gross negligence or Title IX violations. Private universities like SMU and Baylor can also be sued. The specific strategy depends on the facts of your case.

“My child ‘agreed’ to it. Do we have a case?”
Absolutely. Texas Education Code § 37.155 states consent is not a defense to hazing. The law recognizes that “consent” under peer pressure and coercion is not valid.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of injury. For wrongful death, it’s generally two years from the date of death. However, complexities can affect this deadline. Do not wait. Watch our video on this critical topic.

“Will our name be public?”
Most civil cases settle confidentially before trial. We always prioritize our clients’ privacy and can negotiate for sealed records and confidential settlement terms.

Why Attorney911 is the Right Firm for Odem Families Facing Hazing

When your family is in crisis, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the powerful institutions you’re up against and have a proven plan to defeat them. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) brings a unique combination of insider knowledge, complex litigation experience, and compassionate advocacy to hazing cases.

1. Insurance Insider Knowledge – Mr. Lupe Peña.
Mr. Peña (he/him) spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims, deny coverage, and employ delay tactics. This insider perspective is invaluable in maximizing your recovery and avoiding the traps insurers set.

2. Proven Experience Against Giant Institutions – Ralph Manginello.
Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys who litigated cases stemming from the BP Texas City refinery explosion—a catastrophic case against a billion-dollar defendant. Taking on national fraternities and major universities requires the same fearlessness, resources, and strategic depth. Our firm has it.

3. Dual Civil & Criminal Hazing Expertise.
Hazing often involves parallel criminal and civil proceedings. Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides. We can effectively advise clients navigating criminal investigations while aggressively pursuing civil accountability.

4. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine.
We don’t start from scratch. We maintain a proprietary database of over 1,423 Greek organizations in Texas, including their IRS filings, housing corporations, and national affiliations. We know how to trace liability from the local chapter to the national headquarters and their insurers.

5. A Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results.
We have recovered millions for clients in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We know how to work with economists and life-care planners to document the true, lifelong cost of an injury, ensuring settlements and verdicts reflect the real harm done.

6. Empathetic, Client-Centered Advocacy.
We know this is the most difficult time your family may ever face. We listen without judgment, fight tirelessly on your behalf, and are committed to achieving not just compensation, but also accountability and closure. Se habla Español.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your child and your family in Odem, Sinton, or anywhere in Texas, you do not have to navigate this alone. The institutions involved will have teams of lawyers. You deserve a team that fights just as hard for you.

We offer a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation. In this meeting, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have.
• Explain your legal options and the potential paths forward.
• Outline our investigative strategy.
• Answer your questions about the process, timeline, and costs.

We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases: you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 Today:

• 24/7 Toll-Free: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Se habla Español.

Let us help you protect your child’s future and hold the responsible parties accountable. Call now.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston Report: 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: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational 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 a Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Main Firm Website:

• Attorney911: 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