The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits for Roaring Springs Families: Protecting Texas Students from Fraternity, Sorority & Campus Abuse

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone

Picture this: A student from right here in Roaring Springs, Motley County, heads off to college with dreams of finding community and building lifelong friendships. At Texas Tech University in Lubbock—a common destination for our local students—they accept a bid from what appears to be a prestigious fraternity or sorority. The initial excitement soon turns to something darker: mandatory late-night meetings, constant phone alerts from group chats, unexplained exhaustion, and pressure to participate in “traditions” that feel wrong. What starts as carrying a “pledge fanny pack” with humiliating items escalates to forced drinking, extreme workouts, and psychological manipulation. The student feels trapped—afraid to quit for fear of social exile, afraid to tell you for fear of disappointing you, and afraid to report because they’ve been told “this is how we’ve always done it.”

This nightmare scenario is playing out right now on Texas campuses, and families in Roaring Springs need to know the truth: what looks like “college mischief” is often criminal hazing with lifelong consequences. We’re The Manginello Law Firm, PLLD, operating as Attorney911—Texas hazing litigation specialists. Right now, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country: representing Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. What happened to him—severe physical abuse culminating in rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—could happen to any Texas student. This guide exists to give Roaring Springs families the comprehensive information you need to recognize hazing, understand your legal rights, and take action to protect your child.

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

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For parents in Roaring Springs who may not be familiar with modern Greek life or campus culture, hazing has evolved far beyond the ” Animal House” stereotypes. Today’s hazing is a sophisticated system of coercion that often leaves no visible bruises but causes deep psychological and sometimes fatal physical harm.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

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

24/7 digital control: Pledges required to respond instantly to GroupMe messages at all hours, with punishment for delayed responses
Servitude duties: Acting as designated drivers at 3 AM, cleaning members’ apartments, running personal errands
Social isolation: Being told to limit contact with non-members, family, or friends outside the organization
“Pledge fanny pack” rules: Carrying humiliating items (condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices) at all times as “pledge identification”

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (Creates Hostile Environment)

Sleep deprivation: Mandatory 4 AM wake-up calls for “study sessions” that are actually intimidation sessions
Forced consumption: Drinking milk, eating hot dogs and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediate physical activity
Public humiliation: Being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” lying in vomit-soaked grass, forced degrading performances
Extreme exercise: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups and squats under threat of expulsion from the pledge class

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (High Potential for Injury or Death)

Forced alcohol consumption: “Big/Little” nights with entire bottles of liquor, drinking games where wrong answers mean dangerous consumption levels
Physical beatings: Paddling, “gladiator” fights between pledges, being hog-tied face-down with objects in mouths
Dangerous environments: Exposure to extreme cold in underwear, dangerous driving duties while exhausted
Sexualized hazing: Simulated sexual acts, forced nudity, “elephant walks”

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

While fraternities and sororities receive most attention, hazing occurs across campus organizations:

Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural chapters)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC at Texas A&M and other military-style programs
Athletic Teams from football to cheerleading
Spirit Organizations like Texas Cowboys at UT Austin
Marching Bands and performance groups
Academic & Honor Societies that use “initiation” rituals

The common thread isn’t the type of organization but the power imbalance between established members and new members, combined with traditional secrecy that protects abusive behaviors.

Texas Hazing Law: What Roaring Springs Families Need to Know

Texas has some of the nation’s most comprehensive anti-hazing statutes, but many families in Motley County don’t realize how these laws protect their children. Understanding this legal framework is the first step toward accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

Definition (Section 37.151): Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student.

Key Provisions for Roaring Springs Families:

Criminal Penalties (Section 37.152):
- Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing offense (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
- Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment
- State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death
Organizational Liability (Section 37.153):
- Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation
- Organizations can be prosecuted if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report it
Consent is NOT a Defense (Section 37.155):
- This is critical for Roaring Springs parents to understand
- Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still hazing under Texas law
- Courts recognize that peer pressure and power imbalance nullify true consent
Good-Faith Reporter Immunity (Section 37.154):
- Students who report hazing in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability
- Many universities extend this with medical amnesty policies for underage drinking during emergencies

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases (Brought by the State):

Prosecuted by county or district attorneys
Goal: Punishment (jail time, fines, probation)
Common charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter in fatal cases
Example: In the Pi Kappa Phi case at UH, 13 individual fraternity members face potential criminal charges alongside the civil lawsuit

Civil Cases (Brought by Victims/Families):

Filed by injured students or surviving families
Goal: Compensation and accountability through financial recovery
Legal theories: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision
Our Role: We represent victims in civil cases to recover damages and force institutional change

These processes can run simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required for a successful civil case—they operate on different standards of proof.

Federal Law Overlay: Additional Protections

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents transparently
Mandates public hazing data by approximately 2026
Strengthens prevention education requirements

Title IX & Clery Act:

When hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, Title IX obligations trigger
Clery Act requires reporting of certain crimes that often overlap with hazing incidents
Both create additional institutional accountability layers

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases below aren’t just national news—they’re blueprints for what Texas families might face. Each demonstrates patterns that recur at our state’s universities.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

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

20-year-old pledge forced to consume entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
Died from alcohol poisoning
$10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
Takeaway for Roaring Springs families: The “Big/Little” tradition is a repeating script for disaster that exists at Texas chapters too

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

Pledge forced to participate in “Bible study” drinking game
Wrong answers = forced drinking
Died with BAC of 0.495%
Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)
Takeaway: Drinking games disguised as “education” are particularly dangerous

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

Bid acceptance night with extreme alcohol consumption
Multiple falls captured on chapter security cameras
18 frat members charged with over 1,000 criminal counts
Pennsylvania enacted Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law
Takeaway: Delayed medical care dramatically worsens outcomes and increases liability

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

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

Pledge subjected to blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual during retreat
Repeatedly tackled while weighted down with backpack
Died from traumatic brain injury; help delayed
Pi Delta Psi banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
Takeaway: Off-campus retreats can be as dangerous as house parties

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)

Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within program
Multiple lawsuits against university and staff
Head coach fired; confidential settlement reached
Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to big-money athletic programs

What These Cases Mean for Roaring Springs Families:
These aren’t distant tragedies. The same national organizations operating at Bowling Green, LSU, and Penn State have active chapters at Texas universities. The same traditions, the same power dynamics, and the same institutional failures can—and do—occur right here in Texas.

Texas University Focus: Where Roaring Springs Students Attend

While Roaring Springs students attend universities across Texas and beyond, several institutions see significant enrollment from our area. Understanding the hazing landscape at these schools is crucial for local families.

Texas Tech University: The Closest Major Campus

For Roaring Springs families, Texas Tech in Lubbock represents the most accessible major university, just over 100 miles away. Its Greek life system includes approximately 40 fraternities and sororities serving 5,000+ students.

Recent Hazing Climate:

Kappa Sigma faced hazing allegations in 2023 involving forced alcohol consumption and physical abuse
Multiple Greek organizations appear on Texas Tech’s conduct violation reports
The university maintains an online hazing violation log, though less comprehensive than UT Austin’s

Texas Tech’s Hazing Policy:

Prohibits “any activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student”
Requires reporting within 24 hours of discovery
Provides amnesty for those seeking medical assistance

What Roaring Springs Parents Should Know:

Texas Tech Police Department (806-742-3931) has jurisdiction on campus
Lubbock Police Department handles off-campus incidents
Civil cases would typically be filed in Lubbock County courts
Evidence preservation is critical—deleted GroupMe messages have been recoverable in past cases

Texas A&M University: Corps of Cadets & Greek Life

Distance from Roaring Springs: Approximately 400 miles to College Station, but many Texas families choose A&M for its tradition and reputation.

Unique Risk Factor – Corps of Cadets:

Military-style environment with reported discipline issues
2023 lawsuit alleged cadet was bound between beds in “roasted pig” position with apple in mouth
Case sought over $1 million; A&M stated it handled matter internally

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):

Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit
Resulted in severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
- Lawsuit sought $1 million
- Fraternity suspended for two years
Takeaway: Hazing methods continue evolving toward more dangerous forms

Texas A&M’s Response System:

Student Conduct Office investigates hazing reports
Corps has separate disciplinary system
University generally cooperates with criminal investigations

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency & Ongoing Issues

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page (hazing.utexas.edu) provides unusual transparency that Roaring Springs families should know exists.

Recent Documented Cases:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation
Texas Wranglers (2022): Spirit organization sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted at party, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose; chapter already under prior suspension

Why UT’s Transparency Matters for Roaring Springs Families:

Pattern Evidence: Prior violations strengthen civil cases by showing institutional knowledge
Deterrence: Public shaming through the violations page creates accountability
Research Tool: Parents can check organizations before their child joins

UT’s Reporting System:

UTPD handles criminal aspects
Office of the Dean of Students manages conduct process
Title IX Office intervenes for sexualized hazing

University of Houston: Our Active Case Location

The Leonel Bermudez / Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Case – What Roaring Springs Families Need to Know:

We’re currently litigating one of Texas’s most serious hazing cases right at UH. Here’s what happened:

Timeline of Abuse:

Sept 16, 2025: Bermudez accepts bid
Sept-Oct 2025: Forced dress codes, overnight chauffeuring, humiliating “pledge fanny pack” requirement
Oct 13, 2025: Another pledge hog-tied face-down on table with object in mouth for over an hour
Nov 3, 2025: Bermudez forced through 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threat
Nov 6-9, 2025: Hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure

Medical Catastrophe:

Developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown)
Acute kidney failure requiring four-day hospitalization
Passed brown urine – classic symptom of muscle tissue death
Lab tests showed critically high creatine kinase levels
Ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage

Institutional Response:

Nov 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspends Beta Nu chapter
Nov 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender charter; chapter shut down
UH statement: Conduct “deeply disturbing,” promises disciplinary measures up to expulsion, cooperation with law enforcement
13 individual defendants named including chapter president, pledgemaster, risk manager

Why This Case Matters for Roaring Springs:

It’s happening NOW in Texas, not some distant state
Shows how physical hazing causes permanent organ damage
Demonstrates institutional complicity – UH owned/controlled the chapter house
$10 million lawsuit shows serious cases have serious value

Media Coverage for Verification:

Click2Houston report: “Urine was brown: Pledge sues over severe hazing at University of Houston’s shut down Pi Kappa Phi fraternity”
ABC13 coverage: “Waterboarding, forced eating, physical punishment: Lawsuit alleges abuse faced by injured pledge at UH’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity”
Hoodline summary: “University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Face $10M Lawsuit Over Alleged Hazing and Abuse”

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

SMU’s Affluent Greek Culture:

Kappa Alpha Order incident (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended until approximately 2021
Private university status means less public transparency
Civil suits often necessary to uncover internal reports

Baylor’s Complex History:

Baseball hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following investigation
Ongoing scrutiny following Title IX sexual assault scandal
Religious branding interacts uniquely with accountability efforts

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: How We Track Every Responsible Party

One reason families in Roaring Springs choose our firm is our unmatched investigative capability. We maintain what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine – a comprehensive database of every Greek organization, housing corporation, alumni chapter, and related entity in Texas. This isn’t theoretical; it’s built from public records that give us immediate leverage in hazing cases.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Roaring Springs Families

If you’re a parent in Roaring Springs, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. Below are actual public records entries for Texas Greek organizations – the kind of data we use to identify every potentially liable entity in a hazing case.

Texas-Registered Greek Organizations (IRS B83 Records):

Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc
EIN: 46-2267515 | Frisco, TX 75035
Data Source: IRS B83 public filing

Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Chapter
EIN: 74-6064445 | Nederland, TX 77627
Data Source: IRS B83 public filing – housing corporation

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Arlington-Grand Prairie Alumni Chapter
EIN: 23-2452759 | Grand Prairie, TX 75054
Data Source: IRS B83 public filing – alumni chapter

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Multiple Chapters
EIN: 36-4091267 | Waco, TX 76710
EIN: 75-2609909 | Commerce, TX 75428
Data Source: IRS B83 public filings – undergraduate chapters

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Multiple Campus Chapters
EIN: 26-3170920 | Denton, TX 76204 (Texas Woman’s University)
EIN: 35-2335400 | Tyler, TX 75799 (UT Tyler)
EIN: 90-0293166 | College Station, TX 77843 (Texas A&M)
Data Source: IRS B83 public filings – academic honor society

Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – Multiple Texas Chapters
EIN: 47-5370943 | Houston, TX 77204 (Theta Delta Chapter)
EIN: 47-5381060 | San Marcos, TX 78666 (Theta Iota Chapter)
EIN: 81-2525354 | College Station, TX 77845 (Theta Rho Chapter)
Data Source: IRS B83 public filings – housing corporations

Major Texas University Greek Ecosystems:

University of Houston Greek System:

17 Interfraternity Council fraternities including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha
6 Panhellenic sororities
9 National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations
Multiple cultural fraternities and sororities

Texas A&M University Greek System:

19 Interfraternity Council fraternities
14 Panhellenic sororities
9 NPHC organizations
6+ multicultural groups

Texas Tech University Greek System:

Approximately 40 total Greek organizations
Serving 5,000+ students
Both IFC and Panhellenic systems well-established

Why This Directory Matters for Your Case:

Immediate Investigation: We don’t start from zero when you call
Insurance Identification: Each entity above may carry insurance that could cover your claim
Liability Tracing: National organizations often hide behind local chapter corporations
Pattern Evidence: Multiple chapters of same national suggest foreseeable risk

Metro-Level Greek Presence in Texas

Based on Cause IQ analysis of Texas Greek organizations:

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510+ Greek organizations
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188+ Greek organizations
Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154+ Greek organizations
Lubbock Metro (Texas Tech area): 59+ Greek organizations
College Station-Bryan Metro (Texas A&M): 42+ Greek organizations
Statewide Total: 1,423+ fraternity and sorority organizations across 25 Texas metros

Cross-Validated National Brands in Texas:
Organizations appearing in both IRS records and metro databases include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (national headquarters in Memphis, multiple Texas chapters)
Sigma Gamma Rho (undergraduate and alumni chapters statewide)
Kappa Alpha Psi (active alumni network across Texas metros)
Alpha Sigma Phi (growing Texas presence with multiple chapter housing corporations)

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Recovery

When a Roaring Springs family comes to us after a hazing incident, we follow a systematic approach developed through years of complex litigation against universities, national fraternities, and insurance companies.

Evidence Collection: The Digital Crime Scene

Most Critical Evidence Sources:

Group Messaging Archives:
- GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage group texts
- Discord servers, fraternity-specific apps
- Screenshot immediately – messages disappear fast
- Our video on using your phone to document evidence shows proper preservation techniques
Social Media Evidence:
- Instagram stories showing hazing events
- Snapchat memories (often saved by participants)
- TikTok videos of “challenges” or initiations
- Facebook event pages for “pledge nights”
Internal Organization Documents:
- Pledge manuals with required tasks
- “Big/Little” assignment sheets
- Risk management forms (often completed fraudulently)
- National fraternity policies they violated
University Records (Obtained via Discovery):
- Prior conduct violations for same organization
- Campus police incident reports
- Clery Act reports showing pattern
- Internal emails about the organization
Medical Documentation:
- ER records mentioning hazing
- Lab tests (creatine kinase levels for rhabdomyolysis)
- Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression
- Follow-up care plans

Damages Recovery: What Hazing Victims Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

Medical expenses: ER visits, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment
Future medical care: Physical therapy, psychological counseling, potential organ transplant
Lost educational opportunity: Withdrawn semester tuition, lost scholarships
Diminished earning capacity: If injuries affect career trajectory

Non-Economic Damages (Substantial but Less Tangible):

Physical pain and suffering from injuries
Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life: Can’t participate in college experience

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families):

Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of financial support from deceased
Loss of companionship, love, and guidance
Parents’ and siblings’ emotional suffering

Punitive Damages (When Conduct is Egregious):

Available when defendants show reckless disregard
Meant to punish and deter future conduct
Example: $6.5 million personal judgment against Pi Kappa Alpha president in Stone Foltz case

Overcoming Common Defense Tactics

Defense Tactic #1: “The Pledge Consented”

Our Response: Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense
Evidence: Group chat messages showing coercion, testimony about power imbalance

Defense Tactic #2: “National Didn’t Know”

Our Response: Pattern evidence from other chapters shows foreseeability
Evidence: Prior incident reports to nationals, repetitive nature of “traditions”

Defense Tactic #3: “It Happened Off-Campus”

Our Response: Location doesn’t eliminate duty when organization sponsors/controls event
Evidence: Chapter-organized transportation, member-owned properties, national insurance coverage

Defense Tactic #4: “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”

Our Response: Paper policies without enforcement are meaningless
Evidence: Prior violations resulted in minimal punishment, training was perfunctory

Practical Guides for Roaring Springs Parents & Students

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Physical Indicators:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Weight changes from food/water manipulation
Sleep deprivation patterns (always up late, early calls)

Behavioral Changes:

Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and old friends
Personality shifts: anxiety, depression, irritability
Defensive when asked about the group
Constant phone checking for group messages

Academic Red Flags:

Grades dropping suddenly
Missing classes or falling asleep in class
Losing scholarships or academic standing

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally):

“How are things going with [organization]? Are they respectful of your time?”
“What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you wish you didn’t have to do?”
“Have you seen anyone get hurt, or have you been hurt?”
“Do you feel like you can leave if you want to, or would there be consequences?”

48-Hour Action Plan for Parents:

Hours 1-6 (Immediate Crisis):

Get medical attention if injured/intoxicated
Remove child from dangerous situation
Screenshot any messages they show you
Photograph visible injuries
Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911

Hours 6-24 (Evidence Preservation):

Help child preserve all digital communications
Secure physical evidence (clothing, objects)
Request medical records
Document witness names and contacts
Note university communications but don’t respond yet

Hours 24-48 (Strategic Decisions):

Consult with experienced hazing attorney
Decide on reporting strategy with legal guidance
Refer university to your attorney
Do NOT talk to insurance adjusters
Backup all evidence to cloud storage

For Students: Self-Protection & Safe Exit Strategies

Is This Hazing? Quick Self-Assessment:

Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would my parents or university approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
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:

Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, trusted friend)
Send written resignation to chapter president: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where pressure/retaliation might occur
If fearing retaliation, report those fears to Dean of Students and campus police

Evidence Preservation for Students:

Screenshot all group chats with timestamps visible
In Texas, you can legally record conversations you’re part of (one-party consent state)
Take photos of injuries immediately and over several days
Save everything digital – don’t delete even if embarrassed
Tell medical providers “I was hazed” so it’s in records

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence
- Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up, can be obstruction of justice
- Better approach: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content
Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly
- Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
- Better approach: Document everything, call attorney before any confrontation
Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms
- Why it’s wrong: May waive right to sue; settlements often far below case value
- Better approach: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review
Posting details on social media before talking to lawyer
- Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
- Better approach: Document privately; let lawyer control public messaging
Waiting “to see how the university handles it”
- Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
- Better approach: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

Frequently Asked Questions for Roaring Springs Families

“Can we sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UT, Texas A&M, Texas Tech) have sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals personally. Private schools (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case is fact-specific—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Basic hazing is a Class B misdemeanor, but it becomes a state jail felony if causing serious bodily injury or death. Officers can also face charges for failing to report hazing.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and power imbalance isn’t true voluntary consent.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this. In cover-up cases, the statute may be tolled. Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately. Our video on Texas statutes of limitations explains deadlines in detail.

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

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

Why Attorney911 for Roaring Springs Hazing Cases

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. Here’s why Roaring Springs families choose us:

Proven Experience Against Massive Institutions

BP Texas City Explosion Litigation:

We were one of the few Texas firms involved in the BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation
That case involved battling billion-dollar corporations with unlimited legal budgets
The same skills apply to suing national fraternities and universities

Current Active Hazing Litigation:

We’re right now fighting the Leonel Bermudez $10 million case against UH and Pi Kappa Phi
This isn’t theoretical expertise—it’s active, current litigation experience
We understand the tactics national fraternities use because we’re facing them in court today

Insurance Insider Advantage

Mr. Lupe Peña’s Defense Background:

Former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value claims
Understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies
“We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Multi-Million Dollar Results

Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Experience:

We’ve recovered millions for families in wrongful death cases
Experience working with economists to value lifetime care needs
Not intimidated by high-stakes litigation against well-funded defendants

Criminal + Civil Dual Expertise

Ralph Manginello’s HCCLA Membership:

Membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association signals elite criminal defense capability
Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure

Digital Evidence Mastery

From Trucking Cases to Hazing Investigations:

Our experience obtaining electronic logging device data, driver qualification files, and maintenance records translates directly to hazing digital evidence
We know how to recover deleted group chats, subpoena social media archives, and trace digital footprints
Network includes digital forensics experts who can recover “permanently deleted” messages

Texas-Specific Geographic Knowledge

Serving Roaring Springs & All of Texas:

While based in Houston, we serve families throughout Texas
Understand the unique dynamics at Texas Tech, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and other state schools
Know local court systems and procedures across multiple counties
Spanish-language services available through Mr. Peña for Hispanic families

Your Next Step: Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends Texas Tech, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any Texas campus—you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions involved have experienced lawyers protecting them. You deserve the same level of representation.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

We Listen Without Judgment: Tell us what happened in complete confidence
Evidence Review: We’ll examine any evidence you’ve preserved (photos, texts, medical records)
Legal Options Explained: We’ll outline criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Realistic Expectations: We discuss timelines, potential outcomes, and challenges
No Pressure: Take time to decide—we never pressure immediate hiring
Cost Transparency: Contingency fee basis means no fee unless we win

Contact Attorney911 Today:

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com (Ralph Manginello)
Spanish Services: lupe@atty911.com (Mr. Lupe Peña)

Plain Text Links to Key Resources:

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

Using phone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Texas statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client mistakes that ruin cases: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Firm Information:

Main website: https://attorney911.com
Wrongful death practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
Ralph Manginello profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
Lupe Peña profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com