Hazing at Texas Universities: A Complete Guide for Kyle Families Seeking Justice and Accountability

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You’re Not Alone—and You Have Legal Rights

For parents in Kyle, Hays County, and across Central Texas, the college experience you envisioned for your child can turn into a nightmare in an instant. That late-night phone call you never wanted to receive. The unexplained injuries during “pledge week.” The sudden personality changes, the secretive behavior, the medical bills for something they won’t fully explain.

Right now, just a few hours away from Kyle, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student, has filed a $10 million lawsuit against UH and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter after hazing that left him with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. According to the ABC13 coverage, he was forced through 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, and creed recitation under threat of expulsion, then hospitalized for four days after passing brown urine. The Click2Houston report details how pledges carried “fanny packs” containing condoms and sex toys as part of systematic humiliation, with hazing occurring at the Pi Kappa Phi house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park.

This isn’t just happening in Houston. As Texas hazing lawyers serving families across the state—including here in Kyle and throughout Hays County—we’ve seen how these patterns repeat at campuses throughout Texas. If your child attends Texas State University just minutes from Kyle, or if they’ve gone to University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M, Baylor, SMU, or any other Texas campus, this guide will help you understand what’s happening, what your legal rights are, and how to protect your child when institutions fail them.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

The Modern Reality for Texas Students

Hazing has evolved far beyond the “Animal House” stereotypes many parents remember. For Kyle families with students at Texas State University or other Central Texas campuses, understanding these modern dynamics is crucial.

Digital Control and 24/7 Monitoring: Today’s hazing often happens through group chats that never sleep. Pledges in Kyle might be connected to chapters at Texas State, UT Austin, or other schools through GroupMe, WhatsApp, or Discord servers where they’re expected to respond instantly at all hours. Geo-tracking through Snapchat Maps or Find My Friends creates constant surveillance. Failure to comply brings digital humiliation—forced TikTok videos, Instagram story dares, or public shaming in group chats.

“Voluntary” Coercion: Modern hazing is often framed as “optional” to create legal cover. Your child from Kyle attending Texas State might hear: “You don’t HAVE to do this, but if you want a ‘big’…” or “Everyone before you did it, but it’s your choice.” This psychological pressure—where refusal means social exclusion—is especially potent for students away from their Kyle support systems for the first time.

Disguised as Legitimate Activities: What parents in Kyle might hear as “team bonding” or “fitness challenges” can mask dangerous hazing. The extreme calisthenics that hospitalized Leonel Bermudez at UH were framed as “conditioning.” At Texas A&M, “Corps traditions” have masked abusive practices. For Texas State students from Kyle, similar disguises make hazing harder to identify and report.

Off-Campus and Off-the-Books: Recognizing that Kyle parents might check university event calendars, hazing has moved to Airbnbs, rural properties, and unofficial houses. The Pi Kappa Phi hazing at UH occurred at multiple off-campus locations specifically to avoid detection. For Texas State students just minutes from their Kyle homes, this geographical separation makes monitoring even harder for concerned parents.

The Three Tiers of Hazing: Recognizing the Spectrum

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (Often Dismissed as “Harmless”)

Required servitude: Acting as 24/7 designated drivers, cleaning members’ rooms, running errands
Social isolation: Cutting off contact with non-members, requiring permission to socialize
Sleep interference: Mandatory late-night meetings during exam periods
Constant digital monitoring: Instant response expectations in group chats

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (Creating Hostile Environments)

Verbal abuse and degradation sessions (“roasts” or “grillings”)
Food/water manipulation: Forced consumption of spoiled food, hot sauce, or excessive bland foods
Public humiliation: Embarrassing costumes, public performances, social media dares
“Smokings”: Extreme calisthenics framed as “conditioning”

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (High Injury/Death Risk)

Forced alcohol consumption: “Big/Little” nights, drinking games, handles of liquor
Physical beatings: Paddling, punching, “gladiator” matches
Sexualized abuse: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts
Dangerous environments: Exposure to extreme temperatures, restraint, kidnapping scenarios

For Kyle parents, the critical insight is that Tier 1 behaviors create the psychological framework that makes Tier 3 possible. What starts as “just cleaning the house” or “being on call” establishes the power imbalance that enables later violence.

Texas Hazing Law: What Kyle Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your Legal Foundation

As Texas hazing lawyers serving Kyle and Hays County families, we operate under Texas’s specific legal framework. Texas Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F provides the backbone of hazing law in our state.

Definition That Matters: Texas law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act (on or off campus) directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health and occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership.

Critical Provisions for Kyle Families:

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
Organizational Liability: Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report.
Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that the victim’s “consent” doesn’t matter. This is crucial for Kyle parents who hear: “But they agreed to it!” Peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion invalidate so-called consent.
Good-Faith Reporting Protection: Students who report hazing in good faith have immunity from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result. This “medical amnesty” provision is designed to overcome the fear that prevents 911 calls.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Dual Paths

Criminal Cases (The State’s Role):

Prosecuted by district attorneys in Hays County (for Texas State incidents) or other jurisdictions
Focus on punishment: jail time, fines, probation
Charges can include: hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter in fatal cases
Important for Kyle families: A criminal conviction is NOT required for a civil case

Civil Cases (Your Family’s Path to Justice):

Filed by victims or surviving families
Focus on compensation and accountability
Recoverable damages include: medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress
Can proceed even without criminal charges
Our role as Texas hazing lawyers: We handle the civil side, holding all responsible parties accountable

Federal Overlay: Additional Protections

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

Requires Texas universities receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents
Mandates hazing education and prevention programs
Phased implementation through 2026, creating more transparency for Kyle families

Title IX Protections:

When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility
Creates additional reporting obligations for universities
Can provide alternative accountability pathways

Clery Act Requirements:

Texas campuses must report certain crime statistics
Hazing incidents often overlap with reportable crimes
Creates public data that can show patterns

The National Hazing Landscape: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

Alcohol Poisoning: The Deadliest Pattern

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

Forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night
Died from alcohol poisoning
Result: $10 million settlement ($7M from national Pi Kappa Alpha, $3M from university)
For Kyle families: This exact “Big/Little” script repeats at Texas campuses

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

“Bible study” drinking game: wrong answers = forced drinking
Died with 0.495% BAC (six times legal limit)
Result: Louisiana passed “Max Gruver Act” making hazing a felony
For Kyle families: Drinking games are predictable, preventable patterns

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

Bid acceptance night with extreme drinking
Multiple falls captured on house cameras; delayed 911 call
18 members charged with over 1,000 criminal counts
Result: Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law”
For Kyle families: Security camera footage often exists and can be crucial evidence

Physical and Ritualized Violence

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

Blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual during retreat
Fatal head injuries; delayed medical care
Result: National fraternity criminally convicted, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
For Kyle families: Off-campus retreats are common hazing venues

Texas A&M Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021):

Pledges covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, causing chemical burns
Required emergency skin graft surgeries
Result: $1 million lawsuit, chapter suspension
whose cases our firm handles: Physical hazing causes lasting damage

Athletic Program Hazing: Beyond Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025):

Widespread sexualized, racist hazing within football program
Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired
Result: Confidential settlements, program overhaul
For Kyle families: Hazing isn’t just fraternities—it’s any group with power imbalance

Texas A&M Corps of Cadets (2023):

Cadet alleged being bound between beds in “roasted pig” position with apple in mouth
Simulated sexual acts, degradation
Result: Over $1 million lawsuit
-Military-style groups have their own dangerous traditions

Texas University Focus: Where Kyle Students Attend

Texas State University: Your Local Campus Reality

For Kyle families, Texas State University isn’t just the closest major campus—it’s where many local students begin their college experience. Understanding hazing dynamics here is particularly important.

Campus Culture and Greek Landscape:

30+ fraternities and sororities across IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and multicultural councils
Active sports teams, spirit groups, and academic organizations
San Marcos location creates both proximity to Kyle homes and geographical separation that can enable secrecy

Documented Incidents and Patterns:
While specific incident reports are often shielded by confidentiality, patterns emerge:

Alcohol-related hazing violations reported through university conduct system
Social media evidence showing traditional “hell week” activities
Medical transports from Greek housing during peak pledging periods

What Texas State Says vs. Reality:

University policies explicitly prohibit hazing on and off campus
Reporting channels exist through Dean of Students and campus police
The gap: Like all universities, Texas State balances transparency with institutional protection

Practical Steps for Kyle Families with Texas State Students:

Know the geography: Greek housing locations, common off-campus venues
Document communications: Texas State students often use GroupMe for chapter communications
Understand jurisdictional lines: San Marcos PD vs. campus police responsibilities
Preserve evidence immediately: The closeness to Kyle can be an advantage for quick response

University of Texas at Austin: Where Many Kyle Students Aspire

For ambitious Kyle students, UT Austin represents academic excellence—but also hosts one of Texas’s largest and most complex Greek systems.

UT’s Unique Transparency Advantage:

Public hazing violations page (hazing.utexas.edu) lists organizations, dates, and sanctions
Example: Pi Kappa Alpha (2023) sanctioned for forcing new members to consume milk and perform extreme calisthenics
Why this matters for Kyle families: Public records create pattern evidence for lawsuits

Recent Cases and Responses:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose
Multiple organizations on probation for alcohol hazing, forced workouts, humiliation rituals
Pattern: Despite transparency, violations continue

UT-Specific Considerations for Kyle Families:

Traffic and distance mean Kyle parents can’t quickly respond to emergencies
Larger Greek system means more complex investigations when things go wrong
University resources are substantial, but so is institutional protection instinct

Texas A&M University: Tradition and Risk

For Kyle families with Aggie traditions, understanding A&M’s unique hazing landscape is crucial.

Corps of Cadets Reality:

Military-style hierarchy enables systematic abuse
2023 lawsuit: cadet allegedly bound in “roasted pig” position with apple in mouth
Pattern: Traditions masking abuse, delayed reporting due to loyalty

Greek System Incidents:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon chemical burns case (2021): Industrial cleaner causing skin grafts
Multiple chapter suspensions for alcohol hazing, physical abuse
Aggie culture: Deep loyalty sometimes prevents early intervention

Practical Guidance for Kyle Aggie Families:

Understand the dual systems: Corps and Greek life have different reporting chains
Document everything: Traditions often have physical evidence (paddles, props)
Act quickly: The “wait and see” approach fails as evidence disappears

Baylor University and SMU: Private Campus Dynamics

For Kyle students at private universities, different rules apply but similar patterns emerge.

Baylor’s History and Present:

2020 baseball hazing incident: 14 players suspended
Religious identity creates unique reporting dynamics
Pattern: Institutional protection concerns can delay transparency

SMU’s Affluent Greek Culture:

2017 Kappa Alpha Order paddling and alcohol hazing incident
Private university status means less public reporting
Pattern: Resources sometimes enable better concealment

Fraternity and Sorority National Histories: Why Patterns Matter for Kyle Families

The Critical Connection: Local Chapters, National Patterns

When your child in Kyle is hazed at Texas State, UT, or any Texas campus, you’re not dealing with an isolated incident. You’re confronting decades of national patterns that local chapters replicate.

Why National Histories Matter Legally:

Foreseeability: If Pi Kappa Alpha nationals knew about Stone Foltz’s death at Bowling Green (forced drinking during Big/Little night), they should have known the same script at UH would be dangerous
Negligent Supervision: National organizations that collect dues and provide training have duty to supervise
Punitive Damages: Repeated patterns despite knowledge support claims for punishment beyond compensation

Major National Organizations with Texas Presence

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – Multiple Texas Campuses:

Stone Foltz (BGSU, 2021): $10 million settlement
David Bogenberger (NIU, 2012): $14 million settlement
Texas Presence: Chapters at UT, Texas A&M, Texas State, others
For Kyle families: This is the organization involved in the deadliest recent hazing cases

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Widespread in Texas:

University of Alabama TBI case (2023): Traumatic brain injury lawsuit
Texas A&M chemical burns (2021): $1 million lawsuit, skin grafts
UT Austin assault case (2024): International student severely injured
Texas Presence: Nearly every major Texas campus
Pattern: Repeated physical violence despite national “reforms”

Pi Kappa Phi – Currently in Headlines:

Andrew Coffey (FSU, 2017): Death from alcohol poisoning during Big Brother night
initiatives across campuses
Pattern: Alcohol-focused hazing persists despite national awareness

How National Patterns Play Out Locally

The Script Stays the Same:
What killed Stone Foltz at Bowling Green in 2021 is the same “Big/Little” alcohol hazing that nearly killed Leonel Bermudez at UH in 2025. What caused chemical burns at Texas A&M in 2021 is the same substance abuse hazing that appears at other SAE chapters nationally.

For Kyle Parents: When you hear “this is just our chapter tradition,” understand that it’s almost certainly a national pattern with a documented injury and death history. Nationals know these patterns. Their failure to prevent them creates legal liability.

Building a Hazing Case: What Kyle Families Can Expect

Evidence Collection: The First 48 Hours Are Critical

Digital Evidence – Your Most Powerful Tool:

Group chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord messages showing planning, coordination, threats
Social media: Instagram stories, Snapchat posts, TikTok videos of events
Location data: Geo-tags, Find My Friends history, Uber/Lyft receipts
Our approach: We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages and establish timelines

Physical Evidence That Matters:

Clothing with stains, tears, or damage
Paddles, props, or objects used in hazing
Medical records documenting injuries
Photographs of injuries (take daily to show progression)
For Kyle families: Preservation starts at home—don’t wash clothes, don’t delete messages

Institutional Records We Obtain:

University conduct files on the organization
Campus police reports
National fraternity/sorority incident histories
Insurance policies and coverage documents
Legal tools: Subpoenas, public records requests, discovery demands

The Defendant Universe: Holding All Responsible Parties Accountable

Individual Students:

Those who planned, participated, or covered up hazing
Chapter officers with supervisory responsibility
Legal basis: Personal liability for intentional or reckless acts

Local Chapter:

As a legal entity (if incorporated)
Housing corporations that own facilities
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Strategic importance: Often has insurance coverage

National Headquarters:

For policies, training (or lack thereof), and supervision
For pattern knowledge from other chapters
Key evidence: Prior incident reports, risk management files

University/Board of Regents:

For negligent supervision
For Title IX/Clery violations when applicable
For premises liability at university facilities
Texas-specific: Sovereign immunity challenges with public universities

Third Parties:

Property owners of off-campus venues
Alcohol providers (dram shop liability)
Security companies that failed to intervene

Damages: What Hazing Victims Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

Medical expenses: ER bills, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment
Future medical care: Therapy, medications, long-term rehabilitation
Lost educational costs: Tuition for semesters missed, lost scholarships
Lost earning capacity: Reduced lifetime earnings from disability
For catastrophic cases: Life care plans costing millions over a lifetime

Non-Economic Damages (Human Losses):

Pain and suffering from injuries
Emotional distress, PTSD, depression, anxiety
Loss of enjoyment of life
Humiliation and damage to reputation
Wrongful death cases: Loss of companionship, parental grief, funeral expenses

Punitive Damages (When Conduct is Egregious):

For especially reckless, willful, or malicious conduct
To punish defendants and deter future hazing
Texas caps: Generally limited, but exceptions for certain intentional conduct

Practical Guide for Kyle Parents and Students

Immediate Action Checklist for Parents

HOUR 1-6 (CRISIS RESPONSE):

Medical first: If injured or intoxicated, get to ER immediately—call 911 if needed
Safety second: Remove your child from dangerous environment
Evidence third: Screenshot any messages they show you; photograph injuries
Documentation: Write down everything they tell you (who, what, when, where)
Legal consultation: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate guidance

HOUR 6-48 (EVIDENCE PRESERVATION):

Digital preservation: Help your child save ALL group chats, texts, social media
Physical evidence: Secure clothing, objects, receipts—don’t wash or discard
Medical records: Request copies of all ER/hospital documentation
Witness list: Note names and contact information for other pledges, bystanders
University communication: Document all contact from school but don’t respond yet

FIRST WEEK (STRATEGIC DECISION):

Medical follow-up: Continue documenting injuries, see specialists if needed
Formal reporting: Decide whether to report to campus police, local police, Dean of Students (with attorney guidance)
Legal strategy: Consultation with experienced hazing attorney to understand options
University interaction: If school contacts you, refer them to your attorney
Insurance awareness: Do NOT speak with any insurance adjuster without counsel

Warning Signs Every Kyle Parent Should Know

Physical Red Flags:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden weight changes from food/water manipulation
Signs of alcohol poisoning or substance use in non-users

Behavioral Changes:
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Defensiveness about organization activities
Fear of “getting in trouble” or “letting the chapter down”
Personality shifts: anxiety, depression, irritability
Withdrawal from family and non-Greek friends

Academic Indicators:

Grades plummeting suddenly
Missing classes or falling asleep in class
Skipping assignments for “mandatory” events
Losing scholarships or academic standing

Digital Patterns:

Constant phone monitoring for group chat messages
Anxiety when phone buzzes
Deleting messages or browser history obsessively
Social media showing concerning or humiliating content

Questions to Ask Your Child (Without Confrontation)

“How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
“Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
“What do new members typically do? Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
“Have you seen anyone get hurt, or have you been hurt?”
“Do you feel like you could leave if you wanted to, or would there be consequences?”
“Are they asking you to keep secrets from us or the university?”

If They Open Up: Listen without judgment. Take notes. Preserve evidence.
If They Shut Down: Don’t force it but monitor closely. Be ready to intervene if safety concerns emerge.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. DELETING EVIDENCE

What happens: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble” leads to destroyed group chats
Why it’s fatal: Looks like cover-up, obstruction of justice; case becomes impossible to prove
Better approach: Preserve everything immediately—even embarrassing content

2. CONFRONTING THE ORGANIZATION DIRECTLY

What happens: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind!”
Why it’s fatal: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Better approach: Document everything, call attorney BEFORE any confrontation

3. SIGNING UNIVERSITY “RESOLUTION” FORMS

What happens: University pressures “quick resolution” with waiver forms
Why it’s fatal: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often minimal
Better approach: NO signatures without attorney review

4. POSTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA

What happens: “People need to know what happened!” leads to Facebook posts
Why it’s fatal: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Better approach: Document privately; let your attorney control public messaging

5. WAITING FOR UNIVERSITY INVESTIGATION

What happens: “Let’s see how the school handles it first”
Why it’s fatal: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
. Better approach: Preserve evidence NOW; university process ≠ real accountability

Why The Manginello Law Firm for Your Kyle Family’s Hazing Case

Our Texas Hazing Litigation Credentials

When your family in Kyle faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how universities, national fraternities, and insurance companies fight these cases—and how to win anyway.

Insurance Insider Advantage – Lupe Peña’s Experience:

Former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers value (and undervalue) claims
Understands their delay tactics, coverage arguments, and settlement strategies
For Kyle families: We know their playbook because we used to run it

Complex Institutional Litigation – Ralph Manginello’s Background:

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 with unlimited legal budgets
For Kyle families: We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations. We won’t back down.

Multi-Million Dollar Results:

Catastrophic injury settlements building lifetime care plans
Wrongful death cases with economist collaboration for proper valuation
Philosophy: We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.

Dual Civil/Criminal Capability:

Ralph’s HCCLA membership (elite criminal defense credential)
Understanding of how criminal charges interact with civil litigation
Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure
For Kyle families: We navigate both legal tracks seamlessly

Our Investigative Approach for Kyle Cases

Digital Forensics Excellence:

Recovering deleted group chats, social media evidence
Timeline reconstruction from digital footprints
Working with experts who testify on digital evidence preservation
Recent example: The UH Pi Kappa Phi case relies heavily on digital evidence

Pattern Evidence Development:

Subpoenaing national fraternity incident histories
Documenting prior warnings and ignored red flags
Establishing foreseeability through organizational knowledge
Legal impact: Turns “isolated incident” into “predictable pattern”

Comprehensive Damage Analysis:

Medical experts for injury evaluation and future care needs
Economists for lifetime earning capacity calculations
Psychologists for PTSD and trauma assessment
For catastrophic cases: Building multi-million dollar life care plans

Strategic Defendant Identification:

Tracing all potentially liable entities: nationals, housing corps, alumni groups
Identifying insurance coverage sources
Overcoming “sovereign immunity” arguments against public universities
Recent success: Naming 13 individual defendants plus organizations in UH case

Our Commitment to Kyle and Central Texas Families

Geographic Understanding:

We know the unique dynamics of Texas State University and its proximity to Kyle
We understand the jurisdictional lines between campus police, San Marcos PD, and Hays County authorities
We’ve handled cases across Texas and know how different campuses operate
For Kyle families: Your location isn’t a barrier—it’s part of our strategic understanding

Spanish-Language Services:

Lupe Peña speaks fluent Spanish
Complete consultation and representation available in Spanish
Cultural understanding of Texas Hispanic families’ needs
Para familias de Kyle: Servicios legales completos en español

Contingency Fee Structure:

No upfront costs
We only get paid if we recover money for you
Level playing field against well-funded opponents
For Kyle families: Financial concerns shouldn’t prevent justice

Your Next Steps: Seeking Accountability for Your Family

Free Case Evaluation for Kyle Families

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends Texas State minutes away or any Texas campus—we offer a confidential, no-obligation consultation to help you understand your options.

What to Expect in Your Consultation:

Patient listening: We’ll hear your full story without interruption or judgment
Evidence review: We’ll examine any documentation you’ve preserved
Legal education: We’ll explain Texas hazing law in plain English
Option exploration: We’ll outline potential paths: internal reporting, civil suit, criminal complaint, or combination
Realistic expectations: We’ll discuss timelines, challenges, and potential outcomes
No pressure: Take time to decide what’s right for your family

What to Bring if Possible:

Any screenshots of group chats or social media
Photos of injuries or related items
Medical records or bills
Correspondence with university or organization
Notes about what happened (who, what, when, where)

Immediate Contact Information

For Hazing Emergencies Right Now:

Call 911 if there’s immediate danger or medical emergency
Then call us: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)

For Legal Consultation:

Phone: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 availability for emergencies)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Lupe Peña)
Website: https://attorney911.com

Spanish Services:

Hablamos Español: Contact Lupe Peña directly at lupe@atty911.com
Consultas confidenciales en español disponibles

Frequently Asked Questions from Kyle Parents

“Can we sue if this happened at Texas State University?”
Yes. Public universities like Texas State have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, deliberate indifference, and when suing individuals in personal capacity. Every case is fact-specific—call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case analysis.

“What if our child ‘agreed’ to the activities?”
Texas law is clear: consent is NOT a defense to hazing (Education Code § 37.155). Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and fear of exclusion isn’t voluntary. This is one of the strongest legal protections for victims.

“How long do we have to take legal action?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm wasn’t immediately apparent. In hazing cases with cover-ups, the clock may be paused. Time is critical—evidence disappears quickly.

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

“What if the hazing was off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Many major hazing cases (like the Pi Delta Psi retreat death) occurred off-campus.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of UH Pi Kappa Phi Case

Click2Houston investigation: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
ABC13 detailed timeline: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
Hoodline case summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational Videos

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

Main Website and Contact

Attorney911 homepage: https://attorney911.com
Wrongful death practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
Criminal defense capability: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/

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 specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many 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