Hazing at Texas Universities: A Complete Guide for Parents & Families in Yantis and Across Texas

If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Texas, You’re Not Alone—We Can Help

Imagine this: Your son, a bright student from Yantis who worked hard to get into a Texas university, attends what he thinks is a “bid acceptance” event at a fraternity house. What starts as celebration turns into coercion—he’s handed a bottle and told to finish it to “prove his commitment.” Across the room, other pledges are being forced through extreme exercises while older members film on their phones. Someone collapses, but nobody calls for help immediately because they’re worried about “getting the chapter shut down.”

This scenario isn’t hypothetical. Right now, in Texas, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country on behalf of 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 media reports, his urine turned brown, he required four days of hospitalization, and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

If you’re a parent in Yantis, Wood County, or the surrounding East Texas region, this guide is for you. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, what’s happening at universities where Yantis families send their children, and what legal options you may have if hazing has impacted your family.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

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

In the first 48 hours:

• Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
• Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity/sorority
  • Sign anything from the university or insurance company
  • Post details on public social media
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

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

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For families in Yantis who may be unfamiliar with modern Greek life dynamics, hazing has evolved far beyond the “animal house” stereotypes. Today’s hazing combines traditional physical abuse with sophisticated digital coercion and psychological manipulation.

The Modern Definition: Coercion, Not Just Tradition

Hazing means 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—”my child agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance.

Five Main Categories of Modern Hazing

Alcohol and Substance Hazing

• Forced or coerced drinking during “Big/Little” nights, bid acceptance parties, or “family tree” drinking games
• Chugging challenges, “lineups,” or games requiring rapid consumption
• Being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances
• The Leonel Bermudez UH case allegedly involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting

Physical Hazing

• Paddling, beatings, or “smokings” (extreme calisthenics)
• Sleep deprivation through mandatory late-night meetings
• Food/water restriction or forced consumption of disgusting substances
• Exposure to extreme cold/heat or dangerous environments
• The UH Pi Kappa Phi case included alleged bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, and cold-weather exposure in underwear

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

• Forced nudity or partial nudity
• Simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes, or “roasted pig” positions
• Acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic overtones
• Public shaming through social media or group meetings

Psychological Hazing

• Verbal abuse, threats, and isolation from non-members
• Manipulation or forced “confessions” of personal information
• Creating fear of expulsion from the group for non-compliance

Digital/Online Hazing

• Group chat dares and “challenges” on GroupMe, WhatsApp, or Discord
• Pressure to create or share compromising images/videos on TikTok or Snapchat
• 24/7 availability requirements with immediate response expectations
• Geo-tracking demands via Find My Friends or similar apps

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

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

• Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural councils)
• Corps of Cadets, ROTC, and military-style groups (particularly relevant at Texas A&M)
• Spirit squads and tradition clubs (like Texas Cowboys or similar groups)
• Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer, swimming)
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Some service, cultural, and academic organizations

The common thread across all these groups: social status, tradition, and secrecy keep dangerous practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law: What Yantis Families Need to Know

If your child attends university anywhere in Texas—whether at nearby schools like Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches or at major hubs like University of Houston, Texas A&M, or UT Austin—Texas hazing law applies. Understanding these laws helps you protect your child’s rights.

Texas Education Code: Chapter 37, Subchapter F

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in the Education Code that define hazing broadly and provide serious consequences.

The Legal Definition (Simplified)
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.

Key Points for Yantis Families:

• Can happen on or off campus—location doesn’t matter
• Can be mental or physical harm
• Intent: Doesn’t have to be malicious; “reckless” is enough (knew the risk and did it anyway)
• “Consent is not a defense”: Even if your child agreed, it’s still hazing if it meets the definition

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 (like the alleged kidney failure in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case)

Additional Criminal Provisions:

• Failing to report hazing (if you’re a member/officer and knew about it): misdemeanor
• Retaliating against someone who reports hazing: misdemeanor

Organizational Liability

Texas law allows organizations themselves to be prosecuted if:

• The org authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
• An officer or member acting in official capacity knew about hazing and failed to report it

Penalties for organizations:

• Fine up to $10,000 per violation
• University can revoke recognition and ban the org from campus

Key Protections: Good-Faith Reporting Immunity

A person who in good faith reports a hazing incident to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the report. In medical emergencies, Texas law and university policies often 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 offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, or manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: monetary compensation and accountability
• Focus on: negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress

Both types can run side-by-side, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case.

Federal Laws Overlaying Texas Cases

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
Requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

• Report hazing incidents more transparently
• Strengthen hazing education and prevention
• Maintain public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)

Title IX and 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 who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up

Local chapter/organization itself (if a legal entity) and its officers

National fraternity/sorority headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters

University or governing board under negligence or civil-rights theories

Third parties like landlords, bars, alcohol providers, or security companies

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Affect Texas Families

The cases making national news aren’t just distant tragedies—they establish legal precedents and patterns that directly affect how we handle Texas hazing cases. These stories show what happens when institutions fail to protect students.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

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

• 20-year-old pledge forced to consume entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night
• Died from alcohol poisoning
• $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
• Takeaway for Texas families: “Big/Little” events with forced drinking are predictable, preventable tragedies

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

• Pledge forced to participate in “Bible study” drinking game
• Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%)
• Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony
• Takeaway: Drinking games disguised as “traditions” kill

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; new Pennsylvania anti-hazing law
• Takeaway: Delay in calling 911 and culture of silence cause devastating consequences

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

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

• Pledge at fraternity retreat subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual
• Suffered fatal head injuries; help delayed
• Multiple members convicted; fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
• Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous as parties

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)

• Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within football program
• Multiple lawsuits; head coach fired and settled wrongful-termination suit
• Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to big-money athletic programs

What These Cases Mean for Yantis Families

Common threads in national cases—forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups—appear repeatedly in Texas incidents too. The legal strategies that succeeded in these national cases inform how we approach Texas hazing litigation at Attorney911.

Texas Universities: Where Yantis Families Send Their Children

Yantis families often send students to universities across Texas. Understanding the hazing landscape at each campus helps you recognize risks and know where to turn for help.

University of Houston (UH): Current Active Litigation Site

For Yantis Families: While Houston is several hours from Yantis, UH attracts students from across Texas, including East Texas. The current Pi Kappa Phi case demonstrates how quickly hazing can escalate to life-threatening injuries.

Campus Snapshot:

• Large urban campus with active Greek life
• 20+ fraternities and 15+ sororities across multiple councils
• Mix of commuter and residential students

Recent Documented Incident – The Flagship Case:
Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu) – Filed Late 2025

• Allegations: Pledge subjected to “fanny pack” humiliation, forced dress codes, overnight driving duties, extreme physical hazing including sprints, bear crawls, “save-your-brother” drills, cold-weather exposure, lying in vomit-soaked grass, being sprayed with hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk/hot dogs/peppercorns until vomiting, 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under expulsion threats
• Medical Outcome: Developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passed brown urine, hospitalized four days, ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage
• Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended chapter Nov 6, 2025; members voted to surrender charter Nov 14, 2025; UH called conduct “deeply disturbing”
• Legal Status: $10 million lawsuit filed in Harris County; Attorney911 represents Bermudez

UH Hazing Policy & Reporting:

• Hazing prohibited on and off campus
• Reporting through Dean of Students, Student Conduct, or UHPD
• Some disciplinary information posted publicly

How a UH Hazing Case Proceeds:

• Jurisdiction: Harris County courts
• Potential Defendants: Individual students, Pi Kappa Phi chapter, Pi Kappa Phi national, UH, UH System Board of Regents, property owners
• Investigative Agencies: UHPD, Houston Police Department

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture & Greek Life

For Yantis Families: Texas A&M in College Station is a common destination for Texas students. Its unique Corps of Cadets culture presents specific hazing risks alongside traditional Greek life concerns.

Campus Snapshot:

• Major public university with strong Greek life and Corps traditions
• 50+ fraternities and sororities
• Corps of Cadets with approximately 2,500 members

Documented Incidents:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)

• Two pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner
• Caused severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries
• Pledges sued fraternity for $1 million
• Fraternity suspended for two years by university

Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023)
from Killeen, TX alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth

• Sought over $1 million in damages
• Texas A&M stated it handled matter under its rules

Texas A&M Hazing Response:

• Student Conduct Office investigates allegations
• Corps has separate disciplinary system
• Public transparency varies case by case

For Yantis Families with Children at A&M:

• Understand both Greek life and Corps hazing risks
• Document everything immediately—Corps cases often involve complex hierarchies
• Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate guidance

University of Texas at Austin: Public Transparency Model

For Yantis Families: UT Austin’s public hazing violations database provides transparency but also shows recurring problems despite sanctions.

Campus Snapshot:

• Flagship UT campus with 50+ Greek organizations
• Publishes hazing violations online at hazing.utexas.edu
• Major athletic programs with independent hazing risks

Documented Incidents from Public Database:

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 Assault Case (January 2024)

• Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted at party
• Injuries included dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose
• Student sued SAE chapter for over $1 million
• Chapter already under suspension for prior violations

UT’s Public Hazing Database:

• Lists organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions
• Shows patterns of repeat violations
• Provides evidence for civil cases demonstrating institutional knowledge

How UT Cases Differ:

• Transparency advantage: Public records help establish patterns
• Jurisdiction: Travis County courts, Austin PD involvement
• University response: Often includes probation, education requirements, suspension

Southern Methodist University (SMU): Private University Dynamics

For Yantis Families: SMU’s private status affects transparency but not liability. Affluent campus culture can involve different social pressures.

Campus Snapshot:

• Private university with strong Greek presence
• 12+ fraternities and sororities
• Different reporting requirements than public institutions

Documented Incident:

Kappa Alpha Order (2017)

• New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep
• Chapter suspended
• Restrictions on recruiting until around 2021

SMU’s Hazing Approach:

• Anonymous reporting via systems like Real Response
• Internal investigations with limited public disclosure
• Private settlement common

Strategic Considerations for SMU Cases:

• Discovery process crucial for obtaining internal documents
• Insurance coverage often different than public universities
• Media strategy may vary due to private status

Baylor University: Religious Identity & Athletic Culture

For Yantis Families: Baylor’s religious identity creates unique dynamics, while its athletic program history shows institutional struggle with accountability.

Campus Snapshot:

• Private Christian university
• 15+ Greek organizations
• History of athletic program scrutiny

Documented Incident:

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020)

• 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
• Suspensions staggered over early season
• Part of broader cultural challenges following prior scandals

Baylor’s Institutional Context:

• “Zero tolerance” policies but recurring misconduct
• Religious branding affects public relations approach
• Athletic program oversight under particular scrutiny

For Families Considering Baylor Cases:

• Understand interaction of religious identity with legal strategy
• Document athletic program involvement carefully
• Consider both university and conference-level accountability

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: What’s Behind the Letters

When your child joins an organization at a Texas university, they’re connecting to a complex network of local, state, and national entities. Understanding this ecosystem helps identify who bears responsibility when hazing occurs.

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Tracking the Organizational Network

At Attorney911, we maintain what we call our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a comprehensive database of Greek organizations across Texas. This isn’t theoretical; it’s built from public records and helps us identify every potentially liable entity in a hazing case.

Texas Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations

Based on IRS B83 filings and other public records, here’s a snapshot of the Texas Greek ecosystem relevant to Yantis families:

IRS-Registered Texas Greek Organizations (Sample):

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc – EIN 133048786 – College Station, TX 77845
• Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Inc – EIN 161675890 – The Woodlands, TX 77382
• Sigma Phi Lambda Inc – EIN 201237505 – Corinth, TX 76210 (Beta Chapter)
• Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity – EIN 262025321 – Denton, TX 76201 (Mu Gamma Chapter)
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation – EIN 371768785 – Missouri City, TX 77459
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 462267515 – Frisco, TX 75035
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – EIN 475370943 – Houston, TX 77204 (Theta Delta)
• Chi Omega Fraternity – EIN 740555581 – Austin, TX 78705 (House Corporation)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 741380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter – EIN 746084905 – Houston, TX 77204

Metro Area Concentrations (from Cause IQ Data):

• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510+ Greek organizations
• Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188+ organizations
• Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154+ organizations
• College Station-Bryan Metro: 42+ organizations
• Statewide Total: 1,423+ organizations across 25 Texas metros

Why National Histories Matter for Texas Cases

When a Texas chapter repeats hazing methods that caused deaths or injuries at other chapters nationwide, that pattern evidence becomes crucial for establishing liability.

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ) National Pattern:

• Stone Foltz (BGSU 2021): Alcohol poisoning death during Big/Little night
• David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois 2012): Alcohol poisoning death, $14M settlement
• Texas Connection: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ) National Pattern:

• Multiple hazing-related deaths and severe injuries nationwide
• University of Alabama: Traumatic brain injury lawsuit
• Texas A&M: Chemical burns case (2021)
• UT Austin: Assault case (2024)

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ) National Pattern:

• Max Gruver (LSU 2017): Drinking game death, Louisiana felony hazing law
• Chapters at multiple Texas universities

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ) National Pattern:

• Andrew Coffey (FSU 2017): Alcohol poisoning death during Big Brother night
• Current Texas Case: Leonel Bermudez at UH

The Legal Significance of Pattern Evidence

In civil litigation, establishing that a national organization knew or should have known about dangerous hazing patterns is critical for:

• Negligence claims: Showing foreseeability of harm
• Punitive damages: Demonstrating reckless disregard for safety
• Institutional liability: Proving national had duty to supervise and prevent

At Attorney911, we use our database to connect Texas incidents to national patterns, building stronger cases for Texas families.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Recovery

If hazing has injured your child, understanding how cases are built helps you make informed decisions. Here’s what happens behind the scenes in serious hazing litigation.

Critical Evidence Categories

Digital Communications (Most Important Today)

• Group chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack
• Social media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook
• Recovered messages: Digital forensics can often retrieve deleted content
• Location data: Geo-tags, Find My Friends history, Uber/Lyft receipts

Photos & Videos

• Content filmed by members during events
• Security camera or doorbell footage at houses and venues
• Social media posts and stories documenting activities

Internal Organization Documents

• Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” documents
• Emails/texts from officers about activities
• National policies and training materials
• Risk management files and incident reports

University Records

• Prior conduct files, probation/suspension records
• Incident reports to campus police or conduct offices
• Clery Act reports and related disclosures
• Internal emails among administrators

Medical & Psychological Records

• Emergency room and hospitalization records
• Surgery notes and rehabilitation documentation
• Toxicology reports showing blood alcohol levels
• Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses)

Witness Testimony

• Other pledges and members
• Roommates, RAs, coaches, trainers
• Former members who quit or were expelled
• Bystanders and emergency responders

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

• Medical expenses: Past and future care, including lifelong treatment for permanent injuries
• Lost earnings & educational impact: Missed semesters, delayed graduation, reduced earning capacity
• Other costs: Property damage, relocation expenses, funeral costs in wrongful death cases

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering from injuries
• Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life and educational experience
• Wrongful death damages: Loss of companionship, grief, funeral costs

Punitive Damages (When Available)

• To punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
• Requires showing gross negligence or intentional harm
• Texas caps: Generally limited, but exceptions exist for intentional conduct

Insurance Coverage: The Hidden Battle

National fraternities and universities often have insurance policies covering liability, but insurers frequently argue:

• Hazing constitutes “intentional acts” excluded from coverage
• Policy doesn’t cover certain defendants or locations
• Claims exceed policy limits

Our Insurance Insider Advantage:
Mr. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how insurers:

• Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
• Use Independent Medical Exams to reduce settlements
• Deploy delay tactics to pressure families
• Fight coverage under policy exclusions

This insider knowledge helps us navigate coverage disputes and maximize recovery for Texas families.

Practical Guides for Yantis Families, Students & Witnesses

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Hazed:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries
• Extreme fatigue or exhaustion beyond normal college stress
• 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
• Academic performance dropping suddenly
• Unexpected large expenses or requests for money

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally):

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

48-Hour Action Checklist:

• Hour 1-6: Get medical attention if injured; screenshot messages; write detailed notes; call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911
• Hour 6-24: Preserve all digital evidence; secure physical items; request medical records
• Hour 24-48: Consult with experienced hazing attorney; decide on reporting strategy

For Students: Safety & Evidence Preservation

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

• Am I being forced or pressured to do something unsafe?
• Would I do this if I had a real choice without social consequences?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would the university or my parents approve if they knew?
• Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about activities?

If You Need to Exit Safely:

• Call 911 if in immediate danger
• Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
• Send email/text to chapter leadership: “I resign effective immediately”
• Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where pressure might occur
• Document any retaliation immediately

Evidence Collection Checklist:

• Screenshot ALL group chats with timestamps visible
• Photograph injuries immediately and over several days
• Save physical items (clothing, props, receipts)
• Record conversations (Texas is one-party consent state)
• Request medical records and mention hazing to providers

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting your child delete messages – Looks like cover-up, destroys evidence
2. Confronting the organization directly – Triggers evidence destruction and defense preparation
3. Signing university “resolution” forms – May waive legal rights for inadequate settlements
4. Posting details on social media – Defense attorneys screenshot everything; hurts credibility
5. Waiting for university investigation – Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
6. Talking to insurance adjusters without lawyer – Recorded statements used against you
7. Letting your child return for “one last meeting” – Opportunity for pressure and intimidation

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from date of injury in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately known. Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

“Will this be confidential?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize family privacy while pursuing accountability.

Why Attorney911 for 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.

Our Competitive Advantages for Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Knowledge (Mr. Lupe Peña)

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

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello)

• One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
• Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
• Not intimidated by national fraternities or university defense teams
• “We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations. We know how to fight powerful defendants.”

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Results

• Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases
• Experience working with economists on lifetime care valuations
• “We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.”

Criminal + Civil Dual Capability

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

Investigative Depth & Resources

• Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
• Experience obtaining hidden evidence through discovery
• Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracking 1,423+ organizations
• “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

Spanish-Language Services

• Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish
• Complete services available en Español
• Cultural understanding of Texas Hispanic community needs

Our Approach: Empathy + Accountability

We know hazing cases are among the hardest things a family can face. Our approach balances:

• Thorough investigation to uncover the full truth
• Strategic litigation to hold all responsible parties accountable
• Emotional support for families navigating trauma
• Commitment to prevention so other families don’t suffer similarly

We Serve Families Throughout Texas

From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve hazing victims and their families across Texas, including Yantis, Wood County, and all East Texas communities. Whether your child attends university near Yantis like Stephen F. Austin State University or at major hubs hours away, Texas hazing law protects them, and we can help enforce those protections.

Call to Action: Contact Attorney911 Today

If hazing has impacted your family—whether through physical injury, psychological trauma, or wrongful death—you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions involved have experienced lawyers and insurance teams working to minimize their liability. You deserve equal representation.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When you contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911:

• We’ll listen to your story without judgment
• Review any evidence you’ve preserved
• Explain your legal options clearly
• Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
• Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
• No pressure to hire us immediately
• Everything discussed remains confidential

Immediate 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

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

Serving Yantis & All Texas Communities

Whether you’re in Yantis, Wood County, or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family at any Texas campus—from University of Houston to Texas A&M, UT Austin to SMU or Baylor—we can help. We understand the unique challenges Texas families face and have the experience to navigate them successfully.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let us help you get answers, hold the right people accountable, and prevent this from happening to another Texas family.

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有何收获？-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com