Texas Hazing Lawsuits: A Complete Guide for Families in Mesquite and Across Texas

When the Dream of College Turns Dangerous: A Message to Mesquite Parents

Your child worked hard through high school in Mesquite. You supported them through applications, celebrated their acceptance to a Texas university, and helped them move into their dorm with pride and hope. Now, your phone rings late at night. Their voice is shaky. They’re talking about “mandatory” events, unexplained injuries, or overwhelming fear of letting their new “brothers” or “sisters” down. The college experience you envisioned has become a parent’s nightmare.

Right now, just a few hours south of Mesquite in Harris County, our firm is actively litigating 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, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The allegations are severe: forced consumption of food until vomiting, extreme physical workouts that caused rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, sleep deprivation, humiliation with “pledge fanny packs” containing degrading items, and spraying with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” After being hospitalized for four days with brown urine and critically elevated creatine kinase levels, our client faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

This is not an isolated incident from another state. This is happening right now in Texas, at a major public university, to a student whose family trusted the system. If your child attends any Texas campus—whether the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other school—they could be facing similar dangers disguised as “tradition” or “team building.”

This comprehensive guide explains what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, what we’ve learned from national tragedies, and what specific risks exist at major Texas universities. We’ve written this specifically for families in Mesquite, across Dallas County, and throughout the DFW Metroplex who need answers and accountability when hazing shatters the college dream.

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 for Mesquite Families

Beyond the Stereotypes: Modern Hazing Tactics

For parents in Mesquite whose understanding of Greek life might come from movies or older stories, today’s hazing has evolved into more sophisticated, digitally-enabled abuse. What was once overt physical punishment has often transformed into psychological manipulation, coerced “consent,” and activities disguised as legitimate team building.

Hazing in 2025 is 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. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing.

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and most dangerous form. It includes forced or coerced drinking games like “lineups,” “century club” (100 shots of beer), “Bible study” where wrong answers mean drinking, and “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor. The Pi Kappa Phi case at UH involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting. For Mesquite parents, the danger signs include unexplained alcohol poisoning, secretive drinking, or sudden changes in alcohol tolerance.

2. Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, this now includes extreme calisthenics disguised as “workouts” – like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in the UH case that caused rhabdomyolysis. Sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions,” food/water restriction, exposure to extreme temperatures, and dangerous physical tests are common. At Texas A&M, Sigma Alpha Epsilon pledges suffered severe chemical burns from industrial cleaner.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walks,” “roasted pig” positions), degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. The Texas A&M Corps “roasted pig” case involved cadets being bound between beds with apples in their mouths. For Mesquite families, sudden changes in body image, secretiveness about social media, or unexplained trauma may signal this type of abuse.

4. Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members, manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming in meetings or group chats. This creates psychological dependence that makes leaving seem impossible. Mesquite parents might notice their child withdrawing from family, showing anxiety about phone notifications, or expressing fear about “letting the chapter down.”

5. Digital/Online Hazing
This is where hazing has evolved most dramatically. Group chat dares on GroupMe or Discord, “challenges” shared on Instagram or TikTok, pressure to create compromising content, location tracking through apps, and 24/7 availability demands. The evidence from these digital platforms has become crucial in modern hazing cases, which is why immediate screenshot preservation is vital.

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

Hazing is not limited to fraternities. Mesquite families should be aware that it occurs in:

Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M and other military-style groups
Spirit squads and tradition clubs (Texas Cowboys, Aggie Bonfire crew historically)
Athletic teams at all levels
Marching bands and performance groups
Some academic, service, and cultural organizations

The common thread across all these groups is social status, tradition, and secrecy. These elements keep dangerous practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal. For Mesquite students attending Texas schools, the pressure to belong can override safety concerns.

Texas Hazing Law: What Mesquite Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37: The Foundation

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in the Education Code that govern cases involving Mesquite families and students across the state. The law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

For Mesquite parents, this means location doesn’t matter – hazing at an off-campus house in College Station or a retreat in the Hill Country is still illegal. The law recognizes that “reckless” conduct – knowing the risk but proceeding anyway – is enough to constitute hazing, even without malicious intent.

Criminal Penalties Under Texas Law

The severity of criminal charges depends on the harm caused:

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

Additional criminal provisions:

Failing to report hazing if you’re a member or officer who knew about it: misdemeanor
Retaliating against someone who reports hazing: misdemeanor

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, the severe injuries – rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure requiring hospitalization – could potentially support felony-level charges if criminal prosecution proceeds.

Organizational Liability – Holding Systems Accountable

Texas law allows organizations themselves to be prosecuted if:

The organization authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
An officer or member acting in official capacity knew about hazing and failed to report it

Penalties for organizations include fines up to $10,000 per violation and potential revocation of university recognition. This is crucial for Mesquite families to understand – both individual students AND the organizations can be held accountable.

Critical Protections for Reporting

Texas law provides immunity for good-faith reporting, meaning a person who reports hazing to university or law enforcement is protected from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result. Many Texas universities also provide amnesty for students who call 911 in medical emergencies, even if they were drinking underage.

For Mesquite students caught in hazing situations, this protection is vital but often unknown. The fear of “getting in trouble” or “getting the chapter shut down” causes dangerous delays in seeking medical help.

Consent Is Not a Defense

Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the hazing activity.” This legal principle recognizes that “consent” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent. It directly rebuts the most common defense fraternities and universities try to use.

Texas Compared to Other States

While Texas has strong anti-hazing laws, other states have enacted even stronger measures following tragedies:

Pennsylvania (Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law): Enhanced penalties and felony provisions
Louisiana (Max Gruver Act): Felony hazing statute with serious prison time
Ohio (Collin’s Law): Hazing becomes felony when drugs/alcohol cause physical harm
Florida (Chad Meredith Law): Criminalized hazing after drowning death

The ongoing UH Pi Kappa Phi case could potentially drive similar legislative enhancements in Texas, possibly creating a “Leonel Bermudez Act” to strengthen protections.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns Every Mesquite Family Should Recognize

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
The bid-acceptance event with extreme drinking, security camera footage showing severe falls, and hours of delayed medical help resulted in one of the largest hazing prosecutions in U.S. history. The case produced the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania and demonstrated how fraternity culture prioritizes secrecy over safety. For Mesquite families, the lesson is clear: when alcohol is involved, minutes matter. Delayed medical care transforms preventable tragedies into fatalities.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
The “Big/Little” night where a pledge was forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey resulted in a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). The chapter president was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million. This case shows that universities and national organizations face massive liability, and individual leaders can be held personally accountable – a crucial precedent for Texas cases.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
The “Bible study” drinking game that killed a pledge led to the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, creating felony hazing charges. The case demonstrated how seemingly “educational” activities can be deadly and how legislative change often follows public outrage with clear evidence.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
The blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat resulted in fatal head injuries, delayed medical care, and the national fraternity being banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. This case proved that off-campus locations don’t eliminate liability and that national organizations can face severe sanctions beyond financial penalties.

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)
The sexualized and racist hazing allegations within a major football program resulted in multiple lawsuits, the head coach’s firing, and confidential settlements. For Mesquite families with student-athletes, this case demonstrates that hazing extends far beyond Greek life into athletic programs with significant institutional protection.

What These Cases Mean for Mesquite Families

These national cases establish crucial precedents that Texas courts recognize:

Pattern evidence matters: When the same fraternity uses the same dangerous “traditions” across states, it shows foreseeability
Institutional accountability is possible: Universities and national organizations can be held responsible
Timing is critical: Delayed medical care dramatically increases liability
Cover-ups backfire: Destroying evidence or intimidating witnesses can lead to additional charges and punitive damages

Mesquite families dealing with hazing at Texas schools aren’t facing unprecedented situations. These national cases provide legal roadmaps for accountability.

Texas Universities: Specific Risks for Mesquite Students

Understanding the Mesquite-to-Campus Connection

Mesquite families send students to universities across Texas, but several schools have particular relevance:

University of Texas at Dallas (20 miles from Mesquite): Many Mesquite students attend this growing campus
Texas A&M University-Commerce (65 miles): A popular choice for Northeast Texas students
Major state universities: UT Austin, Texas A&M, UH attract Mesquite graduates seeking flagship education
Private universities: SMU, Baylor, and TCU draw Mesquite students with scholarships and programs

Regardless of where your child attends, understanding campus-specific hazing landscapes is crucial. Here’s what Mesquite families need to know about major Texas universities.

University of Houston: Current Crisis and Historical Patterns

The Active Case: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi
As we detailed in our opening, this ongoing $10 million lawsuit represents the most serious current hazing litigation in Texas. The case involves:

Multiple hazing locations: Pi Kappa Phi chapter house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park
Extreme physical abuse leading to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure
Humiliating “pledge fanny pack” requirements
Hose spraying “similar to waterboarding”
13 individual defendants including chapter leadership
Chapter suspension (Nov 6, 2025) and charter surrender (Nov 14, 2025)

For Mesquite families with students at UH, this case demonstrates that severe hazing isn’t a hypothetical – it’s happening now at a major Texas public university.

UH’s Greek Life Landscape
UH hosts approximately 60 fraternity and sorority chapters across four governing councils. The Pi Kappa Phi case is unfortunately not isolated historically. Previous incidents include:

2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case: Pledges deprived of food, water, and sleep; one suffered a lacerated spleen
Multiple other fraternities disciplined for alcohol-related hazing and policy violations

What Mesquite UH Families Should Do:

Report immediately to UH Dean of Students Office and UHPD
Document all communications with the university
Preserve digital evidence from Houston-area locations
Understand that Harris County courts would handle any litigation

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

The Aggie Corps and Hazing Risks
The Corps of Cadets represents a unique hazing risk environment. The 2023 lawsuit alleging cadets were bound in “roasted pig” positions with apples in their mouths seeking over $1 million demonstrates that military-style discipline can cross into illegal hazing. For Mesquite families considering the Corps, understanding this history is crucial.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case
Around 2021, Texas A&M SAE pledges allegedly suffered severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts after substances including industrial-strength cleaner were poured on them. The fraternity was suspended, and lawsuits reportedly sought $1 million. This case shows that hazing methods have evolved beyond alcohol to include physically damaging substances.

Texas A&M’s Response Systems
A&M utilizes both Student Conduct processes and Corps-specific regulations. The university’s size and tradition-heavy culture can sometimes enable harmful behaviors to continue under the guise of “tradition.” Mesquite families need to be particularly vigilant about off-campus hazing at houses in Bryan-College Station.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page
UT maintains one of the most transparent hazing disclosure systems among Texas universities at hazing.utexas.edu. This public log shows patterns that Mesquite families should recognize:

Recent Sanctions Include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter probation
Texas Wranglers (spirit organization): Multiple sanctions for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
Delta Tau Delta: Disciplinary action for hazing violations

Why UT’s Transparency Matters for Mesquite Families:

Pattern evidence: Repeated violations by the same organizations strengthen legal cases
University knowledge: Public records demonstrate UT’s awareness of problems
Precedent: Shows what behaviors UT considers hazing

Austin’s Jurisdiction Considerations:
For Mesquite families pursuing cases at UT, understand that Travis County courts and Austin PD might have jurisdiction alongside UTPD, depending on where incidents occurred.

Southern Methodist University: Private University Challenges

SMU’s Affluent Greek Culture
SMU’s reputation as an affluent private university with strong Greek life creates unique dynamics. The 2017 Kappa Alpha Order incident involving paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation resulted in multi-year suspension. Private universities like SMU often have less public transparency but still face significant liability.

SMU’s Reporting Systems
SMU utilizes anonymous reporting through Real Response and formal channels through Student Affairs. However, the private university status means fewer public records are available without litigation discovery. For Mesquite families, this means early legal intervention is even more important to uncover internal documents.

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Athletic Hazing

Baylor’s Complex History
Following the football sexual assault scandal, Baylor has faced heightened scrutiny of all misconduct. The 2020 baseball hazing incident that suspended 14 players demonstrates that athletic programs carry significant hazing risks. Baylor’s religious identity sometimes complicates how hazing is addressed internally.

What Mesquite Baylor Families Should Know:

Baylor utilizes both Student Conduct processes and athletic department oversight
The university’s “zero tolerance” statements must be evaluated against actual enforcement
Waco’s McLennan County courts handle litigation, with Baylor often asserting its religious character in defenses

The Greek Organization Landscape: National Patterns Meet Texas Campuses

Why National Histories Matter for Mesquite Families

When your child joins a fraternity or sorority at a Texas university, they’re not just joining a local club – they’re becoming part of a national organization with decades of history, including hazing incidents. These national patterns create legal advantages for families seeking accountability.

The Foreseeability Principle
When a Texas chapter repeats the same dangerous “traditions” that caused deaths or injuries at other chapters nationwide, it demonstrates that the national organization knew or should have known the risks. This “foreseeability” is crucial for proving negligence and overcoming defenses like “this was just rogue individuals.”

Major Organizations with Documented Histories

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State University, alcohol poisoning death, $10 million settlement
David Bogenberger: Northern Illinois University, alcohol poisoning death, $14 million settlement
Multiple Texas incidents: Including UH 2016 case with lacerated spleen
Pattern: “Big/Little” drinking nights, forced alcohol consumption

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

Traumatic Brain Injury: University of Alabama lawsuit
Chemical Burns: Texas A&M case requiring skin grafts
Multiple assaults: UT Austin case with fractures and dislocations
Pattern: Physical abuse, dangerous substances, alcohol hazing

Pi Kappa Phi

Andrew Coffey: Florida State University, alcohol poisoning death
Leonel Bermudez: University of Houston, rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
Pattern: Extreme physical hazing, forced consumption, sleep deprivation

Phi Delta Theta

Max Gruver: LSU, alcohol poisoning death, Louisiana felony hazing law
Pattern: “Bible study” drinking games, bid night traditions

Texas-Specific Greek Organization Data

Through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain detailed records on Greek organizations operating in Texas. For Mesquite families, understanding this landscape is crucial:

Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Greek Presence (510+ organizations)
The DFW metro containing Mesquite hosts one of the largest Greek ecosystems in Texas. Examples from public records include:

Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – EIN 742911848 – Fort Worth, TX 76244
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 741380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147
Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) Arlington Alumnae Chapter – Dallas, TX
Kappa Delta Sorority – Gamma Beta Chapter – Denton, TX
Phi Chi Theta – Gamma Iota Chapter – Carrollton, TX

IRS B83 Registered Texas Organizations (125+ entities)
These tax-exempt organizations represent the official legal structures behind Greek life:

Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 462267515 – Frisco, TX 75035
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – EIN 746064445 – Nederland, TX 77627 (Epsilon Kappa Chapter)
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – EIN 364091267 – Waco, TX 76710 (Xi Chi Chapter)
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – EIN 383742830 – El Paso, TX 79968 (UT El Paso Chapter)
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – EIN 475370943 – Houston, TX 77204 (Theta Delta Chapter)

Brand Overlap Evidence
Organizations appearing in both IRS records and metro databases show established statewide presence:

Beta Upsilon Chi appears in both IRS records (Fort Worth) and DFW metro listings
Sigma Gamma Rho appears in IRS (Waco), Houston metro, and Beaumont metro listings
Pi Kappa Alpha appears in IRS (Nederland) and Houston metro listings

This data infrastructure means when Mesquite families come to us with hazing concerns, we don’t start from zero – we already understand the organizational landscape behind the Greek letters.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence Strategy for Mesquite Families

The Evidence Pyramid: What Wins Cases

Digital Communications (The Most Critical)
In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, group chat evidence would be crucial to proving:

Planning of hazing events
Threats and coercion
Knowledge by leadership
Cover-up attempts

Platforms to preserve:

GroupMe: Most common for chapter communication
iMessage/SMS group texts
WhatsApp/Signal/Telegram: Increasingly popular for secrecy
Discord servers: For gaming and social groups
Fraternity-specific apps: Organization-branded platforms

For Mesquite families: Screenshot EVERYTHING immediately. Don’t let embarrassment or fear cause deletion. Use our video guide on evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

Photos & Videos

Injuries immediately after and over several days
Hazing locations (houses, parks, retreat centers)
Objects used (paddles, alcohol bottles, props)
Security or doorbell camera footage

Internal Organization Documents

Pledge manuals and “tradition” documents
Emails between officers about events
National policies and training materials
Meeting minutes discussing “risk management”

University Records

Prior conduct files on the same organization
Incident reports to campus police
Clery Act reports showing patterns
Internal emails among administrators

Medical Documentation

ER records explicitly stating “hazing” as cause
Lab results (tox screens, kidney function, CK levels)
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
Long-term treatment plans

Damages: What Mesquite Families Can Recover

Economic Damages

Medical expenses: Past and future care
Lost earnings: Current and future earning capacity
Educational costs: Lost tuition, scholarships, delayed graduation

Non-Economic Damages

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
Loss of enjoyment of life
Humiliation and reputational harm

Wrongful Death Damages (when applicable)

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of financial support
Loss of companionship and parental guidance
Grief and emotional suffering

Punitive Damages
In cases of particularly reckless or intentional conduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish defendants and deter future behavior. The UH Pi Kappa Phi case allegations – including conduct “similar to waterboarding” – could potentially support punitive claims.

Insurance Coverage Strategies

Fraternities and universities carry insurance, but insurers often try to deny coverage for hazing as “intentional acts.” Our unique advantage comes from Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney. He knows exactly how insurers:

Value and reserve claims
Use Independent Medical Exams to reduce settlements
Deploy delay tactics to pressure families
Argue coverage exclusions

We identify all potential policies – national fraternity insurance, university coverage, homeowner’s policies of individual members – and fight coverage denials aggressively.

Practical Guides: Immediate Steps for Mesquite Families

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding

Warning Signs Your Mesquite Student May Be Hazed:

Unexplained injuries or “accidents” needing medical care
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Secretive phone use, anxiety about messages
Withdrawal from family and non-Greek friends
Sudden financial needs without clear explanation
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
Constant references to “mandatory” events interfering with academics

Questions to Ask (Without Confrontation):

“How are the social aspects of school going? Are you enjoying your group?”
“What kinds of activities do new members do?”
“Have you ever felt pressured to do something you didn’t want to do?”
“Is there anything happening that you wouldn’t want me to know about?”
“Do you feel like you could leave the group if you wanted to?”

Immediate Action Checklist:
✅ Medical first: If injured or intoxicated, ER immediately
✅ Safety: Remove from dangerous situations
✅ Evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries
✅ Documentation: Write down everything they tell you
✅ Legal consultation: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 within 24 hours
✅ University reporting: With lawyer’s guidance, report to appropriate channels
✅ Evidence preservation: Backup all digital evidence to cloud storage

For Students: Protecting Yourself

Is This Hazing? Quick Self-Assessment:

Am I being pressured or coerced?
Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would the university approve if they knew?
Am I being told to keep secrets?

Safe Exit Strategies:

Immediate danger: Call 911, then call parents and 1-888-ATTY-911
Planning to leave: Tell someone outside the organization first
Formal resignation: Email chapter president and advisor
Safety planning: If fearing retaliation, involve campus police
Medical attention: Get care and document everything

Evidence Collection for Students:

Screenshots: Full conversations with timestamps
Photos: Injuries from multiple angles with scale reference
Recordings: Texas is one-party consent – you can record conversations you’re part of
Medical records: Tell providers you were hazed for documentation
Witness information: Names and contacts of others who saw what happened

Critical Mistakes That Destroy Cases

MISTAKES MESQUITE FAMILIES MUST AVOID:

Letting evidence be deleted – “Cleaning up” looks like cover-up and destroys cases
Confronting the organization directly – Triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching
Signing university “resolution” forms – Often include waivers of legal rights
Posting on social media – Defense attorneys screenshot everything
Letting your child attend “one last meeting” – Pressure and intimidation occur
Waiting for university investigation – Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate
Talking to insurance adjusters – Recorded statements are used against you

Watch our video on client mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

Frequently Asked Questions for Mesquite Families

“Can we sue a Texas university for hazing?”
Yes. While public universities have some sovereign immunity protections, exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and individual employee conduct. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer protections. The UH Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates that public universities can and are being sued successfully.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Simple hazing is a Class B misdemeanor, but hazing causing serious bodily injury or death is a state jail felony. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report hazing.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to it?”
Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and power imbalance isn’t voluntary.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from injury or death, but the discovery rule may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately known. Time is critical – evidence disappears quickly. Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

“Will this be public or confidential?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize family privacy while pursuing accountability.

“What about the financial cost?”
We work on contingency – no fee unless we recover compensation. Learn how this works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Why Attorney911 for Mesquite Hazing Cases

Our Unique Qualifications

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

Insurance Insider Advantage
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
Argue coverage exclusions
Prepare for litigation

“We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience
Ralph Manginello’s experience with BP Texas City explosion litigation demonstrates our capability against massive defendants. We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. National fraternities and universities don’t intimidate us.

Multi-Million Dollar Results
Our wrongful death and catastrophic injury experience includes:

Multi-million dollar settlements in complex cases
Economist collaboration for lifetime care valuation
Experience with brain injury, permanent disability cases

We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.

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

Investigative Depth
Our network includes:

Medical experts (rhabdomyolysis specialists, toxicologists)
Digital forensics experts for deleted message recovery
Greek life culture experts
Economists and life-care planners

Mesquite and DFW Metro Understanding
While based in Houston, we serve families throughout Texas, including Mesquite, Dallas County, and across the DFW Metroplex. We understand the specific dynamics of Texas universities and the organizational landscape behind Greek life.

Our Approach to Hazing Cases

Immediate Response: Evidence preservation within first 48 hours
Comprehensive Investigation: Uncovering patterns and prior incidents
Strategic Target Identification: All liable parties – individuals, chapters, nationals, universities
Expert Collaboration: Medical, psychological, economic experts
Communication: Regular updates every 2-3 weeks
Trial Readiness: Settlement leverage comes from trial preparation

We investigate like your child’s life depends on it – because it does.

Call to Action for Mesquite Families

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

If you suspect or know your child has been hazed at any Texas campus, we want to help. The UH Pi Kappa Phi case shows that severe hazing is happening right now in Texas, and families are fighting back successfully.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

We’ll listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you’ve preserved
Explain your legal options clearly
Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
Answer questions about costs (contingency fee – no recovery, no fee)
No pressure to hire us immediately

Contact Us Today:

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com

Spanish Language Services:
Hablamos Español – Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish.

Serving Mesquite and All Texas Families

Whether your child attends school in Houston, College Station, Austin, Dallas, Waco, or anywhere in Texas, we can help. The organizational networks behind hazing are statewide and national – our investigative approach reflects this reality.

The college experience should build your child’s future, not endanger it. If hazing has impacted your family, take the first step toward accountability today.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. We’re here to help.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of UH Pi Kappa Phi 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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
Contingency Fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Firm Information:

Main Website: https://attorney911.com
Wrongful Death Practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
Criminal Defense: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/
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