The Complete Guide to Hazing in Texas: A Resource for Families in Texhoma

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

The call comes in the middle of the night. Your child, a student at a Texas university, is in the hospital. The story unfolds in fragments: a fraternity “workout” that went too far, forced drinking during a “big brother” reveal, humiliating tasks assigned through a constant barrage of group texts. They talk about brown urine, unbearable muscle pain, or waking up with bruises they can’t explain. As a parent in Texhoma, your world narrows to a single, terrifying question: How did this happen to my child, and what do I do now?

This scenario is not hypothetical. Right now, in Houston, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after alleged hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to a $10 million lawsuit filed in late 2025, his ordeal included forced consumption of food until vomiting, extreme physical workouts, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack” 24/7. He was hospitalized for four days. The chapter has been shut down.

This is happening here in Texas. This guide exists for you—the parents, families, and students in Texhoma and across the Panhandle and High Plains region—who need to understand what hazing really looks like in 2025, what your legal rights are, and how to protect your child when institutions fail them.

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, and 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, or let your child delete messages.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast. We can help preserve it and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like Today

For families in Texhoma, where community values and trust in institutions run deep, the modern reality of hazing can be shocking. It has evolved far beyond the stereotypical “prank.” Hazing today is a calculated pattern of coercion, often digitally coordinated and deliberately hidden from adults.

A Clear, Modern Definition

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. In Texas law (Education Code Chapter 37), it’s defined as intentional, knowing, or reckless acts that endanger a student’s mental or physical health for purposes of initiation or affiliation.

Crucially, “I agreed to it” or “I wanted to fit in” is not a defense. The law recognizes the power imbalance and peer pressure inherent in these situations.

The Five Main Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadliest form. It’s not “just drinking.” It’s systematic coercion:

Forced consumption games: “Lineups,” “century club” (100 shots of beer), “Big/Little” reveals where a pledge is given a handle of liquor.
Punishment drinking: Drinking as penalty for incorrect answers during “quizzes” or “Bible study.”
Coerced drug use: Pressure to consume marijuana, pills, or unknown substances to “prove loyalty.”

2. Physical Hazing
This involves bodily harm and extreme deprivation:

Paddling, beatings, and “smokings”: Organized physical punishment, often with specific instruments.
Extreme calisthenics: “Workouts” designed to cause pain and exhaustion, not fitness—100+ push-ups, 500 squats, wall-sits until collapse.
Sleep/food/water deprivation: Pledges kept awake for days, denied meals, or forced to overconsume bland foods (milk, hot dogs) until vomiting.
Environmental exposure: Locked in cold rooms, left outside in underwear in winter, or subjected to chemical exposures (like the industrial cleaner poured on pledges in a Texas A&M case).

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
Acts designed to degrade andstrip dignity:

Forced nudity or simulated sex acts: “Elephant walks,” “roasted pig” positions (as alleged in a Texas A&M Corps case).
Degrading costumes and roles: Wearing embarrassing clothing in public, acting as a servant to older members.
Sexual assault and coercion: The most extreme and criminal end of this spectrum.

4. Psychological Hazing
This inflicts invisible wounds that last for years:

Verbal abuse and threats: Sustained yelling, insults, threats of expulsion from the group or physical harm.
Isolation and control: Cutting off contact with family and non-group friends, controlling daily schedules.
“Confession” and manipulation: Forcing pledges to reveal personal secrets later used against them.

5. Digital Hazing
The newest frontier, using technology to control and humiliate:

24/7 group chat tyranny: Pledges required to respond instantly to messages at all hours, with punishments for delays.
Social media humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat.
Location tracking: Required to share live GPS location via apps like Find My Friends.
Documentation and blackmail: Hazing acts are filmed and shared in private groups, creating a digital trail that can be used for intimidation.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

While Greek life is a major focal point, hazing persists across campus organizations:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural councils).
Corps of Cadets / ROTC and military-style groups, with their intense tradition cultures.
Athletic Teams from football to swimming, where “team bonding” can cross into abuse.
Spirit and Tradition Groups like cheer squads, marching bands, and campus honorary societies.
Academic and Cultural Clubs where hierarchy and initiation rituals exist.

For Texhoma families whose children may attend universities across Texas, understanding this broad landscape is crucial. The same dynamics of power, tradition, and secrecy enable hazing wherever a group has something a student wants to join.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What Texhoma Families Must Know

Texas has specific laws governing hazing, and understanding them is your first step toward accountability. These laws exist to protect students from the exact scenarios many Texhoma families are now facing.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute

The core Texas law defines hazing broadly and imposes serious consequences. Key provisions every Texhoma parent should know:

§ 37.151 Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any student organization.

Plain English for Texhoma Families: If someone makes your child do something dangerous 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. Location doesn’t matter (on-campus, off-campus, at a retreat miles away). “Consent is not a defense.” Even if your child felt pressured to say “yes,” it’s still hazing.

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious bodily injury (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes bodily injury (up to 1 year jail, $4,000 fine).
State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death (180 days to 2 years in state jail, up to $10,000 fine).

§ 37.155 Consent Not a Defense: This is critical. It doesn’t matter if your child “went along with it.” The law recognizes that true consent isn’t possible under peer pressure and coercion.

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: A person who reports hazing in good faith to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability. Many universities also have medical amnesty policies for those who call 911 in alcohol emergencies.

Criminal Cases vs. Civil Lawsuits: Two Paths to Accountability

Texhoma families often ask: What’s the difference between the police getting involved and filing a lawsuit?

Criminal Hazing Cases:

Brought by: The State of Texas (county or district attorney).
Goal: Punishment (jail time, fines, probation).
Charges can include: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, sexual assault, or manslaughter in fatal cases.
Process: Investigation by police, potential arrest, court proceedings. The victim and family are witnesses for the state.

Civil Hazing Lawsuits:

Brought by: The victim and their family (with attorneys like us).
Goal: Compensation for damages and institutional accountability.
Claims can include: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Process: Filing a lawsuit, discovery (obtaining evidence), settlement negotiations, or trial.

These paths can run simultaneously. You don’t need to wait for criminal charges to file a civil case. In fact, waiting can be dangerous as evidence disappears.

The Federal Overlay: Title IX, Clery, and the Stop Campus Hazing Act

Beyond Texas law, federal statutes create additional obligations for universities:

The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently, strengthen prevention programs, and maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026). This will eventually give Texhoma families better access to information about which organizations have violations.

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. Universities must investigate and address these complaints under federal guidelines.

The Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain campus crime statistics. Hazing incidents that involve assault, kidnapping, or alcohol/drug crimes may be Clery-reportable, creating a public record.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Case?

One of our key roles is identifying every potentially responsible party. In a serious hazing case, liability rarely stops with the individual who handed over the bottle or swung the paddle.

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing. This includes active participants and those who stood by and allowed it to happen.

2. The Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself, if it’s a legal entity. Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, risk manager) often bear significant responsibility.

3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: This is where significant resources and insurance often exist. Nationals can be liable for:

Negligent supervision: Failing to adequately monitor and control chapters.
Ratification: Approving or failing to stop known hazing traditions.
Failure to train: Inadequate risk management education.
Prior knowledge: Patterns of similar incidents at other chapters put them on notice.

4. The University: Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and certain negligent acts. They may be liable for:

Deliberate indifference: Knowing about a substantial risk and failing to act.
Negligent supervision: Of recognized student organizations.
Premises liability: If hazing occurred in university-owned housing they controlled.

5. Third Parties:

Property owners of off-campus houses or event spaces.
Alcohol providers under Texas dram shop laws.
Security companies hired for events.

In our ongoing UH Pi Kappa Phi case, the defendants include 13 individual fraternity members, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents. This comprehensive approach is how we maximize accountability and recovery.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Precedents Tell Us

The tragedies that have unfolded on campuses from Pennsylvania to Louisiana are not distant news. They form a pattern of foreseeable harm that Texas courts recognize and that informs every case we handle. For Texhoma families, these cases show what’s at stake and what successful accountability looks like.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Foreseeable and Fatal

Multiple national cases follow an almost identical script—a script that has repeated in Texas.

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): During a bid-acceptance night, 19-year-old Timothy was forced to drink excessively, fell repeatedly, and was left for hours before help was called. He died from traumatic brain injuries. Result: 18 members faced over 1,000 criminal charges. The Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law was enacted in Pennsylvania. The case proved that delayed medical care and cover-up culture dramatically increase liability.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): During a “Bible study” drinking game, Max was forced to drink when he answered questions incorrectly. His blood alcohol content reached 0.495%. He died from acute alcohol intoxication. Result: Multiple criminal convictions. Louisiana enacted the Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony. His family received a $6.1 million judgment after settlements with other parties.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): At a “Big Brother” night, Andrew was given a handle of liquor. He died from alcohol poisoning. Result: Chapter closure, criminal hazing charges, and FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life. This case directly involves the same national fraternity in our UH case.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone was forced to drink a bottle of whiskey during a pledge event. He died from alcohol poisoning. Result: $10 million in total settlements ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). Multiple criminal convictions. The chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.

What This Means for Texhoma Families: These are not “unforeseeable accidents.” National fraternities and universities know this pattern. When they fail to prevent it, they can be held liable for negligence. The settlements and verdicts show that juries and courts take these failures seriously.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing: Beyond Alcohol

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): During a fraternity retreat, Michael was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual. He died from traumatic brain injury. Help was delayed. Result: The national fraternity was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter—a landmark for organizational liability. Pi Delta Psi was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): During a “pledge dad reveal,” 18-year-old Danny was forced to drink until his blood alcohol content reached 0.468%. He suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage. He cannot walk, talk, or see and requires 24/7 care. Result: Multiple criminal charges. Settlements with 22 defendants, reportedly totaling in the millions. This case shows that non-fatal injuries can be life-altering and justify massive compensation.

Athletic Program Hazing: Not Just Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Former players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the football program over years. Result: Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired, confidential settlement with the coach. This demonstrates hazing’s presence in high-profile, well-funded athletic programs.

Western Kentucky University Swim Team (2012-2015): Investigation revealed years of verbal and physical abuse. Result: Program suspended for five years, coaching staff terminated, $75,000 settlement with a former team member.

Key Takeaways for Texas Families

Patterns create liability: When a fraternity or university has seen the same scenario cause injury or death elsewhere, they’re on notice. This “foreseeability” is central to negligence claims.
Cover-ups compound liability: Delaying medical care, destroying evidence, and intimidating witnesses turn bad situations into legally catastrophic ones.
Settlements are substantial: From the $10 million in the Foltz case to the $6.1 million Gruver judgment, these cases have real financial consequences for responsible parties.
Individual accountability exists: Chapter officers can face personal financial ruin, as the $6.5 million judgment against the Pi Kappa Alpha president shows.
Change follows litigation: Major anti-hazing laws (Piazza, Gruver, Collin’s Law in Ohio) were passed only after tragedies and the persistent advocacy of families and their attorneys.

For your family in Texhoma, these national cases provide a roadmap. They show what’s possible when dedicated legal counsel methodically investigates, identifies all responsible parties, and refuses to back down against institutional defendants.

Texas University Focus: Where Texhoma Students Attend

Texhoma families have deep connections to Texas higher education. Whether your child attends a Panhandle institution, has ventured to a major university hub, or is considering where to apply, understanding the hazing landscape at these schools is critical. We’ll focus on the realities at campuses where Texhoma students commonly enroll.

The Local & Regional Campus Landscape for Texhoma Families

While our firm handles cases statewide, we maintain intelligence on Greek ecosystems across Texas. For families in Sherman County, students may attend institutions throughout the Panhandle, North Texas, or across the state.

West Texas A&M University (Canyon): Located in the heart of the Panhandle, WTAMU has active Greek life. According to public records, Greek entities serving this area include the Frank Heflin Foundation (Phi Delta Theta alumni fund, EIN 203507402), Chi Omega’s Upsilon Zeta Building Association (EIN 752290669), and the Phi Delta Theta Texas Theta chapter.

Texas A&M University – Commerce: As part of the A&M system, Commerce has Greek life with organizations like the Sigma Gamma Rho Mu Zeta chapter (EIN 752609909) operating in the area.

Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls): Further south, MSU Texas hosts Greek organizations including Tau Kappa Epsilon and Sigma Kappa sorority’s Gamma Phi Chapter Association.

The Sherman-Denison Metro Area itself, per Cause IQ data, hosts several Greek-affiliated organizations including Delta Kappa Gamma Society chapters for educators and Psi Chi (Psychology honor society) at Austin College.

Major Statewide Hubs: Many Texhoma students also attend Texas’s flagship universities. Our firm maintains particularly deep data on these ecosystems because that’s where the most complex litigation occurs.

University of Houston: A Case Study in Active Litigation

Our firm’s ongoing litigation against UH and Pi Kappa Phi provides a real-time example of how hazing cases unfold at a major Texas university.

Campus Context: UH is a large, diverse urban campus with significant Greek life across multiple councils: Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and Multicultural Greek Council.

The Bermudez Case – What Happened: In fall 2025, Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student, accepted a bid to Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter. According to the lawsuit and media reports:

He was subjected to weekly interviews, overnight driving duties, and forced to carry a “pledge fanny pack” with humiliating items.
Hazing occurred at the UH Pi Kappa Phi house, a Culmore Drive residence, and Yellowstone Boulevard Park.
Physical abuse included sprints, bear crawls, being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk/hot dogs/peppercorns until vomiting, and a November 3 workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats.
He developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, passing brown urine. He was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels.
On November 6, 2025, Pi Kappa Phi national suspended the chapter. On November 14, chapter members voted to surrender their charter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

UH’s Greek Ecosystem – By the Numbers: Using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we track the Greek organizations operating in UH’s backyard:

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188 Greek-related organizations per Cause IQ data.
Sample IRS B83 Registered Orgs in the Area:
- Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX)
- Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN 746084905, Houston, TX)
- Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – Theta Delta (EIN 475370943, Houston, TX)
- Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Chapter (EIN 746064445, Nederland, TX)
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Inc (EIN 760221936, Houston, TX)

What UH Families Should Know:

Reporting goes to UH’s Dean of Students Office and UHPD, but serious cases may involve Houston Police Department.
Civil lawsuits typically are filed in Harris County courts.
UH’s status as a public university affects certain liability claims but doesn’t eliminate accountability.
The university maintains internal conduct records that can be crucial evidence.

Texas A&M University: Tradition, Corps, and Complex Liability

For Texhoma families with Aggie ties, understanding A&M’s unique culture is essential. The university’s size, tradition intensity, and Corps of Cadets program create distinct hazing risks.

Documented Incidents:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The lawsuit sought $1 million. The chapter was suspended.
Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million. A&M stated it handled the matter internally.
Other Patterns: University disciplinary records show recurring issues with alcohol hazing, forced physical activity, and pledge mistreatment across various organizations.

Texas A&M’s Greek Ecosystem – By the Numbers:

College Station-Bryan Metro: 42 Greek-related organizations per Cause IQ data.
Sample IRS B83 Registered Orgs in the Area:
- Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN 133048786, College Station, TX)
- Eta Alpha House Corporation of Kappa Delta Sorority (EIN 742930349, College Station, TX)
- Gentlemen of Aggie Tradition (EIN 880537463, College Station, TX)
- Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – Theta Rho (EIN 812525354, College Station, TX)
- Texas Nu-Phi Delta Theta Fraternity (EIN 814123811, College Station, TX)

The Corps of Cadets Dynamic: The Corps operates with its own discipline system, traditions, and hierarchy. Hazing allegations here often involve upperclassmen asserting authority over freshmen (“fish”) through physically demanding or humiliating rituals. These cases can involve both university liability and potential military discipline issues.

What Texas A&M Families Should Know:

Reports may go to Student Conduct, Corps leadership, or University Police.
Brazos County courts typically handle civil litigation.
The university’s immense school spirit can sometimes translate to institutional resistance when traditions are criticized.
Both Greek and Corps cases require attorneys who understand these unique subcultures.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Recurring Patterns

UT Austin stands out for its public hazing violations log—a resource that ironically demonstrates ongoing issues despite transparency.

Public Hazing Violations (Examples from UT’s Log):

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation, mandatory hazing prevention education.
Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): Multiple violations involving alcohol, forced physical activity.
Other organizations: Various fraternities, sororities, and spirit groups sanctioned for alcohol hazing, forced workouts, sleep deprivation, and psychological abuse.

UT’s Greek Ecosystem – By the Numbers:

Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154 Greek-related organizations per Cause IQ data.
Sample IRS B83 Registered Orgs in the Area:
- Chi Omega Fraternity – House Corporation (EIN 740555581, Austin, TX)
- Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Inc – Alpha Mu (EIN 741130606, Austin, TX)
- Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi (EIN 746047117, Austin, TX)
- Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas State Chapter (EIN 463831593, Austin, TX)
- Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority Inc – Beta Mu Chapter (EIN 851262394, Austin, TX)

What UT Families Should Know:

UT’s violation log is a starting point for research, but many incidents never make this public list.
Travis County courts handle civil litigation.
UT’s size means responses can be bureaucratic; persistence is often necessary.
The university’s wealth and legal resources mean they mount vigorous defenses.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University: Private School Realities

Private universities like SMU and Baylor present different legal landscapes but similar patterns of misconduct.

SMU’s Context: Affluent student body, strong Greek presence. Documented incidents include Kappa Alpha Order (2017) where new members reported paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation, resulting in chapter suspension.

Baylor’s Context: Religious affiliation, history of institutional scandal. Documented incidents include baseball team hazing (2020) resulting in 14 player suspensions.

What Private University Families Should Know:

Sovereign immunity arguments used by public schools don’t apply in the same way.
These schools often emphasize their private, community values—which can mean more internal pressure to handle matters “quietly.”
Discovery in lawsuits can compel internal documents that public schools might claim are exempt.

How a Hazing Case Proceeds at a Texas University

While each case is unique, common steps include:

Immediate Crisis: Medical care, evidence preservation, initial reports to campus police/Dean of Students.
University Investigation: Internal conduct process that may result in organizational sanctions (probation, suspension) and individual discipline (expulsion).
Criminal Investigation: Possible involvement of local police and district attorney’s office.
Civil Litigation: Filing of lawsuit, discovery phase (obtaining emails, texts, internal records), depositions, settlement negotiations, or trial.
Appeals/Resolution: Final settlement or judgment, potential appeals.

For Texhoma families, geographic distance from the university can complicate this process. We routinely work with families across Texas, managing investigations and litigation remotely when necessary, while ensuring we’re present for critical in-person meetings, depositions, and court appearances.

Fraternity & Sorority National Histories: Why Patterns Matter

When we take on a hazing case involving a national fraternity or sorority, one of our first investigative steps is examining that organization’s history. This isn’t about tarring all members with the same brush—it’s about legal concepts of notice, foreseeability, and negligent supervision. For Texhoma families, understanding these patterns helps explain why nationals can be held accountable.

The Legal Principle: “They Knew or Should Have Known”

Under Texas law, an organization can be negligent if it failed to prevent harm that was reasonably foreseeable. When a national fraternity has seen the same dangerous behavior cause injury or death at multiple chapters, they’re on notice. If they don’t take adequate steps to prevent it at other chapters, that can constitute negligence.

National Organizations with Documented Hazing Histories

These organizations are present at Texas universities and have national histories relevant to Texas cases:

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor.

National History: Stone Foltz death (Bowling Green, $10M settlement), David Bogenberger death (Northern Illinois, $14M settlement), multiple other alcohol hazing deaths.
Pattern: “Big/Little” drinking events, forced alcohol consumption.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU.

National History: Multiple hazing deaths nationwide; traumatic brain injury lawsuit (Alabama); chemical burns lawsuit (Texas A&M); assault lawsuit (UT Austin).
Pattern: Alcohol hazing, physical abuse, dangerous “traditions.”

Pi Kappa Phi: Present at UH, Texas A&M.

National History: Andrew Coffey death (Florida State); currently defending our UH Bermudez lawsuit.
Pattern: Alcohol hazing during pledge events.

Phi Delta Theta: Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor.

National History: Max Gruver death (LSU, $6.1M verdict), leading to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act.
Pattern: “Bible study” drinking games, forced consumption.

Kappa Alpha Order: Present at Texas A&M, SMU, Baylor.

National History: Hazing suspensions including at SMU (2017).
Pattern: Physical hazing, paddling traditions.

How Nationals Try to Avoid Liability (And How We Counter It)

National organizations have developed standard defense playbooks. We know these strategies because Mr. Lupe Peña previously worked as an insurance defense attorney for large institutions.

Defense 1: “Rogue Chapter” / “We Didn’t Know”

Their Argument: “This was a few bad apples violating our strict policies. National didn’t know.”
Our Response: We subpoena national’s records to show prior complaints, incident reports, and warning signs. We demonstrate patterns across chapters prove foreseeability.

Defense 2: “They Consented”

Their Argument: “The pledge participated voluntarily.”
Our Response: Texas law (§37.155) states consent is not a defense to hazing. We show the power imbalance and coercion.

Defense 3: “Off-Campus, Not Our Responsibility”

Their Argument: “It happened at a private house/retreat we don’t control.”
Our Response: Courts have consistently held nationals liable for off-campus hazing when they exercise control over chapters and benefit from their existence.

Defense 4: “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts”

Their Argument: “Hazing is intentional, so our insurance policy excludes it.”
Our Response: We argue negligent supervision by nationals is covered even if individual acts were intentional. We identify all potential insurance policies and fight coverage disputes.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Our Investigative Advantage

For Texhoma families, one of our most powerful tools is the data system we maintain on Texas Greek organizations. This isn’t public information anyone can Google—it’s compiled from multiple sources:

IRS B83 Records: We track 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations (house corporations, alumni chapters, honor societies) with their EINs, legal names, and addresses. For example:

Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN 746084905, Houston, TX 77204)
Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN 133048786, College Station, TX 77845)
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – Theta Delta (EIN 475370943, Houston, TX 77204)

Texas University Database: 96 campuses with their locations and Greek life presence.

Cause IQ Metro Analysis: 1,423 Greek organizations tracked across 25 Texas metros, including 188 in Houston, 510 in DFW, 154 in Austin.

Brand Overlap Analysis: 36 organizations appearing in both IRS and Cause IQ data, confirming our tracking accuracy.

Why This Matters for Your Case: When we take your case, we don’t start from zero. We already know how to identify the housing corporation that owns the fraternity house, the alumni association that funds it, and the national headquarters that oversees it. This data helps us trace liability and insurance coverage from day one.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

When a Texhoma family comes to us after a hazing incident, our approach is methodical, thorough, and strategic. We treat these cases with the same complexity as our BP Texas City explosion litigation—because the defendants (national fraternities, universities) have similar resources and defense strategies.

Critical Evidence: The Digital Paper Trail

In 2025, most hazing evidence is digital. Preserving it quickly is essential.

1. Group Chats & Messages:

Platforms: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Signal, Telegram, fraternity-specific apps.
What to preserve: Screenshot entire conversations with timestamps and sender names visible. If messages are disappearing (Snapchat, Instagram vanish mode), screenshot immediately.
Our forensic capability: We work with digital experts who can sometimes recover deleted messages from phones or cloud backups.

2. Social Media Evidence:

Posts, stories, comments showing hazing events, injuries, or admissions.
Location tags, hashtags, captions referencing pledging or traditions.
Social connections proving who was present.

3. Photos & Videos:

Injuries: Photograph immediately from multiple angles, with a ruler or coin for scale. Document progression over days.
Locations: Images of the house, room, or venue where hazing occurred.
Events: Any video footage of hazing in progress.

4. Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals, “tradition” documents, meeting notes.
Emails between members about events.
National fraternity policies and training materials.

5. University Records:

Prior conduct files on the organization (obtained through public records requests or discovery).
Incident reports to campus police.
Clery Act reports and Title IX files if applicable.

6. Medical Records:

ER reports, hospital records, lab results (critical for proving alcohol poisoning or injuries like rhabdomyolysis).
Psychological evaluations documenting PTSD, depression, anxiety.
Crucial: Tell medical providers the injuries resulted from hazing so it’s documented.

7. Witness Information:

Names and contact info for other pledges, members, roommates, RAs.
Former members who may be willing to testify.

Types of Damages in Hazing Cases

The law recognizes several categories of harm, each with specific compensation:

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Financial Losses):

Medical expenses: Past and future (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, medications).
Lost income/earning capacity: Missed work, delayed graduation, reduced future earnings if permanently disabled.
Educational costs: Tuition for semesters missed or repeated, lost scholarships.
Other expenses: Transportation, medical equipment, home modifications.

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective but Real Harm):

Physical pain and suffering: From injuries, surgeries, ongoing pain.
Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation, loss of dignity.
Loss of enjoyment of life: Can’t participate in activities they loved.
Disfigurement or permanent disability: Life-altering injuries.

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families):

Economic: Funeral/burial costs, loss of financial support.
Non-economic: Loss of companionship, love, guidance; grief and mental anguish.

Punitive Damages (When Available):

Purpose: Punish especially reckless or malicious conduct and deter future hazing.
When awarded: When defendants knew of dangers and disregarded them, attempted cover-ups, or showed callous indifference.

Case Examples of Recoveries:

Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha): $10 million total settlement
Max Gruver (Phi Delta Theta): $6.1 million verdict plus confidential settlements
David Bogenberger (Pi Kappa Alpha): $14 million settlement
Danny Santulli (Phi Gamma Delta): Multi-million dollar settlements with 22 defendants
Texas A&M SAE chemical burns: $1 million lawsuit

These amounts reflect serious, life-altering injuries and deaths. Every case is different, but these benchmarks show what courts and juries consider appropriate for catastrophic harm.

Our Strategic Approach: Why Experience Matters

Hazing cases against universities and national fraternities require specific expertise:

1. Insurance Insider Knowledge (Mr. Peña’s Background):
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney for national firms. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers:

Value and devalue claims
Use delay tactics to pressure families
Deploy “independent” medical exams to minimize injuries
Argue coverage exclusions

We anticipate and counter these strategies from day one.

2. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience:
Our involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation trained us for battles against well-funded, sophisticated defendants. We understand how to:

Manage massive document discovery
Work with teams of experts
Navigate federal and state court procedures
Handle media scrutiny while protecting client privacy

3. Dual Civil/Criminal Capability:
Founding attorney Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand both sides of hazing cases. We can:

Advise clients on interacting with criminal investigations
Coordinate with criminal defense counsel when needed
Understand how criminal cases affect civil strategy

4. Comprehensive Expert Network:
We have relationships with experts we’ve worked with on previous major cases:

Medical specialists (for rhabdomyolysis, TBI, kidney injury)
Toxicologists (alcohol poisoning)
Psychologists/psychiatrists (PTSD, trauma)
Economists (calculating lifetime damages)
Digital forensics experts
Greek life culture experts

5. Texas-Specific Geographic Mastery:
With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we understand Texas courts, judges, and procedures. For Texhoma families, this means we can effectively litigate in whatever jurisdiction your case requires.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Texhoma Families

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Physical Signs:

Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries
Extreme fatigue, exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Weight loss or gain from food/water restriction or stress
Sleep deprivation (calls at 3 AM, constant late nights)
Injuries to hands, back, legs from paddling or exercise
Chemical burns, rashes, or skin damage
Signs of alcohol poisoning (confusion, vomiting, unconsciousness)

Behavioral & Emotional Changes:

Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family, old friends, non-group activities
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
Defensive when asked about the organization
Fear of “getting in trouble” or “letting the chapter down”
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Anxiety when phone buzzes; deleting messages obsessively

Academic Red Flags:

Grades dropping suddenly
Missing classes, falling asleep in class
Skipping assignments for “mandatory” events

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally):

“How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
“Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
“What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
“Do you feel like you can leave if you want to?”

If You Suspect Hazing: Immediate Steps

Prioritize Safety: If in danger, call 911.
Document Everything: Write down what your child tells you with dates/times. Screenshot messages they show you.
Seek Medical Care: Even if they resist. Tell providers it may be hazing-related.
Consult an Attorney Before Reporting: We can advise on how to report while protecting evidence and rights.
Do NOT: Confront the organization, sign university paperwork, post on social media, or let evidence be deleted.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

Is This Hazing? A Quick Checklist:

Are you being forced or pressured to do something?
Would you do this if there were no social consequences?
Is the activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would the university or your parents approve if they knew?
Are you being told to keep secrets?
If you answered YES to any, it’s likely hazing.

How to Exit Safely:

In Immediate Danger: Call 911. You have good-faith reporter protections.
To Quit/De-pledge: Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA). Send a clear resignation text/email. Do NOT go to “one last meeting.”
If Retaliation Occurs: Document threats (screenshots). Report to Dean of Students and campus police. Seek a protective order if needed.

Preserving Evidence:

Screenshots: Capture full conversations with timestamps.
Recordings: Texas is a one-party consent state. You can record conversations you’re part of.
Photos: Injuries, locations, objects used.
Medical Records: Request copies. Tell providers it was hazing.
Witness Info: Names/contacts of others who saw what happened.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Based on our experience handling these cases, these are the most common and damaging errors families make:

1. Deleting Messages or “Cleaning Up”
The Mistake: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble, so I’ll delete those embarrassing texts.”
The Reality: This looks like a cover-up, can be obstruction, and destroys your most powerful evidence.
What to Do: Preserve everything immediately. Even embarrassing content is crucial.

2. Confronting the Organization Directly
The Mistake: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind!”
The Reality: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare defenses.
What to Do: Document everything silently. Let your attorney handle all communication.

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms
The Mistake: Trusting the university’s “internal process” and signing their paperwork.
The Reality: You may waive your right to sue. Early settlements are often far below case value.
What to Do: Do NOT sign anything without an attorney reviewing it.

4. Posting on Social Media
The Mistake: “I want people to know what happened!”
The Reality: Defense attorneys screenshot everything. Inconsistencies hurt credibility.
What to Do: Document privately. Let your lawyer control public messaging.

5. Waiting “To See How the University Handles It”
The Mistake: Trusting the university’s investigation timeline.
The Reality: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitations run.
What to Do: Preserve evidence NOW. Consult a lawyer immediately. The university process ≠ real accountability.

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer
The Mistake: “They just need my statement to process the claim.”
The Reality: Recorded statements are used against you. Early offers are lowball.
What to Do: “My attorney will contact you.”

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

“My child ‘agreed’ to participate. Do we have a case?”
Yes. Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and fear of exclusion isn’t truly voluntary.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm wasn’t immediately known. In cases with cover-ups, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911.

“What if it happened off-campus at a private house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and foreseeability. Many major hazing cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, unofficial houses) occurred off-campus with substantial judgments.

“Will my child’s name be public?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

“How much will this cost?”
We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. That means we don’t get paid unless we win your case. You pay no upfront fees. We cover case expenses and are repaid from the recovery.

About The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911

Why Choose Us for Your Texas Hazing Case

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, and universities operate—and how to hold them accountable when they fail your child.

Our Competitive Advantages for Hazing Cases:

1. 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 insurers:

Value and devalue claims using their internal formulas
Use delay tactics to pressure families financially
Deploy “independent” medical exams to minimize injuries
Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
We know their playbook because we used to run it. This insider knowledge is invaluable when negotiating settlements or arguing coverage disputes.

2. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience
Our firm was one of the few in Texas involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on a billion-dollar corporation with unlimited legal resources. That same experience applies directly to hazing cases against:

National fraternities with deep pockets and experienced defense firms
University systems with their own legal departments
Coordinated defense strategies across multiple defendants
We’re not intimidated by powerful institutions. We’ve faced them before.

3. Dual Civil/Criminal Capability
Founding attorney Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) signals elite criminal defense capability. For hazing cases, this means we:

Understand how criminal investigations interact with civil lawsuits
Can advise witnesses or former members with potential criminal exposure
Know the tactics prosecutors use and how to coordinate with them
Hazing cases often have both civil and criminal components. We handle the full spectrum.

4. Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Results
We have a proven track record in cases involving:

Lifetime care planning for brain injuries (like Danny Santulli’s case)
Economic calculations for lost earning capacity
Valuing the full impact of permanent disability
Working with psychologists to document emotional trauma
We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.

5. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine
Unlike other firms, we maintain a proprietary database of Texas Greek organizations compiled from:

IRS B83 records of 125+ Texas-registered Greek entities
Cause IQ analysis of 1,423 organizations across 25 Texas metros
University chapter rosters and disciplinary histories
National organization patterns and prior incidents
When we take your case, we don’t start from zero. We already know how to trace liability through house corporations, alumni associations, and national headquarters.

6. Spanish-Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish. We can serve Hispanic Texas families in their preferred language, ensuring clear communication during a stressful time.

7. Texas-Based with Statewide Reach
With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we understand Texas courts, judges, and procedures. For Texhoma families, we handle the geographic logistics so you can focus on your child’s recovery.

Our Philosophy: More Than Lawsuits

We approach hazing cases with three parallel goals:

Maximum Recovery: Securing compensation for medical care, therapy, educational expenses, and the profound life disruption.
Real Accountability: Ensuring individuals and institutions face consequences that drive meaningful change.
Prevention: Using the leverage of litigation to force policy changes that protect future students.

We’ve seen the aftermath of hazing up close—the hospital rooms, the trauma, the families torn apart by institutions more concerned with reputation than safety. This work is personal.

Call to Action for Texhoma Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—from West Texas A&M in our Panhandle region to the major universities across the state—we want to hear from you. Families in Texhoma, Sherman County, and throughout the High Plains have the right to answers and accountability.

Your Free, Confidential Consultation

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

Listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Explain your legal options clearly
Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
Apply no pressure—you decide what’s right for your family

Everything you tell us is protected by attorney-client confidentiality.

Contact Information

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
24/7 Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
Email Lupe Peña (Spanish Services): lupe@atty911.com

Serving All Texas Communities

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Texhoma, Sherman, Denison, the Panhandle, and beyond. Distance doesn’t prevent us from providing thorough representation. We manage investigations and litigation remotely when needed while ensuring we’re present for critical court appearances and meetings.

Whether your child attends school near Texhoma or hours away, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions involved have lawyers. So should you.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. Let’s discuss how we can help.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

Attorney911 Educational YouTube Videos:

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

Attorney911 Main Website: https://attorney911.com

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