Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Legal Guide for O’Donnell Families

If you are a parent in O’Donnell, your worst fear might be getting a call that your child is hurt at college. Imagine a student from Lynn County, excited about joining a campus organization for friendship and opportunity. Instead, they find themselves at an off-campus house, being forced to drink dangerous amounts of alcohol, endure humiliating acts, or complete extreme physical tasks until their body fails. Others are filming, chanting, but no one calls for help, paralyzed by fear of getting the group in trouble. This is not a hypothetical horror story. It is happening right now at Texas universities, and O’Donnell families have the right to understand the reality of hazing, the law that protects their children, and the path to accountability.

This guide is written specifically for parents and families in O’Donnell, Lynn County, and across West Texas. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the robust Texas laws designed to combat it, and the sobering national cases that shape today’s legal landscape. We will focus on the universities where O’Donnell families often send their children—from Texas Tech University in Lubbock to major hubs like Texas A&M, UT Austin, and the University of Houston. Most importantly, we will detail the legal options available to hold responsible parties accountable, guided by our ongoing experience in one of the state’s most serious active hazing cases.

If you are in crisis right now: If your child is in immediate danger, call 911. Then, call us at 1-888-ATTY-911. We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.

In the first 48 hours:

• Get Medical Attention: Prioritize health. Even if injuries seem minor, internal damage like kidney failure may not be immediately apparent.
• Preserve Evidence: Screenshot group chats (GroupMe, texts), photograph injuries, save any physical items. Do not delete anything.
• Document Everything: Write down names, dates, locations, and what happened while memories are fresh.
• Do Not:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or university directly.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
  • Post details on public social media.
  • Allow your child to “clean up” or delete digital evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24-48 hours. Evidence vanishes quickly. We can help secure it and protect your family’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing is not just “boys will be boys” or harmless tradition. In Texas, it is a crime. Modern hazing is a calculated abuse of power that exploits a young person’s desire for belonging. It can be physical, psychological, or digital, but its core is always coercion.

For O’Donnell families, understanding the full spectrum is critical. It goes far beyond forced drinking. Here is what hazing really looks like today:

Alcohol & Substance Hazing: This remains the most common and deadly form. It includes forced consumption during “lineups,” “Big/Little” nights, or drinking games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mandate drinks. The goal is often rapid intoxication to the point of illness or unconsciousness.

Physical Hazing: This involves bodily harm or the threat of harm. It includes paddling or beatings, extreme calisthenics called “smokings” (hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits until collapse), sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements. A severe and recognized medical injury from this is rhabdomyolysis—severe muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure, as seen in recent cases.

Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, wearing degrading costumes, or acts with racist, sexist, or homophobic overtones designed to strip away dignity.

Psychological Hazing: This involves verbal abuse, threats, isolation from friends and family, forced confessions, and public shaming. The mental trauma can be as debilitating as physical injury.

Digital Hazing: The modern frontier. Pledges are controlled via 24/7 group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), required to share live locations, forced to post embarrassing content on social media, or subjected to cyber-harassment. Digital evidence, however, is often the key to proving the case.

Hazing is not confined to fraternities. It occurs in sororities, athletic teams, Corps of Cadets programs, spirit groups like cheer and dance, marching bands, and other campus clubs. The common thread is a power imbalance where new members are subjected to abuse by those in authority to “earn” their place.

Texas Law & Legal Liability: The Framework for Justice

Texas has some of the nation’s clearest anti-hazing statutes, providing a powerful tool for families seeking justice. Our laws recognize the profound harm hazing causes.

The Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization, that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student.

Key Provisions for O’Donnell Families:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes injury and a State Jail Felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas Education Code § 37.155 states unequivocally that a victim’s “consent” to the activity is not a defense against hazing charges. The law understands the coercive power of peer pressure.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: The law protects those who report hazing in good faith or call for medical help, a critical provision to encourage life-saving action.

Civil Lawsuits vs. Criminal Charges

It is vital to understand the two parallel paths to accountability:

• Criminal Case: Brought by the state (DA or County Attorney). Aim is punishment: jail time, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to a minor, or manslaughter.
• Civil Lawsuit: Brought by the victim and their family. Aim is compensation for harms and institutional accountability. This is where we help families recover damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost education, and future care.

These cases can proceed simultaneously. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil suit, and a civil lawsuit can uncover evidence critical to a criminal prosecution.

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

Federal law adds another layer of potential accountability and reporting requirements:

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based discrimination, the university has a legal duty to investigate and address it.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including assaults and liquor law violations, which often accompany hazing incidents.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs, increasing transparency nationally.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

In a civil hazing lawsuit, multiple parties may share responsibility, which is crucial for ensuring full compensation and reform:

1. Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, carried out, or oversaw the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, it can be sued for creating a dangerous environment.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority: Headquarters can be liable for negligent supervision, failing to enforce their own policies, or having knowledge of prior dangerous patterns at other chapters.
4. The University: Schools can be liable for negligent supervision if they knew or should have known about a dangerous culture and failed to act. Public universities like Texas Tech or Texas A&M have certain immunities, but exceptions exist for gross negligence.
5. Third Parties: Property owners of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol, or security companies that failed in their duty.

A Case in Point: The Active Lawsuit Against University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

Right now, in Harris County, we are leading the litigation in a case that exemplifies the severe, modern reality of hazing. This is not an abstract example; it is our current work, and it shows the depth of investigation and legal strategy required.

We represent Leonel Bermudez, a former pledge of the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at the University of Houston. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit. The details, as reported by Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline, are chilling:

The Hazing Conduct: Pledges were subjected to a regime of humiliation and violence. This included a mandatory “pledge fanny pack” filled with condoms, sex toys, and nicotine devices. They endured enforced dress codes, overnight driving duties, and hours-long “study” blocks. The physical abuse included sprints, bear crawls, “save-your-brother” drills, and being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” In one ritual, pledges were forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediately forced to sprint. On November 3, 2025, Mr. Bermudez was forced through over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

The Medical Catastrophe: This abuse led to rhabdomyolysis—severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. Mr. Bermudez passed brown urine, could not stand, and was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels. He faces an ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

The Institutional Response & Defendants: The lawsuit names a full universe of defendants: the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the chapter’s housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders (president, pledgemaster, risk manager, etc.). After reports surfaced, Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended the chapter on November 6, and members voted to surrender their charter on November 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary action and cooperation with law enforcement.

This case is the flagship proof of our active, serious hazing litigation in Texas. It demonstrates our commitment to uncovering every layer of responsibility, from the individual members to the national organizations that fail to control them.

The Greek Ecosystem Relevant to O’Donnell & West Texas Families

To hold organizations accountable, you must first understand them. Using public records and our proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain a detailed directory of Greek-life entities across the state. This investigative depth means we don’t start from zero when an O’Donnell family calls us.

Campuses Where O’Donnell Families Send Their Students

Parents in O’Donnell and Lynn County typically have students at a mix of regional and major state universities:

• Regional/ Local Campuses: Texas Tech University (Lubbock), West Texas A&M University (Canyon), South Plains College (Levelland), and Lubbock Christian University.
• Major Texas Hubs: Many students also attend Texas A&M University (College Station), University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston, Baylor University (Waco), and Texas State University (San Marcos).

Public Records Directory: Greek Organizations in the Lubbock Metro & Beyond

The following are examples of the types of Greek organizations recorded in public filings (IRS B83, Cause IQ) that operate in the Lubbock metro area and across Texas. This is the kind of data we use to identify all potentially liable entities behind a chapter’s letters.

In the Lubbock Metro Area & West Texas:

• Epsilon Nu Housing Corporation (EIN: 237359384), Lubbock, TX 79401. A housing corporation for a Greek chapter.
• Alpha Omega Epsilon-Beta Alpha Chapter (EIN: 473967233), Lubbock, TX 79416. A Greek-letter sorority chapter.
• TKE OP Housing (EIN: 475033161), Lubbock, TX 79423. A fraternity housing entity.
• Gamma Phi House Corporation of Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity (EIN: 751283953), Lubbock, TX 79423. A sorority house corporation.
• Farm House Fraternity Inc. (EIN: 751565336), Lubbock, TX 79416. The Texas Tech University chapter of this fraternity.
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (EIN: 820644459), Lubbock, TX 79430. The chapter at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
• Frank Heflin Foundation (EIN: 203507402), Canyon, TX 79015. A foundation with ties to Phi Delta Theta alumni.
• Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association (EIN: 752290669), Amarillo, TX 79118. A Chi Omega chapter housing entity.
• Phi Delta Theta Fraternity – Texas Theta Chapter (Canyon, TX). The West Texas A&M University chapter.

Major Statewide Hubs (Examples from IRS Filings):

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc. (EIN: 462267515), Frisco, TX 75035. The housing corp for the now-closed UH chapter.
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc. (EIN: 741380362), Fort Worth, TX 76147.
• Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi (EIN: 746047117), Austin, TX 78705.
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN: 746084905), Houston, TX 77204.
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (EIN: 900293166), College Station, TX 77843. The Texas A&M University chapter.

This data, drawn from public records, illustrates the complex network of legally distinct entities—house corporations, alumni chapters, educational foundations—that stand behind every campus chapter. When investigating a hazing case, we trace responsibility through this entire network to ensure no liable party escapes accountability.

National Patterns: Why History Repeats Itself

The tragic case at UH is part of a national pattern. Major fraternities have long histories of similar incidents, which becomes powerful evidence in court. It shows these national organizations were on notice that their “traditions” were deadly.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Stone Foltz died at Bowling Green State in 2021 from forced alcohol consumption; his family reached a $10 million settlement. David Bogenberger died at Northern Illinois in 2012; a $14 million settlement followed.
• Beta Theta Pi: Timothy Piazza died at Penn State in 2017 after a bid-acceptance night; his death led to Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
• Phi Delta Theta: Max Gruver died at LSU in 2017 from alcohol poisoning during a “Bible study” game, leading to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Has faced numerous lawsuits, including a traumatic brain injury case at Alabama and a chemical burns case at Texas A&M where pledges were doused with industrial cleaner.
• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI): Danny Santulli suffered permanent brain damage at the University of Missouri in 2021 after forced drinking; his family settled with 22 defendants.

For O’Donnell families, this history is not just a news story. It is pattern evidence. When a national fraternity’s chapter at Texas Tech or Texas A&M engages in the same forced drinking that killed someone at another school, it proves the national organization knew the risk and failed to prevent it. This foreseeability is central to proving negligence and securing meaningful compensation.

Building a Powerful Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages

Winning a hazing case requires a meticulous, data-driven strategy from day one. At Attorney911, we leverage our experience from complex litigation against billion-dollar corporations to build unassailable cases for families.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

Modern hazing leaves a digital trail. Our investigation focuses on:

1. Digital Communications: Preserving group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), social media DMs, and emails that show planning, coercion, and boasting about events.
2. Photos & Videos: Content filmed by participants often provides the most damning evidence.
3. Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, membership rosters, and communications with national headquarters.
4. University Records: Prior disciplinary files on the same chapter, obtained through discovery or public records requests, show a pattern the school knew about.
5. Medical Records: Documenting the direct physical and psychological harm, from ER reports to diagnoses of PTSD or rhabdomyolysis.
6. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders.

We act swiftly to preserve this evidence before it is deleted, using digital forensics when necessary. As shown in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, concrete details—the “pledge fanny pack,” the specific workouts, the brown urine—make the case real and compelling to a judge or jury.

The Damages Families Can Recover

Hazing causes profound, lifelong harm. Civil lawsuits seek to compensate for:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical bills, costs of therapy, lost tuition from withdrawn semesters, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, and PTSD.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the ultimate tragedy, families can recover funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of love, companionship, and guidance.

Overcoming Institutional Defenses

We anticipate and dismantle the common defenses used by universities and national fraternities:

• “The Pledge Consented”: Texas law explicitly rejects this. We demonstrate the coercive environment and power imbalance.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We subpoena national records to show prior incidents and lax enforcement of anti-hazing policies, proving foreseeability.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: Liability is based on control and knowledge, not just location. National orgs and universities that sponsor chapters remain responsible.
• “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”: We show the gap between paper policies and actual enforcement, arguing negligent supervision.

Our insider knowledge is key. Mr. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for large companies. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny claims, lowball settlements, and fight in court. We use that knowledge to our clients’ advantage.

A Practical Guide for O’Donnell Parents & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Immediate Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, strains).
• Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation.
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities.
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Financial stress from unexplained “fines” or purchases.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Openly: Ask non-confrontational questions. “What does a typical week as a new member look like?” “Is there anything that has made you uncomfortable?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there is immediate danger, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Gently encourage your child to save, not delete, any messages or photos.
4. Seek Medical Care: A medical evaluation documents harm and can reveal internal injuries.
5. Consult a Lawyer Before Reporting: Contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911. We can advise on how to report to the university or police in a way that protects your child’s rights and preserves evidence.

For Students: Your Rights & Safety

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No “tradition” justifies abuse.
• “Consent” is Not a Defense in Texas: You cannot legally agree to be hazed.
• Good-Faith Reporter Protections: Texas law and most university policies protect those who call for medical help in an emergency, even if underage drinking was involved.
• How to Exit Safely: You can quit at any time. Send a clear written resignation. If you fear retaliation, notify the Dean of Students and campus police, and document any threats.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

1. Deleting Digital Evidence: Screenshots and chats are crucial. Do not “clean up” your phone.
2. Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
3. Signing University Offers Without Counsel: Universities may offer quick, low-value resolutions that waive your right to sue.
4. Posting on Social Media: Public posts can be used by defense attorneys to contradict your case.
5. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, and the two-year statute of limitations in Texas continues to tick.

Why Attorney911 is the Right Firm for O’Donnell Families Facing Hazing

When your family is in crisis, you need advocates who combine deep legal expertise with a genuine understanding of Texas values. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), we bring a unique set of strengths to hazing litigation, forged over decades of complex Texas courtroom battles.

Our Proven Experience Against Powerful Institutions: Managing Partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We have faced billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets and won. National fraternities and major universities deploy the same defense tactics, and we are not intimidated. We are prepared to take your case to trial if necessary to achieve justice.

Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years on the other side, as a defense attorney for national insurance companies. He knows their exact strategies for denying claims, delaying proceedings, and undervaluing injuries. This insider knowledge is invaluable when negotiating with the insurers that represent fraternities and universities. Mr. Peña also provides fluent Spanish-language legal services, ensuring all Texas families have access to expert counsel.

A Data-Driven, Investigative Approach: We don’t just take a statement. We deploy our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—built from thousands of public records on Greek organizations—to map the full network of liability. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages, medical experts to document long-term harm, and economists to calculate true lifelong costs. Our investigation in the ongoing UH Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates this comprehensive approach.

Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Mr. Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of a hazing case. We can effectively advise families when criminal charges are pending, protect witnesses, and navigate the interplay between civil and criminal courts.

We Serve Families Across Texas, Including O’Donnell: Based in Houston with offices in Austin and Beaumont, we represent families throughout the state. We understand the communities of West Texas and the specific dynamics at campuses like Texas Tech. We are committed to helping O’Donnell families navigate this difficult journey with compassion, discretion, and relentless dedication.

Your Next Step: A Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you do not have to navigate this alone. The path to accountability begins with a conversation.

We offer a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation to every family that contacts us. In this meeting, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Discuss the realistic process, timelines, and potential outcomes.
• Answer all your questions about our firm and how we work.

We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 Today:

• Call our 24/7 line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
• Website: https://attorney911.com

Se habla Español. Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for assistance in Spanish.

For the parents in O’Donnell, Lynn County, and across the South Plains: your child’s safety and future matter. When institutions fail to protect them, the law provides a path to justice. Let us help you walk it.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and law. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.