A Complete Guide to Fraternity & Sorority Hazing for Parents in Miami, Texas: Laws, Cases, and Your Legal Rights

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

For parents in Miami, Texas, the quiet streets of Roberts County feel a world away from the frenzy of college campuses. Yet every fall, families from our close-knit community watch their children leave for universities across Texas—to Canyon, Lubbock, College Station, Austin, Houston, and beyond. The dream of brotherhood, sisterhood, and tradition can sometimes hide a dangerous reality. Imagine your son, eager to join a fraternity at Texas Tech, being forced through extreme workouts until his muscles break down and his kidneys fail. Picture your daughter, wanting sisterhood at UT Austin, being coerced into dangerous drinking games or humiliating rituals. This is not hypothetical. Right now, in Houston, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history—a case that shows exactly how modern hazing operates and what families can do about it.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Miami, Texas, and throughout the Texas Panhandle who need to understand the real risks of campus hazing, the legal landscape in Texas, and what options exist when tradition turns to trauma. We will walk through what hazing actually looks like in 2025, explain Texas and federal laws, examine patterns from national cases that directly apply to Texas universities, and provide practical steps for protecting your child and seeking accountability.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

Call 911 for medical emergencies
Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

Get medical attention immediately, even if your child 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 directly
- Sign anything from the university or insurance company
- Post details on public social media
- Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
Universities move quickly to control the narrative
We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

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

Hazing has evolved far beyond the “harmless pranks” of old movies. For Miami, Texas families with children at Texas universities, understanding these modern realities is crucial. Hazing today 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. Crucially, “I agreed to it” or “I wanted to fit in” does not make it legal or safe when there is peer pressure and power imbalance.

The Five Main Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and most deadly form. It includes forced chugging challenges, “lineup” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, and being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances. The recent University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi case involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed immediately by sprints.

2. Physical Hazing
This includes paddling and beatings, extreme calisthenics or “smokings” far beyond normal conditioning, sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme cold/heat. At Texas A&M, a Sigma Alpha Epsilon case involved pledges being covered in industrial-strength cleaner causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
Forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts, “roasted pig” positions, degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. The Texas A&M Corps of Cadets faced allegations of cadets being bound between beds in degrading positions.

4. Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming. This creates trauma that can last long after physical injuries heal.

5. Digital/Online Hazing
Group chat dares and “challenges,” public humiliation via Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, pressure to create or share compromising images/videos, and 24/7 digital monitoring where pledges must respond instantly to messages at all hours.

Where Hazing Happens at Texas Universities

Hazing is not limited to “frat parties.” It occurs in:

Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
Corps of Cadets/ROTC/military-style groups (especially at Texas A&M)
Spirit squads and tradition clubs
Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer, etc.)
Marching bands and performance groups
Some service, cultural, and academic organizations

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

Texas Hazing Law: What Miami, Texas Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws that apply whether your child is at West Texas A&M in nearby Canyon, Texas Tech in Lubbock, or any other Texas campus. Understanding these laws is crucial for protecting your family’s rights.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F (Hazing)

The Definition That Matters
Under Texas law, hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

In plain English: If someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they meant to do it or were reckless about the risk, that’s hazing under Texas law.

Key Points for Miami Families:

Can happen on or off campus – location doesn’t matter
Can be mental or physical harm
“Reckless” is enough – they don’t have to intend harm, just be reckless about the risk
“Consent is not a defense” – Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing if it meets the definition (Texas Education Code § 37.155)

Criminal Penalties Under Texas Law

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

Additionally:

Failing to report hazing (if you’re a member/officer and knew): misdemeanor
Retaliating against someone who reports: misdemeanor
Organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting

Texas law provides important protections:

A person who in good faith reports hazing to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result
In medical emergencies, Texas law and many university policies provide amnesty for students who call 911, even if they were drinking underage

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: What’s the Difference?

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (prosecutor)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
Focus on: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring/supervision, emotional distress

Both can proceed simultaneously, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many families choose to pursue civil action to obtain compensation for medical bills, trauma, and to hold institutions accountable.

Federal Laws That Apply: Stop Campus Hazing Act, Title IX, Clery

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthens hazing education and prevention
Maintains public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)

Title IX/Clery Act:

When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger
Clery requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Individual Students: Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up
Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity/sorority or club itself
National Fraternity/Sorority: Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
University or Governing Board: Schools may be liable under negligence or civil-rights theories
Third Parties: Landlords, property owners, bars, alcohol providers, security companies

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys know how to identify all potentially liable parties.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families

National cases provide crucial patterns and precedents that directly apply to what Miami, Texas families might face. These cases show how courts view hazing and what accountability looks like.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
During a bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking, Piazza suffered severe falls captured on chapter cameras. Brothers delayed calling for help for hours. His death led to dozens of criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Takeaway: Extreme intoxication combined with delay in calling 911 creates devastating liability.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
Forced to participate in a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant drinking, Gruver died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%). His death led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony. Takeaway: Legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of hazing.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during a pledge event, Foltz died from alcohol poisoning. The case resulted in multiple convictions and a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). Takeaway: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
During a fraternity retreat, Deng was blindfolded, weighted down, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual. He suffered fatal head injuries while help was delayed. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous as parties, and national organizations face serious sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program. Multiple lawsuits led to the head coach’s firing and confidential settlements. Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to big-money athletic programs with systemic abuse issues.

What These Cases Mean for Miami, Texas Families

Common threads in all these cases: 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 are not alone—they’re operating in a landscape shaped by these national lessons with clear legal pathways to accountability.

Texas University Focus: Where Miami, Texas Students Attend

Miami, Texas families send their children to universities throughout our region and state. Understanding the specific landscapes at these schools is crucial for prevention and response.

West Texas A&M University (Canyon, Texas)

For Miami families: Located just 67 miles from Miami in Canyon, West Texas A&M is the closest four-year university to our community. Many Miami students choose WT for its proximity, affordability, and strong programs.

Campus Culture & Greek Life:
WTAMU hosts active Greek life with fraternities including Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi, and Lambda Chi Alpha, and sororities including Chi Omega and Alpha Delta Pi. The university maintains anti-hazing policies and reporting channels through the Dean of Students office.

Recent Hazing History:
While specific recent public incidents are limited, the university has dealt with periodic Greek life conduct issues common to campuses nationwide. The proximity to Miami means our attorneys are familiar with Potter County courts and local procedures should cases arise.

What Miami Parents Should Know:

Reporting channels: WTAMU Dean of Students, University Police Department
Local jurisdiction: Potter County courts
WTAMU follows Texas hazing reporting requirements under Education Code §37.156

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Texas)

For Miami families: At 113 miles from Miami, Texas Tech is a major destination for Panhandle students. Its large Greek system and extensive campus organizations mean Miami families should be particularly vigilant.

Greek Life Scope:
Texas Tech hosts one of Texas’s largest Greek systems with over 40 fraternities and sororities. Organizations with national hazing histories present include Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Kappa Sigma.

Documented Incidents:

Kappa Sigma (2023): Allegations of hazing resulting in severe injuries including rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown from extreme physical hazing). Ongoing litigation involves specialized attention to this specific medical condition.
The university maintains conduct records through its Office of Student Conduct.

Practical Guidance for Miami Families:

Texas Tech Police Department has jurisdiction on campus
Civil cases typically filed in Lubbock County courts
Important to act quickly as evidence preservation is critical in large Greek systems

Texas A&M University (College Station, Texas)

For Miami families: Many Miami students pursue agricultural and engineering programs at Texas A&M, approximately 560 miles away but a common choice for Panhandle families valuing its traditions and reputation.

Unique Hazing Landscape:
Texas A&M presents dual risks: traditional Greek life AND the Corps of Cadets, both with documented hazing issues.

Corps of Cadets Cases:

2023 Lawsuit: A cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The case sought over $1 million, with A&M stating it handled the matter under its rules.

Fraternity Cases:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (circa 2021): Pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring emergency skin grafts. The fraternity was suspended, and pledges sued for $1 million.
The university addresses hazing through Student Conduct and Corps regulations.

What Miami Parents Must Understand:

The Corps’ military-style environment can normalize harsh discipline that crosses into hazing
Both Greek life and Corps traditions require scrutiny
A&M’s extensive alumni network can create pressure against reporting

University of Texas at Austin

For Miami families: UT Austin attracts Miami students seeking premier academic programs, though at 480 miles away, distance can make parental oversight challenging.

Notable Transparency:
UT maintains a public Hazing Violations page listing organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions—more transparent than many universities.

Documented Cases Include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Found to be hazing; chapter placed on probation with required hazing-prevention education.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Australian exchange student alleged assault resulting in dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. Student sued for over $1 million; chapter already under suspension for prior violations.
Various spirit organizations sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.

Strategic Implications:

UT’s public violation log provides powerful evidence for civil suits showing patterns and institutional knowledge
Travis County courts are experienced with university litigation
Prior violations significantly strengthen negligence arguments

University of Houston

For Miami families: While farther away at 580 miles, UH attracts Miami students with its urban opportunities and diverse programs. Our firm’s current flagship case at UH demonstrates the severe risks present.

The Leonel Bermudez Case – Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter:
We are currently representing Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, and 13 fraternity leaders. This case exemplifies modern hazing’s brutality:

Specific Hazing Conduct:

“Pledge fanny pack” rule with degrading contents (condoms, sex toy, nicotine devices)
Extreme physical hazing: Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, “save-your-brother” drills
Cold-weather exposure in underwear, lying in vomit-soaked grass
Waterboarding simulation: Sprayed in face with hose and threatened with actual waterboarding
Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting, then repeated sprints
Nov 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats
Another pledge hog-tied face-down on a table with object in mouth for over an hour

Medical Catastrophe:
Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels, and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Institutional Response:

Nov 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ 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 and cooperation with law enforcement

Why This Matters for Miami Families:
This active litigation proves that:

Severe hazing happens at Texas universities right now
National fraternities have patterns of dangerous behavior
Universities may fail to protect students despite knowledge of risks
Experienced legal representation can pursue accountability against powerful institutions

Media Coverage:

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Miami, Texas Families

At Attorney911, we maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine with data on 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. This investigative advantage means we don’t start from zero when your family needs help. Below are examples of the public records we track—organizations that may hold insurance and responsibility for hazing incidents affecting Miami students.

Texas-Registered Greek Organizations (IRS B83 Records Excerpt)

These organizations are registered with the IRS as tax-exempt Greek organizations (NTEE code B83) with Texas addresses:

Panhandle & West Texas Region:

Frank Heflin Foundation, EIN 203507402, Canyon, TX 79015 (Phi Delta Theta alumni fund)
Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association, EIN 752290669, Amarillo, TX 79118
Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter, Canyon, TX (West Texas A&M University chapter)
Phi Delta Theta Fraternity – Texas Theta, Canyon, TX (West Texas A&M chapter)

Statewide Organizations with Panhandle Connections:

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 364091267, Waco, TX 76710 (active statewide)
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 752609909, Commerce, TX 75428
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 820644459, Lubbock, TX 79430 (Texas Tech Health Sciences Center)
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 900293166, College Station, TX 77843 (Texas A&M University)

Texas Universities Where Miami Students Enroll

Based on enrollment patterns and proximity, Miami, Texas families commonly send students to:

Primary/Regional Schools:

West Texas A&M University (Canyon, TX) – 67 miles from Miami
Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX) – 113 miles from Miami
Amarillo College (Amarillo, TX) – 97 miles from Miami
Clarendon College (Clarendon, TX) – 112 miles from Miami

Major Texas Universities:

Texas A&M University (College Station, TX)
University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)
University of Houston (Houston, TX)
Texas State University (San Marcos, TX)
University of North Texas (Denton, TX)

Cause IQ Metro Organizations – Amarillo & Lubbock Regions

Amarillo Metro Area (18 Greek organizations recorded):

Frank Heflin Foundation (Phi Delta Theta alumni) – Amarillo
Kappa Alpha Order – Gamma Sigma Chapter – Canyon
Chi Omega – Upsilon Zeta Building Association – Amarillo
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Amarillo Alumnae – Amarillo
Phi Delta Theta Fraternity – Texas Theta – Canyon

Lubbock Metro Area (59 Greek organizations total):

Texas Tech Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Housing – Lubbock
Kappa Alpha Order – Texas Tech (Gamma Chi) – Lubbock
Alpha Phi Omega – TTU Chapter – Lubbock
Epsilon Nu Housing Corporation – Lubbock (IRS EIN 237359384)

IRS-Cause IQ Brand Overlap – Cross-Validated Organizations

These organizations appear in both IRS filings and metro databases, confirming their operational presence:

Frank Heflin Foundation – Appears in IRS records (Canyon) and Cause IQ Amarillo metro listings
Chi Omega – Multiple IRS entities match Cause IQ Amarillo alumnae listings
Sigma Gamma Rho – IRS entities in Waco and Commerce match Cause IQ statewide listings
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Multiple campus-specific IRS entities match Cause IQ academic listings

This data forms the backbone of our investigative strategy. When Miami families come to us with hazing concerns, we already know how to identify the organizations, their insurance coverage, and their legal structures.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories That Matter for Texas Families

National fraternity and sorority histories matter because the same organizations with hazing problems in other states have chapters at Texas universities where Miami students enroll. These patterns create legal liability through foreseeability—the national organization knew or should have known the risks based on prior incidents.

Organizations with Documented National Hazing Histories

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike)

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State (2021): Pledge forced to consume entire bottle of alcohol; died from alcohol poisoning. $10 million settlement ($7M from national, ~$3M from university).
David Bogenberger – Northern Illinois (2012): Pledge died from alcohol poisoning. $14 million settlement.
Texas Presence: Chapters at Texas Tech, UT Austin, Texas A&M, UH, SMU, Baylor
Pattern: “Big/Little” drinking events known to nationals as dangerous yet recurring

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE)

University of Alabama (2023): Pledge suffered traumatic brain injury during hazing ritual.
Texas A&M University (2021): Pledges covered in industrial-strength cleaner causing chemical burns requiring skin grafts. $1 million lawsuit.
UT Austin (2024): Australian exchange student assaulted, suffering multiple fractures.
Texas Presence: Chapters at all major Texas universities
Pattern: Physical violence and substance abuse spanning multiple states

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

Max Gruver – LSU (2017): Pledge died during “Bible study” drinking game. Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute).
Texas Presence: Chapters at Texas Tech, UT Austin, Texas A&M, UH
Pattern: Academic-themed drinking games with fatal consequences

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

Andrew Coffey – Florida State (2017): Pledge died from alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother Night.”
Current Case – UH Beta Nu Chapter: Our firm’s active litigation involving rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin
Pattern: Extreme physical hazing combined with alcohol coercion

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)

SMU Chapter (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep. Chapter suspended.
Texas Presence: Chapters at Texas Tech, Texas A&M, SMU, Baylor
Pattern: Physical punishment traditions persisting despite national policies

Why National Histories Create Legal Liability

When a Texas chapter repeats the same dangerous conduct that caused injuries or deaths at other chapters, courts consider:

Foreseeability: The national organization knew the risks from prior incidents
Negligent Supervision: Nationals failed to enforce their own anti-hazing policies
Pattern and Practice: Evidence of similar incidents strengthens negligence claims
Punitive Damages Potential: Willful disregard of known dangers may justify punishment beyond compensation

For Miami families, this means that if your child is hazed by an organization with national hazing history, that history becomes powerful evidence in your case.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

When hazing occurs, building a strong case requires immediate action and strategic planning. Here’s what Miami families need to understand about the process.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Communications (Most Important Today):

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord messages
Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok communications
Fraternity/sorority specific apps
Recoverable even if deleted through digital forensics

Photos & Videos:

Content filmed during events (often shared in group chats)
Social media posts/stories showing activities
Security/doorbell camera footage
Injury documentation with multiple angles and timestamps

Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” documents
Emails/texts about planned activities
National policies and training materials (often obtained through discovery)

University Records:

Prior conduct files, probation/suspension records
Incident reports to campus police or conduct offices
Clery Act reports and hazing disclosures

Medical & Psychological Records:

Emergency room and hospitalization records
Surgery/rehabilitation notes
Toxicology reports
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses)

Witness Testimony:

Other pledges and members
Roommates, RAs, bystanders
Former members who quit or were expelled

Damages: What Can Be Recovered in Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

Medical expenses: Emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, ongoing treatment, future care needs
Lost income/earning capacity: Missed work, delayed career entry, reduced earning potential for permanent injuries
Educational impact: Tuition for missed semesters, lost scholarships, transfer costs
Other expenses: Therapy, medications, medical equipment, travel for treatment

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical pain and suffering from injuries
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life (can’t participate in activities they loved)
Reputational harm if incident was publicized

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of financial support
Loss of companionship, love, and guidance
Emotional suffering of family members

Punitive Damages (when appropriate):

To punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
To deter future hazing
Available when defendants show callous indifference to known risks

The Role of Insurance Coverage

National fraternities and universities typically have insurance policies, but insurers often argue:

Hazing is excluded as “intentional conduct”
Certain defendants aren’t covered
Policy limits are inadequate

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

How insurers value and resist hazing claims
Coverage arguments and how to counter them
Identifying all potential insurance sources (national policies, local chapter policies, university policies, individual homeowner policies)

Practical Guides & FAQs for Miami, Texas Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Weight loss/gain from food restriction or stress
Sleep deprivation (late-night calls, 3 AM “meetings”)
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family, old friends, or non-group activities
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Fear of “letting the chapter down” or “getting in trouble”
Grades dropping suddenly
Financial requests for unexplained expenses

How to Talk to Your Child:

Ask open questions: “How are things with your fraternity/sorority? Are they respectful of your time?”
Listen without judgment: If they open up, don’t react with anger toward them
Emphasize safety: “Your health matters more than any organization”
Offer support: “We’re here to help, not punish you”

If You Suspect Hazing:

Prioritize safety: If in danger, call 911 or campus police
Document everything: Write down what they tell you with dates/times
Preserve evidence: Help them screenshot messages, photograph injuries
Seek medical attention: Even if they resist, health comes first
Consult an attorney early: Before talking to university or insurance

For Students: Self-Assessment and Safety

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

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 dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would my parents or university approve if they knew exactly what’s happening?
Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about activities?

If You Need to Exit Safely:

In immediate danger: Call 911 or campus police
To quit/de-pledge: Send written notice to chapter leadership, tell someone outside the org first
Avoid “one last meeting”: Where pressure or retaliation might occur
Document retaliation: Screenshot any threats or harassment

Your Rights in Texas:

You cannot be punished for calling 911 in an emergency (good-faith reporter immunity)
Hazing is a crime – you are the victim, not perpetrator
You can request no-contact orders through university if harassed after reporting

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Letting Your Child Delete Evidence
- What happens: Looks like cover-up, can be obstruction of justice, makes case nearly impossible
- Instead: Preserve everything immediately – even embarrassing content
Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly
- What happens: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, prepare defenses
- Instead: Document everything, call a lawyer before any confrontation
Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms
- What happens: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often far below case value
- Instead: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review
Posting Details on Social Media
- What happens: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
- Instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging
Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”
- What happens: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs, university controls narrative
- Instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (like Texas A&M, UT, UH) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts.

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

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

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but exceptions exist if the harm wasn’t immediately discovered or if there was fraud/cover-up. Time is critical – evidence disappears quickly.

“What if the hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major hazing cases occurred off-campus.

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

Why Attorney911 for Miami, Texas 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. From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Miami and the entire Panhandle region. Here’s what makes our approach different:

Our Competitive Advantages in Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Knowledge (Mr. Lupe Peña’s Defense Background)
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) hazing claims
Use delay tactics to pressure families
Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
Deploy Independent Medical Exams to minimize injuries

We know their playbook because we used to run it. This insider knowledge is invaluable when negotiating settlements or preparing for trial.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello’s Experience)

BP Texas City Explosion Litigation: Our firm was one of the few in Texas involved in this billion-dollar litigation against a corporate giant
Federal Court Experience: Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
Not Intimidated: We’ve taken on the largest defendants and their defense teams

National fraternities and universities have unlimited legal budgets. We’re built for complex, resource-intensive institutional cases.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Experience

Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases
Experience working with economists to value lifetime care needs
Understanding of brain injury, organ damage, and permanent disability cases

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

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise

Ralph Manginello’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
Understanding how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
Ability to advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure

Investigative Depth

Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
Experience obtaining hidden evidence through discovery
Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine with data on 1,423 Greek organizations

Spanish-Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish and can serve Hispanic families throughout Texas. Hablamos Español.

Our Current Hazing Litigation: The Leonel Bermudez Case

Right now, we’re actively litigating one of Texas’s most serious hazing cases: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu Chapter. This $10 million lawsuit involves:

Extreme physical hazing leading to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure
National fraternity and university defendants
Rapid chapter suspension and closure
Extensive media coverage and public accountability

This isn’t hypothetical or past history—it’s what we’re fighting right now. When Miami families come to us, they get attorneys currently engaged in high-stakes hazing litigation.

Contact Attorney911 for a Confidential Consultation

If your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus, we want to hear from you. Families in Miami, Texas and throughout the Panhandle region have the right to answers and accountability.

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 Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

Whether you’re in Miami, Texas or anywhere across the Panhandle, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions involved have lawyers protecting them—you deserve the same protection. 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 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

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit:

Attorney911 Educational YouTube Videos:
4. Using cellphone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
5. Texas statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
6. Client mistakes that can ruin your case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
7. How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website & Contact:
8. Main website: https://attorney911.com