Hazing in Texas: A Definitive Guide for Cass County Families

It’s initiation night at a university not far from home. Your child, excited to join a new fraternity, sorority, or respected campus organization, finds themselves in a situation they never imagined. They’re being pressured to drink far beyond safe limits, endure demeaning acts, or participate in physical challenges that feel less like team-building and more like abuse. Others around them are filming on phones, chanting, and laughing. Then, someone gets hurt – a fall, a dizzy spell, sudden vomiting, or even a collapse. Nobody wants to call 911 because they’re afraid of “getting the chapter shut down” or “getting in trouble.” Your child feels trapped, caught between loyalty to a group they desperately want to belong to and their own safety, or the safety of a friend.

This isn’t a scene from a movie; it’s a reality that plays out too often at campuses across Texas, affecting families from communities like ours in Cass County, and across Northeast Texas. The hopes and dreams you have for your children when they leave for college can quickly turn into fear, confusion, and despair when they encounter the hidden dangers of hazing.

This comprehensive guide to hazing and the law in Texas is written specifically for families in Cass County and surrounding areas, including Linden, Atlanta, Hughes Springs, and Queen City, who need to understand:

• What modern hazing truly looks like in 2025 – far beyond the old stereotypes.
• How Texas and federal law address hazing, and who can be held accountable.
• What we can learn from major national hazing cases and how those lessons apply to Texas families.
• The specific hazing challenges and incidents that have occurred at prominent Texas institutions like the University of Houston (UH), Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin (UT), Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Baylor University.
• The legal options and strategies available to victims and their families in Cass County and throughout Texas who are seeking accountability and justice.

While this article provides vital general information, it is not a substitute for specific legal advice. Every hazing incident has unique details, and an experienced attorney can assess your particular situation. We serve families throughout Texas, including Cass County, and are dedicated to providing clarity and support during these challenging times.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

• If your child is in physical danger RIGHT NOW:

  • Call 911 for any medical emergency. Prioritize their health and safety above all else.
  • Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate help in legal emergencies—that’s why we’re known as the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

• In the first 48 hours, every moment counts:

  • Get medical attention immediately, even if your child insists they are “fine.” Injuries, especially internal ones or those from alcohol poisoning, may not be immediately apparent.
  • Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted: Screenshot group chats, texts, and direct messages (DMs) immediately. Photograph any injuries from multiple angles. Save any physical items like damaged clothing, receipts for forced purchases, or unusual objects used in hazing.
  • Write down everything while your memory is fresh: who was involved, what exactly happened, when and where it took place, and what was said.
  • Do NOT:
    • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or organization directly. This can lead to evidence destruction or witness coaching.
    • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company without legal advice. You could inadvertently waive your rights.
    • Post details on public social media. This can compromise your legal case.
    • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” any evidence. Digital evidence is often key to proving hazing.

• Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

  • Evidence disappears rapidly, whether through intentional deletion of group chats, destruction of objects, or witnesses being coached.
  • Universities and organizations move quickly to control the narrative following an incident.
  • We can help you preserve critical evidence, protect your child from retaliation, and ensure their rights are safeguarded from the very beginning.
  • Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

When we talk about hazing, many people in Cass County and across Texas might picture scenes from old movies or news reports from decades past. However, hazing in 2025 is often more insidious, sophisticated, and dangerous than the stereotypes suggest. It has evolved, sometimes using technology, to perpetuate power imbalances and inflict harm in ways that leave lasting physical and psychological scars.

Modern hazing can be defined as 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 an individual. It’s crucial to understand that simply because someone “agreed” to participate does not automatically make it safe or legal. In environments with intense peer pressure, a desire for belonging, and significant power imbalances, true consent is often absent.

Main Categories of Modern Hazing

The ways hazing unfolds are diverse, but they generally fall into several main categories:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains one of the most common and deadliest forms. It involves forced or coerced drinking, often through dangerous “games,” rapid consumption challenges, or “lineups” where pledges are made to drink excessive amounts of alcohol. Pressure to consume unknown or mixed substances, or perform acts while heavily intoxicated, is also prevalent. These dangerous practices frequently lead to alcohol poisoning, serious injury, and even death.

• Physical Hazing: This includes direct physical abuse such as paddling and beatings, which can result in severe bruising, lacerations, or organ damage. Equally dangerous are extreme calisthenics, “workouts,” or “smokings” that go far beyond normal conditioning, leading to exhaustion, rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), or serious injury. Sleep deprivation, food or water deprivation, and exposure to extreme temperatures or dangerous environments are also common tactics designed to break down a new member.

• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: These acts are deeply violating and can leave profound psychological trauma. They include forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (often demeaning and designed to degrade), performing acts with racial, homophobic, or sexist overtones, or wearing degrading costumes. Such acts strip individuals of their dignity and can cross into sexual assault.

• Psychological Hazing: Often overlooked but profoundly damaging, psychological hazing involves verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, and isolation. It can include manipulation, forced confessions, or public shaming on social media or during meetings. These tactics are designed to create extreme anxiety, fear, and emotional distress, eroding self-esteem and fostering dependency on the group.

• Digital/Online Hazing: This is a newer, rapidly evolving area where hazing leverages technology. It often involves group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation orchestrated via platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, and encrypted messaging apps. This can also include pressure to create or share compromising images or videos, or constant demands for immediate responses to group chats at all hours, disrupting sleep and academics. For families in Cass County, this means understanding that a child may be experiencing hazing through their phone, even when physically far from the group.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

Hazing is not confined to one type of organization or campus. While often associated with traditional fraternities and sororities, it can occur in a wide variety of student groups:

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes groups under Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and various multicultural Greek organizations.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: These organizations, particularly at institutions like Texas A&M, often have tradition-heavy, military-style environments where certain activities can cross the line into hazing.
• Spirit Squads, Tradition Clubs: Groups like cheerleading squads, dance teams, and university-affiliated tradition clubs (e.g., the Texas Cowboys or similar honor societies) can also engage in hazing.
• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to baseball, soccer, and even cheerleading, hazing is a documented problem across all levels of collegiate athletics.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly harmless artistic or performance organizations have faced hazing allegations.
• Other Organizations: Some service, cultural, and academic organizations can also fall prey to hazing behaviors.

The underlying factors often involve social status, a desire for belonging, and a harmful culture of secrecy that allows these practices to persist, even when participants and observers “know” hazing is officially prohibited and illegal. For families from Cass County, it’s important to discuss these dangers with your children, no matter what campus organization they consider joining.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

Understanding the legal landscape surrounding hazing is critical for families in Cass County who seek justice and accountability. Texas, like most states, has specific laws designed to combat hazing, and these are often complemented by federal regulations.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Texas has clear anti-hazing provisions embedded in its Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. This code broadly defines hazing, making it illegal whether it happens on or off campus, and outlines the penalties.

Under Texas Education Code § 37.151, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, committed by one person alone or with others, that is directed against a student and for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students. This act must either:

• Endanger the mental or physical health or safety of a student (e.g., beating, forced exercise, forced consumption of alcohol or drugs), OR
• Substantially affect the mental health or safety of a student (e.g., extreme humiliation, intimidation, psychological abuse).

Essentially, if someone makes you do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they meant for the act to occur or acted recklessly regarding the potential harm, that is hazing under Texas law. Key points to remember from this definition are that hazing can happen on or off campus – the location doesn’t matter – and it can cause mental or physical harm. Crucially, the law specifies that consent is not a defense; even if the victim seemed to agree, it’s still hazing if it meets the legal definition.

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing can lead to serious criminal charges for individuals and organizations. While the default is a Class B Misdemeanor (up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000), the penalties escalate quickly. If hazing causes an injury requiring medical treatment, it can become a Class A Misdemeanor. If it causes serious bodily injury or death, it is classified as a State Jail Felony, carrying even harsher penalties. Additionally, individuals who are members or officers of organizations and fail to report hazing they knew about can face misdemeanor charges, as can those who retaliate against someone for reporting.

• Organizational Liability: Under Texas Education Code § 37.153, organizations themselves (fraternities, sororities, clubs, teams) can be criminally prosecuted for hazing. This occurs if the organization authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer or member acting in an official capacity knew about the hazing and failed to report it. Penalties for organizations can include fines of up to $10,000 per violation, and universities can revoke recognition, effectively banning the organization from campus. This provision is vital because it establishes that both individuals and the organizations they belong to can be held criminally accountable.

• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Texas Education Code § 37.154 provides protections for those who speak up. A person who, in good faith, reports a hazing incident to university authorities or law enforcement is generally immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from their report. Furthermore, in medical emergencies involving alcohol or drugs, Texas law and most university policies offer amnesty to students who call 911 for help, even if they were underage drinking or involved in the hazing themselves. These provisions are designed to overcome the “code of silence” that often surrounds hazing, encouraging reports without fear of retribution.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

It’s important for Cass County families to understand that hazing incidents can lead to two parallel types of legal action:

• Criminal Cases: These are brought by the state (through a prosecutor) against individuals or organizations accused of violating hazing laws or related criminal statutes. The aim of criminal cases is punishment (e.g., jail time, fines, probation). Typical hazing-related criminal charges can include hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, or even manslaughter or negligent homicide in fatal cases.

• Civil Cases: These are brought by the victims of hazing or their surviving family members (in cases of death) against the individuals and entities responsible for the harm. The aim of civil cases is monetary compensation for the victim’s damages and to hold those responsible accountable. Civil lawsuits often focus on theories of negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring/supervision, premises liability, or infliction of emotional distress. A separate criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. This means even if criminal charges are not filed or do not result in a conviction, a civil case can still proceed and achieve justice.

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

Beyond state laws, several federal regulations also impact how hazing is addressed and reported by colleges and universities:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This significant federal legislation mandates that colleges and universities receiving federal financial assistance must publicly report hazing incidents in a more transparent manner, bolster hazing education and prevention efforts, and maintain public hazing data. These changes are designed to be phased in by around 2026 and will provide families with more information about specific organizations’ hazing histories.

• Title IX / Clery Act: When hazing involves elements of sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender-based hostility, or discrimination, it can trigger a university’s obligations under Title IX (which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education). The Clery Act requires colleges to disclose campus crime statistics, and hazing incidents often overlap with categories like assaults, alcohol, or drug-related crimes that must be reported. These federal laws provide additional avenues for accountability and legal action in certain circumstances.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

One of the complexities of hazing litigation is identifying all parties who may bear legal responsibility. In a civil hazing lawsuit, liability can extend to multiple individuals and entities:

• Individual Students: Those who planned, orchestrated, supplied alcohol, carried out the hazing acts, or helped cover them up can be held personally liable for the harm caused.
• Local Chapter / Organization: The fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself, if it operates as a legal entity, can be sued. Key individuals here are often the officers, new member educators, or others in leadership roles who directed or permitted the hazing.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: The national headquarters, which sets policies, collects dues, and supervises local chapters, can be held liable. This liability often hinges on what the national organization knew or should have known about a chapter’s hazing history or propensity, and whether they failed to adequately enforce their own anti-hazing policies.
• University or Governing Board: The educational institution itself, or its governing board (like the Board of Regents), may be sued under theories of negligence, gross negligence, or even civil rights violations. Claims against universities often focus on allegations of failing to properly supervise students, ignoring known hazing problems, or being deliberately indifferent to a pattern of misconduct. While public universities (like UH, Texas A&M, UT) may claim sovereign immunity in Texas, exceptions exist, particularly for gross negligence or Title IX violations. Private universities (like SMU, Baylor) generally face fewer immunity protections.
• Third Parties: Other entities can also be implicated, such as landlords or owners of houses or event spaces where hazing occurred, bars or alcohol vendors that illegally served minors (under dram shop laws), or even security companies if their negligence contributed to an incident.

Every hazing case is fact-specific. Not every party will be liable in every situation, but an experienced hazing attorney from Attorney911 knows how to identify all potentially responsible parties and pursue claims against them to ensure comprehensive accountability and compensation for families in Cass County and across the state.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

When a hazing tragedy strikes close to home, as it can for any Cass County family with a child at a Texas university, it’s easy to feel isolated. However, similar painful events have unfolded nationwide, forging critical legal precedents and shaping the landscape of hazing accountability. These national anchor stories are not just headlines; they represent patterns of behavior, institutional failures, and ultimately, paths to justice that inform our strategy in Texas courts.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

The most common and consistently deadly form of hazing involves forced alcohol consumption. The pattern is tragically familiar: new members are pressured to drink excessive amounts, often rapidly, leading to severe intoxication, delayed medical attention, and often death.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge, died after participating in a “bid acceptance” event. He was forced to drink enormous quantities of alcohol, fell repeatedly, and sustained traumatic brain injuries. Horrifying surveillance footage from inside the fraternity house showed members failing to call for help for nearly 12 hours while Piazza suffered. This case resulted in dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, intense civil litigation, and the creation of the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania, significantly strengthening anti-hazing statutes. For Texas families, this case underscores the devastating consequences of delayed medical care and the culture of silence.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Andrew Coffey, another 20-year-old pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event. Pledges were given handles of hard liquor and pressured to consume them quickly. The incident led to criminal hazing charges against multiple members, and Florida State University temporarily suspended all Greek life activities in response, overhauling its policies. This case illustrates the “formulaic” drinking rituals that are often portrayed as tradition but are, in fact, repeating scripts for disaster.

• Max Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max Gruver, an 18-year-old pledge, died after a “Bible study” drinking game where he was forced to consume large amounts of alcohol as punishment for incorrect answers. His blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.495%, more than six times the legal limit for driving. Gruver’s death led to the enactment of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making felony hazing a reality with serious prison time. This incident highlights how legislative change often follows public outrage and clear, undeniable proof of egregious hazing. The family later settled with LSU and won a $6.1 million verdict against one of the individuals and the insurer.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old pledge, died after being forced to consume an entire bottle of whiskey in under 20 minutes during a “Big/Little” initiation night. This tragedy resulted in multiple criminal convictions for hazing-related charges against fraternity members. Civilly, the Foltz family reached a $10 million settlement in 2023, with $7 million from the Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity and nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University. This case vividly demonstrates that universities, especially public ones, can face significant financial and reputational consequences alongside fraternities when hazing occurs on their watch.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Beyond alcohol, physical and ritualized hazing continue to cause severe injuries and fatalities, often deliberately moved to secluded locations to avoid detection.

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng, a 19-year-old pledge, died during a fraternity “retreat” in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. He was blindfolded, forced to wear a heavy backpack, and repeatedly tackled in a brutal ritual known as the “glass ceiling.” His fraternity brothers delayed calling for help for hours, fabricating a story about his injuries. This incident led to multiple criminal convictions, and significantly, the national Pi Delta Psi fraternity was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years and fined over $110,000. For Cass County families, this case is a stark reminder that off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous or worse than on-campus parties, and national organizations can face severe sanctions for contributing to such environments.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is not exclusive to Greek life. Major athletic programs, driven by intense team culture and institutional pressures, can also become hotbeds for systemic abuse.

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): In a scandal that rocked collegiate athletics, former football players at Northwestern University alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the program over multiple years. This included forced sexual acts, racial discrimination, and other degrading behaviors as part of initiation rites. The fallout included multiple lawsuits against Northwestern and its coaching staff, the firing of long-time head coach Pat Fitzgerald (who later settled a wrongful-termination lawsuit confidentially in August 2025), and a national conversation about institutional oversight in high-profile sports. This pattern demonstrates that hazing extends far beyond Greek life, and major athletic programs, with their deep pockets and powerful traditions, can harbor systemic abuse that leaves lasting harm.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

These national cases share common, chilling threads: forced drinking, humiliation, physical violence, deliberate delays in calling for medical or emergency care, and pervasive attempts at cover-ups. While reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements often follow these tragedies, they typically come only after immense suffering, skilled legal intervention, and often, extensive litigation.

For Cass County families whose children attend or plan to attend a Texas university – whether it’s UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor – these national patterns are not distant problems. They shape the current legal landscape and underscore the real risks facing students. Understanding these precedents is crucial because they establish foreseeability, expose institutional negligence, and provide powerful arguments for accountability in Texas courts. If you find your family in a similar situation, you are not alone, and there is a well-established path to seeking justice.

Texas Focus: UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

The issue of hazing is particularly critical for families in Cass County, whether their children are attending schools nearby in Northeast Texas, or traveling to major university towns like Houston, College Station, Austin, Dallas, or Waco. While every campus fosters its own unique culture, the legal and social dynamics of hazing remain eerily consistent. Here, we delve into the specific contexts of five major Texas universities, exploring their hazing policies, documented incidents, and unique cultural considerations. We aim to show families from Linden, Atlanta, Hughes Springs, and Queen City, as well as the wider Cass County community, how these patterns affect students across the state.

5.1 University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston, a vibrant urban campus in the heart of the nation’s fourth-largest city, draws many students from across Texas, including Cass County, who seek its diverse academic and social environment. UH boasts a robust Greek life with a variety of fraternities and sororities, along with numerous other student organizations.

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH is a large, public research university where students often balance studies with work and off-campus life. Its Greek community is active and varied, encompassing traditional IFC and Panhellenic organizations, as well as a significant presence of NPHC and multicultural Greek groups. Like many large urban universities, a substantial portion of student social life happens off-campus, particularly due to the proximity of numerous residences, bars, and event venues in Houston. This can sometimes make monitoring and controlling student organization behavior more challenging for the university.

5.1.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

The University of Houston maintains a clear and strict anti-hazing policy, emphasizing that hazing is prohibited both on-campus and off-campus. Their policy typically proscribes forced consumption of alcohol, food, or drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, branding, and any acts designed to cause mental distress as part of initiation or affiliation. They provide reporting channels through the Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). UH also generally uses its website to publish a hazing statement and some information regarding disciplinary actions taken against organizations, though the level of detail can vary.

5.1.3 Example Incident & Response

A significant incident involved the Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) fraternity in 2016. During a multi-day event, pledges were allegedly deprived of sufficient food, water, and sleep. The hazing culminated in one student suffering a lacerated spleen after reportedly being slammed onto a table or similar surface. This severe injury led to misdemeanor hazing charges against some members and a university suspension for the chapter. Subsequent disciplinary references at UH have also involved fraternities for various alcohol misuse and policy violations that were deemed “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” leading to additional suspensions or probation. These incidents highlight UH’s efforts to suspend chapters, but also the persistent challenge of hazing.

5.1.4 How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

For a hazing incident at UH, Cass County families should understand the potential legal framework. Depending on the exact location of the incident (on-campus or off-campus in the Houston area) and the nature of the harm, involved law enforcement agencies may include the UHPD and/or the Houston Police Department. Civil lawsuits against individuals, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority, and potentially the university or property owners, would typically be filed in courts with jurisdiction over Houston and Harris County. Our firm, based in Houston, has deep experience navigating these local legal systems and can provide guidance tailored to the dynamics of the area.

5.1.5 What UH Students & Parents Should Do

• Report Hazing Immediately: Use UH’s official reporting channels, including the Dean of Students, UHPD, or online reporting forms found on the university’s website.
• Document Everything: Keep a meticulous record of all communications with university officials, chapter members, and any evidence you gather. This includes screenshots of messages, photos of injuries, and detailed notes of conversations.
• Inquire About Prior Complaints: When speaking with university officials, ask specifically about prior complaints, incidents, or disciplinary actions involving the organization in question. This information can be crucial in proving a pattern of misconduct.
• Contact an Experienced Houston-Based Hazing Lawyer: A lawyer experienced in hazing cases in the Houston area can help you uncover prior disciplinary actions, access internal files through discovery, and navigate the dual civil and criminal justice systems that are common in these cases. We understand the local landscape.
• Seek Medical and Psychological Help: Prioritize professional medical attention for any physical injuries and mental health support for the emotional trauma that often accompanies hazing. Documenting these impacts is vital for any legal claim.

5.2 Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, located in College Station, is deeply rooted in tradition, with a unique culture heavily influenced by its military heritage, embodied by the Corps of Cadets, and its strong Greek life community. Many students from Cass County and across Northeast Texas choose A&M for its distinguished programs and vibrant campus atmosphere, often traveling several hours southwest to attend.

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M is renowned for its traditions, particularly those associated with the Corps of Cadets. This military-style environment, alongside a very active Greek life and numerous other student organizations, cultivates a strong sense of belonging and loyalty. However, these very traditions, when unchecked, have historically been fertile ground for hazing, especially in the context of “earning” one’s place within the group. The campus covers a wide area, and while College Station and Bryan offer many off-campus social options, the university maintains significant oversight over officially recognized groups.

5.2.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

Texas A&M has robust anti-hazing policies for all student groups, including fraternities, sororities, and the Corps of Cadets. Their policies explicitly prohibit mental or physical harm related to initiation or membership, and they have clear procedures for reporting. Students can report hazing through the Division of Student Affairs, Student Conduct Office, the Corps of Cadets leadership, or the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD). The university also provides an online reporting system and emphasizes protection for those who report in good faith.

5.2.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Texas A&M has faced significant hazing challenges involving both Greek life and the Corps:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Lawsuit (around 2021): Two pledges alleged severe hazing that involved being forced to undergo strenuous physical activity while having substances poured on them, including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit. This resulted in severe chemical burns on their bodies, requiring extensive medical treatment and skin graft surgeries. The pledges subsequently sued the fraternity for $1 million. The SAE chapter was suspended by the university for two years. This incident painfully illustrates the extreme physical dangers of hazing and the potential for long-lasting medical consequences.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A former cadet filed a lawsuit alleging degrading hazing within the Corps. The allegations included forced physical activity, public humiliation, and disturbing acts such as simulated sexual acts. One particularly graphic allegation involved being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The cadet sought over $1 million in damages, highlighting the severe emotional and psychological trauma that can result from hazing. Texas A&M stated it addressed the matter under its student conduct rules.

These incidents underscore that hazing at Texas A&M is a multifaceted problem, affecting both Greek life and its highly traditional Corps of Cadets.

5.2.4 How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases originating from Texas A&M may involve the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD) for on-campus incidents, or the College Station Police Department or Brazos County Sheriff’s Office for off-campus events. Civil claims would typically be filed in courts with jurisdiction over Brazos County. For Cass County families, this means understanding the local legal infrastructure of Bryan/College Station. Our firm has experience with cases across Texas, including those against large state institutions, and can help navigate the specific nuances of a case at A&M.

5.2.5 What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do

• Understand A&M’s Culture: Be aware that while “tradition” is a cornerstone of A&M, it can be manipulated to justify hazing. Distinguish between respectful traditions and harmful coercion.
• Report to Appropriate Channels: Use the Student Conduct Office, UPD, or for Corps cadets, their specific command structures. Consider the direct impact of these channels.
• Document Corps-Specific Hazing: If hazing occurs within the Corps of Cadets, document the specific military-style rituals, physical demands, and any alleged psychological manipulation.
• Preserve Digital Evidence: Even more so in group-oriented cultures, preserve all communications, images, and videos from group chats (e.g., GroupMe, iMessage, Discord, Snapchat, Instagram) that might pertain to hazing activities.
• Contact a Hazing Lawyer Experienced with Texas Institutions: Lawsuits against state universities like Texas A&M can involve significant legal hurdles, including claims of sovereign immunity. An attorney experienced with these challenges can help identify exceptions and build a strong case.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the state, attracting thousands of students annually, including many from Cass County and Northeast Texas who seek its academic excellence and vibrant cultural scene. UT Austin is known for its strong Greek life, a myriad of student organizations, and deeply ingrained campus traditions.

5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT Austin has a sprawling campus life, from its dominant Greek system to numerous academic, social, and service organizations, as well as highly visible spirit groups and club sports. The energy and independence encouraged at UT also mean that much of student social life occurs off-campus in the surrounding Hyde Park, West Campus, and downtown Austin areas. This environment, combined with the size and anonymity of a large university, can sometimes create conditions where hazing can flourish unchecked if not actively monitored.

5.3.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

The University of Texas at Austin has a comprehensive anti-hazing policy that applies to all student organizations, whether active on or off campus. The policy clearly prohibits any act that causes mental or physical discomfort, humiliation, or risks the health or safety of another for purposes of initiation or membership. UT is notable for its commitment to transparency regarding hazing violations. They provide multiple reporting avenues, including the Dean of Students office, Student Conduct, UTPD, and a dedicated Hazing Violations page on their website, which lists organizations, dates of incidents, a description of the conduct, and sanctions imposed.

5.3.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

UT Austin’s public Hazing Violations page (accessible at hazing.utexas.edu) is a critical resource, listing numerous instances of organizational misconduct. For Cass County families, this transparency shows what the university has acknowledged as hazing:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) (2023): This fraternity was sanctioned after new members were directed to consume excessive amounts of milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. UT found this constituted hazing, placing the chapter on probation and requiring them to implement new hazing-prevention education.
• Texas Wranglers (2022): This prominent spirit organization faced disciplinary action for hazing that included alcohol misconduct, blindfolding, and physically strenuous activities designed to degrade new members.
• Other Greek and Non-Greek Organizations: The UT hazing log details various other groups, both Greek and non-Greek, sanctioned for practices ranging from forced late-night activities, alcohol-related hazing, public humiliation, and other forms of punishment-based initiation.

While UT’s transparency is commendable, the repeated nature of these violations on their public log indicates an ongoing challenge in enforcing anti-hazing policies and a persistent culture of hazing within certain student communities.

5.3.4 How a UT Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing incidents at UT Austin could involve the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) for on-campus matters, or the Austin Police Department and Travis County Sheriff’s Office for off-campus events. Civil lawsuits would likely be filed in courts within Travis County. For Cass County families, understanding that Austin is the state capital, with a well-developed legal infrastructure, is important. A key aspect of litigation against UT Austin or its affiliated organizations would be leveraging the university’s own public record of hazing violations to establish patterns of misconduct and knowledge on the part of the institution.

5.3.5 What UT Students & Parents Should Do

• Utilize UT’s Public Resources: Regularly check the hazing.utexas.edu website to understand which organizations have prior hazing violations. This is a critical tool for making informed decisions and for building a legal case.
• Scrutinize “Spirit Groups” and Non-Greek Organizations: Hazing at UT is not confined to fraternities and sororities; prestigious spirit and tradition groups have also been found to haze.
• Document Everything on Campus: For UT students, the sheer size of campus means meticulous documentation is crucial. Note specific locations on or near campus where events occur.
• Understand Austin’s Legal Environment: Austin is a major metropolitan area. An attorney based in Central Texas or Houston with statewide reach can effectively handle cases in this jurisdiction.
• Prioritize Medical and Psychological Care: Austin has excellent medical facilities. Seek help for any physical or psychological trauma, and ensure these services are documented.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University, a private university in Dallas, has a distinct reputation for academic excellence and a robust, often affluent, Greek life. Students from Cass County and across Texas are drawn to SMU’s strong programs and its blend of tradition and modern collegiate experience.

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

SMU is known for its beautiful campus and a strong sense of community, often characterized by its vibrant social scene, with Greek life playing a central role. The student body is diverse, but the university is largely private, which influences how incidents are handled and reported. While SMU prides itself on its traditions, it, like many institutions, has wrestled with defining the line between tradition and dangerous hazing practices within its recognized organizations. Social activities often extend into the surrounding affluent neighborhoods of Dallas, including Highland Park.

5.4.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

SMU maintains clear anti-hazing policies that prohibit any acts that endanger the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of joining or maintaining membership in an organization. The university encourages reporting through its Dean of Students office, Student Affairs, and the SMU Police Department. SMU has also implemented anonymous reporting systems, such as “Real Response,” to encourage students to come forward without fear of retaliation. As a private institution, SMU’s public disclosures of specific hazing incidents and disciplinary actions may differ in format and detail from those of public universities, but their policies are equally strict.

5.4.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

While SMU’s public hazing log may not be as detailed or readily available as UT Austin’s due to its private status, notable incidents have been publicized:

• Kappa Alpha Order (KA) Incident (2017): This fraternity chapter was reportedly involved in hazing activities where new members were subjected to paddling, forced to consume excessive alcohol, and deprived of sleep. Following the investigation, the chapter was suspended by the university for a significant period and faced severe restrictions on recruiting until around 2021. This incident highlights the persistence of traditional physical and alcohol hazing, even within institutions with strong anti-hazing policies.
• Other Allegations: SMU has faced other allegations of hazing and misconduct within its Greek system over the years, leading to various degrees of chapter suspensions and probationary periods. The private nature of the university often means that certain details are not as widely disseminated to the public unless they result in legal action.

5.4.4 How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

For a hazing incident at SMU, law enforcement could involve the SMU Police Department for on-campus events, or the Dallas Police Department and Dallas County Sheriff’s Office for off-campus incidents in the greater Dallas area. Civil lawsuits would likely be filed in courts with jurisdiction over Dallas County. As a private university, SMU does not benefit from sovereign immunity, making it a more direct defendant in civil litigation compared to public Texas universities. For Cass County families, this means understanding the legal processes within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

5.4.5 What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

• Understand Private University Dynamics: While SMU has anti-hazing policies, the way they investigate and report may be less transparent than public institutions due to private ownership.
• Utilize Anonymous Reporting Systems: SMU’s “Real Response” system or other anonymous hotlines can be valuable tools for students who fear direct retaliation.
• Document All Communications: Keep records of any hazing incidents, as well as your interactions with SMU administrators. Assume that any official communication you have with school personnel will be recorded by the university.
• Contact a Hazing Lawyer Experienced with Private University Litigation: Our firm has experience with complex litigation across Texas, including cases against powerful private institutions. We can help navigate the specific discovery processes needed to uncover internal reports and communications that may not be publicly available.
• Seek Mental Health Support: SMU offers counseling services. Hazing can cause significant trauma, and seeking professional help is a crucial step towards recovery.

5.5 Baylor University

Baylor University, a private Baptist university in Waco, holds a unique position among Texas institutions. While known for its strong academic and spiritual programs, it has also faced intense scrutiny over past institutional failures, particularly concerning its handling of sexual assault cases. Students from Cass County and Northeast Texas attend Baylor for its distinct academic and faith-based community.

5.5.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor’s campus culture is deeply influenced by its Christian mission, which emphasizes community, moral conduct, and service. It has an active Greek life and numerous student organizations. However, the university’s recent history of high-profile scandals, particularly the sexual assault crisis in its football program, has highlighted significant institutional oversight and accountability challenges. This context means that any hazing incident at Baylor, whether in Greek life, athletic programs, or other student groups, tends to be viewed through the lens of its broader struggles with student safety and institutional compliance. Social life often occurs in and around Waco, a growing Central Texas city.

5.5.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

Baylor University has clear anti-hazing policies, reflecting its commitment to provide a safe environment aligned with its values. These policies explicitly forbid any initiation activities that involve harassment, abuse, or endangerment. They encourage reporting through various channels, including the Department of Student Activities, the Dean of Students, the Baylor Police Department, and an anonymous “Bias Response Team” hotline. Following its past crises, Baylor has endeavored to improve its reporting and response mechanisms, but persistent concerns about accountability remain.

5.2.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Despite its stated commitment to safety, Baylor has continued to experience hazing issues:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): Following an internal investigation into hazing allegations within the baseball program, 14 players were suspended. These suspensions were staggered over the early season to mitigate the team’s competitive disadvantage. This incident was particularly noteworthy given Baylor’s recent history of institutional failures related to student welfare and conduct. It put the hazing in context of Baylor’s broader challenges in ensuring student safety and enforcing policies consistently across all its programs.
• Ongoing Greek Life Concerns: While specific details are often managed internally due to Baylor’s private status, there have been recurring reports and disciplinary actions related to hazing within Baylor’s Greek life chapters, involving issues such as alcohol abuse, physical challenges, and demeaning rituals.

These incidents demonstrate that even with stringent policies, ensuring compliance across its many student groups, especially in high-profile sports, continues to be a challenge for Baylor.

5.2.4 How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed

For a hazing incident at Baylor University, law enforcement could involve the Baylor Police Department for on-campus events, or the Waco Police Department and McLennan County Sheriff’s Office for off-campus incidents. Civil lawsuits would likely be filed in courts with jurisdiction over McLennan County. As a private university, Baylor does not benefit from sovereign immunity, making it a direct potential defendant in civil litigation. For Cass County families, this means understanding the legal landscape of Central Texas and how Baylor’s past controversies may influence legal proceedings.

5.2.5 What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do

• Be Aware of Baylor’s History: Understand that any hazing claim at Baylor will likely be viewed in the context of the university’s prior struggles with institutional accountability and student welfare.
• Prioritize Ethical Considerations: Baylor’s faith-based mission might tempt students or families to seek “internal” resolution first. However, legal accountability might be necessary to ensure real change and compensation.
• Document Everything Rigorously: Given past issues, meticulous documentation of any hazing incidents, internal reports, and university responses is critical.
• Contact a Hazing Lawyer Experienced with Private University Litigation: Our firm has experience navigating complex cases against private institutions and can help you understand the full range of legal options available for addressing hazing at Baylor.
• Seek Counseling and Support: Baylor’s campus counseling services can be a resource, but also consider external, independent psychological support to address any trauma without concerns about university reporting mandates.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

For families in Cass County, understanding how local chapters at Texas universities connect to their national organizations is crucial. Many of the fraternities and sororities active at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor are part of vast national (and sometimes international) networks. These national organizations wield significant influence, and their own histories of hazing often provide a critical blueprint for understanding and litigating local incidents.

Why National Histories Matter

National fraternity and sorority headquarters exist, in part, to set standards, collect dues, provide resources, and manage risk for their local chapters. Because they have overseen thousands of chapters for decades, they are intimately familiar with common hazing tactics. Many national HQs have thick anti-hazing manuals and implement extensive risk management policies precisely because they have faced numerous hazing incidents, including deaths and catastrophic injuries, in the past.

This history means that national organizations often:

• Possess detailed knowledge of various hazing patterns: forced drinking nights, paddling traditions, psychologically abusive rituals, and other harmful tactics.
• Have received countless warnings, internal reports, and external complaints about hazing at their chapters across the country.

When a Texas chapter — whether at UH, A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor — repeats the same script that got another chapter shut down or led to a multi-million-dollar lawsuit in another state, that’s not an “isolated incident.” That can demonstrate foreseeability and support claims of negligence or gross negligence against the national entity. It shows they knew, or should have known, about the dangers and failed to adequately prevent them.

Organization Mapping (Synthesized)

Many of the fraternities and sororities listed below have a presence at one or more of the five Texas universities we’ve discussed. While rosters can change due to university sanctions or national suspensions, the patterns persist.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike): This fraternity is present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and Baylor. Nationally, Pike has been involved in multiple tragic hazing incidents. The death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University (2021) from forced alcohol consumption during a “Big/Little” night resulted in a $10 million settlement and multiple criminal convictions. Another case involved the death of David Bogenberger at Northern Illinois University (2012), also due to alcohol poisoning, leading to a $14 million settlement. These incidents demonstrate a concerning pattern of high-risk alcohol hazing and have directly influenced liability for the national organization.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE): SAE chapters are found at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and SMU. SAE has a well-documented national history of severe hazing, including multiple deaths and severe injuries related to alcohol abuse. Beyond the tragic fatalities, recent cases include a traumatic brain injury alleged by a pledge at the University of Alabama (2023), and specific Texas incidents. At Texas A&M (2021), two pledges alleged they suffered severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts after substances including industrial-strength cleaner were poured on them. At the University of Texas at Austin (2024), the chapter was embroiled in a lawsuit after an Australian exchange student alleged assault and severe injuries at an unofficial party. These cases reflect a pattern of both physical and chemically-induced hazing, indicating a persistent organizational challenge.

• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): Chapters are active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and Baylor. This fraternity gained national notoriety following the death of Maxwell “Max” Gruver at Louisiana State University (2017). Gruver died from alcohol toxicity during a “Bible study” drinking game, leading to the landmark Max Gruver Act (making felony hazing possible in Louisiana) and a $6.1 million verdict in a civil case against a member and insurer. This highlights the dangers of forced drinking games and has put the national organization on notice for such rituals.

• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): Chapters are represented at UH, Texas A&M, and UT. The national organization was implicated in the death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University (2017), who died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event where pledges were given handles of hard liquor. This case again demonstrates the dangerous role of forced alcohol consumption in hazing rituals and the often-deadly consequences.

• Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ): Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and SMU. The death of Timothy Piazza at Penn State University (2017) from traumatic brain injuries after extreme alcohol consumption and delayed medical care during a “bid acceptance” night brought Beta Theta Pi into the national spotlight for severe hazing. This case led to the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania and vast litigation, emphasizing the severe liability faced by the national organization and its members when medical attention is withheld.

• Kappa Alpha Order (KA): Chapters are present at Texas A&M and SMU. This fraternity has a history of hazing challenges nationally, including suspensions for various chapters across the country for physical hazing and alcohol-related misconduct. The SMU chapter (2017) itself was suspended due to allegations of paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation, reinforcing a pattern of such behaviors within the organization.

• Sigma Chi (ΣΧ): With chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, Baylor, and SMU. Sigma Chi has faced significant hazing allegations nationally, including a recent case at the College of Charleston (2024) where a family received more than $10 million in damages for physical beatings, forced drug/alcohol consumption, and psychological torment during hazing. This indicates juries are willing to award substantial damages against the national organization for severe hazing.

• Omega Psi Phi (ΩΨΦ): Chapters are prominent on NPHC rosters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, Baylor and SMU. While NPHC organizations often carry a rich tradition, some chapters have faced hazing allegations. A recent federal lawsuit at the University of Southern Mississippi (2023) alleged severe hazing, including repeated beatings with a wooden paddle during “Hell Night,” causing injuries requiring emergency surgery. This demonstrates that even professional fraternities can face serious hazing issues.

This list is not exhaustive, but it illustrates a critical point: the history of hazing is often deeply intertwined with the identities of these national organizations.

Tie Back to Legal Strategy

These patterns across states and campuses are not mere coincidences; they are crucial evidence within a legal strategy. They demonstrate that certain organizations had repeated warnings that their rituals and traditions were dangerous.

In civil lawsuits, particularly those brought by families in Cass County and across Texas, our legal team can argue that courts should consider whether national organizations:

• Meaningfully enforced their anti-hazing policies, or if these were merely “paper policies” designed to shield them from liability.
• Responded to prior incidents with sufficient aggression and systemic change, or if they allowed a culture of hazing to persist.
• Had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous nature of specific rituals, given how often they occurred across chapters.

This pattern evidence can significantly affect several aspects of a case:

• Settlement Leverage: A national organization with a long history of hazing fatalities is often more inclined to settle cases for substantial amounts to avoid prolonged litigation and further reputational damage.
• Insurance Coverage Disputes: Such patterns can influence how insurance companies evaluate claims, making it harder for them to argue that hazing was an “unforeseeable accident” or an “intentional act” outside of coverage, especially if the national organization was negligent in supervision.
• Potential for Punitive Damages: In some jurisdictions and under certain circumstances, a history of unaddressed hazing can support a claim for punitive damages, which are designed not just to compensate the victim but to punish the defendant for particularly egregious conduct and deter future harm.

Understanding these national histories is not about vilifying entire organizations, but about ensuring accountability and working to prevent future tragedies for students—including those from Cass County—who simply seek to join a community during their college years.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

When a hazing incident occurs, especially if it leads to serious injury or death, the immediate aftermath can be chaotic and overwhelming for families in Cass County. However, beneath the surface of confusion, a meticulous legal investigation can uncover the truth and build a powerful case for accountability. At Attorney911, we approach hazing cases with the same investigative rigor and strategic insight as we would a complex refinery accident or a multi-vehicle catastrophic crash.

Evidence

Modern hazing cases are often won or lost based on the evidence we can gather. This evidence comes from both traditional and cutting-edge sources:

• Digital Communications: In 2025, group messaging apps are the lifeblood of student organizations, and often, the smoking gun in hazing cases. This includes GroupMe, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, iMessage/SMS group texts, Discord servers, Slack workspaces, and any fraternity/sorority-specific apps. We meticulously collect and preserve these communications, which can show planning, intent, knowledge, and patterns of behavior among members. Even deleted messages can often be technically recovered by digital forensics experts. Our video, “Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs), offers practical advice on this vital task.

• Photos & Videos: Visual evidence is incredibly powerful. This includes:

  • Content filmed by members during events, often for internal bragging or archival purposes.
  • Footage shared in group chats or posted on social media (even if quickly deleted).
  • Security camera footage from fraternity/sorority houses, campus housing, or off-campus venues.
  • Ring/doorbell camera footage or other surveillance from nearby properties.

• Internal Organization Documents: These can reveal the official and unofficial rules of the game. We seek pledge manuals, initiation scripts, lists of “traditions,” records of meetings, and any written or digital communications from officers regarding new member activities. National policies and training materials are also crucial to compare against actual behavior.

• University Records: Colleges and universities often maintain extensive records that can be invaluable. This includes prior conduct files, probation/suspension records for the same organization, letters of warning, incident reports submitted to campus police or student conduct offices, and publicly available Clery Act reports or specific hazing disclosures (like UT Austin’s public log). These records can prove a pattern of misconduct and the university’s knowledge of the risks.

• Medical and Psychological Records: These are essential for demonstrating the scope of the victim’s harm. We obtain emergency room reports, hospital admission records, surgical notes, rehabilitation therapy (physical, occupational, speech), and medications. Toxicology reports are critical in alcohol or drug-related hazing. Perhaps most importantly, psychological evaluations, therapy notes, and diagnoses (e.g., PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, suicidal ideation) are fundamental for documenting the severe emotional and mental toll of hazing.

• Witness Testimony: The accounts of individuals who saw or participated in the hazing are often the most direct evidence. This includes other pledges, current or former members, roommates, Resident Advisors (RAs), coaches, trainers, and other bystanders. Former members who have de-pledged or been expelled may provide crucial insights.

Damages

In hazing cases, victims and their families can claim various forms of damages, designed to compensate them for their losses and suffering. While no amount of money can truly undo the harm, it can provide necessary resources for recovery and accountability. Our video, “What Is Fair Compensation for Pain and Suffering?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG07vbB4cdU), delves into non-economic damages.

• Medical Bills & Future Care: This includes all past medical expenses (ER visits, ambulance transport, hospital stays, surgeries, medications) as well as the projected costs of future care. For catastrophic injuries like brain damage or organ failure, this can involve lifelong physical therapy, ongoing psychiatric care, personal assistance, and specialized equipment.
• Lost Earnings / Educational Impact: Hazing can disrupt a student’s academic career, leading to missed semesters, delayed graduation, or even the inability to complete their degree. This can result in lost income, reduced earning capacity over a lifetime, and for parents, lost wages if they must take time off work to care for an injured child.
• Non-Economic Damages: These are challenging to quantify but critically important. They cover physical pain and suffering, intense emotional distress, humiliation, trauma, and the profound loss of enjoyment of life. This can include diagnosed conditions like PTSD, severe anxiety, and depression, as well as the less tangible, but equally devastating, damage to self-esteem and trust.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for Families): In cases where hazing results in a fatality, surviving family members (parents, children, and sometimes siblings) can claim damages for funeral and burial costs, the loss of financial support the deceased would have provided, and the devastating loss of companionship, love, guidance, and society. This also includes the emotional pain and suffering of the surviving family.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing litigation often involves powerful institutional defendants – national fraternities, sororities, and universities – which typically carry substantial insurance policies. However, obtaining settlement or judgments from these insurers is rarely straightforward:

• Insurance Company Tactics: Insurers frequently attempt to argue that hazing constitutes “intentional conduct” or “criminal acts,” which are often excluded from policy coverage. They may deny coverage or refuse to defend the local chapter or individual members.
• Experienced Hazing Lawyers Fight Back: At Attorney911, our team, including attorney Lupe Peña with her background as a former insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/), understands these tactics. We meticulously identify all potential sources of insurance coverage, scrutinize policy language, and compel insurers to honor their obligations. We often argue that even if the hazing itself involved intentional acts, the deeper negligence of the national organization or university (e.g., failure to supervise, educate, or enforce policies) is a covered event. This strategic approach ensures that victims and their families have the financial resources for recovery.

Overall Strategy

Building a hazing case requires a comprehensive approach. It’s about meticulously collecting evidence, understanding the complex interplay of state and federal laws, effectively countering sophisticated defense strategies, and aggressively pursuing all potentially liable parties. It’s a fight for compensation, but more importantly, it’s a fight for accountability and to prevent other families in Cass County and across Texas from enduring similar tragedies.

Practical Guides & FAQs

When hazing impacts a family, immediate, clear guidance is essential. Whether you are a parent in Cass County worried about your child, a student experiencing hazing, or a former member with vital information, understanding your options and rights is the first step toward safety and accountability.

8.1 For Parents: Protecting Your Child from Hazing

As a parent, your instincts are to protect your child. Hazing can make you feel powerless, but there are concrete steps you can take.

• Warning Signs of Hazing to Watch For:

  • Unexplained Injuries: Bruises, burns, cuts, or sprains that don’t have a credible explanation. Look for injuries to the hands, back, or legs, possibly from paddling or forced exercises.
  • Extreme Fatigue/Sleep Deprivation: Your child is constantly exhausted, getting calls or texts at all hours, or seems to be pulled away for late-night “mandatory” events.
  • Drastic Mood or Personality Changes: Increased anxiety, depression, irritability, sudden withdrawal from family or old friends, or uncharacteristic secrecy about campus activities.
  • Sudden Weight Changes: Significant weight loss or gain due to food/water restriction or stress.
  • Constant Secrecy: Phrases like “I can’t talk about it,” “It’s a secret,” or extreme defensiveness when asked about chapter activities.
  • Obsessive Phone Use: Constant monitoring of group chats, anxiety when their phone buzzes, or rapid deletion of messages.
  • Academic Decline: Grades dropping suddenly, missed classes, or inability to focus due to lack of sleep or stress.

• How to Talk to Your Child:

  • Approach them with empathy, not accusation. State your observations: “You seem tired/stressed/distant.”
  • Reassure them that their safety and well-being are your top priority, not “getting in trouble.”
  • Ask open-ended questions: “How are things really going with XYZ organization? Have things been fun? Is there anything you wish you didn’t have to do?”
  • Emphasize that nothing they’ve done will change your love or support for them.

• If Your Child is Hurt or Opens Up:

  • Prioritize Medical Care: Get them immediate medical attention for any physical injury or signs of distress. Insist they be honest with medical professionals about how the injuries occurred.
  • Document Everything: Write down what your child tells you immediately, including names, dates, times, and exact locations. Take photos of any injuries, even minor ones.
  • Preserve Digital Evidence: If your child shows you any group chats, texts, or social media posts, screenshot them immediately. Do not allow anything to be deleted.
  • Save Physical Evidence: Any clothing, receipts for forced purchases, or objects used in hazing should be saved and not returned.

• Dealing with the University:

  • Document every phone call, email, or meeting with university administrators. Keep copies of all correspondence.
  • Ask specific questions about the university’s prior knowledge of hazing within the organization and what actions were taken.
  • Be wary of pressure to “resolve” things internally if serious harm has occurred.

• When to Talk to a Lawyer:

  • If your child has suffered significant physical injuries or severe psychological trauma.
  • If you feel the university or organization is minimizing the incident, stonewalling, or failing to conduct a thorough investigation.
  • If you are being asked to sign any documents related to the incident.
  • When in doubt, consult a lawyer immediately. Early intervention can preserve critical evidence and protect your child’s rights.

8.2 For Students / Pledges: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

You might be feeling immense pressure to conform, to “tough it out,” or to keep secrets. Recognizing hazing and knowing your rights are vital to your safety.

• Is This Hazing or Just Tradition? Ask Yourself These Questions:

  • Am I being forced or pressured (implicitly or explicitly) to do something I don’t want to do?
  • Would I do this if I had a real choice, free from the fear of social consequences or being “cut” from the group?
  • Does this activity endanger my mental or physical health, humiliate me, or exploit me?
  • Would the university or my parents approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
  • Are older members making new members do things that they themselves don’t have to do?
  • Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this from outsiders?
  • If you answered YES to any of these questions, it is likely hazing. Your “consent” under pressure is often not considered true consent in the eyes of the law.

• Exiting and Reporting Safely:

  • If in Immediate Danger: Your safety is paramount. Call 911 or campus police immediately. Get to a safe location (dorm, trusted friend’s place, public area). In Texas, you will not get in trouble for calling for help in a medical emergency, even if you were underage drinking.
  • If You Want to Quit/De-Pledge: You have the legal right to leave at any time. Inform someone outside the organization first (parent, trusted friend, RA), then send an email or text to the chapter president/new member educator stating your resignation. Do not go to “one last meeting” where you might be pressured or intimidated.
  • Protecting Against Retaliation: Document any threats or harassment (screenshots, recordings if legal in Texas, witnesses). Report threats to the Dean of Students and campus police. In Texas, harassment and stalking are crimes, and you can seek protective orders.

• Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty: Many universities and Texas hazing laws provide protections for students who report hazing or call for help in an emergency, offering immunity from disciplinary action for certain policy violations (like underage drinking). Use these protections to prioritize safety.

8.3 For Former Members / Witnesses: A Path to Accountability

If you were once part of a hazing incident, witnessed it, or even participated, you might be carrying a heavy burden of guilt or fear of consequences.

• Your Role in Preventing Future Harm: Your testimony and evidence can be incredibly powerful in holding responsible parties accountable and preventing future tragedies. You may hold the key to uncovering the truth.
• Seek Legal Counsel: It’s understandable to be concerned about your own legal exposure. An attorney can advise you on your rights, negotiate potential immunity agreements, and help you navigate the process of coming forward as a witness or even a co-defendant without jeopardizing your future. Cooperating with authorities or a civil lawsuit can be an important step towards correcting past wrongs and achieving closure.

8.4 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

For Cass County families seeking justice for hazing, avoiding common pitfalls is as important as taking action. These mistakes, fueled by fear, misinformation, or a desire for quick resolution, can fatally undermine a legal claim.

MISTAKES THAT CAN RUIN YOUR HAZING CASE:

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages or “Clean Up” Evidence:

   • What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble, so let’s delete the embarrassing stuff.”
   • Why it’s wrong: This can be seen as obstruction of justice or tampering with evidence, weakening your case immensely. Digital evidence, even seemingly minor group chats, often provides the clearest picture of what happened.
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing or ambiguous content. Learn how to do this effectively with our video on “Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs).

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly:

   • What parents think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind for what they did to my child.”
   • Why it’s wrong: A direct confrontation will instantly put the organization on high alert. They will immediately lawyer up, instruct members to “clean up” evidence, and coach witnesses on what to say.
   • What to do instead: Document everything in private, then call an experienced hazing attorney before any direct confrontation. Let your legal team manage all communications.

3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms Without Legal Review:

   • What universities do: They may pressure families to sign waivers or agree to an “internal resolution” that promises quick closure.
   • Why it’s wrong: Such forms often include clauses that waive your child’s right to pursue legal action. Any settlement offered is likely a fraction of what a full claim is worth.
   • What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything from the university or organization without an attorney reviewing it first.

4. Posting Details on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer:

   • What families think: “I want the world to know what happened to my child.”
   • Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys for the university or fraternity will screenshot every post. Any inconsistencies between social media posts and later legal statements can be used to destroy credibility. Public posts can also inadvertently waive privacy rights.
   • What to do instead: Document privately and confidentially. Let your legal team control public messaging strategically.

5. Letting Your Child Go Back for “One Last Meeting” with the Organization:

   • What organizations say: “Just come talk to us before you do something drastic. We want to hear your side.”
   • Why it’s wrong: This is a tactic to pressure the student, intimidate them, or extract statements that can be used against them in a lawsuit.
   • What to do instead: Once you are considering legal action, all communications with the organization should typically go through your attorney.

6. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”:

   • What universities promise: “We’re investigating this thoroughly. Let us handle this internally.”
   • Why it’s wrong: While university investigations are important, they are often designed to protect the institution. Evidence disappears rapidly, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations can run out.
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW. Immediately consult a qualified hazing attorney. The university’s internal process is simply not a substitute for real legal accountability.

7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer:

   • What adjusters say: “We just need your statement to process the claim quickly.”
   • Why it’s wrong: Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Recorded statements are typically used against you to minimize payouts, and early settlement offers are almost always significantly undervalued.
   • What to do instead: Politely decline to provide a statement and inform them that your attorney will contact them.

Our video, “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY), further emphasizes these critical warnings. For Cass County families, being informed and acting strategically are your best defenses against those who would minimize harm.

8.5 Short FAQ

Here are quick answers to some common questions Cass County families have about hazing:

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (like UH, Texas A&M, UT) benefit from some sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations where applicable, and when suing individuals (deans, administrators) in their personal capacity. Private universities (like SMU, Baylor) generally have fewer immunity protections. Every case is unique, so contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis.

• “Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
  Yes, it can be. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default. However, it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals (like officers of an organization) can also face misdemeanor charges for failing to report hazing they knew about.

• “Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the hazing initiation?”
  Yes, definitively. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to prosecution for hazing. Courts and juries understand that “agreement” under intense peer pressure, within a power imbalance, or fear of exclusion is rarely true voluntary consent.

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit in Texas?”
  The general statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases in Texas is two years from the date of the injury or death. However, the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause was not immediately apparent. In cases involving cover-ups or fraud, the statute may be “tolled” (paused). Time is absolutely critical—evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations may destroy records. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately if you suspect hazing has occurred. Our video, “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c), provides more detail.

• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  The location of the hazing does not eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities/sororities can still be held liable based on their sponsorship, control, knowledge of the organization’s activities, and the foreseeability of hazing. Many major hazing cases resulting in multi-million-dollar judgments (like Pi Delta Psi’s retreat hazing death or the Sigma Pi unofficial house death) occurred off-campus.

• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  The vast majority of hazing lawsuits settle confidentially before ever going to trial. Our legal team prioritizes your family’s privacy and can work to ensure court records are sealed and settlement terms remain confidential. While we cannot guarantee complete anonymity, we aggressively pursue confidentiality while still securing accountability.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

When your family faces the devastating impact of hazing at a Texas university, you need more than just a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who intimately understand how powerful institutions — from national Greek organizations to universities themselves — fight back, and how to successfully navigate those complex battles for accountability.

At Attorney911, The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, we are more than just legal advocates; we are Legal Emergency Lawyers™. From our primary Houston office, with additional offices in Austin and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Cass County and surrounding communities like Linden, Atlanta, Hughes Springs, and Queen City. We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families in Northeast Texas just as profoundly as those closer to the major campuses.

Our firm brings unique and unmatched qualifications to hazing cases:

• The Insurance Insider Advantage: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/), previously worked as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. She knows precisely how fraternity and university insurance companies operate, how they value (and often undervalue) hazing claims, and understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. We know their playbook because we used to run it, giving us a powerful edge in every negotiation and litigation.

• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions: Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/), has extensive federal court experience and was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the historic BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation. This deep experience in taking on billion-dollar corporations and their formidable legal teams means we are not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their well-resourced defense counsel. We’ve taken on massive defendants and won; we know how to fight powerful institutions for our clients.

• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: We don’t settle cheap. Our firm has a proven track record of securing multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. This includes working with economists to value loss of life and collaborating with medical experts to project lifetime care needs for victims of severe brain injuries or other permanent disabilities. We build cases that force genuine accountability and secure maximum compensation.

• Criminal and Civil Hazing Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) provides us with a unique understanding of how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. This dual expertise is crucial for cases where hazing leads to criminal investigations, allowing us to advise not only victims but also potentially witnesses or former members who may have dual civil and criminal exposure.

• Investigative Depth: We believe in thoroughness. Our firm works with a network of experts, including digital forensics specialists, medical professionals, economists, and psychologists, to piece together every detail. We know how to obtain hidden evidence, from deleted group chats and social media records to subpoenaing national fraternity internal incident reports and uncovering university files through discovery and public records requests. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

At Attorney911, we know that hazing litigation is fundamentally different from other personal injury cases. It requires an intimate understanding of how fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, and athletic departments actually operate behind closed doors. It demands balancing victim privacy with the powerful need for public accountability, and a nuanced appreciation of Greek culture, tradition, and how to legally prove coercion.

We approach every family with empathy and a profound commitment to victim advocacy. We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face, and our job is to get you answers, hold the right people accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family. We aren’t about bravado or quick settlements; we are about thorough investigation and real justice.

Call Attorney911 for a Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation.

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether it’s UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor—we want to hear from you. Families in Cass County and throughout Northeast Texas have the right to answers, accountability, and justice.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward for your family.

What to expect in your free consultation:

• We will listen to your story thoughtfully and without judgment.
• We will review any evidence you’ve already gathered (photos, texts, medical records).
• We will explain your legal options clearly: whether a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, both, or neither, is the best course of action.
• We will discuss realistic timelines for your case and what you can expect during the legal process.
• We will answer all your questions about our contingency fee structure—meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc).
• There will be no pressure to hire us on the spot. You can take the time you need to decide.
• Everything you tell us is strictly confidential.

Whether you’re in Cass County, Houston, or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone.

Call us today.

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

Hablamos Español: Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for a consultation in Spanish. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

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