Texas Hazing Law Guide: A Port Arthur Family’s Complete Resource for Greek Life, Corps, and Campus Injury Cases

If Your Child Was Hurt in a Fraternity, Sorority, or Campus Organization, You’re Not Alone

A nightmare begins with a phone call no parent in Port Arthur should ever receive. Your child—maybe at Lamar University, maybe at Texas A&M, maybe at the University of Houston—sounds different. Tired, evasive, maybe injured. They mention “mandatory” events at odd hours, pressure to drink, humiliating tasks. Or worse: you get a call from a hospital. Your child has been hospitalized with severe dehydration, alcohol poisoning, or worse—rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure—after extreme “workouts” required by their fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or campus organization.

This isn’t just hazing. This is institutional failure. And right now, in Texas, we’re fighting one of the most serious cases in the country.

Right now, our firm represents Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 fraternity leaders. As detailed in the Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case, Bermudez’s fall 2025 pledge period allegedly involved forced humiliation, violence, and sleep deprivation that culminated in rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, and a four-day hospitalization. The ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit details how he was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and made to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting. This is happening right here in Texas.

If you’re a parent in Port Arthur, Nederland, Groves, or anywhere in Jefferson County and the Beaumont-Port Arthur metro, this guide is for you. We’ll explain exactly what hazing looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, what’s happening at Texas campuses where Port Arthur families send their children, and what legal options you have when institutions fail to protect students.

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 (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
Universities move quickly to control the narrative
We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like at Texas Campuses

Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or harmless tradition. For Port Arthur families with children at Lamar University, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or other Texas schools, understanding modern hazing is critical.

Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing means any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Under Texas law, “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance.

Main Categories of Hazing Affecting Texas Students

Alcohol and Substance Hazing

Forced or coerced drinking during “Big/Little” nights, bid acceptance parties
Chugging challenges, “lineups,” drinking games with wrong-answer penalties
Being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances

Physical Hazing

Extreme calisthenics, “workouts,” or “smokings” far beyond normal conditioning – exactly what hospitalized Leonel Bermudez at UH
Paddling and beatings (still occurring despite national bans)
Sleep deprivation, food/water deprivation
Exposure to extreme cold/heat or dangerous environments

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

Forced nudity or partial nudity
Simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes
Acts with racial or sexist overtones, slurs, or role-play

Psychological Hazing

Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members
Manipulation or forced confessions
Public shaming in meetings or group chats

Digital/Online Hazing

Group chat dares on GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord
Pressure to create or share compromising images/videos on Snapchat, Instagram
24/7 availability demands with punishment for delayed responses

Where Hazing Actually Happens in Texas

Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural groups)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC / military-style groups (particularly at Texas A&M)
Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer, etc.)
Spirit squads and tradition clubs
Marching bands and performance groups

For Port Arthur families, this means your child could be at risk in multiple campus organizations, not just Greek life.

Texas Hazing Law: What Port Arthur Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws protecting students from hazing. Understanding these laws is the first step toward accountability.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F (Hazing)

Definition (Plain English):
If someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they meant to do it or were reckless about the risk, that’s hazing under Texas law. Key points:

Can happen on or off campus (location doesn’t matter)
Can be mental or physical harm
“Consent” is not a defense: Even if your child agreed, it’s still hazing if it meets the definition

Criminal Penalties:

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death

Organizational Liability:
Fraternities, sororities, clubs, and teams can be criminally prosecuted and face fines up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing or if officers knew and failed to report it.

Criminal vs Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (prosecutor)
Aim: punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: monetary compensation and accountability
Focus on: negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress

Both types can run side-by-side, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many families in cases like Leonel Bermudez’s pursue civil action to cover medical expenses, ongoing care, and hold institutions accountable.

Federal Laws Protecting Texas Students

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents transparently and strengthen prevention (phased in by 2026)
Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered
Clery Act: Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing often overlaps with assault or alcohol crimes

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Can Learn

Major national cases show predictable patterns. Texas families should understand these precedents.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking; severe falls captured on chapter cameras; hours delayed before medical help; dozens of criminal charges; new Pennsylvania anti-hazing law.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): “Bible study” drinking game; forced to drink when answering questions incorrectly; death led to Max Gruver Act felony hazing law in Louisiana.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey; died from alcohol poisoning; $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU).

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Pledge subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat; fatal head injuries; help delayed; fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University football (2023–2025): Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within football program; multiple lawsuits; head coach fired; confidential settlements.

What These Cases Mean for Port Arthur Families

Common threads: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups. These national precedents shape how Texas courts view hazing cases and demonstrate that institutions can be held accountable.

Texas Focus: Where Port Arthur Families Send Their Children

Port Arthur families have deep connections to Texas universities. Understanding hazing risks at these institutions is crucial.

Lamar University: Your Local Campus

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Lamar University, located right in Beaumont, serves many Port Arthur and Jefferson County students. With active Greek life, athletic programs, and student organizations, Lamar represents the most immediate campus concern for local families.

Documented Greek Organizations at Lamar:
Based on public records and campus rosters, Lamar hosts multiple Greek organizations including:

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Mu Epsilon Chapter (undergrad chapter)
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Alpha Psi Sigma (alumnae chapter)
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Lambda Lambda Chapter (founded 2018)
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Alumni (alumni association)
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Beaumont Alumni (graduate chapter)
Alpha Kappa Psi – Kappa Tau Chapter (business fraternity)

How a Lamar Hazing Case Might Proceed:

Involved agencies: Lamar University Police Department and/or Beaumont Police Department
Civil suits filed in Jefferson County courts
Potential defendants: individual students, local chapter, national fraternity/sorority, Lamar University, property owners

Texas A&M University: A Major Destination for Southeast Texas Students

Corps of Cadets Culture:
Many Port Arthur students join Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets, a tradition-heavy, military-style environment with reported discipline and risk. The Corps has faced hazing allegations, including a 2023 lawsuit where a cadet alleged being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):
Pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring emergency skin grafts; fraternity suspended; lawsuits filed.

What A&M Families Should Do:

Report to Student Conduct Office and Corps leadership if applicable
Document everything – A&M handles many cases internally first
Understand that both Greek life and Corps traditions can involve hazing

University of Houston: The Bermudez Case Campus

Current Active Case – Leonel Bermudez:
As we’re handling right now, the UH Pi Kappa Phi case involves:

Multiple hazing locations: Pi Kappa Phi house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park
“Pledge fanny pack” humiliation rules
Extreme physical hazing leading to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
Chapter suspended Nov. 6, 2025, charter surrendered Nov. 14, 2025

UH’s Greek Ecosystem:
UH hosts numerous fraternities and sororities, including the now-closed Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. Other organizations with presence include Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and multiple National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations.

University of Texas at Austin & Other Texas Campuses

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page:
UT maintains relatively transparent hazing records. Example entries include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation
Various spirit organizations sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing

For Port Arthur Families at UT:

UTPD and Austin PD may have jurisdiction depending on location
UT’s public violation log can support civil suits by showing patterns
Distance from Port Arthur doesn’t eliminate legal options

The Greek Ecosystem Around Port Arthur: Public Records Reality

For Port Arthur families, understanding who stands behind Greek letters is critical. We maintain what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine – a comprehensive database of Greek organizations across Texas.

Beaumont-Port Arthur Metro Greek Organizations (From Public Records)

The Beaumont-Port Arthur metro area hosts numerous Greek organizations serving Lamar University and the surrounding community:

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Mu Epsilon Chapter

Undergraduate chapter at Lamar University
Recorded in public filings serving Beaumont

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Alpha Psi Sigma

Alumnae chapter in Beaumont
Supports local members and campus activities

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Lamar University Chapter

Academic honor society at Lamar
EIN: 263170920 (Denton, TX but serving Lamar)

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Beaumont Alumnae

Graduate chapter serving Beaumont area
Active in community and campus events

Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Alumni

Alumni association for Lamar University Pi Kappa Alpha
Maintains connections with undergraduate chapter

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Beaumont Alumni

Graduate chapter in Beaumont
EIN: 237279532 (Prairie View, TX but serving Beaumont)

Alpha Delta Kappa – Texas Gamma Upsilon

Teachers’ sorority chapter in Vidor
EIN: 812724215 (McAllen, TX but operating in Vidor)

Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Lambda Lambda Chapter

Undergraduate chapter at Lamar University (founded 2018)
Active campus presence

Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Mu Upsilon Chapter

Educators’ society chapter in Silsbee
Professional organization with local members

Psi Chi – Lamar University Chapter

Psychology honor society at Lamar
Academic recognition organization

Texas-Wide Greek Organization Snapshot

Statewide, our data tracks 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros. This includes:

125 Texas-registered entities in IRS B83 filings (fraternities, sororities, housing corporations)
96 Texas university campuses with Greek life presence
129 named organizations across 15 metros in Cause IQ data
36 cross-validated brand overlaps between IRS and metro data

For Port Arthur families, this means we can identify exactly which organizations are connected to your child’s campus group, including their legal names, EINs, and addresses.

Major National Brands Present in Texas

These same national organizations appear at campuses across Texas:

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ):

National hazing history: Stone Foltz death (BGSU), David Bogenberger death (NIU)
Present at: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, Lamar University

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ):

National hazing history: Multiple deaths, chemical burns case at Texas A&M
Present at: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

National hazing history: Andrew Coffey death (FSU) PLUS current UH case we’re handling
Present at: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

National hazing history: Max Gruver death (LSU)
Present at: Texas A&M, Baylor, other Texas campuses

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

When institutions fail Port Arthur families, building a strong case requires specific expertise.

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

Digital Communications:

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord conversations
Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok content
Even deleted messages can often be recovered through digital forensics

Photos & Videos:

Content filmed by members during events
Security camera or doorbell footage at houses and venues
Our video on using your phone to document evidence explains best practices

Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, ritual “traditions”
Emails/texts from officers about activities
National policies and training materials (often showing they knew risks)

University Records:

Prior conduct files, probation/suspension records
Incident reports to campus police
Clery Act reports and similar disclosures

Medical Records:

Emergency room and hospitalization records
Toxicology reports (blood alcohol levels, drug panels)
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses)

Damages in Hazing Cases: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment)
Future medical care (therapy, medications, long-term care for injuries like Bermudez’s kidney damage)
Lost earnings/educational impact (missed semesters, delayed graduation)
Lost earning capacity if injuries cause permanent disability

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families):

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of companionship and support
Emotional harm to parents and siblings

Punitive Damages (When Available):

To punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
Available when defendants ignore prior warnings or show callous indifference

How We Approach Hazing Cases Differently

Insurance Insider Knowledge:
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
Use delay tactics to pressure families
Fight coverage under “intentional act” exclusions
We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience:
Ralph Manginello’s experience with BP Texas City explosion litigation means we’re not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams. We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and understand how to investigate institutional knowledge and cover-ups.

Dual Criminal/Civil Capability:
With Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), we understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure.

Practical Guide for Port Arthur Parents, Students & Witnesses

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries
Extreme fatigue, exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family, old friends, or non-group activities
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring, anxiety when phone buzzes
Grades dropping suddenly, missing classes for “mandatory” events

How to Talk to Your Child:

Ask open questions: “How are things going with [organization]? Are they respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
Listen without judgment if they open up
If they shut down, don’t force it but monitor closely

If Your Child Is Hurt:

Get medical attention immediately
Document everything (photos of injuries, screenshot texts, write down what they tell you)
Save names, dates, locations
Do NOT let them delete messages or “clean up” evidence
Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24-48 hours

For Students: Your Rights & Safety

Is This Hazing or Just Tradition?
If you feel unsafe, humiliated, or coerced; if you’re forced to drink or endure pain; if the activity is hidden from the public or administrators — it probably is hazing.

Exiting Safely:

You have the legal right to leave at any time
Tell someone outside the org first (parent, RA, friend)
Send an email/text to chapter leadership: “I am resigning my membership effective immediately”
Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where they might pressure or retaliate

Good-Faith Reporting Protections:
Texas law and most university policies protect students who report hazing or call for help in emergencies, even if they were involved or underage drinking occurred.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Letting Evidence Disappear:
When parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction of justice
What to do: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

Confronting the Organization Directly:
When parents think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
What to do: Document everything, then call a lawyer before any confrontation

Signing University “Resolution” Forms:
When universities pressure families to sign waivers or internal agreements
Why it’s wrong: You may waive your right to sue; settlements are often far below case value
What to do: Do NOT sign anything without an attorney reviewing it first

Waiting “To See How the University Handles It”:
When universities promise: “We’re investigating; let us handle this internally”
Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute of limitations runs
What to do: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

Why Attorney911 for Port Arthur Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing case, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña):
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims, their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Institutional Litigation (Ralph Manginello):
One of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation, Ralph has federal court experience and isn’t intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams. We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won.

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:
We maintain a comprehensive database of 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. When we take your case, we don’t start from zero—we already know the organizations, their EINs, their addresses, and their histories.

Proven Results in Serious Injury Cases:

Multi-million dollar settlements in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases
Experience with economist collaboration for lifetime care valuation
Digital forensics capability for recovering deleted messages and evidence

Dual Criminal/Civil Capability:
With Ralph’s HCCLA membership, we understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure.

We Serve Families Throughout Texas, Including Port Arthur

While based in Houston, we serve families across Texas—including Port Arthur, Nederland, Groves, and throughout Jefferson County. We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families throughout our region, and we’re committed to holding institutions accountable no matter where they’re located.

Spanish-Language Services Available

Hablamos Español. Mr. Lupe Peña speaks fluent Spanish and can provide consultations and representation in Spanish for Hispanic families affected by hazing.

Your Next Steps: Contact Attorney911 Today

If you or your child experienced hazing at Lamar University, Texas A&M, UT Austin, UH, or any Texas campus, we want to hear from you. Families in Port Arthur, Nederland, Groves, and throughout Jefferson County have the right to answers and accountability.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

We’ll listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
Answer your questions about costs (contingency fee – we don’t get paid unless we win)
No pressure to hire us on the spot – take time to decide
Everything you tell us is confidential

Contact Attorney911 Now:

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
Spanish Services: Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com

Whether you’re in Port Arthur or anywhere across Southeast Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Call us today for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Current UH Case:

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

Evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
Contingency fees explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Website & Contact:

Main website: https://attorney911.com
Contact page: https://attorney911.com/contact/
Ralph Manginello profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
Lupe Peña profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

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