The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits for Mansfield Families: Holding Texas Universities & Fraternities Accountable

A Mansfield Parent’s Worst Nightmare

The phone rings at 2 AM. Your child, a freshman at a Texas university, is slurring their words. Between sobs, they describe being forced to drink from a bottle being passed around a dark room at an off-campus fraternity house. They’re scared, humiliated, and their “big brother” just told them that calling for help would get the whole chapter shut down—and make them the reason their new friends get expelled. You’re three hours away in Mansfield, feeling utterly helpless as your child’s safety hangs in the balance.

This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario. Right now, in Harris County, we’re fighting exactly this kind of case on behalf of a Texas family. Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student, suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after alleged hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to media reports, he was forced through extreme workouts, sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” made to consume milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and subjected to humiliating “pledge fanny pack” rules. His urine turned brown, he was hospitalized for four days, and he now faces potential permanent kidney damage. The chapter has been shut down, but for the Bermudez family—and potentially for your family in Mansfield—the legal battle for accountability is just beginning.

What This Guide Offers Mansfield Families

This comprehensive resource was created specifically for parents and students in Mansfield, Tarrant County, and throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metro area. Whether your child attends the University of Texas at Arlington just minutes away, Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, or has ventured to Texas A&M, UT Austin, or other campuses, this guide will help you understand:

What modern hazing really looks like (beyond the stereotypes)
Texas hazing laws and how they protect—or sometimes fail—our students
The proven patterns behind national fraternity hazing deaths and injuries
What’s happening on Texas campuses where Mansfield students enroll
How to recognize warning signs and take immediate, effective action
Your family’s legal options when hazing causes injury or worse

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 Mansfield Students

For Mansfield families unfamiliar with modern Greek life dynamics, hazing has evolved far beyond the “animal house” stereotypes. Today’s hazing combines traditional physical abuse with digital coercion and psychological manipulation designed to evade detection.

The Modern Definition

Hazing 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. Critically, “I agreed to it” does not make it legal or safe when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law recognizes that consent given under duress isn’t valid consent at all.

Main Categories of Hazing Affecting Tarrant County Students

Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the most deadly form. Mansfield students at Texas campuses face forced drinking games, “lineups” where pledges chug alcohol in succession, “Big/Little” reveal nights with handles of hard liquor, and games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mean drinking. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH allegedly included forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.

Physical Hazing: Beyond paddling, today’s physical hazing includes extreme calisthenics disguised as “workouts”—like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats described in the Bermudez lawsuit. Sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, exposure to extreme elements, and dangerous “trust exercises” are common. The lawsuit describes Bermudez being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding” and threatened with actual waterboarding.

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 “pledge fanny pack” rule in the Bermudez case allegedly required carrying condoms, sex toys, and other humiliating items 24/7.

Psychological Hazing: Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming in meetings or group chats. Many Mansfield students report being told they’ll “ruin it for everyone” if they speak up.

Digital/Online Hazing: This is particularly insidious for tech-savvy students. Group chat dares on GroupMe or Discord, “challenges” shared via Instagram or TikTok, pressure to create compromising content, and 24/7 availability demands where pledges must respond instantly to messages at all hours. One of the most damaging aspects is the recording and sharing of hazing acts for entertainment within closed groups.

Where Hazing Actually Happens in Texas

While fraternities receive most attention, hazing occurs in multiple organizations where Mansfield students participate:

Fraternities and Sororities: All councils—IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC (Divine Nine), multicultural—have documented incidents
Corps of Cadets/Military Programs: Texas A&M’s Corps has faced serious hazing allegations
Athletic Teams: From football to swimming, team initiation rituals can cross into hazing
Spirit and Tradition Groups: Texas Cowboys, cheer teams, marching bands
Academic and Service Organizations: Even honor societies and professional fraternities

The common threads are social status, tradition secrecy, and power imbalance—dynamics that exist across campus organizations, not just Greek life.

Texas Hazing Law: What Mansfield Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws that apply whether your child is at UT Arlington down the road or at a campus hours from Mansfield. Understanding this framework is crucial for protecting your family’s rights.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Core Law

Texas defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

Endangers mental or physical health or safety, AND
Occurs for pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership

Key Points for Mansfield Families:

Location doesn’t matter—off-campus houses, retreats, and Airbnbs are all covered
Mental OR physical harm qualifies
“Reckless” is enough—they don’t need to have intended harm
Consent is NOT a defense (Texas Education Code § 37.155)

Criminal Penalties Under Texas Law

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing without serious injury (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 crimes: Failing to report hazing or retaliating against reporters

Organizational Liability

Texas law allows prosecution of organizations (fraternities, sororities, teams) if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report. Organizations can face fines up to $10,000 per violation and university expulsion.

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting

A person who in good faith reports hazing to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability. Many universities, including those in the DFW area, extend amnesty to those calling for help in medical emergencies, even if underage drinking was involved.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: What Mansfield Families Should Understand

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (DA’s office)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims/families
Aim: Compensation and accountability
Focus: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress

Critical Insight: These can run simultaneously, and a criminal conviction is NOT required for a civil case. Many hazing cases settle civilly while criminal charges are pending or never filed.

Federal Law Overlay

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing transparently, strengthen prevention, and maintain public data (phased in by 2026).

Title IX & Clery Act: When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. Clery requires reporting certain crimes—hazing often overlaps with assault or alcohol crimes.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Mansfield Families

The tragic cases below aren’t just news stories—they establish legal precedents and patterns that directly affect how we handle hazing cases for Mansfield families.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Bid acceptance night with extreme drinking, fatal falls captured on chapter cameras, hours delayed before calling 911. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, civil litigation, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant drinking. Died with 0.495% BAC. Result: Felony hazing law (Max Gruver Act) in Louisiana.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night. Result: $10 million settlement ($7M from national Pike, ~$3M from BGSU).

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): “Big Brother” night with handle of liquor. Result: FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat caused fatal head injuries. Help delayed. Result: National fraternity convicted of aggravated assault/involuntary manslaughter, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Danny Santulli – Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): “Pledge dad reveal” drinking led to severe permanent brain damage (cannot walk, talk, or see). Result: Settlements with 22 defendants, reportedly multi-million dollar.

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): Alleged sexualized, racist hazing spanning years. Result: Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired, confidential settlement.

Texas A&M Corps of Cadets (2023): Cadet alleged “roasted pig” binding with apple in mouth, simulated sexual acts. Sought over $1 million.

What These Cases Mean for Mansfield

Common threads Mansfield families must recognize: forced drinking, humiliation, delayed medical care, and systematic cover-ups. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements typically follow only after tragedy and litigation. Your family doesn’t need to wait for tragedy—understanding these patterns empowers early intervention.

Texas Focus: Universities Where Mansfield Students Enroll

Mansfield families send students throughout Texas, but several universities have particular relevance given their proximity and enrollment patterns.

University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)

For Mansfield Families: Located just 20 minutes north in Arlington, UTA is where many Mansfield graduates begin their college journeys. With its commuter and residential mix, UTA’s Greek life and organizations are often a Mansfield student’s first exposure to campus culture.

Greek Ecosystem: UTA hosts fraternities and sororities across IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and multicultural councils. The proximity to Mansfield means incidents here directly affect our community.

Documented Issues: While no recent high-profile hazing deaths, UTA has faced hazing allegations in various organizations. The university’s Office of Student Conduct handles reports, with potential involvement from Arlington Police Department for off-campus incidents.

Legal Jurisdiction: Hazing cases involving UTA students typically fall under Tarrant County courts when incidents occur off-campus, or involve a mix of campus and local law enforcement.

What Mansfield UTA Families Should Know:

Report to UTA’s Office of Student Conduct AND Arlington PD if crimes occurred
UTA’s Dean of Students can provide interim safety measures
Many UTA Greek houses are off-campus, making jurisdiction complex
Document whether university knew of prior incidents involving the same group

Texas Christian University (TCU)

For Mansfield Families: Just 30 minutes west in Fort Worth, TCU attracts Mansfield students with its strong academic programs and notable Greek life. TCU’s Greek participation rate is among Texas’s highest, making awareness critical.

Greek Presence: TCU hosts prominent IFC and Panhellenic chapters, including national organizations with hazing histories. The university’s affluent reputation doesn’t immunize it from hazing risks.

Documented Incidents:

Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, sleep deprived. Chapter suspended.
Various other organizations have faced sanctions for alcohol violations and hazing-related conduct.

Legal Considerations: As a private university, TCU has different liability considerations than public institutions. Fort Worth Police Department often handles off-campus incidents in TCU’s surrounding neighborhoods.

Texas A&M University

For Mansfield Families: Though further away, Texas A&M attracts many Mansfield students through its engineering, business, and Corps of Cadets programs. The Corps’ military-style environment presents unique hazing risks.

Corps of Cadets Culture: The Corps has faced multiple hazing allegations, including the 2023 lawsuit alleging cadets were bound in “roasted pig” positions with apples in mouths. These traditions exist alongside the Corps’ proud heritage.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (~2021): Pledges allegedly suffered severe chemical burns from industrial-strength cleaner poured on them during hazing. Required skin graft surgeries. Chapter suspended; lawsuit filed.

University Response: A&M uses its Student Conduct office and Corps-specific regulations. The university often emphasizes internal resolution, which may not provide full accountability.

What Mansfield A&M Families Should Do:

Distinguish between “traditional discipline” and illegal hazing
Report to both A&M’s Office of Student Conduct AND local police if in College Station
Preserve Corps-specific evidence (training manuals, tradition documents)
Understand that A&M’s institutional pride may affect initial responses

University of Texas at Austin

For Mansfield Families: UT Austin represents the flagship destination for many high-achieving Mansfield students. Its size and Greek life prominence mean Mansfield families need particular vigilance.

Transparency Leader: UT maintains a public Hazing Violations page listing organizations, conduct, and sanctions—a resource more transparent than many Texas schools.

Documented Cases:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: probation and hazing-prevention education.
Various spirit groups and organizations have faced sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, and punishment-based practices.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Incident (2024): Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted at party, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose. Sued for over $1 million.

Legal Environment: Incidents may involve UTPD, Austin Police, or both. Travis County courts handle civil cases. UT’s public violation records can be powerful evidence in civil suits.

Southern Methodist University

For Mansfield Families: SMU’s proximity and academic reputation make it another common choice. Its affluent student body and strong Greek presence require awareness.

Private University Dynamics: SMU’s private status affects transparency and liability considerations. The university uses anonymous reporting systems like Real Response alongside formal conduct processes.

Documented Issues: Beyond the 2017 Kappa Alpha Order case, SMU has faced hazing allegations across Greek councils. The university’s disciplinary outcomes are less public than UT’s.

Legal Strategy Note: Civil cases against SMU may need to compel discovery of internal reports that aren’t publicly available.

Baylor University

For Mansfield Families: Baylor’s religious identity attracts some Mansfield families, but its history with institutional accountability requires careful navigation.

Institutional Context: Baylor’s recent sexual assault scandal demonstrates how religious branding can coexist with institutional failure. This history affects how hazing cases are perceived and handled.

Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation, with staggered suspensions affecting the season.

What Mansfield Baylor Families Should Consider:

Baylor’s “zero tolerance” statements versus actual enforcement history
How religious context might affect reporting and institutional response
Waco police jurisdiction versus Baylor PD for off-campus incidents

University of Houston: The Flagship Case Affecting All Texas Families

Though farther from Mansfield, UH’s current high-profile case establishes critical precedents affecting all Texas hazing litigation.

Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi: Our firm represents Bermudez in this $10 million lawsuit alleging extreme hazing leading to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

Key Allegations (from media reports):

“Pledge fanny pack” with degrading items required 24/7
Extreme physical hazing: sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, cold-weather exposure
Hose spraying “similar to waterboarding”
Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting
Nov 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threat
Another pledge hog-tied face-down with object in mouth for over an hour

Medical Consequences: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown), acute kidney failure, passed brown urine, hospitalized four days, faces permanent kidney risk.

Defendants: UH, UH Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national, Beta Nu housing corporation, 13 individual members.

Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi suspended chapter Nov 6, 2025; chapter voted to surrender charter Nov 14, 2025; UH called conduct “deeply disturbing.”

Why This Matters for Mansfield: This active litigation demonstrates what serious hazing cases look like in Texas courts right now. The patterns alleged here—forced drinking, extreme exercise, humiliation, medical crisis—are exactly what Mansfield families must recognize and act upon early.

The DFW Greek Ecosystem: What Mansfield Parents Are Up Against

The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metro area hosts 510 Greek-related organizations according to Cause IQ data. Mansfield sits within this dense network of fraternities, sororities, alumni chapters, and housing corporations.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities & Sororities Serving Mansfield Families

If you’re a Mansfield parent, you deserve to know who stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. Below are examples from public records of the entities operating in our region:

IRS B83 Registered Organizations (Tax-Exempt Greek Entities):

Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – EIN 742911848 – Fort Worth, TX 76244
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 741380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc – EIN 453325054 – Mansfield, TX 76063
Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Texas Gamma Chapter – EIN 911981478 – Fort Worth, TX 76109
Frisco TX Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Incorporated – EIN 920575785 – Frisco, TX 75034
Delta Kappa Gamma Society – various chapters throughout Tarrant County
Kappa Delta Sorority – Gamma Beta Chapter – Denton, TX (Texas Woman’s University)

Cause IQ Metro Organizations (DFW Area):

Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) – Arlington/Dallas area operations
Chi Omega Educational Corporation – Fort Worth (TCU-related)
Beta Upsilon Chi Foundation – Fort Worth
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity – Texas Rho Corp. – Austin (UT chapter)
Delta Tau Delta Fraternity – Gamma Iota Chapter – Austin (UT chapter)

Cross-Validated Brands (Appearing in Both IRS and Cause IQ Data):

Beta Upsilon Chi (Fort Worth-based Christian fraternity with national reach)
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation (Fort Worth-based housing foundation)
Various Delta Kappa Gamma Society chapters (educators’ society throughout Texas)

What This Directory Means for Mansfield Families

These aren’t just names—they represent legal entities with insurance coverage, assets, and liability. When hazing occurs, identifying the correct corporate entities is crucial for recovery. Many national fraternities structure themselves with:

Undergraduate chapter (often unincorporated)
Housing corporation (owns the house, often has insurance)
Alumni association (may have funds)
National headquarters (deepest pockets, insurance coverage)

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros precisely so Mansfield families don’t start from zero when crisis strikes.

Where Mansfield Families Send Their Kids: Campus Connections

Mansfield students enroll at universities throughout Texas, creating complex jurisdictional and logistical considerations for hazing cases.

Primary Destinations for Mansfield Graduates:

Local/Regional Campuses:
- University of Texas at Arlington (20 minutes north)
- Texas Christian University (30 minutes west)
- University of North Texas (Denton, 45 minutes north)
- Texas Woman’s University (Denton)
- Dallas College campuses
Statewide Hubs:
- Texas A&M University (College Station)
- University of Texas at Austin
- Texas Tech University (Lubbock)
- Baylor University (Waco)
- University of Houston
Private & Specialized:
- Southern Methodist University (Dallas)
- Texas Christian University (already noted)
- Various other private universities

Jurisdictional Realities for Mansfield Families

When hazing occurs, Mansfield families navigate:

Local Police: City PD where incident occurred (Arlington, Fort Worth, College Station, etc.)
Campus Police: University PD jurisdiction on campus property
Sheriff’s Office: County jurisdiction for unincorporated areas
Texas Rangers: Possible involvement in serious cases
Court Venues: Civil cases typically filed where incident occurred or where defendants reside

Critical Insight: Many fraternities intentionally use off-campus houses to avoid university jurisdiction. This doesn’t eliminate liability—it complicates it. The Pi Delta Psi case (Baruch College student died at Pennsylvania retreat) proved off-campus location doesn’t protect organizations.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages for Mansfield Families

When hazing injures a Mansfield student, building a strong case requires immediate, strategic action. Here’s what experienced hazing litigation looks like.

Evidence Collection: The 48-Hour Clock Starts Now

Digital Evidence (MOST CRITICAL):

Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity apps
Social Media: Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook posts/comments
Texts/DMs: Save entire conversations with timestamps
Deleted Messages: Digital forensics can often recover them—don’t reset phones

Photo/Video Evidence:

Injuries: Photograph immediately from multiple angles with ruler for scale
Locations: House exteriors, room interiors where hazing occurred
Events: Any recordings made by participants (often exist despite being “secret”)

Medical Documentation:

ER records must specify “hazing” or “forced consumption”
Lab results: Blood alcohol, toxicology, kidney function (critical for rhabdomyolysis cases like Bermudez’s)
Follow-up care: Document ongoing physical/psychological treatment

Institutional Records:

University conduct files on the organization (obtained via discovery)
National fraternity incident reports
Insurance policies (multiple layers often exist)

Witness Information:

Other pledges (often initially afraid, may cooperate later)
Former members who quit
Roommates, RAs, bystanders
Emergency responders

Damages: What Mansfield Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical bills (past and future)
Lost earnings/earning capacity
Educational costs (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
Therapy and rehabilitation expenses

Non-Economic Damages:

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

Wrongful Death Damages (When Tragedy Strikes):

Funeral/burial costs
Loss of financial support
Loss of companionship, guidance, love
Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages (When Conduct is Egregious):

For recklessness, cover-ups, or intentional harm
Texas has caps in many cases but exceptions exist

The Role of Different Defendants & Insurance

Individual Students: Often have minimal assets but can be personally liable. Their parents’ homeowner policies sometimes provide coverage.

Local Chapter: May be unincorporated (no assets) or have a housing corporation with insurance.

National Fraternity/Sorority: Typically has the deepest pockets and insurance coverage. They often argue the chapter acted “rogue” despite collecting dues and providing materials.

University: Public universities (UT, A&M, UH) have sovereign immunity limitations but can still be liable for gross negligence. Private schools (SMU, Baylor, TCU) have fewer immunity protections.

Third Parties: Property owners, alcohol providers (dram shop liability), security companies.

Insurance Coverage Fights: Insurers often argue hazing is excluded as “intentional.” Skilled attorneys counter that negligent supervision is covered even if hazing was intentional.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Mansfield Families

For Parents: Warning Signs & Immediate Response

Warning Signs Your Mansfield Student May Be Hazed:

Unexplained injuries, bruises, burns
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
Constant phone monitoring for group messages
Defensiveness when asked about the group
Academic decline or missed classes
Financial strain from unexpected “fines” or purchases

How to Talk to Your Child:

“How are things going with [organization]? Are they respecting your time?”
“Have you seen anyone get hurt or been hurt yourself?”
“Is there anything you feel pressured to do that makes you uncomfortable?”
“Do you feel like you could leave if you wanted to?”

If You Suspect Hazing:

Safety First: If injured/intoxicated, call 911 immediately
Document Everything: Write down what they tell you with dates/times
Preserve Evidence: Screenshot messages, photograph injuries
Medical Attention: Even if they resist, insist on evaluation
Legal Consultation: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before confronting anyone

For Students: Is This Hazing? What to Do

Ask Yourself:

Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Are older members making me do things they don’t do?
Am I being told to keep secrets or lie?

If It’s Hazing:

Your safety matters most—call 911 if in danger
You have the right to leave ANY TIME
Texas law protects good-faith reporters
Document everything before confronting anyone

Exiting Safely:

Tell someone outside the organization first
Email/text the chapter president: “I resign effective immediately”
Do NOT go to “one last meeting”
Report retaliation to campus police and Dean of Students

For Witnesses/Former Members: Doing the Right Thing

If you participated and now regret it:

Your testimony can prevent future harm
You may need your own attorney (we can refer you)
Cooperation can be part of accountability
The cover-up often causes more legal trouble than the hazing itself

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

1. Deleting Evidence: Messages may be embarrassing but destroying them looks like obstruction of justice.

2. Confronting the Organization: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, and prepare defenses.

3. Signing University “Resolutions”: Early settlements are usually far below case value and may waive rights.

4. Social Media Posts: Defense attorneys monitor everything. Inconsistencies hurt credibility.

5. Waiting for University Investigation: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitations run.

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Unrepresented: Recorded statements are used against you.

7. Letting Your Child Return “For Closure”: They’re pressured, intimidated, or extract damaging statements.

Mansfield-Specific FAQs

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under circumstances. Public universities have sovereign immunity limitations, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals personally. Private universities (SMU, Baylor, TCU) have fewer protections. Every case is fact-specific.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Default is Class B misdemeanor, but becomes state jail felony if causing serious bodily injury or death. The Bermudez case (rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure) would likely qualify.

“My child ‘agreed’ to it—do we have a case?”
YES. Texas Education Code § 37.155: Consent is not a defense. Courts recognize “consent” under peer pressure isn’t voluntary.

“How long do we have to sue?”
Generally 2 years from injury/death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately known. In cover-up cases, statutes may be tolled. TIME IS CRITICAL.

“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) were off-campus.

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

Why Attorney911 for Mansfield Hazing Cases

Our Unique Qualifications for Texas Hazing Litigation

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

Complex Institutional Litigation (Ralph Manginello):
We’re one of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar defendants. That same capability applies to national fraternities and universities with unlimited legal budgets. Our federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) means we’re not intimidated by their defense teams.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Experience:
We’ve recovered millions for families in complex wrongful death cases. We work with economists to value lifetime care needs for brain injuries, permanent disabilities, and cases like rhabdomyolysis with lasting kidney damage. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force accountability.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:
Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure, navigating both tracks strategically.

Investigative Depth:
Our network includes digital forensics experts who recover deleted messages, medical experts who explain injuries like rhabdomyolysis, psychologists who document PTSD, and Greek life culture experts. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

Spanish-Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, serving Hispanic families throughout Texas. Se habla Español.

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine

While other firms start from zero, we maintain a proprietary database of:

1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros
IRS records of 125+ Texas-registered Greek entities
Campus-specific chapter rosters at UH, A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
National hazing incident patterns for major fraternities
Insurance coverage structures for national organizations

This means when you call us about a Pi Kappa Phi case, we already know about their national history, insurance carriers, and legal strategies. We don’t just react—we anticipate.

Call to Action for Mansfield Families

If Hazing Has Impacted Your Family

Whether your student attends UT Arlington, TCU, A&M, or any Texas campus, we’re here to help. From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Mansfield and the entire Dallas–Fort Worth region.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation:

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

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

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

We 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—we don’t get paid unless we win)
No pressure to hire us immediately
Everything you tell us is confidential

Your Mansfield Family Doesn’t Have to Face This Alone

Hazing thrives in silence and shame. Breaking that silence takes courage, but you don’t need to do it alone. Whether you’re dealing with the immediate aftermath or uncovering past hazing that’s affecting your child’s mental health today, we can help you navigate toward accountability and healing.

The patterns are clear, the legal pathways exist, and the time to act is now. Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re here to listen, to fight, and to help prevent what happened to your family from happening to anyone else.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / 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 to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website

Homepage: 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