The Definitive Guide to Hazing, Texas Law, and Campus Accountability for Town of Hickory Creek Families

Your Child Is Not Safe: The Modern Reality of Hazing in Texas

Your phone rings late on a Wednesday night. Your child, a freshman at a Texas university, sounds different—exhausted, distant, afraid. They mention “mandatory study sessions” that end at 3 AM, mysterious group chats they can’t ignore, and unexplained bruises they dismiss as “just workout stuff.” As a parent in Town of Hickory Creek, you sent your child to college for education and growth, not for this secret world of coercion and danger. You’re now facing every Texas parent’s nightmare: realizing your child might be trapped in a cycle of hazing that could permanently harm them.

Right now, in Houston, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston transfer student, nearly died from kidney failure after what Pi Kappa Phi fraternity members called “pledge education.” According to the Click2Houston investigation, Bermudez was forced through extreme physical abuse, humiliation rituals, and dangerous “traditions” that left him hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown—a medical emergency signaling severe muscle breakdown. This isn’t some abstract problem happening elsewhere. This is happening right now in Texas, to students from communities like ours in Town of Hickory Creek, Denton County, and across the DFW metro area.

This comprehensive guide exists for one reason: to give Town of Hickory Creek families the knowledge, resources, and legal understanding they need when hazing strikes close to home. Whether your child attends the University of North Texas just minutes away in Denton, Texas A&M several hours south, or any campus across Texas, the patterns of institutional silence and organizational cover-up remain consistent. We’ll show you what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law applies to these cases, what’s happening at major Texas universities, and—most importantly—what legal options exist for holding powerful institutions accountable.

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 in Texas

For families in Town of Hickory Creek who may not be familiar with modern Greek life or campus organizations, understanding what constitutes hazing is the first critical step. Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks or harmless initiation rituals. Today’s hazing incorporates sophisticated digital control, psychological manipulation, and physical abuse disguised as “tradition” or “team building.”

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – The Gateway
These behaviors establish power imbalance and often get dismissed as “tradition.” For Town of Hickory Creek students at nearby universities like UNT or Texas Woman’s University, this might include:

• 24/7 digital control: Required instant responses to group messages at all hours
• Servitude requirements: Cleaning members’ apartments, chauffeuring at odd hours, running personal errands
• Social isolation: Cutting off contact with non-members or requiring permission for social activities
• “Mandatory” events that interfere with academics, like late-night meetings during finals week

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – The Escalation
This creates hostile environments and often includes:

• Sleep deprivation: 3 AM wake-up calls for “mandatory” activities, multi-day events with minimal rest
• Food/water manipulation: Forcing consumption of spoiled food, hot sauce, or excessive bland items
• Extreme calisthenics: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups, wall sits until collapse
• Public humiliation: Forced embarrassing acts in public spaces, wearing degrading costumes
• For our DFW-area students: These often occur at off-campus houses in Denton, Corinth, or Lewisville to avoid university oversight

Tier 3: Violent Hazing – Where Lives Get Destroyed
These activities have high potential for permanent injury or death:

• Forced alcohol consumption: “Big/Little” nights with entire bottles of liquor, drinking games where wrong answers mean dangerous consumption
• Physical beatings: Paddling, punching, “gladiator” fights between pledges
• Sexualized abuse: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts like the “roasted pig” position found in Texas A&M Corps cases
• Dangerous environments: Locked in freezing rooms, abandoned in remote locations, forced swimming while intoxicated
• Chemical exposure: As seen in the Texas A&M SAE case where industrial cleaner caused severe burns requiring skin grafts

The Digital Transformation of Hazing

Today’s hazing happens as much on smartphones as in basements. For Town of Hickory Creek parents, understanding these digital dimensions is crucial:

Group Chat Tyranny:

• Platforms like GroupMe, Discord, and WhatsApp become tools of 24/7 control
• Pledges must respond instantly to messages at all hours
• Failure to comply results in social exclusion or physical punishment
• Messages get deleted regularly to avoid evidence preservation

Social Media Humiliation:

• Forced TikTok challenges and Instagram story dares
• Public shaming in group chats with memes mocking specific pledges
• Livestreaming of hazing events for members’ entertainment
• Requirements to post compromising content as “proof of loyalty”

Location Tracking & Surveillance:

• Mandatory use of Find My Friends, Life360, or Snapchat Maps
• Constant monitoring of pledge movements
• Punishment for being in “unauthorized” locations
• This digital leash extends even when students visit home to Town of Hickory Creek

The “It’s Optional” Deception

One of the most dangerous modern tactics is framing hazing as “voluntary.” Organizations tell pledges, “You don’t have to do this,” while creating social environments where refusal means exclusion, being denied a “big,” or being labeled “not committed enough.” Texas law explicitly rejects this deception—consent obtained through peer pressure, power imbalance, or fear of social consequences is not valid consent for dangerous activities.

Texas Hazing Law: What Town of Hickory Creek Families Need to Know

Understanding the legal landscape is essential for Denton County families facing hazing situations. Texas has specific statutes governing hazing, but navigating them requires understanding both criminal and civil dimensions.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

Definition (§37.151):
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

1. Endangers mental or physical health or safety, AND
2. Occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership

Key Points for Town of Hickory Creek Families:

• Location doesn’t matter: Hazing at off-campus houses in Corinth, retreats in rural areas, or events in other states still falls under Texas law if the organization is Texas-based
• “Reckless” is enough: They don’t need malicious intent—just reckless disregard for safety
• Mental harm counts: Psychological abuse, humiliation, and emotional trauma qualify
• Consent is NOT a defense (§37.155): Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still illegal

Criminal Penalties (§37.152):

• 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
• Additional charges: Furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter in fatal cases

Organizational Liability (§37.153):

• Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation
• Universities can revoke recognition and ban organizations from campus
• This applies to national headquarters as well as local chapters

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (Denton County DA, campus police, or local PD)
• Purpose: Punishment through jail, fines, probation
• Typical charges: Hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors
• For Town of Hickory Creek families: These cases might be prosecuted in Denton County courts or the county where the university is located

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims or families
• Purpose: Compensation for damages and accountability
• Legal theories: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability
• Critical distinction: A criminal conviction is NOT required to pursue civil justice

Federal Law Overlay

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

• Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents transparently
• Mandates public hazing data by approximately 2026
• Strengthens prevention education requirements
• Impact for DFW universities: UNT, Texas Woman’s, and other local schools must comply

Title IX & Clery Act:

• When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, Title IX applies
• Clery Act requires reporting certain crimes—many hazing incidents trigger these requirements
• For Denton County students: These federal protections apply regardless of whether the university is public or private

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students:

• Those who planned, executed, or covered up hazing
• Chapter officers with supervisory responsibility
• Members who participated or failed to intervene

2. Local Chapter/Organization:

• The registered student organization
• Chapter housing corporations (common in IRS B83 filings)
• DFW Example: Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc. (EIN 273662583) in Lufkin, TX

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters:

• Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
• Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents
• Recent case: Pi Kappa Phi national is being sued alongside its University of Houston chapter

4. University or Governing Board:

• Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) can face claims despite sovereign immunity arguments
• Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections
• Liability questions: Prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference

5. Third Parties:

• Landlords of off-campus houses (common in Denton college areas)
• Alcohol providers under Texas dram shop law
• Security companies or event organizers

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Town of Hickory Creek Families

The tragedies that have occurred nationwide provide crucial patterns and precedents that directly inform how we approach cases for Denton County families. These aren’t abstract stories—they’re legal roadmaps showing what works in holding organizations accountable.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):

• 20-year-old pledge forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
• Died from alcohol poisoning
• $10 million settlement: $7 million from Pi Kappa Alpha national, $3 million from BGSU
• Lesson for Texas: National fraternities will pay significant settlements when patterns of forced drinking are proven

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):

• “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking
• Died with BAC of 0.495%
• Louisiana response: Enacted “Max Gruver Act” making hazing a felony
• Lesson for Texas: State legislatures respond to public outrage with stronger laws

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):

• Bid acceptance night with extreme drinking captured on chapter security cameras
• Hours delayed before calling 911
• Dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members
• Pennsylvania response: “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law”
• Lesson for Texas: Security footage and delayed medical response dramatically increase liability

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):

• Blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at remote Pocono Mountains retreat
• Fatal head injuries from repeated tackling
• Help delayed for hours
• National consequence: Pi Delta Psi banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
• Lesson for Texas: Off-campus retreats don’t eliminate liability—they often increase it

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021):

• “Pledge dad reveal” night with forced excessive drinking
• Suffered severe, permanent brain damage (cannot walk, talk, or see)
• Requires 24/7 care for life
• Settlement: Confidential multi-million dollar settlements with 22 defendants
• Lesson for Texas: Non-fatal injuries can result in lifetime care costs exceeding death cases

Athletic Program Hazing Pattern

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025):

• Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within football program
• Multiple lawsuits against university and coaching staff
• Head coach Pat Fitzgerald fired, then settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially
• Lesson for Texas: Hazing extends beyond Greek life into athletic programs with deep pockets

What These Cases Mean for Denton County Families

These national patterns create legal precedents that directly benefit Town of Hickory Creek families:

1. Foreseeability Evidence: When a Texas chapter repeats conduct that caused injuries elsewhere, national organizations can’t claim “we didn’t know this could happen”

2. Settlement Benchmarks: The $10M Foltz settlement, $6.1M Gruver verdict, and confidential Santulli settlements set financial expectations for serious injury cases

3. Pattern Evidence: Courts increasingly allow evidence of similar incidents at other chapters to prove organizational knowledge and negligence

4. Individual Liability: Chapter presidents and officers face personal financial ruin, as seen when Pi Kappa Alpha president Daylen Dunson was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally

Texas University Focus: Where Town of Hickory Creek Students Attend

Town of Hickory Creek families send students to universities throughout Texas, but certain institutions have particular relevance to our community. Understanding the hazing landscape at these schools is essential for Denton County parents.

University of North Texas (UNT) & Texas Woman’s University (TWU)

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Just minutes from Town of Hickory Creek in Denton, UNT and TWU represent the closest major universities for many local families. UNT’s growing Greek life and TWU’s historical women’s organizations create environments where hazing can occur despite close geographic proximity to home.

Public Records: Greek Organizations Serving Denton County

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks hundreds of Greek organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area. Here are examples from public filings that serve UNT/TWU and surrounding communities:

IRS B83 Registered Organizations in North Texas:

• Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity – Mu Gamma Chapter (EIN 262025321) – 920 W Prairie St, Denton, TX 76201
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas Woman’s University Chapter (EIN 263170920) – 411 Texas St Rm 219, Denton, TX 76204
• Kappa Delta Sorority – Gamma Beta Chapter – Located in Denton, serving Texas Woman’s University
• Various Delta Kappa Gamma Society chapters throughout Denton County for educators’ organizations

DFW Metro Greek Ecosystem (510+ organizations tracked):

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – Fort Worth, TX (EIN 742911848)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – Fort Worth, TX (EIN 741380362)
• Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) – Arlington/Dallas area chapters
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Dallas area alumni chapters (EIN 521278573)

Documented Incidents & University Response

While UNT and TWU maintain anti-hazing policies similar to larger institutions, the proximity to Town of Hickory Creek means local families may encounter:

• Off-campus housing issues in Denton’s college neighborhoods
• Social events spreading between multiple DFW campuses
• Transportation of students to hazing locations throughout North Texas

How a Denton County Hazing Case Proceeds

• Jurisdiction: Denton County courts for local incidents, potentially other counties for multi-campus events
• Investigating agencies: UNT Police Department, Denton Police Department, Denton County Sheriff
• Evidence locations: Often preserved in GroupMe chats, Snapchat stories, and iPhone backups from students returning home to Town of Hickory Creek

Texas A&M University

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Many Town of Hickory Creek students choose Texas A&M for its academic reputation and traditional campus experience. The Corps of Cadets and robust Greek life create multiple environments where hazing risks exist.

Documented Incidents

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):

• Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and other substances
• Severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
• $1 million lawsuit filed against fraternity
• Chapter suspended for two years

Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023):

• Cadet alleged being bound between beds in degrading position with apple in mouth
• Simulated sexual acts and physical abuse reported
• Over $1 million sought in damages
• Texas A&M stated it handled matter under Corps regulations

Texas A&M’s Greek Ecosystem

Our data shows extensive Greek infrastructure serving College Station:

IRS B83 Organizations in Brazos County:

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN 133048786) – 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515) – 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (connected to UH case)
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity – Theta Rho Chapter (EIN 812525354) – 3989 N Graham Rd, College Station, TX 77845

Special Considerations for Town of Hickory Creek Families

• Distance creates communication challenges during crises
• Transportation of injured students back to Denton County for medical care
• Coordination between Denton County legal counsel and Brazos County proceedings

University of Texas at Austin

Transparency Leader: Public Hazing Violations Page

UT Austin maintains one of Texas’ most transparent hazing reporting systems at hazing.utexas.edu. For Town of Hickory Creek families with students at UT, this resource provides crucial pattern evidence.

Recent Documented Violations

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023):

• New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics
• Found to be hazing
• Chapter placed on probation with required hazing-prevention education

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (2024):

• Australian exchange student alleged assault by fraternity members
• Injuries included dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose
• Over $1 million lawsuit filed
• Chapter already under suspension for prior violations

UT’s Austin Greek Infrastructure

IRS B83 Organizations in Travis County:

• Chi Omega Fraternity – House Corporation (EIN 740555581) – 2711 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
• Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity – Alpha Mu Chapter (EIN 741130606) – 1908 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas State University Chapter (EIN 463831593) – 2307 Vanderbilt Cir, Austin, TX 78723

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Private University Challenges

SMU’s status as a private institution in Dallas creates different transparency challenges for Town of Hickory Creek families. However, its geographic proximity to Denton County means many local students attend.

Documented Incidents

Kappa Alpha Order (2017):

• New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep
• Chapter suspended with recruiting restrictions until approximately 2021
• Highlights ongoing physical hazing traditions

SMU’s Dallas Greek Presence

IRS B83 Organizations in Dallas County:

• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Southern Methodist University likely served by Dallas chapters
• Various Panhellenic and IFC organizations with house corporations in University Park area

Baylor University

Religious Identity & Oversight History

Baylor’s Waco location and religious affiliation create unique dynamics for Town of Hickory Creek families. The university’s history with sexual assault scandals informs how it handles hazing allegations.

Documented Incidents

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020):

• 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
• Suspensions staggered over early season
• Demonstrates hazing extends beyond Greek life into athletic programs

Baylor’s McLennan County Greek Infrastructure

IRS B83 Organizations in Waco Area:

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Xi Chi Chapter (EIN 364091267) – 1101 Melrose Dr, Waco, TX 76710
• Texas Rho Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity (EIN 741942292) – 3217 S 3rd St, Waco, TX 76706

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Meet Texas Chapters

For Town of Hickory Creek families, understanding how national organizational patterns manifest at Texas campuses is crucial. The same fraternities involved in fatal hazing incidents nationwide operate chapters at universities where Denton County students enroll.

Why National Histories Matter Legally

When a Texas chapter repeats conduct that caused injuries or deaths elsewhere, courts can consider:

• Foreseeability: National headquarters knew or should have known the risks
• Pattern Evidence: Similar incidents at other chapters show organizational knowledge
• Negligent Supervision: Failure to implement meaningful prevention despite prior warnings

Organization-Specific Patterns

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike):

• Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State, 2021 – alcohol poisoning death, $10M settlement
• David Bogenberger: Northern Illinois University, 2012 – alcohol poisoning death, $14M settlement
• Texas Chapters: Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, and many other Texas schools
• Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol nights consistently produce fatalities

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE):

• University of Alabama: Traumatic brain injury lawsuit, 2023
• Texas A&M: Chemical burns case, 2021 – industrial cleaner causing skin grafts
• UT Austin: Assault case with multiple fractures, 2024
• Pattern: Physical violence combined with alcohol hazing across multiple chapters

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

• Andrew Coffey: Florida State University, 2017 – alcohol poisoning death
• Leonel Bermudez: University of Houston, 2025 – rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• Pattern: Extreme physical hazing combined with alcohol consumption

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

• Max Gruver: LSU, 2017 – “Bible study” drinking game death
• Louisiana Response: Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony
• Pattern: Academic-themed drinking games with fatal consequences

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: How We Track Organizations

Our firm maintains a comprehensive database of Texas Greek organizations compiled from:

IRS B83 Backbone – 125 Texas-Registered Entities:
We track every tax-exempt organization the IRS classifies as “Student Sororities, Fraternities” (NTEE code B83) with Texas addresses. This includes house corporations, alumni chapters, and related entities that often hold insurance coverage.

Example Entries Relevant to Town of Hickory Creek:

• Sigma Phi Lambda Inc (EIN 201237505) – 4251 FM 2181 Ste 230 PMB 480, Corinth, TX 76210 – Beta Chapter
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc (EIN 475370943) – 5019 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204 – Theta Delta Chapter
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (EIN 746064445) – 1855 Highway 69 N, Nederland, TX 77627 – Epsilon Kappa Chapter

Texas Universities – 96 Campuses:
From UNT in Denton to UT Austin, we map Greek life presence across all major Texas institutions.

Cause IQ Metro Organizations – 1,423 Total Across 25 Texas Metros:
The DFW-Arlington metro alone contains 510+ Greek organizations. When your child is hazed at a Texas school, we already know how to identify every potentially liable entity behind the letters.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages for Town of Hickory Creek Families

When hazing affects your family, understanding the legal process becomes essential. Here’s what Denton County families need to know about building a successful case.

Critical Evidence Categories

1. Digital Communications (Most Important):

• GroupMe/WhatsApp/Slack: Screenshot entire threads with timestamps visible
• iMessage/SMS: Preserve all texts related to events
• Social Media DMs: Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger
• Deleted Message Recovery: Digital forensics can often recover “disappeared” content
• Our video on evidence preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

2. Photo & Video Evidence:

• Injuries: Photograph immediately and over several days to show progression
• Locations: Houses, rooms, venues where hazing occurred
• Events: Videos of activities (if safely obtained)
• Objects: Paddles, alcohol bottles, props used in hazing

3. Medical Documentation:

• ER/Hospital Records: Must state “hazing” or “forced” in documentation
• Lab Results: Blood alcohol, toxicology, kidney function (critical in rhabdomyolysis cases)
• Imaging: X-rays, CT scans showing injuries
• Psychological Evaluations: PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses

4. Organizational Records:

• Chapter Documents: Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, meeting minutes
• National Communications: Emails between chapter and headquarters
• University Files: Prior conduct violations obtained through discovery

5. Witness Information:

• Other pledges who participated or witnessed
• Roommates, RAs, or friends who noticed changes
• Former members who quit due to hazing

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

• Medical Expenses: Past and future care, including lifelong needs for catastrophic injuries
• Lost Income: Time off work for recovery, diminished future earning capacity
• Educational Costs: Tuition for semesters missed, lost scholarship value
• Therapeutic Care: Ongoing psychological treatment for PTSD and trauma

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical Pain & Suffering: From injuries and recovery
• Emotional Distress: Humiliation, fear, anxiety, depression
• Loss of Enjoyment: Inability to participate in college experiences
• Reputational Harm: Social stigma affecting future opportunities

Wrongful Death Damages (When Applicable):

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support and companionship
• Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering
• Learn more about our wrongful death practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/

Punitive Damages (When Available):

• Designed to punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
• Available when defendants show “conscious indifference” to known risks
• Often triggered by cover-up attempts or destruction of evidence

The Insurance Coverage Battle

Fraternities, sororities, and universities carry insurance policies that become central to recovery. Our unique advantage comes from Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney. He knows exactly how these companies:

• Value and undervalue claims
• Use delay tactics to pressure families
• Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
• Negotiate behind closed doors

This insider knowledge often makes the difference between a lowball settlement and full compensation. Learn about Mr. Peña’s insurance defense background: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

Practical Guides & FAQs for Town of Hickory Creek Families

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal academic stress
• Sudden secrecy about organizational activities
• Withdrawal from family, old friends, or non-member activities
• Constant phone anxiety from group chat demands
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
• Financial strain from unexplained expenses or “fines”
• Academic decline from missed classes or sleepless nights

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally):

1. “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
2. “Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
3. “What do new members typically do in your organization?”
4. “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you wish you didn’t have to do?”
5. “Do you feel like you could leave if you wanted to, or would there be consequences?”

48-Hour Action Checklist:

1. Medical First: Get immediate care for any injuries or intoxication
2. Evidence Preservation: Screenshot everything before deletion occurs
3. Documentation: Write down everything your child tells you with dates/times
4. Legal Consultation: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 within 24-48 hours
5. University Reporting: Decide with legal counsel whether/when to report
6. Insurance Avoidance: Do NOT speak to insurance adjusters without counsel

For Students: Self-Protection Strategies

Is This Hazing? Quick Assessment:

• Are you being pressured to do something unsafe or degrading?
• Would you do this if there were no social consequences for refusing?
• Are older members making you do things they don’t have to do?
• Are you being told to keep secrets or lie about activities?
• Does the activity interfere with academic success or health?

If You Need to Exit Safely:

1. Immediate Danger: Call 911 or campus police
2. Safe Departure: Inform someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
3. Written Resignation: Email chapter president: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
4. Avoid “Final Meetings”: Do not attend meetings where pressure or retaliation might occur
5. Document Retaliation: Save evidence of any threats or harassment

Evidence Collection While It’s Happening:

1. Screenshots: Capture full group chat threads with timestamps
2. Photos: Injuries, locations, objects used in hazing
3. Recordings: Texas is a one-party consent state—you can record conversations you’re part of
4. Medical Documentation: Tell providers you were hazed so it enters medical records
5. Witness Information: Names/contacts of others who saw what happened

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

MISTAKE #1: Deleting Evidence

• What happens: You think you’re protecting privacy or avoiding trouble
• The reality: Looks like cover-up, can be obstruction of justice, makes case nearly impossible
• Better approach: Preserve everything, even embarrassing content
• Our video on client mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

MISTAKE #2: Confronting the Organization

• What happens: Parents want to “give them a piece of their mind”
• The reality: Organizations immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
• Better approach: Document everything, call a lawyer first

MISTAKE #3: Signing University Documents

• What happens: Schools pressure families to sign “internal resolution” agreements
• The reality: You may waive right to sue or accept inadequate settlements
• Better approach: “My attorney will review this before I sign anything”

MISTAKE #4: Social Media Posting

• What happens: Families want to publicly share what happened
• The reality: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
• Better approach: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

MISTAKE #5: Waiting for University Investigation

• What happens: “We’re investigating—let us handle this internally”
• The reality: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
• Better approach: Preserve evidence NOW; university process ≠ real accountability
• Statute of limitations video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue a Texas university for hazing?”
Yes, under specific circumstances. Public universities have sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals personally. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity barriers. Every case requires specific fact analysis—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case evaluation.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas Education Code §37.152 makes hazing a state jail felony when it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report known hazing.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to the activities?”
Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to the hazing activity.” 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 date of injury in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately apparent. In cases involving cover-ups, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911.

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize family privacy while pursuing accountability. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms.

“What if it happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Many major cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, Sigma Pi unofficial house) occurred off-campus with successful outcomes.

“How much will this cost?”
We work on contingency—no fee unless we win. Learn how contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

About The Manginello Law Firm: Why Town of Hickory Creek Families Choose Us

When your family faces the trauma of hazing, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. From our Houston base, we serve families throughout Texas, including Town of Hickory Creek and surrounding Denton County communities.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):

• Former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
• Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers value claims
• Understands their delay tactics, coverage arguments, and settlement strategies
• “We know their playbook because we used to run it.”
• Learn about Mr. Peña’s background: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

Complex Institutional Litigation (Ralph Manginello):

• One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
• Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
• Not intimidated by national fraternities or university defense teams
• “We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations. We know how to fight powerful defendants.”
• Ralph’s complete credentials: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/

Dual Criminal/Civil Capability:

• Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
• Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
• Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure
• Learn about our criminal defense practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:

• Tracks 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros
• IRS B83 database of 125+ Texas-registered Greek entities
• Campus-specific chapter mapping at all major Texas universities
• “When your child is hazed, we already know how to find every liable entity behind the letters.”

Multi-Million Dollar Results:

• Proven wrongful death and catastrophic injury settlements
• Economist collaboration for lifetime care valuation
• Experience with rhabdomyolysis, TBI, and permanent disability cases
• Wrongful death experience: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/

Currently Fighting: The Leonel Bermudez Case

Right now, we’re leading one of Texas’ most significant hazing lawsuits. Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student, suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after Pi Kappa Phi’s “pledge education.” According to ABC13 coverage, Bermudez endured:

• Physical torture: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races
• Humiliation: “Pledge fanny pack” with condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices
• Dangerous rituals: Hose spraying “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption until vomiting
• Medical catastrophe: Brown urine, hospitalization, permanent kidney damage risk

We’re suing the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual members. This active litigation demonstrates exactly what we do for Texas families facing institutional hazing cover-ups.

Call to Action: Let Us Fight for Your Town of Hickory Creek Family

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends UNT minutes away, Texas A&M several hours south, or any campus across Texas—you don’t have to face this alone.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you’ll receive:

1. Compassionate Listening: We’ll hear your story without judgment
2. Evidence Review: We’ll examine any documentation you’ve preserved
3. Legal Options Explained: Criminal reporting, civil litigation, or both
4. Realistic Expectations: Timelines, challenges, and potential outcomes
5. Cost Transparency: Contingency fee basis—no recovery, no fee
6. No Pressure Decision: Take time to decide what’s right for your family

Contact The Manginello Law Firm Today

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 or lupe@atty911.com

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

Serving Town of Hickory Creek & All Texas Communities

From our Houston office, we represent families throughout Texas, including Denton County, Town of Hickory Creek, Lewisville, Flower Mound, Corinth, and all surrounding communities. Distance doesn’t matter—what matters is getting your family the justice and accountability you deserve.

Whether your child was hazed at UNT, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any Texas campus, we have the experience, resources, and determination to hold every responsible party accountable. We’ve faced billion-dollar corporations before. We’re not intimidated by national fraternities, university legal teams, or insurance companies.

Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let us help you protect your child’s future and prevent this from happening to another family. Because in Texas, hazing isn’t tradition—it’s trauma. And trauma demands accountability.

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