Understanding Hazing in Texas: A Guide for Hays County Families

A phone buzzes late at night, pulling a college student from Central Texas out of a deep sleep. It’s an anonymous group chat, instructing them to meet at a secluded off-campus house near a university where many Hays County families send their children. There, under the dark sky of a Texas evening, they’re coerced into an alcohol-fueled “initiation” ritual. They’re pressured to drink far beyond safe limits, to endure physical abuse, or to perform degrading acts while others film on their phones, chanting and laughing. As the night wears on, someone gets hurt – perhaps a fall, violent vomiting, or a sudden collapse. But no one wants to call 911. The fear of “getting the chapter shut down” or “getting in trouble” hangs heavy in the air, trapping the student between a misguided loyalty to the group and their own safety.

This isn’t a hypothetical scenario. It’s a pattern that plays out repeatedly across Texas universities, impacting students and their worried families. For parents and students in Hays County, from the vibrant communities of San Marcos and Kyle to the serene landscapes of Dripping Springs and Wimberley, the threat of hazing at college often feels distant until it lands too close to home. Whether your child attends a school in our immediate Central Texas region, further south in Houston, up north in Dallas, or out in College Station, the emotional and financial toll of hazing can be devastating.

This comprehensive guide to hazing and the law in Texas is specifically written for families in Hays County and across our great state. We aim to shed light on:

• What hazing truly looks like in 2025, moving beyond outdated stereotypes.
• The precise legal framework for hazing in Texas, covering both criminal and civil implications.
• Critical insights gleaned from major national hazing cases and how they directly apply to Texas families.
• Documented hazing patterns and responses 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 available to victims and their families in Hays County and throughout Texas to pursue justice and accountability.

This article provides general information, not specific legal advice. The Manginello Law Firm evaluates each case individually based on its own unique facts. We stand ready to serve Hays County families and those across Texas who have been impacted by hazing, fighting for their rights and for a safer campus environment for all students.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

  • Call 911 for medical emergencies, without hesitation.
  • 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:

  • Prioritize getting medical attention for your child immediately, even if they insist they are “fine.” Their health and safety are paramount.
  • Preserve evidence BEFORE it can be deleted or destroyed:
    • Screenshot group chats, texts, and DMs immediately. Time is of the essence as messages can disappear or be altered.
    • Photograph any injuries from multiple angles, ensuring timestamps are visible.
    • Save any physical items that might be evidence, such as damaged clothing, receipts for forced purchases, or objects used in hazing.
  • Write down everything while your memory is fresh: who was involved, what happened, when and where it occurred.
  • Do NOT:
    • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or organization directly.
    • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company without legal review.
    • Post any details about the incident on public social media.
    • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” any potential evidence.

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

  • Crucial evidence disappears fast due to deleted group chats, destroyed physical evidence, and coached witnesses.
  • Universities often move quickly to control the narrative and perform internal investigations.
  • Our firm can help you preserve critical evidence and protect your child’s rights from the very first moments after an incident.
  • Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For families in Hays County, understanding hazing today requires looking beyond the outdated notions of harmless pranks or innocent traditions. Modern hazing is far more insidious, encompassing a wide range of forced, coerced, or strongly pressured actions designed to initiate, affiliate, or maintain membership in a group. These acts invariably endanger physical or mental health, humiliate, or exploit new members under the guise of “bonding” or “earning your place.”

It is crucial to understand that a student’s statement of “I agreed to it” does not automatically legitimize the activity or make it safe or legal. In environments marked by intense peer pressure, a pronounced power imbalance, and a deep desire for acceptance, genuine consent is often impossible. The law, and our firm, recognize that agreement under duress is not true consent.

Main Categories of Hazing

The landscape of hazing has evolved, but its core elements remain focused on control, degradation, and risk. We categorize it into distinct, yet often overlapping, forms:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains one of the most dangerous forms. It includes forced or coerced drinking of alcoholic beverages, often to dangerous levels, through activities like “chugging challenges,” “lineups,” or drinking games designed for rapid consumption. It also involves pressure to consume unknown or mixed substances, including illicit drugs, putting students at severe risk of overdose, poisoning, and long-term health consequences.
• Physical Hazing: This category involves direct bodily harm or extreme physical duress. Examples include paddling and beatings; extreme calisthenics, often called “workouts” or “smokings,” pushed far beyond normal conditioning; severe sleep deprivation; food and water deprivation; and exposure to extreme environmental conditions like freezing temperatures or scorching heat, or dangerous physical environments, all of which can lead to injury, illness, or death.
• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This deeply degrading form of hazing involves forced nudity or partial nudity; simulated sexual acts, sometimes given crude names like “roasted pig” positions; wearing degrading costumes; and acts designed to exploit based on racial, sexist, or other discriminatory overtones, often through the use of slurs or forced role-playing of stereotypes. Such acts can inflict severe psychological trauma.
• Psychological Hazing: This often-underestimated form focuses on mental and emotional abuse. It includes persistent verbal abuse, threats, forced social isolation, constant intimidation, and psychological manipulation. Pledges may be forced into public shaming events, either in person or facilitated through social media, or compelled to divulge deeply personal or embarrassing confessions. The goal is to break down independence and foster absolute obedience.
• Digital/Online Hazing: A newer but increasingly prevalent form, digital hazing leverages technology to extend the reach and impact of abuse. This includes group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation orchestrated via platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Discord. Students may be pressured to create or share compromising images or videos, or to respond instantly to commands via messaging apps at all hours, contributing to severe sleep deprivation and constant anxiety. Geo-tracking through apps like Find My Friends can also be used for surveillance and control.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

It’s a common misconception that hazing is exclusively a “frat boy” problem. The reality is far broader, and for families across Hays County, it’s vital to recognize that hazing can infiltrate any student group, including:

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes traditional Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Association (PA) chapters, as well as National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and multicultural Greek organizations.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: These groups, especially prominent at institutions like Texas A&M, often have deeply rooted traditions that can sometimes cross the line into hazing in the pursuit of “discipline” and “unit cohesion.”
• University-Affiliated Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs: Groups like the Texas Cowboys (now defunct) or others at various universities, meant to uphold school spirit, can develop initiation rituals that become abusive.
• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to swimming, baseball, and cheerleading squads, hazing can occur across collegiate sports programs, often disguised as “team building” or “toughening up.”
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly innocuous groups can have problematic initiation rites, where camaraderie becomes twisted into harmful practices.
• Other Student Organizations: Even service, cultural, and academic organizations can, in some instances, develop power dynamics and initiation rituals that escalate into hazing.

The persistence of hazing, despite widespread condemnation and legal prohibitions, stems from a complex interplay of social status, ingrained traditions, and a pervasive culture of secrecy. New members are often told that “everyone went through it,” or that revealing what happens will “get the chapter shut down” or bring negative attention to the group. This pressure, combined with the strong desire for belonging inherent in the college experience, allows dangerous practices to continue unchecked, often out of sight and away from proper oversight.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

For Hays County families seeking justice after a hazing incident, understanding the intricate legal landscape in Texas is paramount. Both criminal charges and civil lawsuits can arise from hazing, aiming for different outcomes but often running concurrently.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Texas has specific, robust anti-hazing provisions outlined in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. In plain terms, this law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, committed on or off-campus, by one person or a group, directed against a student that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student (e.g., beating, forced exercise, forced consumption of alcohol/drugs, extreme humiliation, intimidation), AND
• Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Crucially, under Texas law, the assertion of “I agreed to it” does not automatically render the act safe or legal. This is because the law recognizes that under peer pressure and significant power imbalance, genuine consent is often absent.

Texas hazing law also outlines potential criminal penalties:

• Class B Misdemeanor: This is the default classification for hazing that does not result in serious injury, carrying potential fines and jail time.
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing escalates to this level if it causes injuries requiring medical attention.
• State Jail Felony: Critically, if hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a state jail felony, carrying much more severe penalties and prison time.

Additionally, individuals who are members or officers with knowledge of hazing have a duty to report it. Failing to report hazing is itself a misdemeanor. The law further protects those who report; individuals who in good faith report a hazing incident to university authorities or law enforcement are immune from civil or criminal liability that might result from their report. This provision aims to encourage reporting without fear of reprisal.

This summary offers a foundational understanding; the actual Texas Education Code (specifically §§ 37.151–37.156) contains more technical and specific language.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

These two types of legal actions related to hazing serve distinct purposes:

• Criminal Cases: These are initiated and pursued by the state (through a prosecutor) against individuals who have violated criminal hazing laws. The primary aim of a criminal case is to punish the individual for their unlawful acts. Potential penalties include incarceration, probation, and significant fines. Hazing-related criminal charges can range from misdemeanors for simple hazing or failure to report, to more severe charges like assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, and even manslaughter or negligent homicide in cases involving serious injury or death.
• Civil Cases: These are brought by victims or their surviving family members against those responsible for the hazing incident. The central aim of a civil lawsuit is to seek monetary compensation for the damages suffered and to hold negligent parties accountable. Civil claims often focus on legal theories such as:
  • Negligence and Gross Negligence: For failing to uphold a duty of care, or displaying a conscious indifference to the welfare of others.
  • Wrongful Death: When hazing leads to a fatality.
  • Negligent Hiring/Supervision: Against institutions or organizations that failed to properly supervise members or employees.
  • Premises Liability: Against property owners where hazing occurred.
  • Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For severe psychological harm.

It is crucial for Hays County families to understand that criminal cases and civil lawsuits can run side-by-side. Furthermore, a criminal conviction is not a prerequisite for pursuing a successful civil case. The standards of proof differ, and one does not depend on the other.

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

Beyond state law, federal provisions also impact how hazing is addressed on college campuses, particularly for institutions receiving federal funding:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This significant piece of federal legislation requires colleges and universities across the nation, including many in Texas, to enhance transparency around hazing incidents. Institutions must publicly report hazing violations and related disciplinary actions and strengthen their hazing education and prevention efforts. This law is being phased in and will mandate more comprehensive data collection and reporting by around 2026. This means more information will become available to Hays County families seeking to evaluate potential risks at specific institutions.
• Title IX and Clery Act: When hazing involves elements of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or gender-based violence (such as forced sexual acts or gender-based humiliation), Title IX obligations are triggered. This federal law prohibits sex-based discrimination in education and requires institutions to promptly and equitably address such issues. Similarly, the Clery Act mandates that colleges and universities receiving federal funding disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Hazing incidents, particularly those involving assaults, alcohol or drug offenses, or even sexual misconduct, often fall under Clery reporting requirements, further emphasizing institutional accountability.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

For Hays County families pursuing civil action, identifying all potentially liable parties is a critical step. Hazing cases often involve multiple defendants, reflecting the complex web of individuals and entities that may contribute to or enable the harmful conduct:

• Individual Students: These are the members directly involved in planning, carrying out, or facilitating the hazing acts, supplying prohibited substances, or actively participating in cover-ups.
• Local Chapter / Organization: The specific fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself can be held liable as a separate legal entity. This includes individuals acting in formal leadership roles, such as officers or “pledge educators,” who may be particularly culpable.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: The national headquarters of Greek letter organizations are frequently named in hazing lawsuits. Their liability often hinges on what they knew, or should have known, about hazing practices within their chapters, particularly given their role in setting policies, collecting dues, and overseeing local chapters. If a national organization has a history of similar hazing incidents across multiple chapters, it strengthens claims of foreseeability and negligence.
• University or Governing Board: Colleges and universities themselves can be held liable under various theories, including negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, or, in some cases, for violations of federal laws like Title IX. The extent of their liability often depends on their awareness of the hazing, the effectiveness of their anti-hazing policies, and their response to prior incidents. Public universities (like UH, Texas A&M, and UT) in Texas benefit from some degree of sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence or willful misconduct, and they can be sued for Title IX violations. Private universities (like SMU and Baylor) generally have fewer immunity protections.
• Third Parties: Other entities can also be found liable. This might include landlords or property owners of off-campus houses or event spaces where hazing occurred, or even bars, restaurants, or liquor stores (under “dram shop” laws) that illegally served alcohol to minors or visibly intoxicated individuals involved in hazing.

Every hazing case is fact-specific, and not every party listed above will be liable in every situation. A thorough investigation, like the one our firm conducts, is necessary to identify all responsible parties and build a robust case.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

Hazing tragedies echo across the nation, creating a chilling pattern that informs how we approach these cases for Hays County families. These anchor stories highlight the stakes, expose recurring institutional failures, and demonstrate that justice, though hard-won, is possible. These are not isolated incidents; they are critical precedents that shape the legal landscape in Texas and beyond.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

The most common and devastating hazing pattern involves forced or coerced alcohol consumption, which frequently leads to alcohol poisoning and death.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): In one of the most publicized hazing cases in recent history, 19-year-old Timothy Piazza died after a “bid acceptance” event involving excessive drinking. After suffering multiple falls, captured on the fraternity’s own security cameras, members delayed calling 911 for nearly 12 hours. The subsequent legal fallout included dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, significant civil litigation, and the enactment of the new Pennsylvania anti-hazing law, the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. This case underscored how extreme intoxication, a deliberate delay in seeking medical help, and a pervasive culture of silence and cover-up can be legally devastating for both individuals and the institution.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old FSU pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” in which new members were given handles of hard liquor. The incident led to criminal hazing charges against multiple fraternity members. Florida State University, in response, temporarily suspended all Greek life and implemented a comprehensive overhaul of its policies. This tragedy demonstrated how formulaic “tradition” drinking nights are a repeating script for disaster in campuses across the country, tragically impacting students like those from Hays County attending universities throughout Texas.
• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max Gruver, an 18-year-old LSU pledge, died after participating in a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers to trivia questions resulted in forced drinking. He was found the next morning with a blood alcohol content of 0.495%. Max’s death spurred multiple criminal prosecutions, including a conviction for negligent homicide. More importantly, it led to the enactment of a felony hazing law in Louisiana, the Max Gruver Act. This case stands as a powerful example of how public outcry and irrefutable proof of reckless hazing can drive significant legislative change, setting a critical legal precedent for cases in other states, including Texas.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Another tragic death linked to a “Big/Little” pledge night, Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old Bowling Green State University pledge, was forced to consume an entire bottle of whiskey, dying from alcohol poisoning. This incident resulted in multiple criminal convictions against fraternity members. Civically, Stone’s family reached a $10 million settlement in 2023, with Pi Kappa Alpha national contributing $7 million and Bowling Green State University, a public institution, agreeing to nearly $3 million. This case emphasized that universities, even public ones, can face profound financial and reputational consequences, alongside national fraternities and their local chapters, when hazing claims a life. It sets a clear marker for the potential financial liability institutions face.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Beyond alcohol, physically brutal and ritualized hazing continues to claim lives and inflict severe injuries.

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng, a 19-year-old pledge of Pi Delta Psi, died during a fraternity retreat in the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. He was subjected to a violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual, during which he was repeatedly tackled while carrying a backpack full of sand. After sustaining a fatal traumatic brain injury, fraternity members delayed calling for help for several hours. This led to multiple members being criminally convicted, and, significantly, the national fraternity itself was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, and subsequent banned from operating in Pennsylvania for 10 years. This landmark case solidified that off-campus “retreats” are not safe havens for hazing and that national organizations are liable for the actions of their chapters, wherever they occur.
• Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): While not fatal, the case of Danny Santulli illustrates the catastrophic long-term consequences of severe physical and alcohol hazing. During a “pledge dad reveal” night, 18-year-old Danny was forced to consume excessive alcohol, resulting in severe and permanent brain damage. He can no longer walk, talk, or see, requiring 24/7 care. His family settled lawsuits with 22 defendants, including the national fraternity, for multi-million-dollar amounts, holding numerous individuals and the organization accountable. This case vividly demonstrates the real, enduring impact of hazing far beyond the immediate incident.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is not confined to Greek life; it is a pervasive problem that can deeply embed itself in athletic programs.

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): This ongoing scandal brought widespread attention to hazing outside of fraternities. Former football players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the program over multiple years, including forced naked “dry-humping” and other deeply degrading acts. The fallout included multiple lawsuits against Northwestern University and its coaching staff, the firing of long-time head coach Pat Fitzgerald, and his subsequent confidential settlement with the university regarding a wrongful-termination suit. This case revealed that even high-profile, revenue-generating athletic programs can harbor systemic abuse, raising critical questions about institutional oversight that resonate for Hays County families whose children participate in competitive sports programs at Texas universities.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

These national tragedies and legal battles share common threads that should resonate deeply with Hays County families: a pattern of forced drinking, often to lethal levels; psychological and physical humiliation; deliberate delays or outright denials of medical care; and systematic cover-ups designed to protect the organization rather than the victim. Justice, when it comes, is often achieved only after immense suffering, tireless advocacy, and extensive litigation.

The legislative and institutional reforms that have followed these cases—such as new state anti-hazing laws, significant financial settlements, and permanent university bans—demonstrate a hardening resolve against hazing. For Hays County families facing hazing allegations or incidents at the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, or Baylor University, these national lessons provide a critical framework. They show that you are not alone, that there are legal precedents to draw upon, and that with the right legal counsel, accountability can be achieved.

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

For Hays County families, understanding the unique cultures, policies, and incident histories of Texas’s major universities is crucial. Many students from our Central Texas communities find their way to these institutions, making their hazing records particularly relevant. Our firm has deep expertise across the state, prepared to support families from Hays County wherever their children attend college in Texas.

5.1 University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston, a vibrant urban campus south of Hays County, is a large and diverse institution with a significant mix of commuter and residential students. Its active Greek life, spanning multiple fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural), alongside numerous other student organizations like cultural groups and sports clubs, creates a complex environment where hazing risks can emerge. For Hays County families whose students venture to Houston for their education, understanding the specific dynamics here is key.

5.1.1 Campus & culture snapshot

UH is a rapidly growing Tier One research university, fostering a dynamic and diverse student body. Its Greek system, while smaller than some other flagship Texas universities, is intensely social and plays a notable role in student life. The sheer size and urban setting mean incidents can sometimes be harder to track or may fall under the radar compared to smaller, more contained campuses.

5.1.2 Official hazing policy & reporting channels

UH’s hazing policy, like most Texas universities, explicitly prohibits hazing both on- and off-campus. The policy outlines banned activities including forced consumption of alcohol/food/drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and acts causing mental distress. UH provides official reporting channels through the Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). While UH maintains a hazing statement on its website, comprehensive public lists of violations are not as extensively detailed as some other institutions.

5.1.3 Example incident & response

A notable incident involved the UH chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) in 2016. Pledges allegedly endured severe abuse, including being deprived of adequate food, water, and sleep during a multi-day event. One student reportedly suffered a lacerated spleen after being violently slammed onto a table or similar surface. This incident led to misdemeanor hazing charges against individual members and the chapter faced university suspension. Other disciplinary actions have involved various fraternities being cited for behavior “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” alongside alcohol misuse and policy violations, resulting in university-imposed suspensions or periods of probation. These cases highlight UH’s willingness to discipline chapters, but also point to the ongoing challenge of curbing hazing behavior.

5.1.4 How a UH hazing case might proceed

Given UH’s location, any hazing case involving the university may bring in UHPD and / or the Houston Police Department, depending on where the incident occurred. Civil lawsuits against fraternities, individuals, or the university would typically be filed in courts with jurisdiction over Houston and Harris County. This means navigating the larger and often more complex legal system of a major metropolitan area. Potential defendants could include the individual students involved, the local chapter, the national fraternity or sorority, and potentially the University of Houston and property owners of off-campus venues. Our firm, based in Houston, regularly navigates the Harris County court system for complex personal injury and institutional liability cases.

5.1.5 What UH students & parents should do

For Hays County families with students at the University of Houston, immediate and informed action is critical:

• Utilize UH’s official channels for reporting hazing, which include the Dean of Students, the Office of Student Conduct, or UHPD. Anonymous online reporting forms are also typically available.
• Document any prior complaints or known past incidents involving the organization. Information and witness testimony can be crucial in proving a pattern of misconduct.
• Contacting a lawyer experienced in Houston-based hazing cases early on can be invaluable. Our firm knows how to strategically uncover prior disciplinary records and internal files from the university and the Greek organizations, building a stronger case for accountability.

5.2 Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University in College Station holds a unique place in the hearts of many Texans, including those from Hays County, due to its deep traditions and strong sense of community. The university’s large campus is home to a robust Greek life and, significantly, the storied Corps of Cadets, both of which have been sites of hazing allegations.

5.2.1 Campus & culture snapshot

Texas A&M cultivates a highly traditional and often conservative campus culture. The Corps of Cadets is particularly prominent, embodying a military-style environment steeped in ritualized discipline. While revered traditions can foster camaraderie, they also present unique challenges where discipline can sometimes morph into hazing. Greek life is also extensive and highly competitive, contributing to a fertile ground for power dynamics that can escalate into abuse.

5.2.2 Official hazing policy & reporting channels

Texas A&M unequivocally prohibits hazing, articulating its stance through the Office of Student Conduct and specific Corps of Cadets regulations. Their policies define hazing broadly to include any act that endangers mental or physical health for initiation purposes. Reporting channels include the Department of Student Life, the Corps of Cadets leadership, and the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD).

5.2.3 Example incident & response

A highly disturbing incident involved the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity chapter around 2021. Pledges reported being subjected to severe physical abuse, including having substances like industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit poured on them. This resulted in severe chemical burns requiring emergency skin graft surgeries for some victims. The university swiftly suspended the fraternity, and the affected pledges filed a lawsuit seeking over $1 million.

The Corps of Cadets has also faced allegations. In a 2023 lawsuit, a former cadet alleged degrading hazing practices, such as enforced silence, strenuous physical activities, and being subjected to simulated sexual acts. He described being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, asserting that the university failed to adequately address the known hazing within the Corps. These cases underscore that while A&M states it handles matters under its rules, the profound impact on students often necessitates external legal action for true accountability.

5.2.4 How a Texas A&M hazing case might proceed

Hazing cases at Texas A&M could fall under the jurisdiction of the College Station Police Department or Brazos County Sheriff’s Office depending on the incident location. Civil lawsuits against individuals, Greek organizations, or the university would typically be filed in Brazos County courts. Hays County families navigating these sensitive cases would benefit from legal counsel experienced in A&M’s unique institutional culture and the local Brazos Valley legal framework.

5.2.5 What Texas A&M students & parents should do

For Hays County students and parents connected to Texas A&M:

• Familiarize yourselves with both the university’s general hazing policy and the specific Corps of Cadets regulations if applicable.
• Promptly utilize A&M’s reporting mechanisms: the Department of Student Life, UPD, or the Corps leadership.
• Document everything. Take photos of any injuries or evidence of unsanitary conditions, save all communication, and record dates and times of incidents. This is crucial for building a strong case.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)

The University of Texas at Austin, a flagship institution and a major destination for students just up the road from Hays County, maintains a vibrant and sprawling campus, home to a massive Greek system and numerous other student organizations. UT has been lauded for its public transparency regarding hazing incidents, providing both a record of infractions and a clear picture of the ongoing challenges.

5.3.1 Campus & culture snapshot

UT Austin boasts a fiercely proud and diverse student body. Its Greek life is one of the largest and most influential in the nation, with dozens of fraternities and sororities. Beyond traditional Greek organizations, a multitude of spirit groups, clubs, and athletic teams also participate in campus traditions that can, unfortunately, spill over into hazing. For Hays County families, UT is a popular local choice, and understanding its unique environment is essential.

5.3.2 Official hazing policy & reporting channels

UT has a robust, publicly accessible hazing policy that explicitly forbids any act related to initiation or membership that endangers physical or mental health. The university is notably transparent, maintaining an online, public Hazing Violations webpage (deanofstudents.utexas.edu/hazing/) that lists organizations, dates of incidents, a summary of the conduct, and the corresponding sanctions. Reporting can be made through the Dean of Students, the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development, or the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD).

5.3.3 Example incident & response

UT’s public Hazing Violations webpage reveals a consistent pattern of incidents. For instance, Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) was sanctioned in 2023 after new members were directed to consume milk to induce vomiting and perform strenuous calisthenics. This was deemed hazing, leading to the chapter being placed on probation and mandated to implement new hazing-prevention education. Other student groups, including spirit organizations like Texas Wranglers, have also faced sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, or punishment-based practices. The transparency offered by UT’s website is a powerful — and often overlooked — tool for Hays County families, allowing them to research an organization’s history of misconduct. It demonstrates that universities can, and should, be transparent about hazing.

5.3.4 How a UT hazing case might proceed

Given UT’s location, hazing cases typically involve UTPD and/or the Austin Police Department. Civil lawsuits against individuals, Greek organizations, or the university would likely proceed in courts within Travis County, the judicial seat for Austin. Many Hays County residents travel into Austin regularly, and the legal framework for hazing cases in Travis County is one with which our firm is thoroughly familiar. UT’s diligently maintained public record of prior violations can serve as crucial evidence in civil suits, demonstrating a pattern of misconduct and institutional knowledge that strengthens arguments for liability.

5.3.5 What UT students & parents should do

For Hays County students and parents at UT Austin:

• Regularly check UT’s public Hazing Violations webpage to understand any organization your child interacts with. This publicly available data is a powerful resource.
• Report any suspected hazing to the Dean of Students’ office or UTPD immediately.
• Document everything. Hays County families can use our firm’s guidance to methodically collect phone evidence, photos of injuries, and witness statements, building a robust record.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University, nestled in Dallas, is a private university renowned for its strong academic programs and a deeply interwoven Greek life. For Hays County families considering higher education in North Texas, SMU’s dynamics present a distinct set of considerations, particularly concerning hazing and accountability.

5.4.1 Campus & culture snapshot

SMU boasts a prestigious, affluent campus culture, where Greek life plays a particularly prominent social role. Many students join fraternities and sororities, making the Greek system a central part of the SMU experience. This strong emphasis, while fostering community, can also create heightened pressure and opportunities for hazing, often pushing activities off-campus to avoid direct university oversight.

5.4.2 Official hazing policy & reporting channels

SMU maintains explicit anti-hazing policies that align with Texas law, prohibiting any act that endangers students as a condition of membership. As a private institution, SMU manages its own disciplinary processes, though it cooperates with local law enforcement when criminal acts are involved. Reporting channels include the Office of the Dean of Students, SMU Police Department, and an anonymous incident reporting system called “Real Response.” However, being a private university, SMU’s public disclosure of specific hazing violations is generally less extensive than that of public institutions like UT Austin.

5.4.3 Example incident & response

A notable incident at SMU involved the Kappa Alpha Order chapter around 2017. New members reportedly endured physical hazing, including being paddled, forced to consume alcohol, and deprived of sleep. The university swiftly suspended the chapter, imposing severe restrictions on its operations and recruitment for an extended period. This incident highlighted the university’s willingness to act decisively, but also pointed to the persistent nature of hazing within even highly regulated private Greek systems. While public details about specific incidents might be less readily available compared to state universities, SMU takes hazing very seriously, often imposing harsh penalties on offending organizations.

5.4.4 How an SMU hazing case might proceed

Hazing cases at SMU would typically involve the SMU Police Department and/or the Dallas Police Department. Civil lawsuits would proceed in Dallas County courts. As a private university, SMU does not benefit from the sovereign immunity that public Texas universities do. This can simplify certain aspects of litigation against the institution itself. Our firm has experience with complex litigation in major metropolitan areas like Dallas, and we are well-versed in navigating the unique legal landscape of private university liability.

5.4.5 What SMU students & parents should do

For Hays County students and parents associated with SMU:

• Make use of SMU’s “Real Response” anonymous reporting system for suspected hazing, as well as contacting the Dean of Students.
• Understand that while private institutions like SMU may have different transparency rules, they are not immune from civil lawsuits.
• Document everything meticulously. This includes preserving all digital communications, photographing any injuries or evidence, and recording any interactions with university officials. These steps are vital whether you engage directly with the university’s process or pursue legal action.

5.5 Baylor University

Baylor University, located in Waco, is a premier Christian university with a strong focus on faith-based education. For Hays County families, many of whom have strong ties to faith communities and a desire for values-aligned education, Baylor is a significant choice. However, like many institutions, Baylor has grappled with significant challenges, including a history of highly scrutinized misconduct scandals that deeply inform its approach to student safety, including hazing.

5.5.1 Campus & culture snapshot

Baylor’s culture is deeply rooted in its Christian mission, which profoundly shapes its student life, academic offerings, and social environment. While Greek life is present, it operates within the broader context of the university’s values and strict code of conduct. Baylor has faced intense scrutiny in recent years, particularly concerning a high-profile sexual assault scandal within its football program, which led to significant leadership changes and a renewed, albeit sometimes criticized, focus on institutional oversight and student well-being. This history means any hazing incident at Baylor is viewed through a lens of extreme caution and concern about protecting the university’s reputation and its students.

5.5.2 Official hazing policy & reporting channels

Baylor University strictly prohibits hazing, articulating this forcefully in its student conduct policies. These policies cover both on-campus and off-campus activities related to any university-affiliated group. Baylor’s reporting channels include the Office of Student Conduct, the Baylor Police Department, and various dean’s offices. The university frequently reiterates a “zero tolerance” stance on hazing, reflecting its commitment to maintaining a safe, ethical, and Christian academic environment.

5.4.3 Example incident & response

A notable incident related to hazing at Baylor involved the Baylor baseball team in 2020. Following a university investigation into hazing allegations, 14 players were suspended, with the suspensions staggered over the early season to mitigate impact on the team, yet still send a clear message. This incident placed Baylor itself, rather than solely a Greek organization, under direct scrutiny for student well-being. While specific details were less publicly disseminated than some other cases, the suspensions underlined the recurring challenges colleges face in controlling hazing practices even within their own athletic programs. These events highlight how Baylor’s broader cultural and oversight challenges, particularly its efforts to recover from past scandals, interact with its handling of student misconduct like hazing.

5.4.4 How a Baylor hazing case might proceed

Hazing cases at Baylor would typically involve the Baylor Police Department and/or the Waco Police Department. Civil lawsuits would proceed in McLennan County courts. As a private university, Baylor generally has fewer sovereign immunity protections compared to public Texas universities like UT or A&M. However, its significant financial resources mean it often mounts a strong legal defense. Our firm’s experience in complex institutional litigation, including matters involving high-profile organizations, allows us to effectively navigate these challenges, whether for Hays County families or other Texans.

5.4.5 What Baylor students & parents should do

For Hays County students and parents connected to Baylor University:

• Actively review Baylor’s student conduct code and hazing policies, particularly given the university’s emphasis on values-based conduct.
• Report any suspected hazing to the Office of Student Conduct or the Baylor Police Department.
• Document every detail of any hazing incident or suspicion: save all digital communications, photograph injuries, note dates and times. Given Baylor’s history, meticulous documentation is crucial.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

When we talk about hazing, the focus often turns to Greek life, and for good reason. Many fraternities and sororities active at Texas campuses, including those where Hays County students attend, are part of national organizations with well-documented histories of hazing. Understanding this connection is vital for families seeking accountability.

6.1 Why National Histories Matter

Many fraternities and sororities, including dominant groups like Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike), Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), Phi Delta Theta, and Pi Kappa Phi, operate as local chapters under the umbrella of larger national organizations. These national headquarters are critical in hazing litigation because they:

• Possess extensive anti-hazing manuals and risk management policies: These exist often because they have faced deaths and catastrophic injuries in their past. Their own internal documents frequently reveal an awareness of common hazing practices within their chapters across the country.
• Are aware of recurring patterns: National leadership often knows the playbook of hazing – forced drinking nights, ritualized paddling (even if officially banned), and psychologically humiliating initiation rituals.
• Establish national liability: When a local chapter in Texas, say a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at UT Austin, repeats the same hazing script that led to a death or severe injury in another Pi Kappa Alpha chapter in Ohio or Florida, it strongly establishes foreseeability. The national organization had prior notice, yet failed to effectively prevent it. This supports negligence arguments and can open the door for punitive damages against these national entities.

When hazing occurs, it’s rarely an isolated incident from a wholly “rogue” chapter. Often, it’s a reflection of deeper cultural issues within the national organization, where policies are honored in the breach rather than the observance.

6.2 Organization Mapping (Synthesized)

Here, we synthesize the patterns of some major fraternities and sororities present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor, cross-referencing them with their national hazing histories. This is not an exhaustive list but highlights organizations with notable public incidents.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike):

  • Description: A large national fraternity with chapters at many Texas universities, including UH, Texas A&M, and UT. Often associated with a “party” reputation.
  • National History: Pi Kappa Alpha has a particularly tragic national history of hazing. The Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green State University (2021) involved extreme forced alcohol consumption on “Big/Little Night,” resulting in a $10 million settlement and multiple criminal convictions. The David Bogenberger death at Northern Illinois University (2012) similarly involved alcohol poisoning and settled for $14 million. These cases demonstrate a recurring pattern of dangerous alcohol hazing.
  • Relevance to Texas: The UH Pi Kappa Alpha hazing incident in 2016, involving a lacerated spleen from physical abuse, and the UT Austin chapter being disciplined in 2023 for forced alcohol consumption and calisthenics, show these national patterns manifesting directly on Texas campuses.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE):

  • Description: Another very large national fraternity, historically with a strong presence across Texas universities including UH, Texas A&M, UT-Austin, and SMU.
  • National History: SAE has faced intense scrutiny and multiple hazing-related deaths nationwide over the past decade, including several alcohol-related fatalities that prompted their national organization to ban “pledging” in 2014 (a policy often circumvented). Recent incidents include a lawsuit alleging a traumatic brain injury during hazing at the University of Alabama (2023) and a former member filing suit for chemical burns from industrial cleaner during hazing at Texas A&M (2021). The UT chapter was also sued in 2024 by an exchange student alleging assault at a party, occurring while the chapter was already under suspension for prior violations.
  • Relevance to Texas: The Texas A&M and UT Austin incidents are direct examples of SAE’s national hazing patterns manifesting in our state, showing that calls for reform after national tragedies are often insufficient to prevent local chapter misconduct.

• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

  • Description: A prominent national fraternity with chapters at Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor.
  • National History: The Maxwell “Max” Gruver death at Louisiana State University (2017) after a forced drinking game (“Bible study”) was a landmark case, leading to the Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute in Louisiana) and a criminal conviction. A civil settlement was reached with the family.
  • Relevance to Texas: While direct “Bible study” incidents aren’t widely publicized at this time within Texas chapters, the national precedent means any similar forced drinking game at a Texas Phi Delta Theta chapter would immediately highlight the national organization’s prior knowledge and subsequent liability.

• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

  • Description: Another national fraternity with chapters at UH and Texas A&M.
  • National History: The Andrew Coffey death at Florida State University (2017) from acute alcohol poisoning during “Big Brother Night” is a critical case. It led to criminal prosecutions and a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU.
  • Relevance to Texas: This tragic event serves as a stark warning for Pi Kapp chapters and other fraternities at UH and Texas A&M. Any similar “Big Brother” or “pledge reveal” night involving forced heavy alcohol consumption would carry the weight of this national history.

• Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ):

  • Description: A national fraternity with chapters at UH, Texas A&M, SMU, and Baylor.
  • National History: The tragic death of Timothy Piazza at Penn State University (2017) during a bid acceptance social involving heavy drinking and delayed medical care resulted in dozens of criminal charges and a new Pennsylvania anti-hazing law.
  • Relevance to Texas: The Piazza case firmly established that Beta Theta Pi’s national organization had clear notice of the dangers of forced alcohol consumption and delayed medical treatment, a fact that would be central to any hazing case involving one of their Texas chapters.

• Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ):

  • Description: A large national fraternity with chapters at UH, Texas A&M, SMU, and Baylor.
  • National History: The Chad Meredith wrongful death case at the University of Miami (2001), where a freshman drowned after being persuaded by members to swim across a lake while intoxicated, resulted in a $12.6 million jury verdict based on hazing. More recently, allegations of hazing at Texas Christian University (2018) led to an arrest, and a lawsuit alleging rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown from extreme physical hazing) is ongoing against the Texas A&M chapter (2023).
  • Relevance to Texas: The Kappa Sigma case at Texas A&M for rhabdomyolysis and the historical TCU incident demonstrates direct hazing concerns for their chapters across the state, including those attended by Hays County students.

• Phi Gamma Delta (ΦΓΔ / FIJI):

  • Description: A national fraternity with chapters at Texas A&M.
  • National History: The devastating case of Danny Santulli at the University of Missouri (2021), who suffered severe, permanent brain damage from forced alcohol consumption during a “pledge dad reveal” night, led to multi-million-dollar settlements with 22 defendants, including the national fraternity.
  • Relevance to Texas: The Santulli case means that any similar “pledge dad” or initiation event involving forced drinking at a Texas A&M Phi Gamma Delta chapter would immediately implicate the national organization’s prior knowledge and profound liability.

This synthesis clearly shows that the “what happened elsewhere doesn’t apply here” defense is flimsy. National fraternities and sororities, and the institutions that host them, have accumulated a devastating pattern of prior incidents and clear warnings.

6.3 Tie Back to Legal Strategy

This history is not just for historical context; it forms a critical component of hazing litigation strategy.

• Proving Foreseeability: When a local chapter in Texas engages in a hazing practice that has previously led to injury or death within the same national organization elsewhere, it becomes much easier to prove that the national headquarters, and often the university, had foreseeable knowledge of the risks. They cannot credibly claim ignorance.
• Challenging “Rogue Chapter” Defenses: The defense that “this was just a few bad apples” or “we didn’t know our chapter was doing this” crumbles in the face of a consistent national pattern of similar misconduct. Our firm can uncover evidence to show that anti-hazing policies were either not meaningfully enforced or were treated as mere window-dressing.
• Influencing Settlement Leverage: Knowledge of prior, costly settlements and verdicts in similar cases gives families in Hays County and across Texas significant leverage during settlement negotiations. It demonstrates the high potential cost of taking a case to trial, encouraging fairer offers.
• Supporting Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, where an organization has a clear pattern of ignoring warnings and showing reckless indifference to student safety, the history can be used to argue for punitive damages. These damages are designed to punish the defendant and deter future misconduct, not just compensate the victim.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Building a compelling hazing case requires meticulous investigation and a nuanced understanding of modern evidence. For families in Hays County facing the aftermath of hazing, our experience shows that success hinges on identifying, preserving, and presenting powerful evidence, understanding the full scope of recoverable damages, and employing a strategic approach against powerful institutional defendants.

7.1 Evidence

In today’s digital world, evidence for hazing cases is more abundant than ever, yet also more ephemeral. Our firm acts swiftly to secure the crucial data that can win these cases:

• Digital Communications: This is often the most critical source of evidence and the fastest to disappear.
  • GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, and even fraternity-specific apps are routinely used for planning, coordinating, and documenting hazing. Messages can reveal explicit instructions, threats, derogatory nicknames, alcohol directives, and details of forced activities.
  • Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, and TikTok comments can also contain direct evidence or clues to hazing activity. Accounts like Snapchat often have disappearing messages, making immediate screenshots vital.
  • Evidence includes both live messages and, critically, those that have been recovered or undeleted through forensic investigation. Our firm works with digital forensics experts to retrieve this crucial data. We emphasize to our clients the importance of using their cellphone to document a legal case (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs).
• Photos & Videos:
  • Content filmed by members during hazing events is often shared in closed group chats or private social media stories. This can provide irrefutable proof of forced alcohol consumption, physical abuse, or humiliating acts.
  • Security camera footage from campus buildings, off-campus houses (including Ring doorbell cameras), or local businesses can capture students being transported, entering/exiting venues, or showing signs of intoxication/injury.
• Internal Organization Documents:
  • “Pledge manuals,” initiation scripts, lists of “traditions,” and internal email/text communications from officers can directly detail hazing plans or cover-up attempts.
  • National fraternity/sorority policies and training materials, especially when contrasted with actual chapter conduct, highlight the gap between stated rules and real-world behavior.
• University Records:
  • Prior conduct files, records of probation or suspension for the same organization, and letters of warning from the university demonstrate a pattern of misconduct and the university’s prior knowledge.
  • Incident reports filed with campus police or student conduct offices, even if seemingly minor, contribute to a body of evidence.
  • Clery Act reports and similar public safety disclosures can provide context on broader campus issues.
• Medical and Psychological Records:
  • Emergency room and hospitalization records, surgical reports, physical therapy notes, and medication lists document physical injuries and their treatment.
  • Toxicology reports confirm alcohol or drug levels.
  • Psychological evaluations and therapy records are crucial for documenting emotional distress, PTSD, depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation caused by hazing.
• Witness Testimony:
  • Statements from other pledges, current members, roommates, Resident Advisors (RAs), coaches, trainers, or bystanders are invaluable. Sometimes, former members who quit or were expelled due to hazing are willing to come forward. Their perspective can confirm patterns and expose the culture of complicity.

7.2 Damages

When hazing inflicts harm, the law provides for victims and families to recover damages, acknowledging the multifaceted impact of these traumatic events. It’s important to note that our firm describes the types of damages recoverable, but we never promise or predict specific dollar amounts, as every case’s value is unique and depends on its facts.

• Medical Bills & Future Care: This includes compensation for immediate emergency care (ER visits, ambulance transport), hospitalizations (ICU, surgery, inpatient care), ongoing treatments, physical therapy, medications, and medical equipment. In cases of catastrophic injury, such as brain damage or organ failure, it covers the immense costs of a Life Care Plan, providing for lifelong medical and personal care needs.
• Lost Earnings / Educational Impact: This category covers any earnings lost by the student (or a parent who missed work to care for them). More broadly, it addresses the long-term impact on the student’s future, including tuition and fees for missed semesters, lost scholarships (academic, athletic, or Greek-based), and delayed graduation that postpones entry into the workforce. For students with permanent disabilities, it covers diminished future earning capacity, calculated rigorously by expert economists over their expected lifetime.
• Non-Economic Damages: These address the intangible, yet very real, suffering caused by hazing. This includes physical pain and suffering from injuries and their lasting effects, and profound emotional distress and psychological harm. This often manifests as diagnosed conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), severe depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and, tragically, suicidal ideation. It also encompasses the humiliation, shame, loss of dignity, fear, nightmares, and loss of enjoyment of life that prevent a student from participating in activities they once loved.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for Families): In the most tragic instances where hazing leads to a student’s death, surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim. This allows for recovery of funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support the deceased would have provided, and, crucially, compensation for the profound loss of companionship, love, and society experienced by parents, siblings, and other close family members. It acknowledges the immense grief and emotional suffering caused by such a needless loss.

7.3 Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing cases are often complicated by multiple potential defendants, each with their own legal counsel and, crucially, insurance policies.

• National fraternities, local chapters, and universities typically carry insurance policies designed to cover liability for various incidents. However, in hazing cases, insurers frequently argue that hazing constitutes “intentional acts” or falls under other policy exclusions (e.g., criminal acts, furnishing alcohol to minors) to deny coverage or duty to defend. Our Associate Attorney, Lupe Peña, having worked for a national insurance defense firm, has insider knowledge of these strategies and uses it to our clients’ advantage.
• Experienced hazing lawyers meticulously identify all potential sources of coverage, including policies held by the national organization, the local chapter, individual members (e.g., homeowner’s policies), university umbrella policies, and even third-party vendors. We then aggressively challenge attempts by insurers to deny coverage, advocating for clients to ensure that all avenues of compensation are explored and pursued. These insurance coverage disputes are technically complex, but our firm’s experience ensures that every stone is unturned in pursuit of justice for Hays County families.

Practical Guides & FAQs

When hazing impacts a family in Hays County, immediate, actionable guidance is paramount. This section offers practical steps for parents, students, and witnesses, empowering them to respond effectively and protect their rights.

8.1 For Parents

For Hays County parents, recognizing the often-subtle signs of hazing and knowing how to respond can make all the difference.

• Warning Signs of Hazing: Be alert to changes that deviate from your child’s normal behavior, appearance, or academic performance. These include unexplained bruises, cuts, or repeat “accidents,” especially if excuses seem flimsy. Watch for sudden exhaustion or extreme sleep deprivation, drastic changes in mood (anxiety, withdrawal, irritability), or an uncharacteristic secrecy about their Greek or group activities (“I can’t talk about it”). Constant, anxious phone use for group chats at all hours, or a fear of missing “mandatory” late-night events, are significant red flags.
• How to Talk to Your Child: Approach the conversation calmly and empathetically. Begin with open-ended questions like, “How are things really going with your group?” Avoid judgmental language. Reassure them that their safety and well-being are your highest priorities, far above any group affiliation. Emphasize that you will support them regardless of what they say, and that if they are being made to feel unsafe or uncomfortable, it is never their fault.
• If Your Child is Hurt: Prioritize medical care immediately. Do not delay if there is an injury or if they are severely intoxicated. While seeking medical attention, document everything: take clear photos of injuries at multiple angles, make screenshots of any relevant texts or digital communications, and diligently write down everything your child tells you, including dates, times, and names.
• Dealing with the University: If you engage with university administrators, document every communication. Keep a record of who you spoke with, when, and what was discussed. Ask specific questions about any prior incidents involving the same organization and what measures were (or were not) taken. Universities can sometimes be more focused on managing their reputation than on direct accountability, so having strong documentation is key.
• When to Talk to a Lawyer: If your child has experienced significant physical injury, profound psychological harm, or if you feel the university or the organization is minimizing or hiding what happened, it is crucial to consult with an experienced hazing attorney. We can offer an objective assessment of your situation and guide you through the complex next steps.

8.2 For Students / Pledges

For students in Hays County navigating club affiliations, it can be hard to distinguish between harmless tradition and illegal hazing. Here’s a guide to help you assess your situation and stay safe.

• Is This Hazing or Just Tradition?: Ask yourself: “Does this activity make me feel unsafe, humiliated, or coerced? Am I being forced to drink or endure pain? Is this activity hidden from the public or administrators because it’s something they wouldn’t approve of?” If the answer is yes to any of these, it probably is hazing. Even if others say “everyone does it” or “it’s just tradition,” your feelings and safety matter most.
• Why “Consent” Isn’t the End of the Story: It’s common to feel pressured to go along with things to fit in. But the law, especially in Texas, recognizes that “consent” given under duress, immense peer pressure, or fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. You are the victim, not an accomplice, when you are coerced into harmful acts.
• Exiting and Reporting Safely: If you feel unsafe or coerced, you have the right to leave the situation or the organization at any time, despite what anyone tells you. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For reporting hazing, you can use campus channels (Dean of Students, campus police), anonymous tip lines (1-888-NOT-HAZE), or speak with a trusted adult like a professor or family member.
• Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty: Texas law, and many university policies, encourage calling for help in an emergency. If you or someone else is in danger due to an overdose or injury, calling for medical assistance in good faith often provides some protection from punishment, even if underage drinking or other minor rule violations were involved. Your life and health are always more important than a campus rule violation.

8.3 For Former Members / Witnesses

You may carry a heavy burden of guilt, regret, or fear if you witnessed hazing or participated in it. However, your testimony can be instrumental in preventing future harm and saving lives.

• Your Role in Accountability: We understand the complex emotions you might be experiencing. Acknowledging your past involvement and speaking out is a brave act. Your unique perspective and evidence can expose systemic issues and hold perpetrators accountable, potentially saving another student from suffering.
• Navigating Legal Exposure: While it’s natural to fear repercussions, there are legal avenues to protect witnesses. Lawyers can help you understand your rights, advise on potential self-incrimination, and negotiate your role as a witness without unnecessarily exposing you to legal jeopardy. It’s an opportunity to turn a painful experience into a catalyst for positive change.

8.4 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

For Hays County families navigating a hazing incident, avoiding these common errors is as critical as collecting evidence. These mistakes can severely undermine a case, jeopardize justice, and leave victims without adequate recourse. Pay close attention to these pitfalls:

1. Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence:

   • What parents might think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble.”
   • Why it’s wrong: Deleting evidence can look like a cover-up, makes building a case nearly impossible, and can even carry legal penalties.
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately – even embarrassing content. Digital forensics can often recover “deleted” messages, but original screenshots are always best.

2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly:

   • What parents might think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind for what they did to my child.”
   • Why it’s wrong: This immediately alerts the organization, prompting them to contact lawyers, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare their defense.
   • What to do instead: Document everything you know, then contact an attorney before any direct confrontation.

3. Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms:

   • What universities might do: Pressure families to sign waivers or agree to “internal resolution” processes.
   • Why it’s wrong: You may unknowingly waive your right to pursue a lawsuit. These internal settlements are often far below the true value of your case.
   • What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything from the university without an experienced attorney reviewing it first.

4. Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer:

   • What families might think: “I want the world to know what happened to my child.”
   • Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything posted online. Inconsistencies between public posts and formal statements can hurt credibility. Public statements can also inadvertently waive legal privileges.
   • What to do instead: Document privately and thoroughly. Let your legal team control the public messaging and strategy.

5. Letting your child go back to “one last meeting” or “talk it out”:

   • What fraternities or organizations might say: “Come talk to us before you do anything drastic.”
   • Why it’s wrong: These meetings are often designed to pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that can later be used against the victim in a lawsuit.
   • What to do instead: Once you are considering legal action, all communication with the organization should be directed through your attorney.

6. Waiting “to see how the university handles it”:

   • What universities sometimes promise: “We’re investigating; let us handle this internally.”
   • Why it’s wrong: While university investigations are important, they are rarely designed to secure maximum compensation for victims or pursue external criminal charges. Crucial evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations continues to run while the university controls the narrative.
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence now and consult a hazing lawyer immediately. The university process is separate from pursuing real accountability and justice through the legal system.

7. Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer:

   • What adjusters might say: “We just need your statement to process the claim.”
   • Why it’s wrong: Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Recorded statements are often used to find inconsistencies or minimize the value of your claim. Early settlement offers are almost always lowball.
   • What to do instead: Politely decline and state, “My attorney will contact you.” Do not provide any statement to an insurance adjuster without legal representation.

8.5 Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances, you can. Public universities, like the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M, and the University of Houston, often have some sovereign immunity doctrines that protect them from certain lawsuits. However, exceptions exist for cases involving gross negligence, willful misconduct, or violations of federal laws like Title IX. Private universities, such as SMU and Baylor, generally have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on its specific facts; contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis.

• “Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
  Yes, it can be. While hazing is typically a Class B misdemeanor by default in Texas, it escalates to a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Additionally, individual officers of an organization can face misdemeanor charges for failing to report known hazing incidents.

• “Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
  Absolutely. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts and juries understand that “agreement” under intense peer pressure, a significant power imbalance, and fear of social exclusion is not true voluntary consent. Your child is a victim under the law, regardless of any perceived “consent.”

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
  In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury or death to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. However, this period can sometimes be extended by the “discovery rule” if the harm or its cause was not immediately apparent. In cases involving cover-ups, fraud, or minor victims, the statute of limitations may be “tolled” (paused). Time is always critical in hazing cases because crucial evidence disappears quickly, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations may destroy records. We strongly advise that you call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to ensure your rights are protected.

• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  The location of hazing does not eliminate liability. Many precedent-setting hazing cases, including the Pi Delta Psi retreat death and the Sigma Pi “unofficial house” incident, occurred off-campus, yet still resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments against national fraternities, local chapters, and individuals. Universities and national organizations can still be held liable based on their sponsorship, control over the organization, prior knowledge of risks, and overall foreseeability of such events.

• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  Our firm prioritizes your family’s privacy. Most hazing cases are resolved through confidential settlements before they ever go to trial. We can work to request sealed court records and negotiate confidential settlement terms to protect your child’s identity and future from public scrutiny. While public accountability is sometimes a goal, we balance that with your desire for privacy.

When the law is complex or depends on specific details, it is always best to consult with a qualified attorney to review your specific facts.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

When your family faces a hazing case in Hays County or anywhere in Texas, you need more than just a general personal injury lawyer. You need tenacious attorneys who deeply understand how powerful institutions — national fraternities, universities, and their insurers — fight back, and precisely how to win anyway. This is where The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, stands apart.

We have built our reputation as the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ by taking on the toughest cases and achieving significant results against massive defendants. Our unique qualifications are particularly suited to the complexities of hazing litigation. Lupe Peña, our brilliant Associate Attorney, brings an insurance insider advantage to every case. Having worked as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm, Lupe knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and often undervalue) hazing claims. She understands their delay tactics, their common coverage exclusion arguments, and their settlement strategies. Simply put, we know their playbook because we used to help write it.

Ralph Manginello, our Managing Partner, brings extensive complex litigation experience against massive institutions. Ralph was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, a multi-billion-dollar case that required battling a global corporation with unlimited resources. His federal court experience in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, means our firm is fully equipped to challenge national fraternities, universities, or their formidable defense teams. We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We know how to fight powerful defendants not just in Houston, but across Texas.

This experience translates directly to hazing cases. We have a proven track record in multi-million dollar wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, collaborating with expert economists to properly value the loss of life or the immense costs of lifetime care for brain injury or permanent disability cases. We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability and prioritize your family’s long-term well-being. Furthermore, Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) provides critical criminal defense expertise, allowing us to advise clients on how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation, and to guide witnesses or former members who may face dual exposure.

Our investigative depth is unparalleled. We deploy a network of experts, including digital forensics scientists who can recover deleted group chats and social media evidence, medical specialists, economists, and psychologists. We know how to subpoena national fraternity records to uncover patterns of prior incidents and how to use discovery and public records requests to compel universities to release crucial files. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it – because it often does.

We operate from our primary office in Houston, with additional offices in Austin and Beaumont to serve clients efficiently. From our Houston headquarters, we proudly serve families throughout the entire state of Texas, including all communities within Hays County and its surrounding areas—from San Marcos to Dripping Springs, Kyle to Wimberley, and beyond. We understand that hazing at Texas universities impacts families in Hays County, Central Texas, and every corner of our state. Our firm is uniquely positioned to handle these complex cases anywhere in Texas.

Most importantly, we approach every hazing case with profound empathy and a deep commitment to victim advocacy. We understand that this is one of the hardest things a family can ever face. Our job is not about bravado or quick settlements; it’s about thorough investigation, unwavering determination, and securing real accountability. We want to get you answers, hold the responsible parties accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family.

Contact Attorney911 for a Confidential Consultation

If you or your child has experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether at Texas State University in San Marcos, UT Austin, Texas A&M, or another institution—we want to hear from you. Families in Hays County and throughout our Central Texas region have the right to answers, justice, and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened without judgment, explain your legal options clearly, and help you decide on the best path forward for your family.

Here’s what you can expect during your free consultation:

• We will listen to your story with empathy and without judgment.
• We’ll review any evidence you may already have, such as photos, texts, or medical records.
• We will explain your legal options clearly, outlining whether a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, both, or neither might be appropriate for your situation.
• We will discuss realistic timelines and what the legal process typically entails.
• We’ll answer all your questions about costs – we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case.
• There is no pressure to hire us on the spot; you can take the time you need to make this important decision.
• Everything you share with us during this consultation is strictly confidential.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today for immediate support.

You can reach us through multiple channels:

• Call Toll-Free: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Cell Phone: (713) 443-4781
• Visit Our Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com

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

Reading this article does not create an attorney–client relationship. Every hazing case is unique, and we cannot guarantee specific outcomes. An experienced attorney can review your specific facts, explain your rights under Texas law, and help you understand your best legal options.

Whether your family is in San Marcos, Kyle, Dripping Springs, Wimberley, or anywhere across Hays County and the great state of Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Call us today.

Legal Disclaimer

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

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

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com