The Complete Guide to Hazing Laws, Fraternity Histories & University Accountability for Mingus Parents & Texas Families

If you’re a parent in Palo Pinto County, your child’s college experience might feel worlds away. But when your son or daughter joins a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, or campus organization, the distance collapses instantly when the phone rings with news no family wants to hear: your child has been hurt, humiliated, or hospitalized in the name of “tradition” or “initiation.”

Right now, in Texas, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, housing corporation, and 13 fraternity leaders. Bermudez, a transfer student at UH, allegedly endured months of systematic abuse that resulted in rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, requiring four days of hospitalization and ongoing treatment. This isn’t an isolated incident from another state—it’s happening here in Texas, at a major public university, against a national fraternity with chapters across our state. For families sending students from Mingus, Mineral Wells, or Weatherford to Texas campuses, this case shows exactly what can—and does—happen when institutions fail to protect students.

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 This Guide Covers for Mingus Families

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Mingus, Palo Pinto County, and across Texas who need to understand:

1. What hazing looks like in 2025 – not just old stereotypes, but modern digital coercion, disguised “workouts,” and psychological manipulation
2. How Texas and federal law treat hazing, including criminal penalties and civil liability
3. What we can learn from major national cases and how they apply to Texas families
4. What’s happening at Texas universities where Mingus students attend – not just UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor, but also regional schools like Tarleton State University in nearby Stephenville
5. What legal options victims and families in Mingus and throughout Texas may have for accountability and compensation
6. How our deep data investigation into Texas Greek organizations helps families uncover the full universe of responsible parties

Whether your child attends Tarleton State University just 30 minutes from Mingus, or travels to major hubs like Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas A&M in College Station, or UT Austin, the patterns of hazing and institutional response follow disturbing similarities. This guide will give you the knowledge to recognize hazing, understand your rights under Texas law, and take informed action if your family faces this crisis.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like Beyond the Stereotypes

For families in Mingus who may not have direct experience with modern Greek life, understanding what hazing actually looks like today is critical. It’s evolved far beyond simple pranks or traditional initiations.

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. Under Texas law (Education Code Chapter 37), it specifically means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers mental or physical health for purposes of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not make it legal when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance.

Main Categories of Hazing Today

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadliest form. It includes forced or coerced drinking during “Big/Little” nights, bid acceptance events, “family tree” drinking games, or “lineups” where pledges must consume excessive amounts. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Bermudez was allegedly forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed by immediate sprints.

Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, this now includes extreme “workouts” disguised as conditioning. In the UH case, Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, and “save-your-brother” drills. Other pledges were hog-tied face-down with objects in their mouths for over an hour. These activities often cause rhabdomyolysis – the same condition Bermudez developed – where muscle breakdown floods the bloodstream and can lead to kidney failure.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” “roasted pig” positions), degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. In the UH case, pledges carried a “pledge fanny pack” 24/7 containing condoms, a sex toy, nicotine devices, and other humiliating items.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming create psychological trauma. Sleep deprivation – like the overnight chauffeuring duties and late-night “meetings” in the UH case – is common.

Digital/Online Hazing
This represents the newest frontier: group chat dares, “challenges” on Instagram, Snapchat humiliation, TikTok coercion, and pressure to create compromising content. Members often use GroupMe, WhatsApp, or Discord to issue 24/7 demands, track location via Find My Friends, and threaten social media exposure for non-compliance.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

While fraternities and sororities dominate headlines, hazing occurs in:

• Corps of Cadets/ROTC/military-style groups (especially relevant at Texas A&M)
• Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
• Spirit squads and tradition clubs (like Texas Cowboys or similar groups)
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Some service, cultural, and academic organizations

Social status, tradition, and secrecy keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal. The fear of exclusion, desire for belonging, and pressure to prove loyalty create powerful coercive environments that override individual judgment.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas Statutes & Federal Overlay

For Mingus families navigating a hazing crisis, understanding the legal landscape is essential. Texas has specific laws, but federal statutes also play crucial roles.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas defines hazing broadly as intentional, knowing, or reckless acts, on or off campus, directed against a student for purposes of initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership that endanger mental or physical health or safety.

Key Provisions:

Criminal Penalties (§37.152):

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

Organizational Liability (§37.153):
Organizations can be criminally prosecuted if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report it. Penalties include fines up to $10,000 per violation and university revocation of recognition.

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§37.154):
Persons who report hazing in good faith to universities or law enforcement are immune from civil or criminal liability. Many universities also provide amnesty for those calling 911 in medical emergencies, even if underage drinking was involved.

Consent Not a Defense (§37.155):
This is crucial – even if the victim “agreed” to the activity, it’s not a defense to prosecution. Texas recognizes that consent under peer pressure and power imbalance isn’t true voluntary consent.

Reporting by Educational Institutions (§37.156):
Texas colleges must provide hazing prevention education, publish policies, and maintain annual reports of hazing violations. UT Austin’s public hazing violations page (hazing.utexas.edu) exemplifies this transparency.

Criminal vs Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (prosecutor)
• Aim: punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical charges: hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Example: In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, criminal referrals were made alongside the civil lawsuit

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: monetary compensation and accountability
• Focus on: negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring/supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
• Example: Our $10 million lawsuit for Leonel Bermudez seeks compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and institutional accountability

Both types can run simultaneously, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue civil action. In fact, civil discovery often uncovers evidence that aids criminal investigations.

Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act, Title IX, Clery

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently, strengthen prevention, and maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026). This will increase visibility into patterns at Texas universities.

Title IX:
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. Universities must investigate and respond appropriately, regardless of whether the conduct occurs on or off campus.

Clery Act:
Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics. Hazing incidents often overlap with assault or alcohol/drug crimes that must be disclosed in annual security reports.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Individual Students:
Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up. In the UH case, 13 individual fraternity leaders/members were named, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and risk manager.

Local Chapter/Organization:
The fraternity/sorority or club itself if it’s a legal entity. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation was named in our lawsuit.

National Fraternity/Sorority:
Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters was included based on their oversight responsibilities and prior knowledge of hazing risks.

University or Governing Board:
Schools may be sued under negligence or civil-rights theories. Key questions involve prior warnings, policy enforcement, and deliberate indifference. UH and the UH System Board of Regents were named for allegedly failing to intervene despite knowledge of systemic hazing.

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

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys investigate all potential sources of liability and insurance coverage.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Families Can Learn

The tragic cases that make national headlines aren’t just statistics – they’re cautionary tales that establish legal precedents and reveal patterns Texas families must understand.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):
Bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking, severe falls captured on chapter cameras, hours delayed before medical help. Dozens of criminal charges, civil litigation, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Act resulted. Takeaway: Delayed medical response and cover-up culture create devastating legal exposure.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017):
Big/little event where pledge was given a handle of liquor, drank to dangerous levels, and died. Criminal hazing charges followed, and FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life. Takeaway: Formulaic “tradition” drinking nights are predictable scripts for disaster.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):
“Bible study” drinking game forced drinking for incorrect answers. Death led to Louisiana’s felony hazing statute (Max Gruver Act). Takeaway: Legislative reform often follows public outrage and clear hazing evidence.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):
Pledge forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night, died from alcohol poisoning. Multiple criminal convictions, $10 million total settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). Takeaway: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities. Former chapter president Daylen Dunson was personally ordered to pay $6.5 million.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):
Pledge subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat, suffered fatal head injuries with delayed help. Multiple members convicted, fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Takeaway: Off-campus retreats can be particularly dangerous, and national organizations face severe sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025):
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the program over years. Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired, confidential settlement reached. Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life into major athletic programs with systemic abuse.

What These Cases Mean for Mingus Families

Common threads emerge: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, and cover-ups. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements typically follow only after tragedy and litigation. Texas families facing hazing at Tarleton State, Texas Tech, or other universities operate in a landscape shaped by these national lessons. The patterns are predictable, which means liability is often clear when institutions fail to intervene.

Texas Focus: Universities Where Mingus Students Attend

Mingus families send students to various Texas institutions, from nearby regional campuses to major universities across the state. Understanding each campus’s ha landscape is crucial.

Regional & Nearby Universities for Palo Pinto County Families

Tarleton State University (Stephenville, TX – 30 miles from Mingus):
As part of the Texas A&M System, Tarleton serves many Palo Pinto County students. With active Greek life and tradition-heavy programs, families should know:

• Reporting Channels: Dean of Students Office, Student Conduct, campus police
• Hazing Policy: Prohibits all hazing, on or off campus, following Texas A&M System guidelines
• Practical Note: For Mingus families, incidents here may involve Erath County courts and Stephenville police jurisdiction
• Action Steps: Document through Tarleton’s online reporting system, preserve evidence immediately, and understand that A&M System resources may be mobilized for serious cases

Weatherford College (Weatherford, TX – Parker County):
While primarily a community college, some student organizations maintain traditions that can cross into hazing territory.

Other Regional Considerations: Many Mingus students also attend Texas Tech (Lubbock), University of North Texas (Denton), or West Texas A&M (Canyon), each with distinct Greek cultures and hazing histories.

Major Texas Universities: Deep Analysis

University of Houston (UH) – The Active Case Example

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Large urban campus with mix of commuter and residential students. Active Greek life with 60+ fraternities and sororities across multiple councils. For Mingus families, UH represents a common destination for students seeking urban university experiences.

Hazing Policy & Reporting:
UH prohibits hazing on or off campus, with reporting through Dean of Students, Conduct Office, and UHPD. Their public statements in the Pi Kappa Phi case called conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised cooperation with law enforcement.

The Active Case – Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi:
Our ongoing $10 million lawsuit alleges:

• Systematic hazing from September-November 2025
• “Pledge fanny pack” humiliation rules
• Extreme physical abuse at Pi Kappa Phi house, Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park
• Forced consumption rituals leading to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure
• Four-day hospitalization with critically high creatine kinase levels
• Chapter suspension (Nov 6) and charter surrender (Nov 14)

Media coverage from Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline documents these allegations in detail. This case shows how quickly hazing can escalate to life-threatening injury at a Texas public university.

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds:

• Jurisdiction: Harris County courts, potentially federal court for civil rights claims
• Defendants: Individuals, local chapter, national headquarters, housing corporation, university
• Evidence: Group chats, medical records, witness testimony, national fraternity files
• For Mingus families: Houston-based legal representation provides geographic advantage for case management

Texas A&M University – Corps Culture & Greek Life

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Tradition-heavy campus with prominent Corps of Cadets and extensive Greek system. For Mingus families, A&M represents a common choice with strong Texas roots.

Documented Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. $1 million lawsuit filed.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth. Sought over $1 million.
• Corps of Cadets Suspensions (2024): Multiple cadets suspended following hazing investigations.

Hazing Policy & Reporting:
Student Conduct office handles investigations, with separate processes for Corps members. A&M’s public hazing data shows ongoing issues despite “zero tolerance” policies.

Practical Guidance for Mingus Families:

• Corps vs Greek Life: Different reporting channels and cultures
• Geographic Note: Brazos County courts, College Station police jurisdiction
• Evidence Preservation: Corps traditions may involve different evidence types than Greek life
• Legal Strategy: May involve both university negligence and individual member liability

University of Texas at Austin – Transparency & Patterns

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Flagship campus with 60+ Greek chapters and transparent hazing violation reporting. UT’s public hazing.utexas.edu page provides unprecedented visibility.

Documented Violations (from Public Log):

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Probation and hazing prevention education required.
• Texas Wranglers (2022): Spirit group sanctions for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
• Multiple Organizations: Ongoing pattern of alcohol hazing, physical abuse, and policy violations.

Hazing Policy Strengths:

• Public violation log with details
• Regular prevention education
• Clear reporting channels (Dean of Students, UTPD)

For Mingus Families:

• Transparency Advantage: Public records aid civil cases
• Jurisdiction: Travis County courts, Austin police
• Pattern Evidence: Prior violations establish institutional knowledge
• Action Steps: Check hazing.utexas.edu for organization history before joining

Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Private University Dynamics

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Private, affluent campus with strong Greek presence. Different legal considerations as private institution.

Documented Incidents:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep. Chapter suspended until 2021.
• Ongoing Investigations: Regular Greek life suspensions for policy violations.

Hazing Policy & Reporting:
Anonymous reporting through Real Response system, Conduct Office investigations. Less public transparency than public universities.

Legal Considerations for Mingus Families:

• Private vs Public: Different sovereign immunity issues
• Discovery Challenges: May need litigation to access internal reports
• Insurance Coverage: Different policy structures
• Action Steps: Document meticulously, as internal processes may lack transparency

Baylor University – Religious Identity & Athletic Context

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Religious-affiliated university with history of athletic and Greek life scrutiny.

Documented Incidents:

• Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation.
• Ongoing Greek Life Issues: Regular disciplinary actions for alcohol and hazing violations.

Hazing Policy & Reporting:
“Zero tolerance” policy with Conduct Office handling. History of Title IX scandals affects institutional response patterns.

Practical Guidance:

• Religious Context: May affect reporting comfort and institutional response
• Athletic Programs: Separate oversight from Greek life
• Action Steps: Consider both university and conference reporting channels for athlete hazing

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

If you’re a parent in Mingus, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. Our firm maintains an unmatched Texas Greek-life data engine tracking hundreds of organizations across the state. Below are examples of Texas-registered Greek entities that illustrate the complex network of organizations behind campus chapters.

Texas Greek Organization Directory (Sampled from Public Records)

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

• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC | EIN: 133048786 | COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845-6681 | IRS B83 filing
• GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC | EIN: 161675890 | THE WOODLANDS, TX 77382-1822 | IRS B83 filing – ZETA RHO HCB
• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 201237505 | CORINTH, TX 76210-4202 | IRS B83 filing – BETA CHAPTER
• FRANK HEFLIN FOUNDATION | EIN: 203507402 | CANYON, TX 79015-5815 | IRS B83 filing – Phi Delta Theta alumni fund
• EPSILON NU HOUSING CORPORATION | EIN: 237359384 | LUBBOCK, TX 79401-0000 | IRS B83 filing
• ALPHA EPSILON PI FRATERNITY | EIN: 262025321 | DENTON, TX 76201-5816 | IRS B83 filing – MU GAMMA CHAPTER
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 263170920 | DENTON, TX 76204-0000 | IRS B83 filing – Texas Woman’s University chapter
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC | EIN: 462267515 | FRISCO, TX 75035-6629 | IRS B83 filing
• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY | EIN: 740555581 | AUSTIN, TX 78705-4018 | IRS B83 filing – Chi Omega house corporation
• PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY | EIN: 746064445 | NEDERLAND, TX 77627-8843 | IRS B83 filing – EPSILON KAPPA CHAPTER
• TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC | EIN: 741380362 | FORT WORTH, TX 76147-0061 | IRS B83 filing

Cause IQ Metro Organizations (Dallas-Fort Worth Area – Closest Major Metro to Mingus):

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity | Fort Worth, TX | 12650 N Beach St #30, Suite 114, Fort Worth, TX 76244
• Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) | Arlington, TX | National sorority headquarters in Dallas area
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation | Fort Worth, TX | Kappa Sigma housing foundation
• Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity – Gamma Psi Chapter | Fort Worth, TX | Chapter at TCU in Fort Worth
• Sigma Nu Fraternity – Lambda Epsilon Chapter | Fort Worth, TX | Chapter at TCU in Fort Worth

Cause IQ Metro Organizations (Other Texas Regions):

• Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity | Houston, TX | Alumni/house corporation
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp. | Austin, TX | University of Texas chapter house corporation
• Sigma Chi Fraternity – Eta Upsilon Chapter | College Station, TX | Texas A&M chapter
• Phi Gamma Delta – Tau Deuteron Chapter | Waco, TX | Baylor University chapter
• Frank Heflin Foundation (Phi Delta Theta alumni) | Amarillo, TX | Texas Theta Chapter alumni fund

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

• Beta Upsilon Chi appears in IRS records (EIN: 742911848, Fort Worth) and Cause IQ (Fort Worth location)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation appears in both IRS and Cause IQ data
• Pi Kappa Alpha appears in IRS (Nederland, TX) and Cause IQ (Houston district)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority appears in multiple IRS filings and Cause IQ metro listings
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi appears in numerous IRS filings and Cause IQ records

What This Directory Means for Mingus Families

These public records illustrate several critical points:

1. Complex Organizational Structures: Behind every campus chapter are housing corporations, alumni associations, educational foundations, and national headquarters – each potentially with insurance coverage and liability.

2. Metro Concentration: The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro (closest to Mingus) contains 510 Greek organizations according to Cause IQ data. Houston has 188, Austin 154, San Antonio 86, Lubbock 59.

3. Statewide Network: Texas has 1,423 fraternities and sororities across 25 metros, all interconnected through national affiliations and alumni networks.

4. Investigation Starting Points: These EINs, addresses, and organizational structures provide the foundation for thorough investigations when hazing occurs.

When hazing happens, we don’t start from zero. We already know how to trace the organizational hierarchy, identify insurance coverage, and locate the entities that share responsibility.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories & Campus-Specific Patterns

The national organizations behind campus chapters carry histories that matter profoundly for Texas cases. When a Texas chapter repeats patterns seen in other states, it shows foreseeability – that the national organization knew or should have known the risks.

Why National Histories Matter Legally

National fraternity/sorority headquarters typically have:

• Extensive anti-hazing manuals and risk policies because they’ve seen deaths and injuries
• Knowledge of pattern behaviors: forced drinking nights, paddling traditions, humiliating rituals
• Prior incident reports and disciplinary histories
• Insurance policies and risk management protocols

When a Texas chapter repeats scripts that got chapters shut down elsewhere, this establishes foreseeability – a key element in negligence claims. It shows nationals had constructive notice of risks but failed to intervene effectively.

National Organization Histories with Texas Presence

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) – Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, Baylor:

• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green, 2021): Pledge forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol, died. $10 million settlement ($7M national, $3M university).
• David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois, 2012): Pledge died from alcohol poisoning. $14 million settlement.
• Texas Pattern: Multiple Texas chapters with hazing violations, including UH incidents.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – Active at All Major Texas Universities:

• Traumatic Brain Injury Case (Alabama, 2023): Pledge allegedly suffered TBI during hazing ritual.
• Chemical Burns Case (Texas A&M, 2021): Pledges covered in industrial cleaner causing burns requiring skin grafts. $1 million lawsuit.
• Assault Case (UT Austin, 2024): Exchange student allegedly assaulted, suffering fractures and dislocation.
• Texas Pattern: Repeated violations across Texas campuses despite national “reforms.”

Pi Kappa Phi – Active at UH (Beta Nu Chapter Shut Down), Texas A&M:

• Andrew Coffey (Florida State, 2017): Pledge died from alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother Night.”
• Leonel Bermudez (UH, 2025): Our active case involving rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.
• National Response: Quick chapter suspension and charter surrender in UH case.

Phi Delta Theta – Active at Texas A&M, UT, Baylor:

• Max Gruver (LSU, 2017): Pledge died during “Bible study” drinking game. $6.1 million verdict.
• Louisiana Response: Max Gruver Act creating felony hazing statute.

Kappa Sigma – Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, Baylor:

• Chad Meredith (Miami, 2001): Freshman drowned after swimming intoxicated. $12.6 million verdict.
• Texas A&M (2023): Allegations of hazing causing rhabdomyolysis. Ongoing litigation.

Connecting National Patterns to Texas Cases

The legal significance is clear:

1. Foreseeability: When nationals know certain rituals (Big/Little drinking, forced workouts, paddle lines) cause injuries elsewhere, they can’t claim surprise when Texas chapters repeat them.

2. Pattern Evidence: Prior incidents establish what nationals “knew or should have known,” supporting negligence claims.

3. Punitive Damages: Repeated patterns despite knowledge can support claims for punitive damages in some cases.

4. Insurance Coverage: Pattern evidence can defeat insurance arguments that incidents were “unforeseeable” or “rogue” actions.

For Mingus families, this means your child’s hazing case isn’t evaluated in isolation. The national organization’s entire history becomes relevant evidence.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages & Legal Strategy

When hazing occurs, understanding how cases are built helps families make informed decisions. Our approach combines meticulous evidence collection with strategic legal analysis.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Communications (Most Important in 2025):

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack conversations
• Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok comments
• Recovery Possible: Digital forensics can often retrieve deleted messages
• UH Case Example: Group chats revealed “pledge fanny pack” rules and event planning

Photos & Videos:

• Content filmed during events (often shared in group chats)
• Social media posts/stories showing activities
• Security/doorbell camera footage from houses
• Preservation Tip: Screenshot immediately – content disappears fast

Internal Organization Documents:

• Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” documents
• Officer emails/texts about activities
• National policies and training materials
• Discovery Strategy: Subpoena national headquarters for prior incident reports

University Records:

• Prior conduct files, probation/suspension letters
• Campus police incident reports
• Clery Act reports and annual disclosures
• Public Records: UT’s hazing.utexas.edu provides valuable pattern evidence

Medical & Psychological Records:

• ER/hospitalization records (critical for injury documentation)
• Surgery/rehabilitation notes
• Toxicologist reports for alcohol/drug cases
• Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety)

Witness Testimony:

• Other pledges, members, roommates, RAs
• Former members who quit or were expelled
• Coaches, trainers, academic advisors
• Timing: Interview quickly before stories align

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost income/educational costs
• Therapy/rehabilitation costs
• Life care plans for catastrophic injuries

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Reputational harm

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

• Funeral/burial costs
• Loss of companionship/support
• Emotional harm to family members
• Loss of future earnings

Punitive Damages (When Available):

• Purpose: Punish especially reckless/willful conduct
• Available when defendants show callous indifference
• Texas has caps but exceptions exist for certain intentional conduct

Legal Strategy: Navigating Complexities

Insurance Coverage Battles:
Fraternity and university insurers often argue hazing is excluded as “intentional conduct.” We counter by:

• Separating negligent supervision from intentional acts
• Identifying all potential policies (national, local, university, individual)
• Pursuing bad faith claims when insurers wrongfully deny coverage

Sovereign Immunity Challenges (Public Universities):
Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT have some immunity protections, but exceptions exist for:

• Gross negligence or willful misconduct
• Ministerial (non-discretionary) duty violations
• Title IX claims (federal law waives immunity)
• Individual employee liability (suing in personal capacity)

Multi-Defendant Coordination:
Hazing cases typically involve:

• Individual students
• Local chapters
• National headquarters
• Universities
• Property owners/landlords
  Coordinating discovery and settlement across these parties requires experience.

Timeline & Statute Management:

• Texas generally has 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury
• Discovery rule may extend if harm wasn’t immediately known
• Fraudulent concealment may toll statute if cover-up occurred
• Critical: Act quickly before evidence disappears

Practical Guides & FAQs for Mingus Families

For Parents: Warning Signs & Immediate Response

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent stories
• Extreme exhaustion/sleep deprivation beyond normal college stress
• Drastic weight changes (food/water restriction or stress)
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability, withdrawal
• Sudden secrecy about organization activities
• Constant phone monitoring for group chat demands
• Academic decline due to “mandatory” events
• Financial strain from forced purchases or “fines”

How to Talk to Your Child:

• Ask open questions: “How are things with [organization]?”
• Express concern without judgment: “I’m worried about how tired you seem.”
• Emphasize safety over status: “Your health matters more than any group.”
• Listen without interrupting when they share

If Your Child Is Hurt:

1. Medical First: Get immediate care, even if they resist
2. Document Everything: Photos, screenshots, notes
3. Preserve Evidence: Don’t wash clothing, delete messages, or return items
4. Write Timeline: Who, what, when, where while memory fresh
5. Contact Lawyer: Before talking to university or organization

Dealing with Universities:

• Document all communications
• Ask specific questions about prior incidents
• Request copies of policies and violation histories
• Don’t accept “we’re handling it internally” as sufficient
• Remember: University interests may conflict with family interests

For Students: Self-Protection & Safe Exit Strategies

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide:

• Are you being forced or pressured to do something unsafe/degrading?
• Would you do this if there were no social consequences for refusing?
• Are older members making you do things they don’t do themselves?
• Are you told to keep secrets or lie about activities?
• Does the activity interfere with academics or health?

If you answer yes to any, it’s likely hazing.

How to Exit Safely:

• Tell someone outside first (parent, RA, friend)
• Send written resignation to president/advisor
• Don’t attend “one last meeting” where pressure may occur
• Document any retaliation or threats
• Report retaliation to university and police if needed

Evidence Collection (For Students):

1. Screenshots: Group chats with timestamps visible
2. Photos: Injuries from multiple angles with scale reference
3. Voice Memos: Texas is one-party consent – you can record conversations you’re part of
4. Medical Records: Tell providers you were hazed for documentation
5. Witness Info: Names/contacts of others who saw what happened

Your Texas Legal Rights:

• Good Faith Reporter Protection: You can’t be punished for calling 911 in emergencies
• Consent Not Defense: Even if you “agreed,” it’s still hazing
• Civil Recovery Possible: You can sue for damages regardless of criminal charges
• No-Contact Orders: Available through university if harassed after reporting

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

MISTAKES THAT CAN RUIN YOUR HAZING CASE:

1. Letting evidence be deleted: “Cleaning up” messages looks like cover-up and destroys case evidence. Preserve everything immediately.

2. Confronting the organization directly: This triggers evidence destruction, witness coaching, and defense preparation. Let lawyers handle communication.

3. Signing university “resolution” forms: These often include liability waivers or lowball settlements. Never sign without attorney review.

4. Posting on social media: Defense attorneys monitor everything. Inconsistencies hurt credibility, and posts may waive privacy protections.

5. Letting your child attend “one last meeting”: This is where pressure, intimidation, or damaging statements occur. Once legal action is considered, all communication goes through counsel.

6. Waiting for university investigation: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes run. Universities control narratives to protect themselves.

7. Talking to insurance adjusters: Recorded statements are used against you. Early settlements are always lowball. Politely decline: “My attorney will contact you.”

8. Delaying medical care: Gaps in treatment undermine injury claims. Get comprehensive evaluation immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities have some sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and individual employee liability. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Our UH case involves state jail felony eligibility due to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.

“Can my child sue if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Yes. 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 voluntary.

“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 if harm wasn’t immediately known. In cover-up cases, statutes may be tolled. Time is critical – evidence disappears quickly.

“What if 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, unofficial house incidents) occurred off-campus.

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

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action for Mingus Families

When your 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. From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Mingus, Palo Pinto County, and across the region affected by hazing at Texas universities.

Why Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

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

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello):
Our firm was one of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation against billion-dollar defendants. We have federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) and aren’t intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams. “We’ve taken on corporations with unlimited legal budgets and won.”

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Experience:
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, collaborating with economists and life care planners to value lifetime needs. “We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.”

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

Investigative Depth & Data Advantage:
We maintain the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine – tracking 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros through IRS records, campus data, and metro analysis. When hazing occurs, we don’t start from zero. We already know how to trace organizational hierarchies, identify insurance coverage, and locate all potentially liable entities.

Spanish-Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, serving Hispanic families throughout Texas who may face language barriers when dealing with universities and legal systems.

Our Approach to Hazing Cases

We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does. Our process includes:

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation: Securing group chats, social media, medical records before deletion
2. Comprehensive Investigation: Subpoenaing national fraternity records, university files, insurance policies
3. Expert Collaboration: Working with medical professionals, psychologists, economists, Greek life experts
4. Strategic Negotiation: Leveraging pattern evidence and precedent for fair settlements
5. Trial Readiness: Preparing every case as if it will go to trial, because that’s what forces fair offers

We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our job is to get you answers, hold the right people accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family.

Call to Action for Mingus Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether Tarleton State University nearby, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, UT Austin, or any other institution—we want to hear from you. Families in Mingus, Palo Pinto County, and throughout Texas have the right to answers and accountability.

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

What to expect in your free consultation:

• We’ll listen to your story without judgment
• Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
• Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
• Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect
• Answer questions about costs (contingency fee – we don’t get paid unless we win)
• No pressure to hire us on the spot – take time to decide
• Everything you tell us is confidential

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 (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Lupe Peña)

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

Whether you’re in Mingus or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions responsible for these patterns count on silence and inaction. Together, we can break that cycle. Call us today.

Legal Disclaimer

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

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