Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Legal Guide for Abilene Families Seeking Justice

Is Your College Student Safe? What Abilene Parents Must Know About Modern Hazing

For families in Abilene and across Taylor County, sending a child to college is a milestone filled with pride and hope. You imagine them thriving in class, making lifelong friends, and building their future at schools like Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, or Texas Tech just a few hours away. The nightmare of hazing—of your child being beaten, humiliated, or forced to drink to the point of organ failure—feels like something that happens elsewhere, to other families.

But right now, in Texas, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country, proving that this danger is real and present in our state. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly died after enduring brutal hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to detailed media reports from Click2Houston and ABC13, Bermudez was forced through extreme physical abuse: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, lying in vomit-soaked grass, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting. This culminated in rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—his urine turned brown, he was hospitalized for four days, and he faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. The chapter has been shut down, but the damage to this young man’s life is profound.

This isn’t an isolated incident in Houston. The same national fraternities and sororities that operate there have chapters at universities across Texas, including schools where Abilene families send their children. Hazing has evolved far beyond simple pranks—it’s now a sophisticated culture of coercion, digital control, and institutional cover-ups that can leave students permanently injured or dead.

This guide is written specifically for parents and families in Abilene, Taylor County, and throughout West Texas who need to understand the reality of modern hazing. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, Texas and federal hazing laws, documented incidents at Texas universities, how national fraternity patterns affect local chapters, what legal options exist, and practical steps to protect your child. Whether your student attends school here in Abilene, at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas A&M in College Station, or any campus nationwide, Texas law provides pathways to accountability.

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 Universities

For Abilene families unfamiliar with modern Greek life and campus culture, hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypes of silly pranks or “boys being boys.” Today’s hazing is a systematic process of control, coercion, and calculated risk-taking that often leaves permanent physical and psychological damage.

A Modern Definition of Hazing

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. The critical element that Abilene parents must understand is that “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance. A student “consenting” to dangerous activities while fearing social exclusion or retaliation isn’t true consent under Texas law.

Main Categories of Hazing in Today’s University Culture

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common—and most deadly—form of hazing. It includes forced or coerced drinking through “lineups” where pledges must chug alcohol in sequence, drinking games with penalties for wrong answers, “Big/Little” nights where new members are given handles of liquor, and being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH involved forced consumption of specific foods and liquids until vomiting, followed immediately by physical punishment.

Physical Hazing
This includes paddling and beatings (still surprisingly common), extreme calisthenics or “smokings” far beyond normal conditioning, sleep deprivation through mandatory late-night or early-morning meetings, food/water deprivation, and exposure to extreme cold/heat or dangerous environments. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Bermudez endured bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, cold-weather exposure in underwear, and lying in vomit-soaked grass.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This category includes forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. The “pledge fanny pack” requirement in the UH case—forcing pledges to carry condoms, sex toys, and humiliating items 24/7—represents this category’s psychological domination.

Psychological Hazing
This involves verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members, manipulation through “interviews” or forced confessions, and public shaming in meetings or on social media. The mandatory weekly interviews and constant threat of expulsion in the UH case created pervasive psychological pressure.

Digital/Online Hazing
This modern evolution includes group chat dares and “challenges,” public humiliation via Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok, pressure to create or share compromising images/videos, and 24/7 availability requirements through messaging apps. Many fraternities now use GroupMe or Discord to control pledges’ time and monitor compliance.

Where Hazing Actually Happens in Texas Universities

Abilene parents should understand that hazing extends far beyond stereotypical “frat parties”:

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes Interfraternity Council (IFC) groups, Panhellenic sororities, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations, and multicultural Greek groups
• Corps of Cadets/ROTC/Military-Style Groups: Texas A&M’s Corps has faced multiple hazing allegations
• Athletic Teams: Football, basketball, baseball, cheer, and other sports teams nationwide have documented hazing cultures
• Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs: Organizations like Texas Cowboys and other spirit groups
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Multiple universities have investigated band hazing
• Some Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations

The common threads across all these groups are social status, tradition preservation, and secrecy—elements that keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas and Federal Hazing Laws

Understanding the legal landscape is crucial for Abilene families considering their options. Texas has specific anti-hazing statutes, and federal laws create additional layers of potential liability.

Texas Hazing Law Basics: Education Code Chapter 37

Under Texas law—which governs cases involving Abilene students at Texas universities—hazing is broadly defined as intentional, knowing, or reckless acts, on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation that endangers mental or physical health or safety. The key provisions Abilene families should know:

Texas Education Code § 37.151 (Definition)
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student and occurs for pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Texas Education Code § 37.152 (Criminal Penalties)

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

Texas Education Code § 37.155 (Consent Not a Defense)
This critical provision states that consent is not a defense to prosecution for hazing. Even if a student “agreed” to the activities, it’s still a crime if it meets the hazing definition.

Texas Education Code § 37.154 (Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting)
A person who in good faith reports a hazing incident to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the report. Many universities extend this to amnesty for underage drinking when seeking medical help.

Criminal vs Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (DA or prosecutor)
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Burden of proof: “Beyond a reasonable doubt”

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
• Legal theories: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
• Burden of proof: “Preponderance of the evidence” (more likely than not)

Both types can proceed simultaneously, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many families pursue civil cases even when prosecutors decline criminal charges.

Federal Law Overlay: Additional Protections and Requirements

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently, strengthen hazing education and prevention, and maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026). This creates additional documentation trails that can help civil cases.

Title IX
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. Universities must investigate and address these complaints, creating potential additional liability.

Clery Act
Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing incidents often overlap with assault or alcohol/drug crimes that universities must report.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Abilene families should understand the web of potential liability:

Individual Students:
Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover them up. In the UH case, 13 individual fraternity leaders were named.

Local Chapter/Organization:
The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if incorporated). Chapter officers acting in official capacity can create organizational liability.

National Fraternity/Sorority:
Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents. Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters is a defendant in the UH case.

University or Governing Board:
Schools may be sued under negligence or civil-rights theories. Key questions: prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference. The University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents are defendants in the Bermudez case.

Third Parties:
Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces, bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop theories), security companies, or event organizers.

Every case is fact-specific; our investigation determines which parties bear legal responsibility.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Families Can Learn

The tragedies at universities nationwide have created legal precedents and patterns that directly affect how Texas courts view hazing cases. These cases show consistent themes that Abilene families should understand.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
During a bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking, Piazza suffered severe falls captured on chapter cameras. Fraternity members delayed calling for help for hours. The case resulted in dozens of criminal charges, civil litigation, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Takeaway for Abilene families: Extreme intoxication combined with delayed medical care and a culture of silence creates devastating legal consequences.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
During a “Bible study” drinking game, Gruver was forced to drink when answering questions incorrectly, leading to a 0.495% BAC and death. The case resulted in felony hazing charges and Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act. Takeaway: Legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of hazing patterns.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Foltz was forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during a pledge event and died from alcohol poisoning. Multiple criminal convictions followed, with BGSU agreeing to a $3 million settlement and the fraternity settling for additional millions. Takeaway for Texas families: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night.” The case led to criminal hazing charges and FSU temporarily suspending all Greek life. Takeaway: Formulaic “tradition” drinking nights are predictable scripts for disaster that national organizations should anticipate.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Deng was subjected to a violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a fraternity retreat, suffering fatal head injuries while help was delayed. Multiple members were convicted, and the fraternity was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Takeaway for Abilene families: Off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous as on-campus events, and national organizations face serious sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program over multiple years. Multiple lawsuits led to head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s firing and confidential settlements. Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life into major athletic programs with systemic oversight failures.

What These National Cases Mean for Abilene Families

Common threads in these cases—forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, and cover-ups—directly parallel what we’re seeing in Texas cases like the UH Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements often follow only after tragedy and litigation. Abilene families facing hazing at Texas universities are not alone and operate in a landscape shaped by these national lessons and legal precedents.

Texas Focus: Universities Where Abilene Families Send Their Students

Abilene families have strong connections to multiple Texas universities, whether through local institutions like Abilene Christian University and Hardin-Simmons University or major state schools where West Texas students commonly enroll. Understanding the hazing landscape at these schools is crucial for prevention and response.

Abilene Christian University (ACU)

Campus & Culture Snapshot for Abilene Families:
Located right here in Abilene, ACU combines Christian values with active student life. While its religious identity influences campus culture, Greek life exists through local Christian fraternities and sororities that still risk hazing behaviors under different names.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting:
ACU prohibits hazing in all forms, defining it broadly to include any activity that endangers mental or physical health. Reporting channels include the Dean of Students, Campus Safety, and anonymous reporting options.

What ACU Students & Abilene Parents Should Do:

• Document any pressure to participate in activities that feel dangerous or degrading
• Report concerns to ACU’s Student Life office immediately
• Understand that “Christian fellowship” activities can still constitute hazing if they involve coercion or endangerment
• Preserve evidence just as rigorously as at secular institutions

Texas Tech University (Common Destination for Abilene Students)

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Many Abilene students attend Texas Tech in Lubbock, drawn by strong programs and relatively close proximity. Tech has active Greek life with approximately 40 fraternities and sororities, along with numerous other student organizations.

Documented Incidents & Responses:
Texas Tech has faced multiple hazing investigations, including:

• Kappa Sigma allegations of physical hazing resulting in rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown)
• Multiple fraternities facing suspension for alcohol-related hazing
• Ongoing monitoring through the Office of Student Conduct

How a Texas Tech Hazing Case Might Proceed:
For Abilene students at Texas Tech, cases may involve Lubbock police, Texas Tech police, and civil suits in Lubbock County courts. The university’s size and Greek life presence mean experienced local counsel is crucial.

What Texas Tech Students & Abilene Parents Should Do:

• Utilize Texas Tech’s hazing reporting hotline and online forms
• Document interactions with specific chapters known for prior violations
• Seek medical care at University Medical Center if injured, ensuring documentation mentions hazing
• Contact Attorney911 early—we have experience with West Texas institutions and venues

Texas A&M University (Another Common Choice)

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Texas A&M’s size, tradition, and strong academic programs attract many Abilene students. Beyond Greek life, the Corps of Cadets represents a significant hazing risk environment with its own traditions and culture.

Documented Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (2021): Pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The fraternity was suspended, and pledges sued for $1 million.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth, seeking over $1 million in damages.

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed:
Cases may involve Texas A&M police, Bryan/College Station police, and civil suits in Brazos County. The university’s status as a state institution affects sovereign immunity considerations but doesn’t prevent successful litigation.

What Texas A&M Students & Abilene Parents Should Do:

• Report to both the Student Conduct office and, for Corps issues, the Commandant’s office
• Document Corps traditions that cross into hazing—tradition isn’t a legal defense
• Recognize that A&M’s sheer size means investigations can be delayed without legal pressure
• Preserve evidence aggressively—Corps and Greek life both have strong internal protection instincts

University of Texas at Austin

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
UT Austin attracts Abilene students with its academic prestige and vast student organization network. The university maintains one of Texas’ most transparent hazing violation databases.

Documented Incidents from Public Records:
UT’s published hazing violations show consistent patterns:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation
• Texas Wranglers (spirit organization): Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
• Multiple other groups facing probation for physical endurance tests and humiliation rituals

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed:
Cases typically involve UTPD and Austin police, with civil suits filed in Travis County courts. UT’s relative transparency means prior violations are easier to document, strengthening pattern evidence.

What UT Austin Students & Abilene Parents Should Do:

• Check UT’s public hazing database for prior violations by specific organizations
• Report through UT’s comprehensive online reporting system
• Document everything—UT’s size means individual cases can get lost without thorough evidence
• Consider that UT’s transparency cuts both ways: more public records help cases but also mean more public scrutiny

Additional Texas Schools with Abilene Connections

West Texas A&M (Canyon): Close enough for many Abilene families, with Greek life and athletic programs that have faced hazing scrutiny.

Texas State University (San Marcos): Growing destination for Abilene students, with documented fraternity hazing incidents in recent years.

University of North Texas (Denton): Another major university drawing West Texas students, with multiple Greek life hazing investigations.

For all these schools, the principles remain the same: document thoroughly, report through official channels, seek medical attention for injuries, and consult experienced hazing counsel early.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories That Affect Abilene Students

The national organizations behind campus chapters have histories that directly impact local hazing risks and legal liabilities. Abilene families should understand these patterns when evaluating their child’s involvement.

Why National Histories Matter for Legal Cases

When a Texas chapter repeats hazing methods that caused deaths or injuries at other universities, that pattern shows foreseeability—the national organization knew or should have known this could happen. This strengthens negligence claims and can support punitive damages. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, the national headquarters faces liability precisely because similar forced drinking and physical hazing has occurred at other Pi Kappa Phi chapters nationwide.

National Organizations Present at Texas Universities

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

• National History: Multiple deaths including Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, 2021) and David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois, 2012)
• Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, Texas Tech, and most major Texas schools
• Pattern: “Big/Little” drinking events, forced alcohol consumption, physical endurance tests
• Legal Significance: Their national pattern of alcohol-related deaths creates strong foreseeability arguments

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

• National History: Multiple hazing deaths nationwide; eliminated traditional pledging in 2014 due to pattern
• Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
• Texas-Specific Cases: Chemical burns lawsuit at Texas A&M (2021); assault lawsuit at UT Austin (2024)
• Pattern: Physical abuse, forced drinking, chemical/substance hazing

Pi Kappa Phi

• National History: Andrew Coffey death (Florida State, 2017) from alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother” event
• Texas Presence: Chapter at UH (now closed), other Texas campuses
• Current Texas Case: Our representation of Leonel Bermudez in $10M lawsuit against UH chapter
• Pattern: Physical endurance hazing leading to medical emergencies

Phi Delta Theta

• National History: Max Gruver death (LSU, 2017) from “Bible study” drinking game
• Texas Presence: Chapters at most major Texas universities
• Pattern: Academic-themed drinking games with forced consumption penalties

Kappa Alpha Order

• National History: Multiple hazing suspensions including SMU chapter (2017) for paddling and forced drinking
• Texas Presence: Chapters at Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UT Austin, SMU
• Pattern: Physical paddling, alcohol hazing, tradition-based abuses

How National Patterns Strengthen Texas Cases

When we represent Abilene families in hazing cases, we investigate:

• Prior incidents at the same chapter
• Prior incidents at other chapters of the same national organization
• National headquarters’ knowledge and response to those incidents
• Whether national policies were enforced or ignored

This pattern evidence can overcome defenses claiming “this was a rogue chapter” or “we didn’t know this could happen.” National organizations that collect dues, provide materials, and maintain oversight relationships cannot plausibly claim ignorance when the same hazing methods recur across multiple states.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, and Legal Strategy

For Abilene families considering legal action, understanding how hazing cases are built is crucial. These are complex investigations requiring specific expertise in digital evidence, institutional liability, and damage calculation.

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

Digital Communications (Most Important Category)

• Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, fraternity-specific apps
• Social Media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok comments (screenshot before deletion)
• Deleted Messages: Digital forensics can often recover “deleted” content from phones or cloud backups
• Location Data: Geo-tags, Find My Friends sharing, Snapchat Maps showing where events occurred

In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, group chat evidence documented the “pledge fanny pack” requirements, meeting times, and threats of punishment. We teach Abilene families to screenshot everything immediately—messages disappear quickly once investigations begin.

Photos & Videos

• Event Documentation: Content filmed by members during hazing (often shared in group chats)
• Injury Photos: Multiple angles with scale references (coin/ruler in shot), progression over days
• Location Photos: Houses, rooms, specific venues where hazing occurred
• Security Footage: Ring/doorbell cameras, building security systems (request preservation immediately)

Internal Organization Documents

• Pledge Manuals/Rituals: Often digitized, showing planned activities
• Chapter Communications: Emails/texts from officers about “traditions” or “what we’ll do”
• National Materials: Risk management policies, training materials showing what should have been prevented

University Records

• Prior Conduct Files: Previous violations by same organization
• Incident Reports: Campus police or conduct office filings
• Clery Reports: Required crime statistics that may include hazing-adjacent offenses
• Internal Emails: Obtained through discovery showing administrative knowledge

Medical & Psychological Records

• Emergency Care: ER reports explicitly stating “hazing” as cause
• Hospitalization Records: Treatment for alcohol poisoning, injuries, psychological trauma
• Toxicology Reports: Blood alcohol content, drug screens
• Psychological Evaluations: PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses related to the trauma

Witness Testimony

• Other Pledges: Often afraid initially but may cooperate as group
• Former Members: Those who quit or were expelled, often willing to testify
• Roommates/RA’s: Observed physical or behavioral changes
• Medical Providers: Documentation of injuries and patient statements

Damages: What Can Be Recovered in Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

• Medical Expenses: Past and future care, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, therapy, medications
• Lost Income/Earning Capacity: Missed work, delayed education, reduced lifetime earnings if permanently disabled
• Educational Costs: Lost tuition, missed semesters, forfeited scholarships
• Other Expenses: Therapy, tutoring, relocation if transferring schools

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective but Real Harm)

• Physical Pain & Suffering: From injuries and recovery
• Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation, trauma
• Loss of Enjoyment: Can no longer participate in activities they loved
• Reputational Harm: Social stigma, difficulty transferring or finding employment

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

• Funeral/Burial Costs
• Loss of Financial Support: Deceased’s potential lifetime earnings
• Loss of Companionship: For parents, siblings, spouse
• Emotional Suffering: Grief, trauma of losing a child

Punitive Damages (When Available)

• Purpose: Punish especially reckless or malicious conduct, deter future hazing
• When Awarded: Prior warnings ignored, particularly cruel conduct, cover-up attempts, callous indifference
• Texas Caps: Generally limited except in certain intentional tort cases

The Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

National fraternities and universities typically have insurance policies that become central to recovery. These insurers often argue:

• Hazing constitutes “intentional conduct” excluded from coverage
• The policy doesn’t cover certain defendants or locations
• Claims are barred by late notice or other technicalities

Our experience as former insurance defense attorneys (Mr. Lupe Peña spent years at a national defense firm) gives us unique insight into these tactics. We know how to:

• Identify all potential insurance coverage sources (chapter, national, university, individual homeowners policies)
• Navigate coverage disputes and “reservation of rights” letters
• Pursue “bad faith” claims against insurers who wrongfully deny coverage
• Structure settlements to maximize recovery within policy limits

For Abilene families, this insurance expertise can mean the difference between a full recovery and being left with inadequate compensation against judgment-proof individuals.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Abilene Families

For Abilene Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your College Student May Be Being Hazed

• Physical Signs: Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries; extreme exhaustion; weight changes; sleep deprivation patterns; chemical burns or rashes
• Behavioral Changes: Sudden secrecy about group activities; withdrawal from family/friends; personality changes (anxiety, depression, irritability); defensiveness about the organization; fear of “letting the chapter down”
• Academic Red Flags: Grades dropping suddenly; missing classes or falling asleep in class; skipping assignments for “mandatory” events
• Financial Red Flags: Unexpected large expenses; buying excessive alcohol or items for older members; frequent requests for money
• Digital Behavior: Constant phone monitoring of group chats; anxiety when phone buzzes; obsessive message deletion; receiving calls/texts at all hours

How to Talk to Your Child About Hazing (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 they ask you to do as a new member?”
4. “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you wish you didn’t have to do?”
5. “Have you seen anyone get hurt, or have you been hurt?”
6. “Do you feel like you can leave if you want to, or would there be consequences?”
7. “Are they asking you to keep secrets from me or the university?”

Listen without judgment. If they shut down, don’t force it—but monitor closely and stay ready to intervene.

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing

1. Immediate Safety: If in physical danger, call 911 or campus police
2. Medical Attention: Get them evaluated even if they resist—internal injuries or alcohol toxicity can be fatal
3. Document Everything: Write down dates/times/details; screenshot messages; photograph injuries
4. Reporting: Contact Dean of Students, campus police, local police if crimes involved
5. Legal Consultation: Contact experienced hazing counsel early for evidence preservation guidance
6. What NOT to Do: Don’t confront the organization directly; don’t sign university documents without legal review; don’t post on social media

For Students/Pledges: Self-Protection Guide

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide
Ask yourself:
-L Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do?

• Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences, no fear of being “cut”)?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would the university or my parents approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
• Are older members making new members do things they don’t have to do themselves?
• Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this from outsiders?

If you answered YES to any, it’s likely hazing.

How to Exit Safely

• Immediate Danger: Call 911, get to safe location
• Quitting/De-pledging: You have the legal right to leave anytime
• Notification: Tell someone outside the org first, then email/text chapter leadership
• Avoid “One Last Meeting”: Don’t attend meetings where pressure or retaliation might occur
• Retaliation Protection: Document threats/harassment; file university complaints; seek protective orders if needed

Evidence Collection for Students

• Screenshots: Capture full group chats with timestamps and participants visible
• Recordings: Texas is one-party consent—you can record conversations you’re part of
• Photos: Injuries (with scale), locations, objects used in hazing
• Medical Documentation: Tell providers you were hazed so it’s in records
• Witness Info: Names/contact for other pledges, members, bystanders
• Save Everything: Don’t delete anything even if embarrassed; back up to cloud storage

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages or “Clean Up” Evidence

• What Parents Think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
• Why It’s Wrong: Looks like obstruction of justice; makes case nearly impossible
• Instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly

• What Parents Think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
• Why It’s Wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
• Instead: Document everything, call a lawyer before any confrontation

3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms

• What Universities Do: Pressure families to sign waivers or “internal resolution” agreements
• Why It’s Wrong: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often far below case value
• Instead: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review

4. Posting Details on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer

• What Families Think: “I want people to know what happened”
• Why It’s Wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
• Instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

5. Letting Your Child Go Back to “One Last Meeting”

• What Fraternities Say: “Come talk to us before you do anything drastic”
• Why It’s Wrong: They pressure, intimidate, or extract damaging statements
• Instead: Once considering legal action, all communication goes through your lawyer

6. Waiting “To See How the University Handles It”

• What Universities Promise: “We’re investigating; let us handle this internally”
• Why It’s Wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs, university controls narrative
• Instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately; university process ≠ real accountability

7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer

• What Adjusters Say: “We just need your statement to process the claim”
• Why It’s Wrong: Recorded statements are used against you; early settlements are lowball
• Instead: Politely decline: “My attorney will contact you”

Frequently Asked Questions for Abilene Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (Texas A&M, UT, Texas Tech) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in personal capacity. Private universities (Abilene Christian, Hardin-Simmons) have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts—contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case-specific analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report hazing.

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving cover-ups or fraud, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, organizations destroy records. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

“What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major hazing cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, Sigma Pi unofficial house) occurred off-campus and still resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments.

“Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, while the lawsuit is public, we work to protect our client’s privacy throughout the process.

“How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer?”
We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay no upfront costs, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. This makes justice accessible to families who couldn’t otherwise afford to take on wealthy fraternities and universities.

Why Attorney911 for Abilene Hazing Cases

Our Unique Qualifications for Texas Hazing Litigation

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

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña)
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm, defending the very insurance companies that now represent fraternities and universities. He knows exactly how they:

• Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
• Use delay tactics to pressure families
• Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
• Manipulate the claims process

As Mr. Peña says, “We know their playbook because we used to run it.” This insider knowledge is invaluable when negotiating with insurers who assume families don’t understand their tactics.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello)
Our managing partner Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar corporations with unlimited legal budgets. That same experience applies directly to hazing cases against:

• National fraternities with sophisticated defense teams
• University systems with deep-pocketed insurers
• Multiple coordinated defendants trying to blame each other

We’re not intimidated by powerful defendants. We’ve faced them before and won.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Experience
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, including:

• Collaborating with economists to value lifetime care needs
• Working with medical experts on brain injury, organ damage, and psychological trauma
• Securing settlements that truly compensate families for their losses

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

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise
Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) signals elite criminal defense capability. This is crucial because:

• We understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
• We can advise witnesses and former members with potential criminal exposure
• We navigate dual-track cases where criminal and civil proceedings proceed simultaneously

Investigative Depth for Modern Hazing Cases
We deploy a comprehensive investigative approach:

• Digital Forensics: Recovering deleted messages, social media evidence, location data
• Institutional Records: Subpoenaing chapter files, national policies, university reports
• Expert Network: Medical specialists, psychologists, economists, Greek life culture experts
• Pattern Evidence: Documenting prior incidents at same chapter and national level

As we’re demonstrating in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

Our Connection to Abilene & West Texas Families

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Abilene, Taylor County, and all of West Texas. We understand:

• The educational pathways from Abilene to Texas Tech, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and other universities
• The medical resources available in West Texas for injury documentation
• The jurisdictional considerations for cases involving Abilene students at various campuses
• The community values and concerns of West Texas families

We’ve represented families from across Texas in complex litigation, and we’re committed to making our expertise accessible to Abilene families facing hazing crises.

What Makes Hazing Cases Different—And Why Experience Matters

Hazing cases present unique challenges:

• Powerful Institutional Defendants: National fraternities and universities have experienced defense teams and unlimited legal budgets
• Insurance Coverage Fights: Insurers aggressively deny coverage for “intentional” hazing acts
• Rapid Evidence Destruction: Digital evidence disappears within days; witnesses are coached
• Complex Liability Webs: Multiple potentially liable parties (individuals, chapters, nationals, universities, property owners)
• Emotional Complexity: Families are traumatized while navigating legal systems
• Privacy Concerns: Balancing accountability with protecting victims from further exposure

Our experience with these complexities means we can guide Abilene families through this difficult process while aggressively pursuing accountability.

Call to Action for Abilene Families

If Hazing Has Impacted Your Family

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether here in Abilene at ACU or Hardin-Simmons, at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas A&M in College Station, or any university nationwide—we want to hear from you.

Families in Abilene, Taylor County, and throughout West Texas have the right to answers and accountability. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Your Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll:

1. Listen to Your Story without judgment
2. Review Any Evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
3. Explain Your Legal Options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
4. Discuss Realistic Timelines and what to expect
5. Answer Your Questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
6. Offer No Pressure to Hire—take time to decide with our guidance
7. Maintain Complete Confidentiality—everything you tell us is protected

Contact Information

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

Spanish-Language Services:
Hablamos Español – Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

What to Expect When You Call

When you contact us about a potential hazing case:

• Immediate Response: We understand urgency in hazing cases
• Compassionate Listening: We know this is traumatic for families
• Practical Guidance: Immediate steps to preserve evidence and protect rights
• Clear Explanation: Your options in plain English, not legalese
• No Pressure: We’ll help you make the right decision for your family

Serving All of Texas from Our Houston, Austin & Beaumont Offices

While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas. Distance doesn’t prevent us from:

• Traveling to meet with you in Abilene or elsewhere in Texas
• Coordinating with local medical providers and witnesses
• Filing cases in appropriate jurisdictions across the state
• Providing full representation regardless of your location in Texas

Final Message to Abilene Families

Whether you’re in Abilene proper, in surrounding communities like Clyde, Tuscola, or Tye, or anywhere across West Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone.

The emotional toll on families is immense—the betrayal of trust, the physical and psychological harm to your child, the frustration with institutional responses. We understand because we’ve walked this path with other Texas families.

Our commitment is to pursue real accountability—not just financial recovery, but systemic changes that prevent future harm. As we’re fighting in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, we believe in holding every responsible party accountable: individual members who carried out hazing, chapter leadership that allowed it, national organizations that failed to supervise, and universities that didn’t protect their students.

Your call starts the process of healing through accountability. We’re here to listen, to guide, and to fight for your family.

Call Attorney911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let us help you turn this crisis into accountability and prevention.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Abilene Families

As part of our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain comprehensive data on Greek organizations across Texas. For Abilene families, understanding this landscape is crucial. Below are examples of Texas-registered Greek organizations compiled from IRS B83 filings and other public records:

Abilene Area & West Texas Greek Organizations (IRS B83 Filings):

• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas Tech Health Sciences Center Chapter, EIN 82-0644459, Clyde, TX 79510
• Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Zeta Phi Chapter, EIN Details on File, Clyde, TX
• Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Lambda Xi Chapter, EIN Details on File, Abilene, TX 79601
• Psi Chi – McMurry University Chapter, EIN Details on File, Abilene, TX 79697
• Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Abilene Area Combined Chapters Council, EIN Details on File, Abilene, TX
• Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity – Epsilon Tau Chapter, EIN Details on File, Abilene, TX
• Psi Chi – Hardin-Simmons University Chapter, EIN Details on File, Abilene, TX 79698
• Alpha Phi Omega – Omicron Delta Chapter (Abilene Christian University), EIN Details on File, Abilene, TX 79699
• Alpha Phi Omega – Eta Chi Chapter (Hardin-Simmons University), EIN Details on File, Abilene, TX 79698

Texas-Wide Greek Organization Examples (IRS B83):

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc, EIN 13-3048786, College Station, TX 77845
• Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Inc, EIN 16-1675890, The Woodlands, TX 77382
• Sigma Phi Lambda Inc, EIN 20-1237505, Corinth, TX 76210 (Beta Chapter)
• Arlington-Grand Prairie Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Frat Inc, EIN 23-2452759, Grand Prairie, TX 75054
• Zeta Beta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc, EIN 23-7098953, Prairie View, TX 77446
• Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, EIN 26-2025321, Denton, TX 76201 (Mu Gamma Chapter)
• Sigma Phi Epsilon New York Chi Alumni Association Inc, EIN 26-2710856, Houston, TX 77007
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 26-3170920, Denton, TX 76204 (Texas Woman’s University Chapter)
• National Pan-Hellenic Council North Dallas Suburbia, EIN 26-4080411, Carrollton, TX 75011

Cause IQ Metro Organization Examples Relevant to Abilene Families:

• Abilene Metro: 9 total Greek-related organizations including honor societies, service fraternities, and educators’ societies
• Lubbock Metro (Texas Tech): 59 total organizations including Texas Tech Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Housing, Kappa Alpha Order – Texas Tech Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Lubbock
• Dallas-Fort Worth Metro: 510 total Greek organizations including Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity (Fort Worth), Delta Delta Delta national headquarters (Dallas), numerous alumni chapters
• Houston Metro: 188 total organizations including Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Houston Alumnae, Alpha Kappa Alpha – Alpha Kappa Omega graduate chapter

These public records demonstrate the extensive network of Greek organizations across Texas. When hazing occurs, identifying all potentially liable entities—from local chapters to national headquarters to housing corporations—is essential for full 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
Spanish Services: lupe@atty911.com