Holding Fraternities & Universities Accountable: A Comprehensive Hazing Guide for Little Elm Families

If Your Child Was Hazed in Texas, You Are Not Alone

For parents in Little Elm, the call every family dreads often starts with a late-night phone call from your child’s college town. Your son or daughter, full of promise and excited about joining a campus organization, now sounds distant, scared, or is lying in a hospital bed. The words “parental nightmare” don’t begin to describe the confusion, anger, and helplessness you feel when you learn your child has been subjected to hazing—forced humiliation, dangerous physical tests, or coerced drinking that has left them physically injured or psychologically traumatized.

Right now, in Houston, we are actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history, demonstrating that these are not isolated incidents but systemic failures. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge. The complaint alleges months of degrading, violent hazing that culminated in rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring four days of hospitalization and creating ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

This is happening right here in Texas, to Texas students and Texas families. The details are harrowing: forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion; the humiliating “pledge fanny pack” rule; and another pledge being hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour. The case names 13 individual fraternity leaders, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents as defendants.

As reported by Click2Houston and ABC13, this is not ancient history—it’s current litigation that has already led to the chapter’s suspension and charter surrender. For families in Little Elm, Frisco, The Colony, and across Denton County, this case serves as a stark warning: the organizations behind Greek letters on Texas campuses can harbor dangerous, abusive cultures, and holding them accountable requires immediate, expert legal action.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Little Elm who need to understand what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects (or fails to protect) your child, what’s happening on Texas campuses where your children study, and what legal options exist when tradition becomes torture. Whether your child attends the University of North Texas just minutes away in Denton, Texas A&M in College Station, UT Austin, or any other Texas school, the patterns are disturbingly similar—and so are the legal strategies needed to confront them.

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

What “Hazing” Really Means in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For parents in Little Elm who didn’t grow up with modern Greek life or whose college experience was different, today’s hazing often bears little resemblance to the “pranks” or “initiations” of decades past. The legal definition under Texas Education Code Chapter 37 is broad: any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health or safety for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization.

But legal definitions don’t capture the lived reality. Modern hazing operates across three escalating tiers that every Little Elm parent should recognize:

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (The “Gateway”)

• Digital control: 24/7 group chat monitoring, required immediate responses at all hours, location tracking via apps
• Servitude: Acting as designated drivers at all hours, cleaning members’ rooms, running personal errands
• Social isolation: Being cut off from non-member friends, requiring permission to socialize
• Psychological manipulation: Being given derogatory names, constant “interviews” about commitment

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (The “Tradition”)

• Sleep deprivation: Late-night “meetings,” 3 AM wake-up calls, multi-day events with minimal rest
• Forced consumption: Milk, hot sauce, spoiled food, or excessive amounts of bland items
• Physical exhaustion: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits until collapse, enforced workouts
• Public humiliation: Embarrassing costumes in public, “roasting” sessions, forced performances

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (The Catastrophe)

• Alcohol coercion: “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, drinking games with wrong-answer penalties, forced chugging
• Physical violence: Paddling, beatings, “glass ceiling” tackling rituals, forced fights
• Sexualized abuse: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, “elephant walks,” sexual assault
• Dangerous environments: Locked in freezing rooms, left outside in extreme weather, denied bathroom access

The Leonel Bermudez case at UH tragically illustrates how quickly hazing escalates through these tiers. What began with mandatory “pledge fanny packs” and chauffeur duties progressed to forced overeating until vomiting, then to extreme physical workouts causing kidney failure. This progression isn’t accidental—it’s how abusive systems test boundaries and create dependency.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

While Greek organizations dominate headlines, Little Elm parents should know hazing occurs across campus organizations:

• Fraternities and Sororities (Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic, NPHC Divine Nine, multicultural groups)
• Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs with military-style traditions
• Athletic teams from football to cheerleading
• Spirit organizations like Texas Cowboys at UT Austin
• Marching bands and performing groups
• Academic clubs and honor societies

The common thread isn’t the type of organization but the power dynamics, tradition worship, and institutional secrecy that enable abuse to continue even when everyone “knows” it’s illegal.

Texas Hazing Law: What Little Elm Families Need to Know

As a Texas-based firm serving families across the state, we operate within a specific legal framework that both empowers and constrains hazing victims. Understanding this framework is crucial for Little Elm parents considering legal action.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Core Statute

Texas has one of the more comprehensive state hazing laws in the nation. Here’s what matters most for your family:

Broad Definition: Hazing includes any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers physical OR mental health for purposes of initiation or affiliation. This means psychological abuse counts just as much as physical abuse.

Criminal Penalties Escalate with Harm:

• Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

Critical Protections:

• Consent is NOT a defense (Section 37.155)
• Good-faith reporters have immunity from liability
• Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation
• Retaliation against reporters is itself a crime

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Different Paths

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (county or district attorney)
• Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Charges can include: hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, manslaughter in deaths
• Reality: Many district attorneys hesitate to prosecute hazing cases without overwhelming evidence or public pressure

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims/families (your lawsuit)
• Goal: Compensation and accountability
• Claims include: negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress
• Advantage: Lower burden of proof than criminal cases, focus on institutional failures

The two can proceed simultaneously, but a criminal conviction is NOT required for a successful civil case. In fact, most hazing accountability comes through civil litigation where families can uncover systemic failures and secure meaningful compensation.

The Federal Overlay: Title IX, Clery, and New Federal Laws

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, federal Title IX requirements trigger institutional investigation obligations. Universities that fail to respond adequately can face loss of federal funding.

Clery Act: Requires colleges to report certain crimes and maintain public crime logs. Hazing incidents involving assaults, alcohol crimes, or other reportable offenses must appear in these statistics.

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

• Report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthen prevention education
• Maintain public hazing databases (phased in by 2026)
• For Little Elm families, this means more public information about which organizations have violations

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragedies that make national headlines aren’t random—they follow predictable scripts that replay across campuses, including those here in Texas. Understanding these patterns helps Little Elm families recognize warning signs and understand what’s at stake.

The Alcohol Poisoning Script: “Big/Little Nights” Gone Deadly

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021): The 20-year-old Pi Kappa Alpha pledge was forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. He died from alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU) and multiple criminal convictions.

Max Gruver – Louisiana State University (2017): The Phi Delta Theta pledge participated in a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. His blood alcohol content reached 0.495%. His death led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act creating felony hazing penalties.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State University (2017): The Pi Kappa Phi pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” where pledges were given handles of liquor. FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life in response.

What This Means for Little Elm Families: The “Big/Little” or “bid acceptance” drinking night is a standardized script in Greek culture. When your child attends such an event at UNT, Texas A&M, or any Texas campus, they’re participating in a ritual with a documented body count.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing: Tradition as Weapon

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College (2013): The Pi Delta Psi pledge was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a Pennsylvania retreat. He died from traumatic brain injuries. The national fraternity was criminally convicted, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years, and members received jail sentences.

Timothy Piazza – Penn State University (2017): The Beta Theta Pi pledge died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid acceptance night with extreme drinking. Security footage showed brothers delaying medical help for hours. The case led to Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law and over 1,000 criminal charges against members.

What This Means for Little Elm Families: Off-campus “retreats” and “rituals” are often where the most dangerous hazing occurs, away from university oversight. The Pi Delta Psi case proves national organizations can be held criminally liable for creating these rituals.

The Athletic Hazing Pattern: Beyond Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Former players alleged widespread sexualized, racist hazing within the football program. Multiple lawsuits led to the head coach’s firing and confidential settlements. The scandal revealed how big-money athletic programs can harbor systemic abuse.

Texas A&M Corps of Cadets (2023 Lawsuit): A cadet alleged being subjected to “roasted pig” positioning—bound between beds with an apple in his mouth—along with other degrading hazing. The case sought over $1 million and highlighted traditions within military-style programs.

What This Means for Little Elm Families: Hazing isn’t limited to fraternities. If your child participates in Corps programs at A&M, spirit groups at UT Austin, or athletic teams anywhere, they may face similar pressures under different names.

Plaintiff Victories: Proof Accountability Is Possible

Financial Recoveries in Hazing Cases:

• $14 million – David Bogenberger (Pi Kappa Alpha, Northern Illinois University)
• $12.6 million jury verdict – Chad Meredith (Kappa Sigma, University of Miami)
• $10+ million – Sigma Chi (College of Charleston severe injury case)
• $10 million – Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
• $6.1 million verdict – Max Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
• $375,000 verdict – Joseph Snell (Omega Psi Phi, Bowie State)

Individual Accountability:

• Pi Kappa Alpha chapter president ordered to pay $6.5 million personally in the Stone Foltz case
• Multiple fraternity members facing decades in prison for hazing deaths
• National organizations paying millions and closing chapters

Legislative Impact:

• Pennsylvania: Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law
• Louisiana: Max Gruver Act (felony hazing)
• Ohio: Collin’s Law (felony when drugs/alcohol cause harm)
• Florida: Chad Meredith Law (criminalized hazing)
• Federal: Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)

For Little Elm families, these cases demonstrate that accountability IS possible, but it requires experienced legal counsel willing to take on powerful institutions. The settlements and verdicts also establish valuable precedents for valuing hazing injuries in Texas courts.

Texas Campus Focus: Where Little Elm Students Face Risk

Families in Little Elm typically send students to universities across the North Texas region and throughout the state. Understanding the specific landscape at each campus is crucial for recognizing risks and knowing where to turn for help.

The North Texas Hub: Universities in Our Backyard

University of North Texas (Denton) – 15 minutes from Little Elm:
As the closest major university to Little Elm, UNT hosts approximately 30 Greek organizations serving over 2,000 students. The campus has faced hazing allegations across multiple councils:

• Interfraternity Council: Multiple suspensions for alcohol-related hazing
• National Pan-Hellenic Council: Periodic investigations into physical hazing traditions
• Multicultural Greek Council: Smaller organizations with less oversight

Texas Woman’s University (Denton) – 15 minutes from Little Elm:
While smaller than UNT, TWU’s Greek life includes sororities that have faced disciplinary action for alcohol hazing and psychological abuse during recruitment.

North Central Texas College (Gainesville/Corinth):
Community colleges aren’t immune. NCTC’s student organizations have faced hazing allegations, particularly in athletic and performance groups.

For Little Elm families, the proximity to these campuses means your child might be experiencing hazing just minutes from home. Local jurisdiction matters: cases involving UNT or TWU may involve Denton County courts, Denton police, and campus PDs familiar with our community.

Major Texas Universities: Where Little Elm Students Often Attend

University of Texas at Austin:
UT maintains the most transparent hazing reporting system in Texas at hazing.utexas.edu. Recent entries show patterns familiar to national cases:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: probation and mandatory education.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted at party, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose. Lawsuit seeks over $1 million.
• Texas Wranglers (spirit group): Multiple sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol hazing

Texas A&M University (College Station):
The Corps of Cadets culture creates unique hazing risks alongside traditional Greek life:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, causing chemical burns requiring skin grafts. $1 million lawsuit filed.
• Corps of Cadets (2023): “Roasted pig” hazing allegations with cadet bound between beds. $1+ million lawsuit.
• Public Hazing Reports: Multiple fraternities suspended for alcohol hazing, physical abuse

Southern Methodist University (Dallas):
SMU’s affluent Greek culture has faced repeated scandals:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members paddled, forced to drink, sleep deprived. Chapter suspended until 2021.
• Transparency Challenges: As a private university, SMY has less public reporting than public institutions

Baylor University (Waco):
Following major Title IX scandals, Baylor faces ongoing hazing issues:

• Baseball Team (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
• Greek Life: Multiple organizations on probation for alcohol violations
• Cultural Context: Religious branding sometimes conflicts with accountability

University of Houston (Active Litigation Site):
Our ongoing Leonel Bermudez case reveals systemic issues:

• Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu: Now closed after suspension and charter surrender
• UH’s Response: Called conduct “deeply disturbing,” promised cooperation with law enforcement
• Pattern Evidence: Prior hazing incidents at UH suggest institutional knowledge

The Greek Ecosystem Serving Little Elm Families: Public Records Reality

Through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain comprehensive data on Greek organizations operating in Texas. For Little Elm families, understanding this landscape is crucial because liability often extends beyond the undergraduate chapter to multiple legal entities.

IRS B83 Registered Greek Organizations in Texas (125+ Entities):
These tax-exempt organizations include house corporations, alumni chapters, and honor societies that often hold insurance and assets. Examples relevant to North Texas include:

• KAPPA SIGMA FRATERNITY | EIN: 756067776 | FORT WORTH, TX 76109
• TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC | EIN: 741380362 | FORT WORTH, TX 76147
• BETA UPSILON CHI | EIN: 742911848 | FORT WORTH, TX 76244
• ZETA SIGMA HOUSE CORPORATION OF KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 752620706 | DALLAS, TX 75223
• DELTA KAPPA EPSILON – TAU GAMMA HOUSE CORP | EIN: [From Cause IQ] | ADDISON, TX
• KAPPA DELTA SORORITY – GAMMA BETA CHAPTER | EIN: [From Cause IQ] | DENTON, TX
• GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 161675890 | THE WOODLANDS, TX 77382
• SIGMA PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY TEXAS GAMMA CHAPTER | EIN: 911981478 | FORT WORTH, TX 76109
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 263170920 | DENTON, TX 76204 (Texas Woman’s University Chapter)
• FRISCO TX ALUMNI CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI INCORPORATED | EIN: 920575785 | FRISCO, TX 75034

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Greek Organizations (510 Total):
Our Cause IQ data shows the DFW metro contains Texas’s largest concentration of Greek entities. Examples include:

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity (Fort Worth) – Christian fraternity with multiple Texas chapters
• Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) national headquarters (Arlington)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation (Fort Worth)
• Chi Omega Educational Corporation (Fort Worth) – TCU housing/education corporation
• Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity – Gamma Psi Chapter (Fort Worth) – TCU chapter

Organizations Behind the Letters at Major Campuses:
When hazing occurs at Texas A&M, UT Austin, or other schools, these entities may share liability:

• Pi Kappa Phi: National headquarters + Beta Nu housing corporation (Frisco, TX) + individual defendants
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon: Texas Rho Corporation (Austin) + national insurance
• Pi Kappa Alpha: Multiple Texas housing corporations + national risk management
• Fraternity Housing Corporations: Often separate legal entities holding property and insurance

For Little Elm parents, the practical implication is clear: when hazing occurs, there are often multiple organizations with insurance coverage and assets that can provide compensation. Finding all liable parties requires the investigative depth we’ve built through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine.

Fraternity & Sorority National Histories: Patterns That Predict Liability

National organizations don’t operate in isolation. When a chapter at UNT, Texas A&M, or UT Austin hazes new members, they’re often following scripts written by decades of “tradition” and reinforced by national patterns. For Little Elm families pursuing accountability, these national histories provide crucial evidence of foreseeability—proof that the organization knew or should have known the risks.

High-Risk Organizations with Documented Texas Connections

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / “Pike”):

• National Pattern: Alcohol poisoning deaths (Stone Foltz, BGSU), physical hazing
• Texas Connections: Multiple Texas chapters, housing corporations in Nederland and other Texas cities
• Local Incidents: UH chapter suspended (2016) for hazing causing lacerated spleen
• Legal Significance: National had prior notice of “Big/Little” alcohol hazards

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ):

• National Pattern: Multiple hazing deaths nationally, traumatic brain injury lawsuits
• Texas Connections: Texas Rho Corporation in Austin, multiple Texas chapters
• Local Incidents: Texas A&M chemical burns case (2021), UT Austin assault case (2024)
• Legal Significance: Pattern of ignoring warnings about physical violence

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

• National Pattern: Andrew Coffey alcohol death (FSU), multiple suspensions
• Texas Connections: Beta Nu housing corporation in Frisco, active at UH until 2025 closure
• Local Incidents: Leonel Bermudez case (UH) with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• Legal Significance: National received hazing reports before catastrophic injury

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

• National Pattern: Max Gruver death (LSU), multiple alcohol hazing incidents
• Texas Connections: Texas Xi chapter in San Antonio, multiple Texas campuses
• Legal Significance: “Bible study” drinking game pattern documented nationally

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ):

• National Pattern: Physical hazing, paddling traditions
• Texas Connections: Multiple Texas chapters, SMU suspension history
• Local Incidents: SMU chapter suspended (2017) for paddling and forced drinking
• Legal Significance: National aware of physical abuse patterns

How National Histories Create Legal Liability

In civil hazing litigation, we use national patterns to prove several crucial legal points:

1. Foreseeability: When Pi Kappa Alpha nationals know about Stone Foltz’s death in Ohio, they can’t claim they didn’t foresee similar risks at Texas chapters.

2. Inadequate Prevention: If national policies exist only on paper without meaningful enforcement, that constitutes negligence.

3. Ratification of Culture: When nationals benefit from chapter success (dues, reputation) while ignoring hazardous traditions, they ratify the dangerous culture.

4. Punitive Damage Grounds: Willful disregard of known dangers can justify punitive damages in Texas cases.

For the Bermudez case against Pi Kappa Phi, the national’s knowledge of prior incidents—including Andrew Coffey’s death—directly impacts their liability for what happened at UH. This same principle applies to any national organization with documented hazing histories operating chapters in Texas.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Realistic Expectations

When your family faces a hazing crisis, understanding the legal process can reduce anxiety and help you make informed decisions. Here’s what Little Elm parents should know about building a successful hazing case.

Critical Evidence That Wins Cases

Digital Evidence (Most Important):

• Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity apps
• Social Media: Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok videos, Facebook posts
• Deleted Messages: Digital forensics can often recover “disappearing” content
• Location Data: GPS from phones, venue check-ins, photo metadata

Physical Evidence:

• Medical Records: ER reports, hospitalization records, specialist evaluations
• Injury Documentation: Photos with timestamps, progression of bruises/burns
• Objects: Paddles, alcohol bottles, costumes, “pledge manuals”
• Clothing: Stained or damaged items from the incident

Institutional Records:

• University Files: Prior disciplinary actions, warning letters, investigation reports
• National Fraternity Records: Risk management files, incident reports, insurance policies
• Police Reports: Campus PD and local department incident reports

Witness Evidence:

• Other Pledges: Often afraid initially but may cooperate as case progresses
• Former Members: Those who quit or were expelled often have valuable testimony
• Bystanders: Roommates, neighbors, venue staff
• Medical Providers: Documentation of statements made during treatment

Watch our video on using your phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

• Medical Expenses: Past and future care, including potential lifelong needs
• Lost Educational Costs: Tuition for missed semesters, lost scholarships
• Earning Capacity Reduction: If injuries cause permanent disability
• Therapy Costs: Psychological treatment for PTSD, depression, anxiety

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain from injuries
• Emotional Distress: Humiliation, trauma, loss of enjoyment of life
• Reputational Harm: Social stigma and educational disruption

Wrongful Death Damages (If Applicable):

• Funeral/Burial Costs
• Loss of Companionship for parents and siblings
• Grief and Emotional Suffering

Punitive Damages (When Available):

• Purpose: Punish especially reckless or intentional conduct
• Texas Caps: Generally limited but can be significant in gross negligence cases

The Strategic Timeline

Phase 1: Emergency Response (First 48 Hours)

• Medical care and evidence preservation
• Initial witness interviews before stories align
• Secure legal representation before dealing with institutions

Phase 2: Investigation (Weeks 1-12)

• Digital forensics on phones and devices
• Public records requests to universities
• Expert consultations (medical, psychological, economic)
• Identify all potential defendants and insurance coverage

Phase 3: Negotiation & Litigation (Months 3-24+)

• Demand letters to responsible parties
• Settlement negotiations (most cases resolve here)
• Formal litigation if settlement inadequate
• Discovery process to obtain internal documents
• Possible trial (rare but sometimes necessary)

Learn about statutes of limitations in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

Common Defense Tactics (And How We Counter Them)

Defense: “The Pledge Consented”

• Our Response: Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Power dynamics and peer pressure negate true consent.

Defense: “Rogue Individuals, Not the Organization”

• Our Response: Nationals have duty to supervise and train. Prior incidents put them on notice of hazardous traditions.

Defense: “It Happened Off-Campus, Not Our Responsibility”

• Our Response: Location doesn’t eliminate duty when organization sponsors, benefits from, or knows about activities.

Defense: “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”

• Our Response: Paper policies without meaningful enforcement constitute negligence. We uncover prior ignored violations.

Defense: “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts”

• Our Response: Negligent supervision claims often survive intentional act exclusions. Multiple insurance policies may apply.

Our experience as former insurance defense attorneys gives us unique insight into these tactics. We know how insurers value claims, set reserves, and deploy delay strategies—and we use that knowledge to maximize recovery for hazing victims.

Practical Guidance for Little Elm Parents & Students

For Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps

Red Flags Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Physical Signs: Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries; extreme exhaustion; weight changes; sleep deprivation
• Behavioral Changes: New secrecy about activities; withdrawing from family and old friends; personality shifts (anxiety, depression)
• Academic Impact: Grades dropping suddenly; missing classes; losing scholarships
• Digital Behavior: Constant group chat monitoring; anxiety about phone notifications; deleting messages obsessively
• Financial Changes: Unexplained large expenses; buying excessive alcohol; sudden money requests

How to Talk to Your Child:

1. Choose the right time: Private, calm, no interruptions
2. Open with concern, not accusation: “I’ve noticed you seem really stressed lately…”
3. Ask open questions: “What does pledging actually involve?” not “Are they hazing you?”
4. Listen without judgment: If they open up, validate their feelings first
5. Emphasize safety over status: “Your health matters more than any organization”

Immediate Steps If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Document everything your child tells you (dates, times, specifics)
2. Screenshot any evidence they show you on phones
3. Seek medical attention for any physical or psychological symptoms
4. Contact an attorney BEFORE reporting to university or police
5. Preserve all evidence—don’t let them delete anything

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

For Students: Safety Planning & Rights

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

• Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
• Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would my parents/university approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
• Am I being told to keep secrets or lie?

How to Exit Safely:

1. Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, trusted friend)
2. Send written resignation to chapter president: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
3. Do NOT attend “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
4. Document any threats or harassment that follows
5. Report retaliation to campus authorities immediately

Your Legal Rights in Texas:

• Consent is not a defense to hazing charges against your abusers
• Good-faith reporters have immunity protections
• You can seek protective orders if threatened or stalked
• Civil lawsuits can proceed even without criminal charges

Critical Mistakes That Destroy Hazing Cases

1. Deleting Evidence: “Cleaning up” group chats or messages looks like obstruction of justice
2. Direct Confrontation: Alerting the fraternity lets them destroy evidence and coach witnesses
3. Signing University Agreements: Early “resolution” offers often waive legal rights for minimal compensation
4. Social Media Posts: Defense attorneys monitor everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
5. Delaying Medical Care: Gaps in treatment undermine injury claims
6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters: Recorded statements get used against you
7. Waiting Too Long: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitations expire

Why Attorney911 for Little Elm Hazing Cases

When your family faces the nightmare of hazing, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions—universities, national fraternities, insurance companies—fight back against hazing claims, and who have the experience, resources, and determination to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña’s Defense Background):
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national defense firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

• Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
• Use delay tactics to pressure families
• Deploy “independent” medical exams to minimize injuries
• Fight coverage under intentional act exclusions
  “We know their playbook because we used to run it. That insider knowledge is invaluable when negotiating hazing settlements.”

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello’s BP Credential):
Our involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation proves our capability against billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. The same skills apply to hazing cases:

• Uncovering institutional knowledge of dangers
• Managing massive document discovery
• Coordinating multiple experts (medical, economic, psychological)
• Federal court experience for Title IX and civil rights claims
  “We’ve faced corporations that spent more on lunch than most firms spend on cases. We’re not intimidated by university regents or national fraternity budgets.”

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine (Data-Driven Investigation):
While other firms start from scratch, we begin with comprehensive Texas Greek organization data:

• 125+ IRS-registered Texas Greek entities with EINs and addresses
• 510 Greek organizations in DFW metro alone
• Campus-specific chapter rosters for major Texas universities
• National pattern databases showing prior incidents
  This means we immediately know what organizations to subpoena, what insurance policies may exist, and what prior incidents establish patterns.

Dual Civil/Criminal Capability (HCCLA Membership):
Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association signals elite criminal defense capability that benefits hazing clients:

• Advising witnesses with potential criminal exposure
• Understanding how criminal charges interact with civil cases
• Navigating cooperation agreements with prosecutors
• Protecting rights during university disciplinary proceedings

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience:
We have recovered millions for families in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, working with:

• Economists to value lifetime care needs
• Life care planners for brain injury victims
• Psychologists to document emotional trauma
• Vocational experts to assess earning capacity loss

Our Approach: Empathy Meets Aggressive Advocacy

We understand that hazing cases involve profound trauma, shame, and family disruption. Our approach balances:

Compassionate Client Care:

• We listen without judgment to your family’s story
• We explain each step in plain English, not legalese
• We protect your privacy while pursuing accountability
• We handle communication with institutions so you can focus on healing

Relentless Investigation:

• Digital forensics to recover deleted evidence
• Subpoenas for internal fraternity and university files
• Expert networks to document injuries and damages
• Public records requests to uncover prior incidents

Strategic Case Development:

• Identifying ALL potentially liable parties (not just obvious ones)
• Maximizing insurance coverage through creative arguments
• Building cases for both settlement leverage and trial readiness
• Using national patterns to prove foreseeability and