Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Howard County Families

The late-night call jolts you awake. On the other end, your child, a promising college student from Howard County, sounds distant, scared, or perhaps unnervingly quiet. Maybe they admit to being forced to drink until they blacked out during a “pledge event” at their fraternity, or perhaps they describe being verbally abused and deprived of sleep in their sorority. Perhaps they mention a teammate who sustained a mysterious injury during what was supposed to be a team-building exercise. This isn’t a story from a distant state; it’s a scenario that could unfold for any of the many Howard County families whose children attend universities across Texas, from the bustling campuses of Houston and Austin to the traditions of College Station, the academic rigor of Dallas, or the spiritual foundation of Waco.

This guide is designed to empower Howard County families and students with critical knowledge about hazing in Texas. We understand the unique concerns of our community in Howard County – a region where tradition and community values run deep, and where local high school graduates aspire to attend some of the state’s most prestigious universities. When a child leaves Howard County for college, parents rightfully expect a safe and enriching environment. Unfortunately, the reality of hazing can shatter those expectations, leaving families feeling helpless and confused.

This comprehensive resource offers unparalleled insight into hazing incidents, the laws that govern them, the patterns of behavior seen at major Texas universities, and how such cases are legally approached. We will delve into what hazing truly looks like in 2025, moving beyond outdated stereotypes to reveal the insidious modern tactics employed by some organizations. We will explain the Texas and federal legal frameworks designed to combat hazing, and we will connect these laws to real-world tragedies and their legal outcomes. Crucially, we’ll examine the specific contexts of hazing at the University of Houston (UH), Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin (UT), Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Baylor University – institutions where many Howard County students pursue their education. Finally, we will outline the crucial steps families and students can take if they suspect or experience hazing, emphasizing the severe legal consequences for those who perpetuate it and the paths to accountability and justice.

1.1 Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If you are reading this because your child or someone you know is in immediate danger due to hazing, please act now.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

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

• In the first 48 hours:

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

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

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

2. Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For Howard County families, the image of hazing often conjures up scenes from movies or outdated news stories. However, the reality of hazing in 2025 is far more complex, insidious, and often digitally driven than many realize. It’s crucial to understand what hazing truly looks like today because recognizing it is the first step toward stopping it. Hazing is not just “a dumb prank” or “just partying”; it’s a dangerous pattern of behavior designed to assert control, enforce conformity, and create an artificial sense of belonging through degradation and abuse.

At its core, hazing refers to any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, and occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

A critical point: “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and a power imbalance. True consent cannot exist when there’s an implicit or explicit threat of exclusion, retaliation, or denial of membership.

2.1 Main Categories of Hazing

Organizations often use a three-tier system to describe hazing, which helps us understand its escalating nature and how seemingly innocuous acts can pave the way for more dangerous ones.

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing

This category includes behaviors that emphasize a power imbalance between new and existing members. These acts are often dismissed as “harmless” traditions, but they can cause psychological harm and set the stage for more severe hazing.

• Deception / Secrecy Oaths: New members are told to lie to parents, university officials, or outsiders about the organization’s activities. This creates a culture of secrecy and isolation.
• Assigning Derogatory Names or Identities: Forcing new members to answer to demeaning nicknames or adopt demeaning personas.
• Requiring New Members to Perform Duties for Older Members: This often involves tasks like acting as a designated driver at all hours, cleaning rooms, doing laundry, or running errands. The mentality is often that “pledges are on call 24/7.”
• Social Isolation: Limiting or outright prohibiting contact with non-members, or requiring permission to socialize outside of the group.
• Deprivation of Privileges: New members might not be allowed to speak unless spoken to, sit in certain seats, or use certain entrances.
• Requiring Attendance at Events that Interfere with Academics: Mandatory late-night meetings, study sessions, or social events during crucial academic periods like exam week.
• “Scavenger Hunts” or “Tasks”: These might seem innocent but are often designed to humiliate (e.g., stealing items, performing embarrassing public stunts).
• Modern Evolutions:
  • Group Chat Monitoring / Control: Pledges are required to respond instantly to group messages at all hours, with failure resulting in punishment.
  • Geo-tracking / Location Sharing: Demanding that pledges share their live location via apps like Find My Friends or Snapchat Maps.
  • Social Media Policing: Dictating what pledges can post online or requiring them to “like” specific content.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing

These behaviors cause emotional or physical discomfort but may not result in lasting physical injury. They create a hostile and abusive environment.

• Verbal Abuse: Yelling, screaming, insulting, using degrading language, or issuing threats to new members.
• Sleep Deprivation: Orchestrating late-night “meetings” or tasks, mandatory wake-up calls at odd hours (like 3 AM), or multi-day events with minimal rest.
• Food / Water Restriction: Limiting access to meals, or forcing the consumption of unpleasant substances such as spoiled food, hot sauce, or excessive amounts of bland food like milk or bread.
• Forced Physical Activity Beyond Safe Limits: This includes “smokings” (punitive exercises) or extreme calisthenics (hundreds of push-ups, wall sits until collapse), forced runs, or other “workouts” that are punitive rather than for conditioning.
• Public Humiliation: Forcing pledges to perform embarrassing acts in public (singing, dancing, wearing degrading costumes) or subjecting them to “roasts” or “grilling” sessions where they are verbally attacked.
• Exposure to Disgusting or Uncomfortable Conditions: Forcing pledges into filthy spaces or covering them in food, condiments, eggs, or other messy, non-harmful but degrading substances.
• Modern Evolutions:
  • “Voluntary” but Coerced Participation: Framing hazing as “optional” but ensuring that refusing results in social exclusion or denial of “big/little” assignments.
  • Digital Humiliation: Forcing pledges to post embarrassing content on social media (such as TikTok videos) or participate in humiliating online “challenges.”
  • Livestreaming / Recording Hazing: Filming degrading acts and sharing them in private group chats or social media for entertainment.
  • “Meme Culture” Hazing: Creating and sharing memes that mock specific pledges within group chats.

Tier 3: Violent Hazing

This category encompasses activities with a high potential for physical injury, sexual assault, or death. These are the most dangerous forms of hazing.

• Forced / Coerced Alcohol Consumption:
  • “Lineup” drinking games where pledges are forced to rapidly consume alcohol.
  • “Big/Little reveal” nights involving large amounts of hard liquor.
  • “Bible study,” “family tree,” or trivia games where incorrect answers result in forced drinking.
  • Forced chugging, funneling, or keg stands that push members beyond safe limits.
• Forced Drug Use: Coercing pledges to consume marijuana, pills, or other illicit substances.
• Physical Beatings and Paddling: Punches, kicks, slaps, or the use of wooden paddles (even if officially prohibited by national organizations, these still occur). This also includes “branding” or other physical markings (burns, cuts).
• Dangerous Physical “Tests”:
  • “Glass ceiling” or blindfolded tackle rituals.
  • Forced fights (“gladiator” matches).
  • Jumping from heights, swimming while intoxicated, or dangerous driving.
• Sexualized Hazing:
  • Forced nudity or partial nudity.
  • Simulated sexual acts (oral, anal, “elephant walk,” “roasted pig” positions).
  • Sexual assault or coercion.
  • Forcing pledges to watch pornography or engage in sexually degrading acts.
• Racist / Homophobic / Sexist Hazing: Using slurs, forcing pledges to role-play stereotypes, or making minority members perform racially degrading acts.
• Kidnapping / Restraint: “Kidnapping” pledges and transporting them blindfolded, tying them up, binding them, or physically restraining them.
• Exposure to Extreme Environments: Being locked in freezing rooms, left outside in extreme cold or heat, or denied access to bathrooms for extended periods.
• Modern Evolutions:
  • “Retreat” Hazing: Moving violent hazing to off-campus locations (Airbnbs, lodges, rural properties) to evade university detection and security cameras.
  • Disguised as “Team Building” or “Bonding”: Extreme workouts framed as “fitness challenges” or “trust falls” that are actually dangerous.
  • Fire / Burn Hazing: As seen in cases such as the San Diego State Phi Kappa Psi incident, where a pledge was reportedly set on fire during a skit.
  • Chemical Hazing: The Texas A&M SAE case, where industrial-strength cleaner was allegedly poured on pledges, causing chemical burns.

2.2 Where Hazing Actually Happens

Hazing is unfortunately not confined to the stereotypes of fraternity initiations. It is a pervasive problem that can appear in a wide array of student organizations:

• Fraternities and sororities: This includes those under the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council (Panhel), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and various multicultural Greek councils.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-style groups: These highly disciplined environments, such as the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, can sometimes foster hazing under the guise of tradition or building discipline.
• Spirit squads, tradition clubs: Groups like cheerleading teams, dance teams, or university spirit organizations (such as the Texas Cowboys at UT) can also engage in hazing practices.
• Athletic teams: From football, basketball, and baseball to swimming, soccer, and track, hazing can occur across sports teams, often disguised as “team bonding” or “toughening up.”
• Marching bands and performance groups: Even seemingly innocuous groups like marching bands or other performing arts ensembles have been found to engage in hazing.
• Service, cultural, and academic organizations: Any group with a hierarchical structure and an initiation process can potentially fall into hazing behaviors.

The underlying factors that keep these dangerous practices alive, even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal, often include a strong emphasis on social status, unquestioning tradition, and a culture of intense secrecy. New members are often pressured to prove their loyalty, and existing members might feel obligated to perpetuate what was done to them, creating a cycle of abuse.

3. Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

For Howard County families seeking justice for hazing, understanding the legal landscape in Texas and the relevant federal laws is crucial. The law provides powerful tools for accountability, but navigating this terrain requires specialized legal knowledge.

3.1 Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Texas has clear, specific anti-hazing provisions outlined in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. This legislation defines hazing broadly to encompass a range of harmful behaviors and establishes potential criminal and civil liabilities.

Under Texas law (Texas Education Code § 37.151), hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

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

This definition is critical because it explicitly covers acts that:

• Can happen on or off campus, underscoring that location does not diminish its illegality.
• Can cause mental or physical harm, acknowledging the profound psychological toll of hazing.
• Requires merely “reckless” intent, meaning perpetrators don’t need to actively wish harm; simply acting with disregard for the known risks is enough.
• Crucially, as per Texas Education Code § 37.155, “consent” is not a defense. Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the law recognizes the coercive environment of hazing renders such consent invalid.

Beyond the definition, Texas law also establishes consequences:

• Criminal penalties (Texas Education Code § 37.152):

  • Hazing can be a Class B misdemeanor (up to 180 days jail and/or $2,000 fine).
  • It escalates to a Class A misdemeanor if the hazing causes an injury requiring medical attention.
  • It becomes a State Jail Felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death.
  • Also, failing to report hazing, if you are a member or officer and knew about it, is a misdemeanor. Retaliating against someone who reports hazing is also a misdemeanor.

• Organizational liability (Texas Education Code § 37.153): Organizations themselves (fraternities, sororities, clubs) can face criminal charges and be fined up to $10,000 if they authorized, encouraged, or if an officer knew about the hazing and failed to report it. Universities can also revoke their recognition.

• Reporter protections (Texas Education Code § 37.154): Individuals who report hazing in good faith to university officials or law enforcement are generally immune from civil or criminal liability for making that report.

For students and parents in Howard County, these statutes mean that the state of Texas takes hazing seriously, recognizing it as a crime that warrants investigation and prosecution.

3.2 Criminal vs. Civil Cases

It is important to understand the fundamental differences between criminal and civil legal actions, both of which can arise from hazing incidents.

• Criminal Cases: These are brought by the state (represented by a prosecutor) against an individual or organization. The primary aim of a criminal case is punishment, which can include jail time, fines, or probation. Examples of hazing-related criminal charges in Texas can range from the hazing offense itself to more severe charges like furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, aggravated assault, or even manslaughter or negligent homicide in fatal hazing cases. The burden of proof is “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

• Civil Cases: These are brought by victims (or their surviving families) against individuals, organizations, and institutions. The primary aim of a civil case is monetary compensation (damages) for the harm suffered, and to achieve accountability that may not be available through criminal proceedings. In civil hazing lawsuits, key legal theories often include:

  • Negligence: Failure to exercise reasonable care, leading to injury.
  • Gross Negligence: An extreme degree of carelessness, showing conscious indifference to the rights, safety, or welfare of others.
  • Wrongful Death: When a person’s death is caused by the negligence or wrongful act of another.
  • Negligent Hiring/Supervision: When an institution fails to properly vet or oversee its employees or student leaders.
  • Premises Liability: When a property owner’s negligence (e.g., failing to keep a safe environment) contributes to the injury.
  • Emotional Distress: Seeking compensation for severe psychological harm.
    The burden of proof in civil cases is typically lower, “by a preponderance of the evidence.”

Crucially, a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. These two legal paths can run simultaneously, and a civil lawsuit can still succeed even if criminal charges are not filed or do not result in a conviction.

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

While Texas law provides a robust framework, federal regulations also play a significant role in campus hazing accountability and prevention, impacting universities attended by Howard County students.

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law, signed into effect in 2024, is poised to significantly increase transparency and accountability. It requires colleges and universities that receive federal funding to:

  • Publicly report hazing incidents in more detail, akin to their existing obligations for sexual assault.
  • Strengthen hazing education and prevention efforts.
  • Maintain and make publicly accessible comprehensive annual hazing data.
    These requirements are being phased in, with full implementation around 2026. This act will make it easier for Howard County families to research a particular university’s hazing history before their child enrolls.

• Title IX / Clery Act:

  • Title IX: This federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. This can compel universities to investigate, respond, and provide remedies to victims, regardless of where the hazing occurred.
  • Clery Act: The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. While hazing isn’t a standalone Clery crime, incidents often involve underlying offenses like assault, alcohol violations, or sex offenses that are reportable under Clery. This means Howard County students and parents can often find an institution’s publicly reported crime statistics, which might indirectly reflect hazing issues.

3.4 Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

Determining who can be held responsible in a civil hazing lawsuit is a complex undertaking, often involving multiple parties. An experienced hazing attorney understands how to identify all potential defendants and build a comprehensive case.

• Individual Students: The students who directly planned, actively participated in, supplied the alcohol for, or carried out the hazing acts can be held personally liable for their actions. This also includes individuals who helped cover up the incident or failed to intervene.
• Local Chapter / Organization: The specific fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself can be sued if it is structured as a legal entity. Key individuals acting in leadership roles, such as the president, “pledge educator,” or other officers, can also face individual liability.
• National Fraternity / Sorority Headquarters: These national organizations, which oversee hundreds of local chapters, often face significant liability. Liability can hinge on whether the national body:
  • Had knowledge of prior hazing incidents at the local chapter or other chapters nationwide.
  • Failed to adequately enforce their “anti-hazing” policies.
  • Negligently supervised or trained local chapter leaders.
    Many national organizations have deep pockets and insurance coverage, making them crucial targets for accountability.
• University or Governing Board: The university itself can be sued under various theories, particularly for negligence or—in some cases—violations of federal civil rights laws. Key questions in determining university liability often include:
  • Did the university have prior knowledge of hazing at that organization?
  • Did it fail to enforce its own policies?
  • Was there a pattern of “deliberate indifference” to known risks?
  • Did the university provide inadequate security or oversight?
    Public universities in Texas (like UH, Texas A&M, UT) may invoke sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist, particularly in cases of gross negligence, Title IX violations, or when individual employees are sued in their personal capacity. Private universities (like SMU, Baylor) generally have less protection from such lawsuits.
• Third Parties: Beyond the immediate circle, other entities can sometimes share liability:
  • Landlords or Owners of Off-Campus Houses/Venues: If hazing occurred on private property, the property owner could be liable if they knew or should have known about dangerous activities.
  • Bars or Alcohol Providers: Under Texas dram shop laws, establishments that overserve visibly intoxicated patrons who then cause harm can be held liable.
  • Event Organizers or Security Companies: If relevant, parties responsible for event safety could also be implicated.

Each hazing case is fact-specific, and the precise list of liable parties will vary. An experienced hazing attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties to maximize accountability and potential compensation for Howard County families.

4. National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

The tragic headlines of hazing deaths and severe injuries across the country often seem distant, yet they establish crucial legal precedents and expose systemic patterns that directly impact Texas families. These anchor stories demonstrate the profound and often fatal consequences of hazing, and why universities and national organizations have a duty to prevent it. We learn from these cases: the types of hazing, the typical cover-ups, and the legal strategies that bring justice.

4.1 Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Forced alcohol consumption remains the most common and deadly form of hazing. Cases nationwide illustrate a tragically predictable pattern of coercion, excessive drinking, and delayed medical care.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (February 2017):
  Twenty-year-old Timothy Piazza, a pledge to Beta Theta Pi, died after a “bid acceptance” night that involved extreme alcohol consumption and a fall down a flight of stairs. Security cameras inside the fraternity house chillingly captured the events: Piazza suffering multiple falls and injuries, while fraternity brothers delayed calling for help for nearly 12 hours. The aftermath involved over 1,000 criminal charges against 18 fraternity members (including involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault), and extensive civil litigation. This tragic case led to the comprehensive Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania and permanently banned the Beta Theta Pi chapter from Penn State. For Howard County families, this case underscores how a culture of secrecy and delayed medical intervention can turn a dangerous night into a fatal one, and why aggressive prosecution is possible.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (November 2017):
  Nineteen-year-old Andrew Coffey, a pledge to Pi Kappa Phi, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event. Pledges were reportedly given handles of hard liquor and pressured to consume them rapidly. The incident led to multiple criminal prosecutions against fraternity members and spurred Florida State University to temporarily suspend all Greek life operations, initiating sweeping policy overhauls. This case highlights how formulaic “tradition” drinking nights are a repeating script for disaster that national organizations should foresee.

• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (September 2017):
  Eighteen-year-old Max Gruver died from alcohol toxicity (with a blood alcohol content of 0.495%) after participating in a “Bible study” drinking game. Pledges were forced to drink whenever they answered questions incorrectly. Multiple members were charged, with one ultimately convicted of negligent homicide. Gruver’s death spurred Louisiana to enact the Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute. This case demonstrates how legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of hazing, impacting the legal landscape for Howard County students across the region.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (March 2021):
  Twenty-year-old Stone Foltz, a pledge to Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike), died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” night. This event, unfortunately, echoed prior Pike hazing incidents. Multiple fraternity members were criminally convicted of hazing-related charges. In 2023, Foltz’s family reached a $10 million settlement ($7 million from Pi Kappa Alpha national and approximately $3 million from Bowling Green State University). This significant settlement, including a portion from a public university, reinforces that institutions can face substantial financial and reputational consequences alongside fraternities, setting a precedent that impacts how Texas universities manage hazing.

4.2 Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

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

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (December 2013):
  Michael Deng, a pledge to Pi Delta Psi, tragically died from a traumatic brain injury sustained during a “glass ceiling” ritual at an off-campus retreat in the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. Deng was blindfolded, weighted down with a heavy backpack, and repeatedly tackled. In a horrifying display of a culture of silence, fraternity members delayed calling 911 for hours. The aftermath saw multiple members criminally convicted, and, groundbreakingly, the national fraternity itself was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, leading to a 10-year ban from practicing in Pennsylvania. This landmark case demonstrates that hazing at off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous or worse than on-campus events, and that national organizations are not immune from criminal accountability, a lesson relevant to Howard County families whose children might attend such off-campus events.

4.3 Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is unfortunately not exclusive to Greek life. Prestigious athletic programs, often overlooked in the public conversation about hazing, can also foster environments ripe for abuse.

• Northwestern University Football Hazing Scandal (2023–2025):
  A widespread scandal erupted at Northwestern University after former football players alleged a pattern of sexualized and racist hazing within the program over multiple years. These allegations, including forced “dry humping” and other degrading acts, led to multiple lawsuits against Northwestern and its coaching staff. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired and later reached a confidential wrongful-termination settlement with the university in August 2025. This scandal powerfully demonstrated that hazing extends far beyond Greek life into major athletic programs, raising critical questions about institutional oversight. For Howard County families whose children participate in competitive sports at Texas universities, this serves as a stark reminder that hazing can appear in unexpected places.

4.4 What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

These national anchor stories, tragically diverse in their details, share common threads that are critically important for Howard County families to understand:

• Persistent Dangers: Forced drinking to dangerous levels, physical beatings, extreme humiliation, and deliberate violence are recurring themes.
• Cover-Up Culture: A consistent element is the delay in seeking medical help and concerted efforts to cover up incidents and coerce witnesses into silence, significantly worsening outcomes and complicating investigations.
• Foreseeability: The sheer volume of similar incidents nationwide means that universities and national organizations cannot credibly claim ignorance; the risks are tragically foreseeable.
• Accountability: Multi-million-dollar settlements and significant criminal prosecutions often follow these tragedies, driven by relentless victim advocacy and skilled legal representation.
• Legislative Impact: Many of these cases have led directly to stronger anti-hazing laws, creating a more stringent legal environment.

For Howard County families with children attending or considering UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor, these national lessons are not abstract. They shape the current legal landscape and provide crucial insights into holding perpetrators and institutions accountable in Texas courts.

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

For Howard County families, understanding the specific environments and hazing histories of major Texas universities is paramount. Sending a child to college is a significant step, and knowing the institutional context, policies, and prior incidents at these schools provides invaluable insight. While Howard County is situated in West Texas, many of our students attend schools across the state, and the reach of these major institutions impacts families across the entire region. Let’s delve into the specific details of hazing at the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, and Baylor University.

5.1 University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston, a vibrant urban campus with a diverse student body, attracts many students from across Texas, some from as far as Howard County, seeking advanced degrees and career opportunities in a major metropolitan hub. While primarily a commuter campus, UH’s Greek life remains active, alongside numerous other student organizations. Campus police and the Houston Police Department share jurisdiction around the campus, depending on where an incident occurs. Civil suits related to hazing at UH would typically be filed in courts within Harris County, impacting potential legal proceedings for aggrieved Howard County families.

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH is a large, diverse public research university located in the heart of Houston. Its student population includes a mix of residential and commuter students, fostering a dynamic environment. The university supports a robust Greek life system, including fraternities and sororities under various councils (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural Greek Council), as well as numerous other student organizations, clubs, and sports teams. This blend of campus life offers ample opportunities for involvement but also presents potential risks for hazing if not properly supervised.

5.1.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

The University of Houston maintains a strict anti-hazing policy, clearly stating its prohibition both on and off campus. The university’s policy broadly defines hazing to include any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. This specifically prohibits activities such as forced consumption of alcohol, food, or drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and acts causing mental distress.

UH provides multiple avenues for reporting hazing:

• The Dean of Students Office.
• The Office of Student Conduct.
• The University of Houston Police Department (UHPD).
• Online reporting forms through the university’s website.

UH emphasizes education and prevention through its Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. While the university publishes a hazing statement and some summary disciplinary information, detailed public violation lists, similar to UT Austin’s, have historically been less comprehensive.

5.1.3 Example Incident & Response

A notable incident involving hazing at UH was the 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha chapter, known nationally as “Pike.” Pledges allegedly faced sleep and food deprivation during a multi-day initiation event, which culminated in one student sustaining a lacerated spleen after reportedly being slammed onto a table or a similar surface. This severe injury led to criminal misdemeanor hazing charges against the chapter members and a significant university suspension for Pi Kappa Alpha.

Beyond this high-profile case, UH has referenced other disciplinary actions involving fraternities for behaviors “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” including instances of alcohol misuse and other policy violations that resulted in suspensions or probation. These cases highlight UH’s willingness to impose sanctions, but also reveal the persistent challenge of hazing within its Greek system.

5.1.4 How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

For Howard County families whose children attend UH, understanding the procedural aspects of a hazing case is essential. Given UH’s location in Houston, incidents occurring on or near campus would involve emergency services and law enforcement from the Houston area.

• Law Enforcement: Depending on the exact location of the incident (on-campus property vs. off-campus fraternity house), investigations could involve both the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD) and the Houston Police Department (HPD).
• Judicial System: Any criminal prosecutions for hazing or related charges would be handled by the Harris County District Attorney’s office. Civil lawsuits for damages would be filed in the state district courts of Harris County.
• Potential Defendants: A comprehensive civil hazing lawsuit for a UH incident might name individual students involved, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority organization, and potentially the University of Houston itself, along with any relevant property owners or alcohol providers. Howard County families would need legal counsel experienced in navigating the Harris County court system and confronting major institutional defendants.

5.1.5 What UH Students & Parents Should Do

For students and parents connected to the University of Houston, immediate and informed action is crucial if hazing is suspected:

• Report Internally if Safe: Utilize UH’s official reporting channels through the Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct, or UHPD.
• Document Evidence: Students should immediately secure all digital communications, photos, and videos related to any hazing incident. Parents should help photograph any injuries and note down timelines and details. Attorney911’s video on using your phone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) explains best practices for preserving screenshots and photos.
• Seek Medical Attention: Any physical or psychological symptoms should be addressed by medical professionals immediately, ensuring detailed documentation.
• Contact a Lawyer Experienced in Houston-Based Hazing Cases: An attorney with experience in hazing litigation in Harris County can help families navigate UH’s sometimes opaque disciplinary processes, uncover prior disciplinary records, and build a strong civil case without compromising criminal investigations.

5.2 Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, a storied institution in College Station and a major destination for Howard County students seeking engineering, agriculture, and military-style education through its Corps of Cadets, boasts a culture steeped in tradition. This strong sense of tradition, while often celebrated, can sometimes be a breeding ground for hazing. For Howard County families interested in A&M, understanding both Greek life incidents and Corps of Cadets hazing is vital. College Station is a significant driving distance from Howard County, making expert legal guidance from a firm like Attorney911, which serves families across Texas, even more critical for those unable to navigate local resources directly. Hazing cases here would be handled by Brazos County courts and local law enforcement.

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M University is renowned for its traditions, particularly the Corps of Cadets, which offers a military-style undergraduate experience, and its highly active Greek life. The university’s strong sense of community and emphasis on “Aggie Spirit” can, at times, foster environments where hazing is perceived as a rite of passage for new members of organizations ranging from fraternities and sororities to the Corps and various student groups. This unique blend contributes to A&M’s identity but also presents specific challenges for hazing prevention and recognition.

5.2.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Texas A&M strictly prohibits hazing across all student organizations, including Greek life and the Corps of Cadets. The university defines hazing in alignment with Texas state law, emphasizing that consent is not a defense. A&M’s Student Conduct office oversees disciplinary actions related to hazing.

Reporting channels at Texas A&M include:

• The Student Conduct Office.
• The University Police Department (UPD).
• The Corps of Cadets leadership (though reporting directly to Corps leadership for hazing within the Corps can be fraught with conflict of interest).
• Anonymous reporting lines or online forms.

The university emphasizes that violations of hazing policy can lead to severe sanctions, including suspension or expulsion for students, and loss of recognition for organizations.

5.2.3 Example Incidents & Response

Hazing incidents at Texas A&M have drawn significant attention, particularly within the Greek system and the Corps of Cadets:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Lawsuit (around 2021): This incident involved multiple pledges alleging they were subjected to strenuous physical activity and then had industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit poured on them, resulting in severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The pledges subsequently sued the fraternity for $1 million, leading to the chapter’s suspension by the university.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A former cadet filed a lawsuit alleging degrading hazing rituals within the Corps of Cadets. The allegations included forced physical abuse, sleep deprivation, and being positioned in a humiliating “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million in damages. Texas A&M, while acknowledging its involvement, publicly stated it had handled these matters under its own administrative rules. This case is particularly notable as it highlights challenges within the respected and powerful Corps of Cadets.
• Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ) Hazing (2023, ongoing): Recent allegations reported through litigation suggest Kappa Sigma at Texas A&M engaged in hazing resulting in severe injuries, specifically rhabdomyolysis – a serious muscle breakdown from extreme physical activity and dehydration. This indicates a severe form of physical hazing with potentially long-term health consequences, and specialized legal representation may be exploring the specific medical impacts.

These incidents demonstrate that hazing at Texas A&M can take severely physical and chemical forms, affecting both Greek organizations and revered institutional bodies like the Corps of Cadets.

5.2.4 How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed

For Howard County families facing a hazing incident at Texas A&M, the legal process would typically unfold in Brazos County, where College Station is located.

• Law Enforcement: The Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD) and/or the College Station Police Department would be the primary law enforcement agencies involved in any criminal investigations.
• Judicial System: Criminal charges would be handled by the Brazos County District Attorney’s office. Civil lawsuits for compensation would be filed in the district courts of Brazos County.
• Potential Defendants: Hazing lawsuits at A&M could target individual students, various Corps leadership figures, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority, and potentially Texas A&M University itself. The university, as a state institution, would likely invoke sovereign immunity, which can require a different legal strategy focusing on exceptions to immunity or individual liability.

5.2.5 What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do

Given the unique cultural environment at Texas A&M, Howard County families should take specific steps if hazing is suspected:

• Document Everything Diligently: Given the strong sense of loyalty within A&M organizations, meticulous documentation of all hazing acts, communications, and injuries is paramount. This includes collecting digital evidence and medical records.
• Understand the “Code of Silence”: Be aware that attempts to maintain secrecy and discourage reporting can be particularly strong within organizations like the Corps of Cadets. Students facing this pressure should know their rights.
• Report to External Authorities if Necessary: While A&M has internal reporting, involving the College Station Police Department or the Brazos County District Attorney, or contacting the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE), can sometimes provide a more independent investigation path, especially if internal reporting seems ineffective.
• Consult Experienced Counsel: Given the highly institutional nature of A&M and potential sovereign immunity defenses, obtaining legal counsel experienced in hazing lawsuits against state universities and complex organizations is crucial. Attorney911 works with families across Texas, including those from Howard County, to navigate these complex cases.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)

The University of Texas at Austin, the flagship institution of the UT System, is a major draw for top students from Howard County seeking world-class academics and a vibrant campus experience. UT has a large, diverse Greek community and numerous powerful student organizations. For Howard County families, UT is a significant, but distant, campus. Its relatively greater transparency regarding hazing incidents offers both a clearer picture of the problem and valuable leverage for legal actions. Hazing cases here would fall under Travis County jurisdiction.

5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in Texas, with a substantial Greek life presence that includes IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and various multicultural councils. Beyond Greek life, UT is home to dozens of highly competitive student organizations, including spirit groups, clubs, and athletic teams. The “Longhorn” tradition instills a strong sense of pride and loyalty, which, like at other institutions, can sometimes be manipulated to create coercive environments for new members.

5.3.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

The University of Texas at Austin maintains a strict anti-hazing policy in accordance with state law. UT’s policy mirrors the Texas Education Code, explicitly prohibiting any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of affiliation or initiation.

UT provides comprehensive channels for reporting hazing:

• The Dean of Students Office / Student Conduct and Academic Integrity Office.
• The University of Texas Police Department (UTPD).
• Online reporting forms, including an anonymous option.

Crucially, UT Austin stands out for its relatively high level of transparency. It maintains a publicly accessible Hazing Violation Search page on its website (a model that other universities should follow). This site lists organizations, the nature of their hazing violations, dates of incidents, and the disciplinary actions taken. This transparency is an invaluable resource for Howard County parents and legal teams alike.

5.3.3 Example Incidents & Response

UT Austin’s publicly available Hazing Violation Search page provides a direct window into ongoing issues:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) (2023): UT disciplined its Pi Kappa Alpha chapter after finding that new members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. This was deemed to be hazing, leading to the chapter being placed on probation and required to implement new hazing-prevention education. This incident aligns with the national pattern of physical and forced consumption hazing seen in other Pike chapters.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) (January 2024): The UT chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon faced significant legal action after an Australian exchange student alleged assault by fraternity members at a party, resulting in severe injuries including a dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and a broken nose. This chapter was already under suspension for prior hazing and safety violations, demonstrating a pattern of misconduct at a prominent national organization. The student filed a lawsuit seeking over $1 million.
• Texas Wranglers (2022): This prominent spirit organization was sanctioned for hazing violations, including alcohol misuse and degradation, demonstrating that hazing is not limited to traditional Greek organizations at UT.
• Other entries on UT’s public log include various fraternities and sororities disciplined for forced workouts, sleep deprivation, alcohol-related hazing, and other punishment-based practices.

These repeated violations, even with public disclosure, underscore the persistent challenge of hazing at UT, despite the university’s transparency efforts.

5.3.4 How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed

For Howard County families pursuing a hazing case in connection with an incident at UT Austin, the legal proceedings would largely take place in Travis County.

• Law Enforcement: The University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) or the Austin Police Department (APD) would be involved in criminal investigations, depending on the location of the incident.
• Judicial System: Criminal prosecutions would be handled by the Travis County District Attorney’s office. Civil lawsuits seeking damages would be filed in the state district courts of Travis County.
• Potential Defendants: A civil lawsuit could name individual students, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority, and the University of Texas at Austin. UT Austin, as a public university, would likely invoke sovereign immunity, meaning legal strategy would need to focus on established exceptions to this immunity, such as claims of gross negligence or Title IX violations, or pursue claims against individual university employees in their personal capacity.

5.3.5 What UT Austin Students & Parents Should Do

For students and parents with ties to UT Austin, including those from Howard County, proactive measures are key:

• Utilize UT’s Public Hazing Log: Parents should review UT’s Hazing Violation Search page (easily found by searching “UT Hazing Violations”) to research the disciplinary history of any organization their child considers joining. This provides crucial “prior notice” evidence for legal cases.
• Report Internally AND Externally: Students feeling unsafe should use UT’s internal reporting channels but also consider involving the Austin Police Department if criminal acts occurred, or contact the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE).
• Preserve Digital Evidence Relentlessly: Given the high-tech nature of UT students, digital communications are almost always critical. Screenshots of group chats, Snaps, and social media posts are invaluable.
• Seek Experienced Legal Counsel for Travis County Cases: An attorney well-versed in hazing litigation in Travis County and against large state universities is essential to navigate the university’s processes and build a strong claim for accountability and damages.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University, a private institution nestled in a sophisticated Dallas neighborhood, is a popular choice for Howard County students seeking a more intimate academic setting. SMU is known for its strong Greek life and often affluent student body. Given its private status and location in a major metropolitan area far from Howard County, families need a clear understanding of its policies and the legal avenues available. Cases here would fall under Dallas County jurisdiction.

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

SMU is a private, religiously affiliated university located in University Park, an affluent enclave within Dallas. It is well-known for its extensive and prominent Greek life, with a large percentage of its undergraduate student body participating in fraternities and sororities. The social culture is heavily influenced by these organizations, as well as various other student groups and athletic programs. For Howard County students attending SMU, integrating into this environment often includes navigating a competitive social scene.

5.4.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

SMU maintains a strict anti-hazing policy that is consistent with Texas state law, prohibiting any acts that endanger mental or physical health for initiation or affiliation purposes. As a private university, SMU has the autonomy to set rigorous internal policies, and its approach to student conduct is handled through the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards.

Reporting channels at SMU include:

• The Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards.
• The SMU Police Department (SMU PD).
• Online reporting forms, including an anonymous option.
• SMU often utilizes platforms like “Real Response” to encourage anonymous reporting of hazing and other misconduct.

SMU emphasizes a “zero tolerance” policy for hazing and outlines disciplinary actions such as suspension, expulsion, and organizational sanctions. As a private institution, SMU’s internal disciplinary records are generally not subject to public information requests as they would be at state universities.

5.4.3 Example Incidents & Response

Hazing incidents at SMU, while not always publicly detailed to the same extent as at state universities, have led to significant disciplinary actions:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended after reports of severe hazing. New members allegedly endured physical abuse (paddling), forced alcohol consumption to dangerous levels, and extreme sleep deprivation. The chapter faced an initial 2-year suspension and was later placed under stringent restrictions on recruiting until around 2021, reflecting a severe institutional response. This aligns with national patterns of Kappa Alpha Order chapters facing similar issues.
• Other Fraternity Violations: Over the years, other SMU fraternities have faced sanctions for various hazing-related offenses under the guise of “new member education,” including excessive forced clean-up duty, demeaning personal servitude, and inappropriate rituals involving alcohol.

These incidents demonstrate SMU’s commitment to sanctioning hazing, although the details are less transparent than at public universities.

5.4.4 How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

For Howard County families involved in a hazing case at Southern Methodist University, the legal proceedings would occur in Dallas County.

• Law Enforcement: The SMU Police Department (SMU PD) is the primary law enforcement agency on campus. For incidents occurring just off-campus in University Park or other Dallas neighborhoods, the University Park Police Department or Dallas Police Department would be involved.
• Judicial System: Criminal prosecutions would be handled by the Dallas County District Attorney’s office. Civil lawsuits seeking damages would be filed in the state district courts of Dallas County.
• Potential Defendants: A civil lawsuit could name individual students, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority, and Southern Methodist University. As a private university, SMU does not enjoy sovereign immunity, which can simplify certain legal avenues compared to public institutions. However, they typically field aggressive defense teams.

5.4.5 What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

For SMU students and parents, including those residing in and around Howard County, specific considerations apply:

• Be Aware of Private Institution Dynamics: SMU’s internal investigations and disciplinary processes are not subject to public records laws. While SMU has robust policies, families should understand that obtaining internal documents (like prior incident reports) typically requires legal discovery in a civil lawsuit.
• Consider Confidentiality: SMU’s preference for internal resolution may come with confidentiality agreements that could limit your future legal options or ability to speak publicly. Do not sign anything without legal review.
• Legal Counsel for Dallas/Fort Worth Area Cases: Given SMU’s status as a private university and its location in a major metropolitan area, retaining a lawyer with experience in Dallas County courts and against well-funded private institutions is critical. Attorney911 operates with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, serving families across Texas, including Howard County, with the expertise to pursue justice in Dallas.

5.5 Baylor University

Baylor University in Waco, a private Baptist university known for its robust faith-based identity, draws students from across Texas, including Howard County, who are seeking a distinct academic and spiritual environment. Baylor’s strong emphasis on community and moral conduct provides a unique backdrop against which hazing incidents can be particularly jarring. For Howard County families, understanding how Baylor’s policies and past controversies intersect with hazing is essential. Hazing cases here would fall under McLennan County jurisdiction.

5.5.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor University is a private Christian university located in Waco, Texas. It prides itself on integrating faith with learning and fostering a close-knit community. Baylor supports a vibrant Greek life system, comprising fraternities and sororities, alongside a wide array of other student organizations, sports teams, and performing arts groups. The university’s strong values-based approach influences its student conduct policies and how it addresses violations like hazing. However, even within such an environment, hazing can tragically occur under the guise of tradition or misguided team building.

5.5.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Baylor University maintains a strict anti-hazing policy in line with both Texas state law and its institutional values. The policy defines hazing broadly, prohibiting any act (mental or physical) that risks the health or safety of a student for the purpose of affiliation or initiation. Baylor’s policy specifically condemns alcohol and substance abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse, and activities that violate a new member’s dignity.

Reporting channels at Baylor include:

• The Dean of Students Office / Student Conduct Administration.
• The Baylor University Police Department (BUPD).
• Online reporting forms, including an anonymous option.

Baylor emphasizes a “zero tolerance” approach to hazing, with potential sanctions for individuals ranging from suspension to expulsion, and for organizations, including loss of university recognition and charter revocation. The university has faced significant scrutiny in recent years regarding its handling of student misconduct, particularly in relation to past sexual assault scandals involving its football program, which has led to increased awareness and, theoretically, a more rigorous enforcement of policies across the board.

5.5.3 Example Incidents & Response

Hazing incidents, particularly within athletic programs, have impacted Baylor University:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): This incident led to the suspension of 14 Baylor baseball players following an investigation into hazing allegations. The university confirmed hazing occurred and imposed staggered suspensions on the players over the early season, impacting team performance. This case highlights that hazing is not confined to Greek life at Baylor and can occur within high-profile athletic programs, raising questions about oversight in such high-pressure environments.
• Other Greek Life Incidents: While often less publicly detailed than at state universities, Baylor’s Greek organizations have faced internal disciplinary actions by the university for hazing-related offenses, including coercive activities, degradation, and alcohol misuse.

These incidents demonstrate that even within a values-driven institution like Baylor, the challenge of hazing persists, requiring continuous vigilance and enforcement.

5.5.4 How a Baylor University Hazing Case Might Proceed

For Howard County families whose children attend Baylor University and are affected by hazing, legal actions would typically be brought in McLennan County.

• Law Enforcement: The Baylor University Police Department (BUPD) is the primary campus law enforcement agency. The Waco Police Department would be involved for off-campus incidents within city limits.
• Judicial System: Criminal prosecutions for hazing or related crimes would be handled by the McLennan County District Attorney’s office. Civil lawsuits for damages would be filed in the state district courts of McLennan County.
• Potential Defendants: A civil lawsuit could name individual students, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority, and Baylor University. As a private university, Baylor does not have the protection of sovereign immunity, akin to SMU. However, Baylor is a well-resourced institution with experienced legal teams, making the need for specialized legal counsel essential.

5.5.5 What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do

For Baylor students and parents, including those from Howard County, certain steps are particularly relevant:

• Understand Baylor’s Cultural Context: Be aware of Baylor’s strong institutional identity and its prior scrutiny over handling misconduct. This background influences how hazing investigations are conducted and reported.
• Prioritize Independent Documentation and Reporting: While Baylor has internal processes, seeking medical attention outside of the university system (if feasible), meticulously documenting digital evidence, and considering reporting to the Waco Police Department or McLennan County DA’s office (if criminal acts are involved) can ensure independent investigation.
• Confidential Legal Consultation for Private University Cases: Given Baylor’s private status, obtaining internal documents often requires legal discovery. An attorney experienced in complex litigation against private universities can help navigate these challenges and ensure all avenues for accountability are explored. Attorney911 serves families statewide, providing the necessary expertise regardless of distance from Howard County.

6. Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

For Howard County families, understanding the specific fraternities and sororities your children might encounter at Texas universities – and the broader national history of these organizations – is essential. The patterns of misconduct that emerge nationally often highlight a disturbing form of “foreseeability” in hazing cases. When a local chapter repeats a dangerous “tradition” that has led to injury or death at another chapter across the country, it becomes harder for the national organization to claim ignorance or that the incident was an unforeseen anomaly.

6.1 Why National Histories Matter

Many of the fraternities and sororities established at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor are chapters of large national organizations. These national headquarters:

• Often possess extensive anti-hazing manuals and elaborate risk management policies. These policies exist because the organizations have a documented history of deaths, catastrophic injuries, suspensions, and lawsuits at various chapters.
• Are acutely aware of common hazing scripts: forced drinking nights, physically abusive rituals, humiliating “traditions,” and the pressure to maintain secrecy.

The legal significance for Howard County families is profound: when a Texas chapter of a national fraternity or sorority repeats the same dangerous behavior that led to severe injury or death at another chapter in a different state, it can strongly support arguments of foreseeability and gross negligence against the national entity. This pattern evidence can significantly strengthen a civil lawsuit and increase the potential for punitive damages, demonstrating that the national organization had prior notice of the risk but failed to take adequate preventive action.

6.2 Organization Mapping: Common Hazards, National Patterns

Below, we detail some of the major fraternities and sororities present at the aforementioned Texas universities that have gained national attention for hazing incidents. This is not an exhaustive list, but an illustrative one demonstrating the recurring nature of these issues.

1. Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike)

   • Present at: University of Houston, Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University.
   • National Concerns: This fraternity is unfortunately associated with a recurring pattern of severe alcohol-related hazing, particularly during “Big/Little” events.
   • Key Incidents:
     • Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, 2021): Pledge died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to consume a bottle of liquor. Resulted in a $10 million settlement and criminal convictions.
     • David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois University, 2012): Pledge died from alcohol poisoning; led to a $14 million settlement split among many members involved.
   • Takeaway: The repeated nature of these alcohol-related tragedies across chapters suggests a systemic issue that national Pike has been, or should have been, aware of, directly impacting the claims that can be made against them by hazing victims, even those as far away as Howard County.

2. Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ)

   • Present at: University of Houston, Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, Baylor University.
   • National Concerns: Associated with extreme physical and alcohol-related hazing, often involving deliberate delays in seeking medical attention.
   • Key Incident:
     • Timothy Piazza (Penn State University, 2017): Pledge died from traumatic brain injuries after a forced drinking night and multiple falls, with brothers waiting hours to call for help. Led to the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law and extensive criminal and civil actions.
   • Takeaway: This case established new precedents in criminal hazing law and showcased how a national refusal to intervene in dangerous internal practices can lead to catastrophic consequences.

3. Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

   • Present at: University of Houston, Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, Baylor University.
   • National Concerns: Known for tragic alcohol-related hazing rituals disguised as “games” or “studies.”
   • Key Incident:
     • Maxwell “Max” Gruver (Louisiana State University, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning during a forced drinking game. Spurred the Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony in Louisiana, and a significant civil verdict for the family.
   • Takeaway: This case reinforces that hazing can be disguised as seemingly innocent activities, and that national headquarters often fail to adequately monitor and stop such practices.

4. Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

   • Present at: University of Houston, Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin.
   • National Concerns: Linked to severe alcohol hazing during initiation events.
   • Key Incident:
     • Andrew Coffey (Florida State University, 2017): Pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” involving forced consumption of hard liquor.
   • Takeaway: Another case highlighting the national trend of alcohol-fueled initiation rituals leading to death, suggesting a pattern of behavior national headquarters should be acutely aware of.

5. Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE)

   • Present at: University of Houston, Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University.
   • National Concerns: This fraternity has one of the highest numbers of hazing-related deaths and serious injuries in recent decades, particularly concerning alcohol and physical abuse.
   • Key Incidents:
     • Texas A&M University (2021): Two pledges alleged being doused with industrial-strength cleaner, eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts, leading to a lawsuit for $1 million.
     • University of Alabama (2023): Pledge allegedly suffered traumatic brain injury during a hazing ritual, leading to an ongoing civil lawsuit.
     • Carson Starkey (California Polytechnic State University, 2008): Died from alcohol poisoning during a forced drinking event. Led to a substantial confidential settlement and the creation of the national non-profit “Aware Awake Alive.”
     • University of Texas at Austin (2024): A student sued the UT chapter for over $1 million after an alleged assault resulting in multiple severe injuries; the chapter was already suspended for prior violations.
   • Takeaway: The documented pattern of severe hazing, including chemical burns and traumatic injuries, across multiple SAE chapters, including in Texas, strongly indicates a national failure in oversight and enforcement, making the organization a key target in litigation.

6. Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ)

   • Present at: University of Houston, Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University.
   • National Concerns: A checkered history related to alcohol and physical hazing, including fatalities.
   • Key Incidents:
     • Chad Meredith (University of Miami, 2001): Drowned after being persuaded by fraternity members to swim across a lake while intoxicated. Jury awarded his parents a $12.6 million verdict based on hazing and negligence. The “Chad Meredith Law” criminalized hazing in Florida.
     • Texas Christian University (2018): Member arrested for allegedly hazing pledges.
     • Texas A&M University (2023, ongoing): Allegations of hazing resulting in severe injuries like rhabdomyolysis, a dangerous muscle breakdown from extreme physical exertion, highlight continued risks.
   • Takeaway: Kappa Sigma’s history clearly demonstrates a pattern of dangerous activities that should be highly foreseeable by the national organization, creating significant liability.

7. Phi Gamma Delta (ΦΓΔ / FIJI)

   • Present at: Texas A&M University.
   • National Concerns: Linked to extreme alcohol consumption leading to catastrophic injury.
   • Key Incident:
     • Danny Santulli (University of Missouri, 2021): Pledge suffered severe, permanent brain damage (rendering him unable to walk, talk, or see) from excessive alcohol consumption during a “pledge dad reveal” night. Resulted in multi-million dollar settlements with 22 defendants.
   • Takeaway: This case, while not a death, is a stark reminder of the devastating, life-altering injuries that hazing can cause, and the extensive legal battle required to secure justice.

6.3 Tie Back to Legal Strategy

The cumulative weight of these national hazing histories is critical for legal strategy. For Howard County families, this means:

• Foreseeability: It becomes incredibly difficult for national fraternities and universities to argue that a given hazing incident was “unforeseeable” when similar events have happened repeatedly at their own chapters or peer institutions. This pattern evidence can be presented in court to establish the organizations’ knowledge of the inherent dangers.
• Duty to Act: These histories demonstrate that national organizations and universities have a clear duty to implement and enforce meaningful anti-hazing policies, train members effectively, and intervene decisively when hazing is reported. A failure to do so, in light of known dangers, strengthens claims of negligence and gross negligence.
• Settlement Leverage: Armed with evidence of a national organization’s pattern of hazing, victims often have stronger leverage in settlement negotiations, as the organizations face significant reputational and financial risks if a case goes to trial.
• Insurance Coverage: The extensive documentation of past incidents helps attorneys argue against insurance company attempts to deny coverage by claiming hazing was an “unforeseen accident” or an “intentional act” outside of policy terms.

By understanding these national and campus-specific histories, Howard County families gain a powerful perspective on the legal battle ahead and the deep-seated issues that Attorney911 works to address.

7. Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Building a successful hazing case for Howard County families against powerful universities and national organizations requires meticulous investigation, a thorough understanding of modern evidence collection, and sophisticated legal strategy. We assemble a comprehensive picture of what happened, who was involved, and the full extent of the harm caused.

7.1 Evidence

In modern hazing cases, evidence is everything, and much of it is digital. We aggressively pursue and preserve every piece of the puzzle.

• Digital Communications: This is often the most critical category of evidence.
  • Group Messaging Apps: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage/SMS, Discord, Slack, and even fraternity-specific internal apps are treasure troves. They show planning, coordination, instructions, threats, and even celebratory messages about hazing events. We gather full threads with sender names, timestamps, and context.
  • Social Media Evidence: Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok videos, and Facebook posts can reveal humiliating acts, documented injuries, location tags of events, and comments from members. Even ephemeral content like Snapchat stories must be saved immediately.
  • Deleted Messages: Digital forensics experts can often recover messages that perpetrators believed were permanently deleted, revealing crucial evidence of intent, coordination, and cover-ups.
• Photos & Videos:
  • Content filmed by members during hazing events, often shared within private group chats or on social media, provides undeniable proof.
  • Security camera or Ring/doorbell footage from fraternity houses, off-campus venues, or even campus buildings can timestamp activities and identify participants.
  • Injury Documentation: Meticulous photos of injuries, taken from multiple angles with a ruler for scale, and repeated over several days to show progression, are vital.
• Internal Organization Documents: These can lay bare the hypocrisy between official policies and actual practices.
  • Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, and “traditions” lists often contain explicit or coded instructions for hazing.
  • Emails or texts from officers discussing “new member education” can reveal coercive intent.
  • National policies and training materials, when compared with actual chapter conduct, demonstrate a failure to enforce.
• University Records: Through discovery in a lawsuit, we can obtain highly relevant university documents.
  • Prior conduct files, records of probation, suspensions, or warning letters related to the specific organization provide critical evidence of a university’s prior knowledge and its response (or lack thereof).
  • Incident reports from campus police or student conduct offices.
  • Clery reports and other public safety disclosures.
• Medical and Psychological Records: These documents objectively confirm the physical and mental harm suffered.
  • Emergency room reports, ambulance records, and hospitalization notes.
  • Lab results (blood alcohol content, toxicology, indicators for rhabdomyolysis).
  • Imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs) for evidence of brain injury, broken bones, or internal damage.
  • Psychological evaluations and therapy notes document PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other trauma-related conditions.
• Witness Testimony: The accounts of individuals are powerful.
  • Other pledges, current members who break the code of silence, former members, roommates, Resident Advisors (RAs), and even coaches or bystanders.
  • We understand that witnesses may fear retaliation; we work to protect their identities where possible and build a case that minimizes their personal risk.

7.2 Damages

When Howard County families pursue a civil hazing lawsuit, they are seeking compensation for the full spectrum of harm caused, both tangible and intangible. These damages are designed to make the victim whole again, to the extent that money can.

• Medical Bills & Future Care:
  • Past Medical Expenses: This includes all costs from emergency room visits, ambulance transport, hospital stays (ICU, surgery), medications, and medical equipment.
  • Future Medical Expenses: For severe injuries, this can involve significant costs for ongoing therapies (physical, occupational, speech), long-term psychiatric care (for PTSD, depression), future surgeries, and a life care plan detailing the costs of 24/7 care for victims with catastrophic injuries (like the Danny Santulli case).
• Lost Earnings / Educational Impact:
  • Lost Wages: For time missed from work (by the victim or a parent caring for them).
  • Lost Educational Opportunities: This includes tuition and fees for semesters missed, lost scholarships (academic, athletic, Greek-based), and the financial impact of delayed graduation, which postpones entry into the workforce.
  • Diminished Future Earning Capacity: If injuries result in a permanent disability (brain injury, chronic pain, or mental health issues affecting employment), an economic expert calculates the victim’s projected lifetime earnings loss.
• Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for the subjective yet profound impact of hazing.
  • Physical Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the actual physical pain from injuries, ongoing chronic pain, and loss of physical abilities (e.g., inability to play sports or walk without pain).
  • Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm: This covers trauma-related conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), severe depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and even suicidal ideation. It also includes the profound shame, humiliation, loss of dignity, fear, and loss of trust caused by hazing.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: For the inability to participate in previously enjoyed activities, social withdrawal, and the overall reduced quality of life caused by the hazing.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for Families): In the most tragic hazing cases resulting in death, surviving family members – typically parents, children, and spouses in Texas – can recover:
  • Funeral and Burial Costs.
  • Loss of Financial Support: Compensation for the income and financial contributions the deceased would have provided.
  • Loss of Companionship, Love, and Society: For the profound grief and emotional suffering of losing a loved one.
  • Loss of Guidance and Counsel: Especially for younger siblings who lose an older role model.
  • Parents’ and Siblings’ Mental Health Treatment: For the therapy and counseling needed to cope with such a traumatic loss.
• Punitive Damages: In cases where defendants’ conduct is particularly egregious, reckless, or malicious, punitive damages may be sought. Their purpose is to punish the wrongdoers and deter similar conduct in the future. In Texas, punitive damages are available but have statutory caps in many (though not all) instances; an attorney may argue gross negligence or intentional conduct to maximize their availability.

7.3 Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

A crucial aspect of hazing litigation involves identifying all potential insurance policies that might cover the damages. Fraternities, sororities, and universities often have extensive insurance coverage, but obtaining compensation is rarely straightforward.

• Insurance Company Tactics: Insurance companies for national fraternities, local chapters, and universities frequently argue that hazing or intentional acts are specifically excluded from their policies. They often claim that criminal or intentional conduct by individual members falls outside the scope of coverage.
• Attorney911’s Strategy: Our firm, with Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/), understands these tactics intimately. We know how to:
  • Identify all potential sources of coverage, including general liability, umbrella policies, and even individual homeowner’s policies of members.
  • Argue that while an individual act might be intentional, the organization’s negligent supervision, failure to train, or gross negligence in preventing hazing falls squarely within coverage.
  • Aggressively challenge wrongful denials of coverage and, if necessary, pursue “bad faith” claims against insurers who refuse to honor their obligations.
    Our goal is to ensure that all available insurance resources are brought to bear, maximizing the potential for compensation for Howard County families.

8. Practical Guides & FAQs

For Howard County parents and students facing the emotional and legal turmoil of hazing, actionable advice can make a crucial difference. Knowing what to watch for, what to do immediately, and what pitfalls to avoid is paramount.

8.1 For Parents

Parents in Howard County may find themselves unexpectedly navigating the complex world of college hazing. Here’s how you can protect your child and seek justice.

• Warning Signs of Hazing:
  • Unexplained Injuries: Bruises, burns, cuts, or repetitive “accidents,” especially if your child is vague or avoids explanation (“I can’t talk about it”).
  • Extreme Fatigue: Sudden, profound exhaustion, sleep deprivation, or falling asleep inappropriately.
  • Mood Changes: Drastic shifts in personality, increased anxiety, depression, irritability, or unusual secretiveness.
  • Withdrawal: Pulling away from family, old friends, or non-Greek activities.
  • Excessive Phone Use: Constant monitoring of group chats, anxiety when the phone buzzes, or rapid deletion of messages.
  • Financial Changes: Unexpected requests for money, unexplained large expenses, or excessive purchases for older members.
  • Academic Decline: Sudden drops in grades, missing classes, or neglecting assignments due to mandatory “events.”
• How to Talk to Your Child: Approach the conversation calmly and empathetically. Ask open-ended questions like, “How are things really going with the fraternity/sorority?” or “Is there anything making you uncomfortable?” Emphasize that their safety and well-being are your top priority, not their membership in an organization. Reassure them you will support them no matter what.
• If Your Child is Hurt:
  • Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Their health is paramount. Ensure medical professionals document what your child tells them about how the injury occurred (e.g., “forced to drink,” “beat during an event”).
  • Document Everything Meticulously: Photograph all injuries from multiple angles and over several days. Screenshot any texts, DMs, or group chat messages. Note down dates, times, locations, and names of individuals involved. Save any physical items like damaged clothing or receipts for forced purchases.
• Dealing with the University: Document every communication with university administrators. Ask specific questions about any prior incidents involving the same organization and what measures the school took in response. This information on “prior notice” is vital for civil legal action.
• When to Talk to a Lawyer: If your child has sustained significant physical or psychological harm, or if you feel the university or organization is minimizing the incident or hiding information, contact an attorney immediately. Time is often of the essence as evidence can disappear quickly.

8.2 For Students / Pledges

If you are a student from Howard County experiencing hazing, your safety and well-being are critical. You have rights, and help is available.

• Is This Hazing or Just Tradition? If you feel unsafe, humiliated, coerced, or forced to drink or endure pain; if the activity is shrouded in secrecy from outsiders or administrators; if older members make you do things they wouldn’t do themselves – it is almost certainly hazing. Your “consent” under pressure is not true consent.
• Exiting and Reporting Safely: You have the legal right to leave any organization at any time. If you feel unsafe, call 911 immediately. If you wish to de-pledge, you can do so by sending a clear email or text to the chapter leadership stating your intent to resign. You do not need to attend “one last meeting” where you may be pressured or intimidated. You can report hazing confidentially or anonymously through campus channels, or by calling the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE.
• Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty: Texas law and many university policies provide amnesty or protection from punishment for students who call for help in a medical emergency, even if they were consuming alcohol underage or were involved in hazing themselves. Your safety, or the safety of another, is prioritized.

8.3 For Former Members / Witnesses

If you are a former member or a witness to hazing, you might carry guilt, fear, or a desire to do the right thing but be unsure how.

• Your Role is Pivotal: Your testimony and evidence can be instrumental in preventing future harm and saving lives. You may be the key to holding perpetrators and institutions accountable.
• Seek Legal Advice: You may want to consult your own attorney to understand your rights, responsibilities, and any potential legal exposure you might have, even if you are cooperating. This protects your interests while allowing you to contribute to justice.
• Cooperation is Valued: While cooperating can be difficult, it is an important step towards individual and institutional accountability. Lawyers can help you navigate your role as a witness or even if you have exposure as a co-defendant.

8.4 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

For Howard County families pursuing justice in a hazing case, avoiding common errors is just as important as gathering evidence. These mistakes can severely undermine a legal claim. Attorney911’s video “Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY) provides further valuable insights.

MISTAKES THAT CAN RUIN YOUR HAZING CASE:

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages or “Clean Up” Evidence:
   • Why it’s wrong: Deleting evidence doesn’t make it disappear; it often makes it look like a deliberate cover-up, which can be legally damaging and even lead to obstruction charges.
   • What to do instead: Preserve and back up everything – even embarrassing content – immediately.
2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly:
   • Why it’s wrong: Direct confrontation will likely cause the organization to immediately hire legal counsel, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare defenses, making your case much harder.
   • What to do instead: Document everything discreetly, then contact a lawyer before any direct confrontation.
3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms:
   • Why it’s wrong: Universities may pressure families to sign waivers or internal agreements that can inadvertently waive your right to pursue a civil lawsuit, and any internal compensation is often far below the true value of your case.
   • What to do instead: Do NOT sign any documents from the university without having an attorney review them first.
4. Posting Details on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer:
   • Why it’s wrong: Anything posted online can be used against you by defense attorneys, potentially creating inconsistencies that damage credibility or waiving legal protections.
   • What to do instead: Document privately. Your lawyer can advise on the best strategy for public messaging if any.
5. Letting Your Child Go Back to “One Last Meeting”:
   • Why it’s wrong: When considering legal action, the organization’s “last meeting” is often an attempt to pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that could hurt your case.
   • What to do instead: Once you are considering legal action, all communication with the organization should typically go through your attorney.
6. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”:
   • Why it’s wrong: While universities have internal processes, crucial evidence can disappear, witnesses graduate or forget details, and the statute of limitations can run out. University processes often prioritize managing public image over true accountability or compensation.
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence immediately and consult with legal counsel. The university’s internal process does not equate to real legal accountability.
7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer:
   • Why it’s wrong: Insurance adjusters, representing the defendants, are trained to minimize payouts. Your recorded statements can be used against you, and they may offer lowball settlements before you fully understand the extent of your damages.
   • What to do instead: Politely decline to share information and inform them that your attorney will contact them.

8.5 Short FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions Howard County families have about hazing and legal action in Texas:

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities in Texas (such as UH, Texas A&M, and UT) benefit from some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist, particularly for gross negligence, certain Title IX violations, or when individual employees are sued in their personal capacity. Private universities (like SMU and Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case is highly fact-dependent—contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, case-specific analysis.

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

• “Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation activities?”
  Absolutely. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. The law recognizes that true voluntary consent cannot exist in situations involving peer pressure, power imbalances, and the fear of exclusion or retaliation inherent in hazing environments.

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
  Generally, there is a 2-year statute of limitations from the date of injury or death in Texas. However, the “discovery rule” may extend this period if the harm or its cause was not immediately apparent. In cases involving cover-ups or fraud, the statute might be “tolled” (paused). Time is critical—evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations may destroy records. We urge you to call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to discuss your specific timeline. Attorney911’s video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c) also offers valuable information.

• “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 or organizations can still be held liable based on their sponsorship of the group, their knowledge of ongoing hazing patterns, their control over members’ activities, and the foreseeability of such events. Many major hazing cases resulting in multi-million-dollar judgments have occurred at off-campus retreats or private residences.

• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  While we cannot guarantee absolute privacy, most hazing cases ultimately settle confidentially before going to trial. We can often request that court records be sealed and that settlement terms remain private. We always prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing full accountability and justice. Attorney911’s video “Will You Keep Me Updated on My Case?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JrQowOLv1k) discusses our commitment to client communication and privacy.

9. About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

When your family faces a hazing incident, especially one that leads to severe injury or wrongful death, you need more than just a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who intimately understand how powerful institutions—universities and national fraternities—fight back, how their insurance companies operate, and how to successfully navigate this complex legal battle. You need a firm that knows how to win.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, The Legal Emergency Lawyers™, offers precisely that specialized expertise. From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including those in and around Howard County whose children attend universities across the state. We understand that hazing at Texas universities can impact families far from campus, and we are equipped to bring our comprehensive legal services directly to you.

Our firm’s unique qualifications make us uniquely suited to take on even the most formidable opponents in hazing litigation:

• Insurance Insider Advantage: Our Associate Attorney, Lupe Peña, brings invaluable insight with her background as a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm. She knows how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims, understands their delay tactics, their coverage exclusion arguments, and their intricate settlement strategies. Essentially, we know their playbook because we used to run it. Lupe Peña’s complete professional background can be reviewed at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions: Ralph P. Manginello, our Managing Partner, possesses over 25 years of experience in high-stakes, complex litigation. He was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation and has extensive federal court experience. This means we are not intimidated by the vast resources of national fraternities, large universities, or their aggressive defense teams. We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won; we know how to fight powerful defendants. Ralph Manginello’s comprehensive credentials are detailed at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: Our firm has a proven track record of securing multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We collaborate with economists to accurately value loss of life and future earning capacity, and we understand how to build a case that rigorously quantifies lifetime care needs for victims with brain injuries or permanent disabilities. We don’t settle cheap; we build cases that force genuine accountability. Our expertise in wrongful death claims is further detailed at https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/.
• Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the prestigious Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) provides a deep understanding of how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. This dual perspective allows us to advise not only victims but also witnesses and former members who may face both civil and criminal exposure (see https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/ for more on our criminal defense services).
• Investigative Depth: We deploy a wide network of experts, including digital forensics specialists to recover deleted group chats and social media evidence, medical experts to fully assess injuries, and psychologists to document emotional trauma. We know how to subpoena national fraternity records showing patterns of prior incidents and uncover university files through tenacious discovery and public records requests. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it – because it does.

At Attorney911, we approach hazing cases with a profound sense of empathy and unwavering advocacy. We understand that this is one of the hardest things a family can face, and that the emotional toll can be immense. Our mission is to listen without judgment, to get you answers, to hold the right people accountable, and most importantly, to help prevent this tragedy from happening to another family. For a deeper understanding of our firm’s journey and ethos, watch “How Did the Manginello Law Firm Start?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td7IDrGNNdQ.

Call to Action:

If you or your child, whether attending a university in Houston, College Station, Austin, Dallas, Waco, or any other campus across Texas, has experienced hazing, we want to hear from you. Howard County families and students have the right to answers, accountability, and justice.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward.

What you can expect in your free consultation:

• We will listen to your story without judgment.
• We will review any evidence you have collected (photos, texts, medical records).
• We will explain your legal options: criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, both, or neither.
• We will discuss realistic timelines and what to expect throughout the process.
• We will answer your questions about costs – we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case. For an explanation, watch “How Do Contingency Fees Work?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc).
• There is no pressure to hire us on the spot – take the time you need to decide.
• Everything you tell us is strictly confidential.

Whether you’re in Howard County or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Don’t let fear or confusion prevent you from seeking help.

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. If you prefer to consult in Spanish, please contact Lupe Peña directly at lupe@atty911.com. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

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