Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Riesel and McLennan County Families

For families in Riesel, the quiet pride of seeing your student head off to Baylor University in nearby Waco, or to Texas A&M, UT Austin, or another major Texas campus, can quickly turn to anguish if a phone call reveals they’ve been hurt in the name of “tradition” or “brotherhood.” The nightmare is real, and it’s happening right now in our state. As Houston-based attorneys serving families across Texas, including right here in McLennan County, we at Attorney911 are leading one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. This guide is written specifically for you—Riesel parents, grandparents, and students—to understand what hazing looks like in 2025, your legal rights under Texas law, and how to seek accountability when powerful institutions fail our children.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

If you suspect your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• 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, and DMs immediately. Photograph injuries from multiple angles. Save physical items like clothing or objects used.
• Write down everything while memory is fresh: who, what, when, where.
• DO NOT: Confront the fraternity/sorority directly. Sign anything from the university or an 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. We can help preserve it and protect your family’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For Riesel families, hazing might conjure images of outdated movie scenes. The reality in 2025 is more sinister, digitally enabled, and often disguised as “team building.” Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining or maintaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Critically, a student saying “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when powerful peer pressure and fear of exclusion are at play.

Modern hazing falls into clear, dangerous categories:

Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the deadliest pattern. It includes forced “lineup” drinking, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mean drinking, and coerced consumption of unknown substances.

Physical Hazing: This extends beyond paddling to extreme calisthenics called “smokings,” sleep deprivation for days, food/water restriction, exposure to extreme elements, and dangerous “tests” like blindfolded tackles.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This involves forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes or positions, and acts with racist, sexist, or homophobic overtones designed to shame.

Psychological and Digital Hazing: This is the 24/7 control via group chats (GroupMe, Discord), constant demands for immediate response, public shaming on social media, cyberstalking via location-sharing apps, and isolation from non-members.

Hazing isn’t limited to fraternities. It occurs in sororities, Corps of Cadets programs, athletic teams, spirit groups like cheer and dance, marching bands, and other campus organizations. The common threads are secrecy, power imbalance, and the exploitation of a desire to belong.

Texas Law & Liability: Your Legal Framework

Understanding the law is your first step toward accountability. Texas has specific, strong statutes governing hazing.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37):
In plain terms, hazing in Texas is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers a student’s mental or physical health for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in a group. Key provisions for Riesel families include:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if it causes injury requiring medical treatment. It becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (Sec. 37.155) explicitly states that the victim’s “consent” is not a defense. The law recognizes the coercive power of group dynamics.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 per violation and lose university recognition.
• Immunity for Reporting: Individuals who in good faith report hazing or call for medical help are generally protected from liability, encouraging life-saving action.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aim to punish with jail, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to a minor, or manslaughter.
• Civil Lawsuits: Brought by victims and families. Aim to secure compensation for damages and force accountability. These cases focus on negligence, wrongful death, and institutional failures. A criminal conviction is not required to file a civil suit.

Federal Overlays:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges to report hazing incidents more transparently and bolster prevention programs.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, federal Title IX procedures and obligations are triggered.
• Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain campus crimes, which can include hazing-related assaults.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Case?
A thorough investigation seeks to hold every responsible party accountable:

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: The on-campus organization as a legal entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority: The headquarters that sets policy, collects dues, and supervises chapters. Their knowledge of prior incidents is crucial.
4. The University: Schools can be liable for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or Title IX violations.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, alcohol providers, or security companies.

A National Pattern of Tragedy: Lessons for Texas Families

Major national cases are not distant news; they establish legal precedents and reveal patterns that repeat at Texas schools. These cases show why institutions must be held accountable.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern:

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): A bid-acceptance night with extreme drinking led to fatal falls. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case led to massive criminal charges, civil suits, and Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.”
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): A “Bible study” drinking game turned deadly. This led to Louisiana’s “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A pledge was forced to drink a bottle of whiskey. His death resulted in a $10 million settlement ($7M from the national fraternity, ~$3M from the university) and criminal convictions.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing:

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): A blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat caused fatal head injuries. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Athletic Program Hazing:

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread sexualized and racist hazing allegations led to fired coaches, multiple lawsuits, and confidential settlements, proving hazing extends far beyond Greek life.

The takeaway for Riesel families is clear: the scripts of forced drinking, humiliation, cover-ups, and institutional failure are tragically common. When these patterns appear at Texas schools, the law provides pathways to justice that have been paved by these landmark cases.

The Texas Hazing Reality: A Close Look at Universities Relevant to Riesel Families

Your child’s campus has its own unique culture, but the risk factors for hazing are universal. Here is what you need to know about the schools Riesel students often attend.

Baylor University (Waco, McLennan County)

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Just a short drive from Riesel, Baylor’s campus in Waco hosts an active Greek life community and strong athletic traditions. Its history includes high-profile scrutiny over institutional responses to misconduct, making understanding its hazing policies critical for local families.

Hazing Policy & Reporting:
Baylor prohibits hazing as defined by Texas law. Reports can be made to the Office of Student Conduct, Baylor Police Department, or through online reporting systems.

Documented Incidents & Responses:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players were suspended following a hazing investigation, with staggered suspensions affecting the team’s season.
• The university’s past challenges handling campus-wide scandals underscore the importance of independent legal advocacy for families seeking transparency and accountability.

How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed:
Jurisdiction would involve McLennan County courts and potentially the Waco Police Department for off-campus incidents. Civil suits could target individual students, the local chapter, the national organization, and Baylor University itself. Given Baylor’s private status, it does not have the same sovereign immunity protections as public universities.

What Baylor Students & Riesel Parents Should Do:

• Document everything meticulously. Location data and witness lists are crucial.
• Report incidents to both Baylor officials and consult with an attorney before making formal statements.
• Understand that internal university processes are not designed to provide the compensation or public accountability a civil lawsuit can achieve.

Texas A&M University (College Station)

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
With its massive Greek system and storied Corps of Cadets, Texas A&M presents dual environments where hazing risks are pronounced. The culture of tradition and loyalty can sometimes silence victims.

Hazing Policy & Reporting:
A&M upholds strict anti-hazing rules for both Greek organizations and the Corps. Reporting channels include the Student Conduct Office, Corps officials, and University Police.

Documented Incidents & Responses:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged being doused with industrial-strength cleaner and other substances, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and lawsuits were filed.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million in damages.

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed:
Cases may involve Brazos County courts. The Corps of Cadets adds a layer of complexity, as it operates under military-style discipline alongside university rules. Investigations must untangle university liability from Corps command structures.

University of Texas at Austin

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
UT Austin boasts one of the largest and most transparent Greek life systems in the state, with a publicly accessible hazing violations log—a tool rarely found at other schools.

Hazing Policy & Reporting:
UT maintains a public online dashboard of hazing violations, listing organizations, dates, and sanctions. This transparency is a powerful tool for families.

Documented Incidents & Responses:

• The public log shows consistent violations. For example, Pi Kappa Alpha (2023) was sanctioned for directing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Other spirit groups and fraternities have faced probation for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (2024): An exchange student allegedly suffered a dislocated leg, broken nose, and other injuries at a party, leading to a lawsuit seeking over $1 million against the chapter.

How a UT Hazing Case Might Proceed:
The public violation log serves as pre-existing evidence of an organization’s pattern of misconduct, which is invaluable in proving “foreseeability” in a negligence lawsuit. Cases would typically be filed in Travis County courts.

Southern Methodist University (Dallas)

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
SMU’s affluent student body and strong Greek presence create an environment where social pressure can be intense. As a private university, its internal processes are less transparent than public institutions.

Hazing Policy & Reporting:
SMU has anonymous reporting systems and condemns hazing. However, the lack of a public violation log means families must often rely on discovery in a lawsuit to uncover prior incidents.

Documented Incidents & Responses:

• Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017): The chapter was suspended for reported paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation of new members.

How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed:
Lawsuits can compel the disclosure of internal disciplinary records that are not public. Cases would be filed in Dallas County courts. The private status of the university alters the legal defenses available compared to public schools.

University of Houston

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
As a large, urban commuter and residential school, UH has a diverse Greek community. It is also the center of a current, landmark hazing case that our firm is litigating.

The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi
Right now, we represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, its Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. This case is a stark example for all Texas families:

• The Hazing: Bermudez was subjected to a “pledge fanny pack” with humiliating items, forced dress codes, overnight driving duties, and extreme physical abuse. This included being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced to consume milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and a Nov. 3 workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats.
• The Injury: This abuse caused rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces a risk of permanent kidney damage.
• The Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters suspended the chapter on Nov. 6, 2025. Members voted to surrender their charter on Nov. 14, shutting the chapter down. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary action.
  This active litigation, covered by Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline, proves that severe hazing is a present danger in Texas and that institutions can be held accountable.

Fraternities & Sororities: The National Histories Behind the Local Chapters

The fraternity or sorority your child sought to join has a national history that directly impacts your case. National organizations are not passive bystanders; they create the policies, collect dues, and—critically—have often seen the same dangerous “traditions” cause death and injury at other campuses.

This prior knowledge establishes foreseeability, a key legal concept. If a national fraternity knew that “Big/Little” drinking nights led to a death at Bowling Green (Pi Kappa Alpha) or that forced drinking games killed a pledge at LSU (Phi Delta Theta), they cannot claim ignorance when the same script plays out at a Texas chapter.

Our firm maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from public records, to track the entities behind Greek life. For example, public IRS filings show hundreds of Texas-registered Greek organizations, from house corporations to alumni chapters. This data allows us to identify every potentially liable entity from the start. Consider these patterns:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): National history includes the Stone Foltz alcohol poisoning death ($10M settlement) and other serious cases.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Faced numerous hazing-related deaths nationally, plus the Texas A&M chemical burn lawsuit and the UT Austin assault lawsuit.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): The Max Gruver hazing death at LSU led to felony hazing legislation.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): The Andrew Coffey hazing death at Florida State University is part of its national history.

When we take a case, we investigate not just the local members, but the national organization’s response to these prior tragedies. Did they enforce their policies? Or were their anti-hazing manuals merely window dressing? The answers often determine the level of accountability we can secure.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

Winning a hazing case requires converting anguish into actionable evidence and a compelling legal strategy. This is where experience matters.

The Evidence That Matters:

1. Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, and social media DMs are the modern hazing record. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages. Watch our video on using your phone to document evidence.
2. Photos & Videos: Content filmed by members themselves is powerful evidence of the acts and who participated.
3. Internal Records: Pledge manuals, chapter emails, national fraternity risk management policies, and training materials.
4. University Records: Prior conduct violations, Clery Act reports, and internal investigation files obtained through discovery or public records requests.
5. Medical & Psychological Records: Documentation of physical injuries (ER reports, lab results showing rhabdomyolysis) and psychological harm (PTSD, anxiety, depression diagnoses).
6. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders.

The Damages You Can Recover:
Civil lawsuits seek to make victims and families whole, both economically and personally.

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost wages, diminished future earning capacity, and educational costs (lost tuition, scholarships).
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship, love, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, damages meant to punish the defendant and deter future conduct.

Navigating Insurance and Institutional Defenses:
National fraternities and universities have deep-pocketed insurers who will argue that hazing is an “intentional act” excluded from coverage. This is where Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney is invaluable. We know their tactics—delaying, denying, undervaluing—and we build cases from day one to overcome them. We identify all potential insurance policies and are prepared to argue that the organization’s negligent supervision—not just the intentional hazing—is what triggers coverage.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Riesel Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight changes.
• Withdrawal from family and old friends; sudden secrecy.
• Constant, anxious phone use related to group chats.
• Personality shifts: new anxiety, depression, or anger.
• Declining academic performance.

What to Do:

1. Talk calmly and supportively. Ask open-ended questions: “Have you had to do anything that made you uncomfortable to belong?”
2. Prioritize safety and medical care.
3. Preserve evidence immediately (see checklist above).
4. Contact an experienced hazing attorney BEFORE reporting to the university. We can guide you to protect your rights in the process.
5. Document all communication with the school.

For Students:

• Trust your instincts. If it feels dangerous or degrading, it likely is hazing.
• You have the right to leave. Your safety is more important than any membership.
• Call 911 in any medical emergency. Texas law and most school policies offer “good faith” protection for those who call for help.
• Preserve evidence. Screenshot everything. You can record conversations in Texas (one-party consent state).
• Seek support. Talk to a trusted adult, a counselor, or call us confidentially.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Hazing Case:

1. Deleting evidence to “protect” friends or the chapter.
2. Confronting the organization directly, giving them time to destroy evidence and lawyer up.
3. Signing university settlement offers without having an attorney review them—you may be signing away your right to sue.
4. Posting details on social media, which defense attorneys will scour for inconsistencies.
5. Waiting too long. Evidence vanishes, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations runs. Learn about Texas statutes of limitations in our video.

Frequently Asked Questions:

“Can we sue a university in Texas for hazing?”
Yes. While public universities have some sovereign immunity, exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing employees in their personal capacity. Private universities like Baylor and SMU have fewer immunity barriers. The specific facts determine the viability of a claim.

“My child ‘agreed’ to it. Do we have a case?”
Absolutely. Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts understand the power dynamics and coercion involved in pledging.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally, two years from the date of injury or death in Texas. However, complex rules around discovery and tolling may apply. Do not wait. Call us immediately to protect your rights.

“Will this be public? We want privacy.”
Most cases settle confidentially before a public trial. We always prioritize our clients’ privacy and can negotiate for sealed records and confidential settlement terms.

Why Attorney911 for Your Texas Hazing Case

When your family in Riesel is facing the aftermath of hazing, you need attorneys who understand both the profound human cost and the complex legal battlefield. You need a team that has faced billion-dollar defendants and knows how to win. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), we bring a unique combination of insider knowledge, proven experience, and unwavering commitment to victim advocacy.

Our Unfair Advantage for Hazing Cases:

1. Insurance Insider Knowledge (Mr. Lupe Peña): Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny, delay, and undervalue your claim. We know their playbook because we used to run it.
2. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello): Our firm was one of the few in Texas involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by national fraternities or university legal teams with unlimited budgets. We have federal court experience and a record of taking on Goliaths.
3. Active, High-Stakes Hazing Litigation: Right now, we are leading the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit—a $10 million case that is making headlines. We are not theorizing about hazing law; we are actively fighting one of the most severe cases in the country.
4. Data-Driven Investigation: We built and maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine from public records—tracking over 1,400 Greek organizations across Texas. We don’t start from zero; we start with data that identifies house corporations, alumni groups, and national entities that may share liability.
5. Full-Spectrum Advocacy: From evidence preservation (watch our guide) to working with medical experts, psychologists, and economists, we build comprehensive life-care plans and damage models. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which is why insurers take us seriously.
6. Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. Se habla Español.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. If your child at Baylor, Texas A&M, UT, or any Texas school has been hazed, we have the expertise, resources, and determination to help you seek justice.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family in Riesel, Waco, or anywhere in Texas, you do not have to navigate this nightmare alone. The path to accountability starts with a conversation.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 today for a free, confidential case evaluation.

In your consultation, we will:

• Listen to your story with compassion and without judgment.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Discuss the realistic timeline, process, and potential outcomes.
• Answer all your questions about costs—we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Call us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | For Spanish: lupe@atty911.com

You deserve answers. Your child deserves accountability. Let us help you fight for it.

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