Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Lampasas County Families

A call comes in the dead of night. Your child, away at a Texas university, is in the emergency room, having collapsed after an “initiation ritual” at their new fraternity. They’re scared, ashamed, and don’t want you to tell anyone. This nightmare scenario, unfortunately, is a grim reality for far too many families across our state. Even here in Lampasas County, where our communities are founded on strong Texas values and a deep respect for tradition, families send their children to universities across Texas with the expectation they will be safe, not subjected to dangerous and degrading practices.

This isn’t just about a few bad apples or harmless college pranks. Modern hazing is an insidious, often brutal, practice that endangers the physical and mental well-being of students. It can happen within Greek life, athletic teams, spirit organizations, and even academic clubs. When it turns violent or medically negligent, it can lead to catastrophic injuries, permanent trauma, or even death.

We understand the confusion, the fear, and the anger that parents and students in Lampasas County and beyond can feel. We wrote this comprehensive guide for families who need to understand exactly what hazing looks like in 2025, how Texas and federal law address it, what we can learn from major national and Texas cases, and what legal options victims and their families may have. We serve families throughout Texas, including those right here in Lampasas County, providing clarity and a path forward when the unthinkable happens.

This article provides general information. It is not specific legal advice. The Manginello Law Firm can evaluate individual cases based on their specific facts.

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.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

The image of hazing that many people hold—a few push-ups or lighthearted pranks—is often dangerously outdated. In 2025, hazing has evolved into a sophisticated, often brutal, system of abuse designed to assert control, enforce conformity, and create a false sense of loyalty, all while insulating perpetrators from accountability. What may start subtly can rapidly escalate into severe physical, psychological, or sexual assault, leaving lasting scars long after “initiation” is over.

At its core, hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. A critical point for Lampasas County families to understand is that “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and a profound power imbalance.

Main Categories of Hazing

Modern hazing takes many forms, often blending different tactics to maximize control and minimize detection:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing

  • Forced or coerced drinking: This is, tragically, the most common factor in hazing deaths. Pledges are pressured or forced to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol in short periods, often through “lineups,” chugging challenges, or drinking games where incorrect answers or failures result in mandatory consumption.
  • Consumption of unknown substances: Being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances, including drugs, often under duress.

• Physical Hazing

  • Paddling and beatings: Direct physical violence, including being hit with paddles, fists, or other objects.
  • Extreme calisthenics or “workouts”: Forced exercises far exceeding safe physical limits, often resulting in exhaustion, injury, or conditions like rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown).
  • Sleep and food/water deprivation: Denying new members adequate sleep or access to nutrition and hydration, leading to extreme fatigue and vulnerability.
  • Exposure to extreme environments: Forcing pledges outdoors in extreme cold or heat, or into unsanitary or dangerous locations.

• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

  • Forced nudity or partial nudity: Requiring new members to strip or perform in degrading states.
  • Simulated sexual acts: Forcing participation in acts that mimic sexual activity, often with offensive or demeaning connotations. This includes the notorious “elephant walk” or “roasted pig” scenarios.
  • Racial, homophobic, or sexist acts: Hazing that specifically targets individuals based on their identity through slurs, role-play, or degrading actions.

• Psychological Hazing

  • Verbal abuse and threats: Constant yelling, insults, intimidation, or threats of social isolation, expulsion from the group, or physical harm.
  • Isolation and manipulation: Cutting off contact with external support networks, sowing distrust, and subjecting new members to psychological games that distort reality.
  • Public shaming: Forcing embarrassing acts in public or targeting individuals for humiliation on social media.

• Digital/Online Hazing

  • Group chat pressure: Constant demands via GroupMe, WhatsApp, or Discord, requiring instantaneous responses, often late at night, leading to sleep deprivation and anxiety.
  • Social media humiliation: Forcing pledges to post embarrassing content, participate in degrading “challenges” on Instagram or TikTok, or create/share compromising images.
  • Cyber-stalking and tracking: Requiring active location sharing (e.g., via Find My Friends) or monitoring online activity.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

It is a common misconception that hazing is limited to stereotypical “frat boys.” The reality is far broader, and Lampasas County families should be aware that hazing can occur in nearly any group where students participate in initiation or an affiliation process:

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes social Greek letter organizations across all councils (Interfraternity Council – IFC, Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council – NPHC, and multicultural Greek councils).
• University Spirit Squads and Clubs: Many tradition-heavy groups, such as the Texas Cowboys, spirit groups, and other campus organizations, have faced hazing allegations.
• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to cheerleading and swim teams, hazing has been documented in high school and college sports programs nationwide, including in Texas.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: The rigorous, hierarchical nature of these organizations can sometimes be exploited for hazing under the guise of “training” or “discipline.”
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly benign groups can develop hazing traditions, often involving humiliation or endurance tests.
• Academic, Service, and Cultural Organizations: While less common for violent hazing, even these groups can engage in subtle or psychological hazing tactics.

The persistence of hazing, even in the face of widespread awareness and legal prohibitions, stems from deeply ingrained factors: social status, the allure of “tradition,” secrecy enforced by pledges, and a pervasive culture of fear that discourages reporting. For Lampasas County students considering joining any campus organization, understanding these dynamics is crucial for their safety.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

Understanding the legal landscape around hazing can be complex, but for Lampasas County families, it’s vital to know that Texas law provides avenues for accountability for both individuals and institutions. Hazing is not just a campus policy violation; it can carry serious criminal and civil consequences.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws outlined in the Texas Education Code, primarily Chapter 37, Subchapter F. These laws make it clear that hazing is illegal and define it broadly:

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, committed by a student against another 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.

What this means:

• On or off campus: The location of the hazing does not matter. It is illegal whether it happens in a dorm, an off-campus house, or at a remote retreat.
• Mental or physical harm: Hazing doesn’t have to cause visible physical injury to be illegal. Severe psychological abuse, humiliation, or terror can violate the law.
• “Reckless” intent is enough: The law doesn’t require malicious intent. If someone acted recklessly, meaning they were aware of the risk and disregarded it, it can still be hazing.
• “Consent” is not a defense: Even if a student appears to agree to participate, the law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. This recognizes the powerful coercive dynamics at play.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing:

• Class B Misdemeanor (default): For hazing that does not cause serious injury (punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000).
• Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes injury requiring medical treatment.
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. This carries a penalty of 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility, in addition to fines.

Additionally:

• Failure to report hazing: An officer or member of an organization who knows of hazing and fails to report it can also face misdemeanor charges.
• Retaliation against a reporter: Threatening or retaliating against someone who reports hazing is also a misdemeanor.

Organizational Liability: Texas law also holds organizations accountable. An organization can be fined up to $10,000 per hazing violation, and universities can revoke their recognition or ban them from campus. This occurs if the organization authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer or a member acting in their official capacity knew about the hazing and failed to report it.

Reporter Protections: A crucial aspect for Lampasas County students is that Texas law provides limited immunity for individuals who report hazing in good faith to university authorities or law enforcement. Furthermore, many university policies and state laws offer amnesty to students who call 911 or seek medical help in an emergency, even if underage drinking or hazing was involved, prioritizing saving lives over punishment.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

It’s important to distinguish between criminal and civil actions related to hazing:

• Criminal Cases: These are brought by the State of Texas (through district attorneys or prosecutors) against individuals or even organizations that have violated hazing laws. The goal is to punish the wrongdoers through fines, imprisonment, or probation. Hazing-related criminal charges can include: direct hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, sexual assault, or in tragic cases, manslaughter or negligent homicide.
• Civil Cases: These are initiated by victims or their surviving family members (plaintiffs) against individuals, organizations, and institutions (defendants). The primary goal in a civil lawsuit is to seek monetary compensation for damages suffered, hold responsible parties accountable, and drive change to prevent future incidents. Civil claims often involve theories of:
  • Negligence and Gross Negligence: Failure to act with reasonable care, or acting with a reckless disregard for the safety of others.
  • Wrongful Death: When a death results from the wrongful acts of another.
  • Negligent Hiring/Supervision: When an institution fails to properly vet or oversee its employees or affiliated organizations.
  • Premises Liability: When property owners fail to provide a safe environment.
  • Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For severe psychological harm.

Crucially, a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. The standards of proof are different, and civil litigation can proceed even if no criminal charges are filed or if criminal charges are dismissed. Both types of cases can run simultaneously.

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

In addition to Texas state laws for families in Lampasas County to consider, federal regulations also impose obligations on universities and provide additional avenues for justice:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This landmark federal legislation, the “Report and Eliminate Campus Hazing (REACH) Act,” requires colleges and universities receiving federal funds to disclose hazing incidents more transparently in their annual security reports (Clery Act reports). It also mandates that institutions enhance their hazing prevention efforts and provide more robust hazing education. While aspects of its implementation are gradually phased in through 2026, it represents a significant step towards greater accountability and transparency from federal policymakers. This means that Lampasas County families will soon have better access to university-specific hazing data.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or hostile treatment based on gender identity, it falls under Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education. Universities have clear obligations to investigate and respond to such complaints, regardless of where they occurred. This provides a powerful federal mechanism for accountability in specific hazing scenarios.
• Clery Act: The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires colleges and universities to report campus crime statistics and security information. Hazing incidents involving assaults, alcohol-related crimes, or other violent acts can trigger Clery Act reporting requirements. This law helps ensure that universities provide an honest picture of campus safety risks, including those related to hazing.

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 requiring meticulous investigation and legal expertise. Liability can extend beyond just the individuals who carried out the hazing:

• Individual Students: These are the members who directly participated in the hazing, planned the events, supplied substances, or actively concealed the abuse. Their personal actions can lead to direct liability.
• Local Chapter/Organization: The official or unofficial student organization itself (e.g., the local chapter of a fraternity or sorority, or a student club) can be sued as a distinct entity if it encouraged, authorized, or failed to prevent the hazing. Key individuals like “pledge educators” or chapter officers can also be held liable for their roles.
• National Fraternity/Sorority (or Parent Organization): Many national organizations have stringent anti-hazing policies and risk management guidelines. However, if evidence shows they knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing at a local chapter, failed to adequately train or supervise, or ignored previous violations, the national entity can be held liable. Their extensive resources often make them a primary target for litigation.
• University or Governing Board: While public universities in Texas (like UH, Texas A&M, UT) benefit from some sovereign immunity protections, exceptions exist. Universities can be sued for negligence if they:
  • Knew or should have known about a hazing problem and failed to act.
  • Negligently supervised or failed to enforce their own anti-hazing policies.
  • Showed deliberate indifference to known risks, especially if the hazing involved Title IX violations.
  • Private universities (like SMU and Baylor) typically have fewer immunity protections and may be held to similar standards as other private entities.
• Third Parties: Depending on the facts, other entities involved might also bear responsibility:
  • Landlords/Property Owners: If hazing occurred on property they owned or controlled and they were aware of dangerous activities.
  • Alcohol Providers: Bars, stores, or individuals who illegally provided alcohol to minors participating in hazing, under Texas dram shop laws.
  • Security Companies or Event Organizers: If their negligence contributed to an unsafe environment where hazing occurred.

Every hazing case is fact-specific. Not every party will be liable in every situation, but experienced hazing attorneys meticulously investigate all potential defendants to ensure full accountability and maximum recovery for victims and families from Lampasas County and across Texas.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

When seeking justice for hazing in Texas, what has happened in other states and at other universities matters. Major national hazing cases set crucial legal precedents, expose common patterns of institutional failure, and demonstrate the potential for multi-million-dollar accountability. These “anchor stories” influence how judges, juries, and even insurance companies view similar incidents at Texas universities like UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor. They expose that many organizations had repeated warnings, yet failed to protect students.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

The most tragic and common pattern in hazing involves extreme, forced alcohol consumption, often resulting in death. These cases powerfully illustrate the lethal disregard for student safety:

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge, died after a bid-acceptance event where he was forced to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol. Fraternity surveillance cameras captured him falling repeatedly, suffering severe head injuries, while fraternity members delayed calling for help for nearly 12 hours. The aftermath involved over 1,000 criminal charges against fraternity members and significant civil litigation that saw family members receive confidential settlements. This case directly led to the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania, a robust felony hazing statute. It underscored that extreme intoxication, deliberate delays in calling 911, and a pervasive culture of silence are legally devastating and will be aggressively prosecuted.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Andrew Coffey, a freshman pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event. Pledges were given handles of hard liquor and pressured to consume them quickly. The tragic death led to criminal hazing charges against multiple members and an unprecedented temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU, followed by a systemic overhaul of hazing policies. This case highlights how seemingly traditional “brotherhood” events can become lethal when they involve formulaic, coerced drinking.

• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max Gruver, an 18-year-old pledge, died from alcohol toxicity during a “Bible study” drinking game where pledges were forced to drink whenever they answered questions incorrectly. His blood alcohol content was 0.495%. Max’s death resulted in Louisiana enacting the Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute that made hazing resulting in severe injury or death a serious felony. The civil case against fraternity members and their insurer resulted in a $6.1 million verdict for the family, emphasizing that legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of institutional negligence.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old pledge, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink an entire bottle of whiskey in 20 minutes during a “Big/Little” pledge night. Multiple criminal convictions followed for fraternity members. The Foltz family reached a $10 million settlement in 2023, with $7 million from Pi Kappa Alpha national and nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University. This case demonstrated that universities, even public ones, can face significant financial and reputational consequences alongside fraternities when hazing results in tragedy.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Hazing isn’t always about alcohol. Often, it involves deliberately dangerous physical abuse or bizarre, humiliating rituals that cause severe injury or death, exposing a different facet of organizational liability:

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng, a Chinese-American pledge, was blindfolded, forced to wear a backpack filled with sand, and repeatedly tackled in a ritual called “glass ceiling” at a fraternity retreat in the Pocono Mountains. He suffered fatal head injuries, and fraternity members delayed calling for help for hours, attempting to cover up the incident. Multiple members were convicted, and the national Pi Delta Psi fraternity was itself criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, and subsequently banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. The case was a stark reminder that off-campus “retreats” can be dangerously unsupervised, and national organizations can face severe criminal and civil sanctions for their chapters’ actions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

The myth that hazing only happens in Greek life is quickly debunked by incidents in athletic programs, which also struggle with power dynamics, traditions, and the pressure to conform:

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): A massive scandal erupted at Northwestern when former football players alleged widespread sexualized, racist, and physically abusive hazing within the prestigious football program over multiple years. Multiple lawsuits swiftly followed against the university and coaching staff. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired, eventually reaching a confidential settlement in an ensuing wrongful-termination suit, while the university faced significant reputational damage and civil claims from former players. This case underscored that hazing is not limited to Greek life; it can deeply infect high-profile, big-money athletic programs, raising questions about institutional oversight and the responsibility of senior leadership.

What These Cases Mean for Lampasas County Families

These national cases, far from being isolated incidents, reveal dangerous common threads: pervasive forced drinking, deliberate acts of humiliation and violence, tragic delays or denials of medical care, and systematic cover-ups. While reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements often follow these tragedies, they typically happen only after families courageously pursue litigation, insisting on justice and accountability.

For Lampasas County families, it means that if their child faces hazing at any Texas university—be it UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor—they are not alone. These national lessons have created a landscape where universities and national organizations can no longer claim ignorance. Experienced legal counsel understands these precedents and knows how to apply them to hold wrongdoers accountable in Texas courts.

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

Families from Lampasas County send their children to universities across our great state, from the bustling urban campuses of Houston and Austin to the traditional strongholds of College Station, Dallas, and Waco. These institutions, each with its unique culture, grapple with the persistent issue of hazing, impacting students and families from every corner of Texas. Our firm has an intimate understanding of the dynamics at play within each of these major universities, and for families in Lampasas County concerned about their children at these schools, we provide this detailed look.

We serve families throughout Texas, and while Lampasas County is a close-knit community, many students from our area head south to UT Austin, east to Texas A&M, or further to the Metroplex, and to Houston. The patterns of hazing described nationally also manifest here, demanding vigilance and legal readiness from families regardless of their proximity to campus.

5.1 University of Houston (UH)

5.1.1 Campus & culture snapshot for Lampasas County families

The University of Houston is a vibrant, diverse urban campus, serving a significant number of commuter students alongside a growing residential population. Its Greek life is active and varied, encompassing fraternities and sororities from IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and multicultural Greek councils. Beyond Greek organizations, UH also hosts numerous spirit groups, athletic teams, and cultural associations, all of which could potentially be venues for hazing. For Lampasas County students and parents, the transition to such a large, diverse campus environment can sometimes obscure initial warning signs of problematic group behavior.

5.1.2 Official hazing policy & reporting channels

UH maintains strict anti-hazing policies, explicitly prohibiting acts that endanger physical or mental health for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. This policy applies to all recognized student organizations, both on and off campus. UH forbids coerced consumption of alcohol/food/drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, forced servitude, and any behaviors that induce mental distress.

Reporting channels include: the Dean of Students Office, the Student Conduct Office, the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD), and an online reporting form. While UH posts a general hazing statement, public detail regarding specific disciplinary actions against organizations can sometimes be less transparent than at other public universities.

5.1.3 Selected documented incidents & responses

While specific case details often remain confidential, the University of Houston has had a history of hazing allegations and disciplinary actions:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2016): One of the more publicized incidents involved the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Pledges allegedly suffered from severe deprivation of food, water, and sleep during prolonged events. One student reportedly sustained a lacerated spleen after being slammed onto a table or similar surface during an event. This led to misdemeanor hazing charges and a university suspension for the chapter.
• Ongoing Disciplinary Actions: UH’s website sometimes references “disciplinary actions” related to hazing allegations, which broadly describe behavior “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” often involving alcohol misuse and policy violations. While details are often limited, these indicate a persistent underlying issue within some student organizations.

These incidents highlight UH’s proactive stance in suspending chapters when violations are discovered, but also underscore the ongoing challenges that persist despite formal prohibitions.

5.1.4 How a UH hazing case might proceed for Lampasas County residents

Should a Lampasas County family face a hazing incident at the University of Houston, the legal process will likely involve several key entities:

• Law Enforcement: Depending on the location of the hazing, investigations might involve the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD) for incidents occurring on campus property, or the Houston Police Department (HPD) for off-campus hazing. Criminal charges could be pursued under Texas state law.
• Civil Courts: Civil lawsuits for damages would likely be filed in courts with jurisdiction over Houston and Harris County. This could include district courts in Harris County.
• Potential Defendants: In a civil suit, potential defendants would include the individual students directly involved, the local chapter, the national fraternity or sorority (if applicable), and potentially the University of Houston itself. Property owners of off-campus residences or event venues could also be implicated.

5.1.5 What UH students & parents from Lampasas County should do

For Lampasas County students attending UH and their families, vigilance and prompt action are paramount:

• Understand UH Policies: Familiarize yourselves with UH’s official anti-hazing policy and disciplinary processes.
• Report Internally if Safe: If comfortable and safe, report concerns to the UH Dean of Students office or UHPD. Utilize anonymous reporting options if fear of retaliation is a primary concern.
• Document Everything: As soon as any concerns arise, meticulously document all evidence. This includes screenshots of group chats, photos of injuries, names of individuals involved, and dates/times of incidents.
• Seek Legal Counsel: Promptly contact a lawyer experienced in Houston-based hazing cases, like Attorney911. We can help navigate the complex university investigative processes, ensure critical evidence is preserved (especially given UH’s size and diverse environment), and uncover prior discipline or internal files that might support your case.

Our firm is based in Houston, giving us unique insights and access to local resources essential for investigating hazing incidents at UH and across the Greater Houston area.

5.2 Texas A&M University

5.2.1 Campus & culture snapshot for Lampasas County families

Texas A&M University, a cornerstone institution deeply woven into the fabric of Texas, boasts a rich tradition and a strong sense of community, particularly visible in its Corps of Cadets and deeply engrained Greek life. For Lampasas County students, leaving our rural communities for College Station can be an exciting journey into a distinct culture. The emphasis on unity, tradition, and often a challenging “Aggie experience,” while fostering strong bonds, can sometimes create an environment ripe for hazing, especially when these elements devolve into forced submission.

5.2.2 Official hazing policy & reporting channels

Texas A&M University strictly prohibits hazing by any student organization, including Greek fraternities and sororities, the Corps of Cadets, and other student groups. Their policy aligns with Texas state law, defining hazing as any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. A&M emphasizes that “consent” is not a defense for hazing activities.

Reporting channels are available through the Student Conduct Office, the Corps of Cadets leadership, the University Police Department (UPD), and various online reporting portals. A&M also publishes information on organizational misconduct, though specific details of hazing investigations can vary in public accessibility.

5.2.3 Selected documented incidents & responses

Texas A&M has faced its share of hazing allegations reflecting both its Greek and Corps cultures:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021) – Severe Chemical Burns: One particularly alarming incident involved the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity, where pledges alleged they were subjected to strenuous physical activity and then had various substances, including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, poured on them. This resulted in severe chemical burns for two pledges, requiring skin graft surgeries. The fraternity was suspended for two years by the university, and the pledges took legal action against the fraternity national chapter, seeking $1 million in damages.
• Corps of Cadets (2023) – Degrading Hazing Allegations: A former cadet filed a lawsuit alleging degrading hazing practices within the Corps of Cadets, including performing simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, highlighting that hazing can occur even in highly structured military-style programs. Texas A&M affirmed it handled the matter according to its rules at the time.
• Kappa Sigma (2023) – Rhabdomyolysis Allegations: There have been allegations of severe physical hazing within the Kappa Sigma fraternity resulting in rhabdomyolysis (a serious condition involving muscle breakdown) in pledges. This type of injury is a clear indicator of extreme physical overexertion and often prolonged, forced exertion.

These incidents demonstrate that hazing at Texas A&M spans beyond traditional Greek life, extending into highly revered university institutions like the Corps of Cadets, and can result in severe physical injury.

5.2.4 How a Texas A&M hazing case might proceed for Lampasas County residents

For Lampasas County families dealing with hazing at Texas A&M, understanding the legal process involves:

• Law Enforcement: Incidents occurring on campus or involving university property may be investigated by the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD). Off-campus incidents in College Station would likely involve the College Station Police Department, while those in Bryan would involve the Bryan Police Department or the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office.
• Civil Courts: Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in Brazos County District Courts, given College Station’s location.
• Potential Defendants: Individual students, the local chapter (Greek or Corps unit), the national organization, property owners, and potentially Texas A&M University could all face civil claims. Suing a public university like Texas A&M requires navigating sovereign immunity laws, making it particularly important to have experienced counsel to identify exceptions or pursue individuals.

5.2.5 What Texas A&M students & parents from Lampasas County should do

If your child from Lampasas County is attending Texas A&M and you suspect hazing:

• Document and Report: Immediately document any physical injuries, behavioral changes, or specific hazing acts. Report concerns to the Texas A&M Student Conduct Office or the Corps of Cadets leadership, or UPD, considering anonymous options if personal safety or retaliation is a concern.
• Preserve Evidence: Crucially, save all digital communications (group chats, texts, social media posts) and photos or videos. Evidence can disappear quickly, especially in a culture where secrecy is highly valued.
• Seek Prompt Legal Advice: Contact Attorney911 immediately. We have experience with significant cases against large institutions like Texas A&M and understand the unique cultural dynamics of the Corps and Greek life. Our firm can help you navigate these complexities, protect your child’s rights, and pursue all available avenues for accountability.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)

5.3.1 Campus & culture snapshot for Lampasas County families

The flagship University of Texas at Austin is a massive public institution with a vibrant, often intense, campus culture. For Lampasas County students, moving to Austin means immersing themselves in one of the most prominent university environments in the country, marked by strong academic and athletic traditions, and a large, visible Greek life presence. While UT prides itself on scholarship and leadership, its size and diverse student body also mean a heightened risk of hazing incidents within its many student organizations.

5.3.2 Official hazing policy & reporting channels

The University of Texas at Austin has among the most publicly transparent anti-hazing policies and reporting mechanisms in the state. Hazing is strictly prohibited and defined in alignment with Texas state law, encompassing any act that endangers mental or physical health for initiation purposes. UT emphasizes that “consent” is not a defense.

UT’s Student Conduct and Academic Integrity office oversees hazing investigations. Crucially, UT maintains a publicly accessible Hazing Violations page on its website (hazing.utexas.edu), listing organizations, dates, specific conduct found to be hazing, and disciplinary sanctions imposed. This transparency is a valuable resource for Lampasas County parents to research organizations before their children join and can also be critical evidence in subsequent legal actions.

5.3.3 Selected documented incidents & responses

UT Austin’s public Hazing Violations page reveals a consistent pattern of hazing across various student groups:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): The Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) fraternity was found responsible for hazing after new members were directed to consume milk and participate in strenuous calisthenics. The chapter was placed on probation and required to implement enhanced hazing-prevention education. This incident, while perhaps less severe than some, demonstrates the university’s ongoing struggle with even “subtle” hazing acts.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (January 2024) – Assault Allegations: An Australian exchange student filed a lawsuit against the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) chapter at UT, alleging he sustained severe injuries, including a dislocated leg, broken ligaments, a fractured tibia, and a broken nose, after being assaulted by fraternity members at a party. This underscores the potential for physical violence in the Greek system at UT, particularly in chapters with prior conduct issues.
• Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): Numerous spirit organizations, including the Texas Wranglers, have faced sanctions for hazing involving physically demanding tasks, alcohol consumption, and humiliating activities, reinforcing that hazing is not exclusive to fraternities and sororities.
• Absolute Texxas (Spirit Group, 2022): This spirit organization was disciplined for multiple hazing violations, including alcohol/drug misconduct, blindfolding, kidnapping, and degrading new members.

The comprehensive nature of UT’s public listing highlights both the university’s commitment to transparency (relatively speaking) and the pervasive nature of hazing practices within its student body.

5.3.4 How a UT Austin hazing case might proceed for Lampasas County residents

For Lampasas County families whose children attend UT Austin and experience hazing:

• Law Enforcement: Incidents on campus may involve the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD). Off-campus hazing could involve the Austin Police Department (APD) or the Travis County Sheriff’s Office for incidents outside city limits.
• Civil Courts: Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in Travis County District Courts, the primary civil jurisdiction for Austin.
• Potential Defendants: Individual perpetrators, the local chapter, the national organization, property owners, and the University of Texas at Austin itself could all be named as defendants. The public nature of UT’s hazing report provides a strong basis for demonstrating a history of issues that can support claims against the university.

5.3.5 What UT Austin students & parents from Lampasas County should do

If you’re a Lampasas County parent with a child at UT Austin, or a student there, swift action can make a difference:

• Consult UT’s Public Records: Before or during an incident, review UT’s Hazing Violations page (hazing.utexas.edu) to see if the organization in question has a prior record. This can be crucial leverage.
• Preserve Digital Evidence: Austin’s student population is highly connected. All digital communications—texts, GroupMe chats, Snapchat, Instagram DMs—are critically important evidence. Screenshot and save everything.
• Utilize UT Reporting Channels: Report concerns to UT’s Student Conduct and Academic Integrity office or UTPD. Take advantage of their transparent reporting system.
• Contact Attorney911 Immediately: Our firm understands how to leverage UT’s unique transparency regarding hazing violations. This information can build a strong civil case, demonstrating a pattern of neglect or deliberate indifference when organizations repeatedly engage in hazing. We serve families across Texas, and our Austin office provides a local presence for those in Central Texas.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)

5.4.1 Campus & culture snapshot for Lampasas County families

Southern Methodist University (SMU), a private university in Dallas, is known for its beautiful campus, rigorous academics, and a vibrant, often prominent, Greek life. Many Lampasas County students who seek a smaller, private university experience with strong Greek traditions might find themselves at SMU. The campus culture, while emphasizing social engagement and leadership, can also sometimes foster an environment where “tradition” can blur into hazing, often less publicly scrutinized due due to SMU’s private status.

5.4.2 Official hazing policy & reporting channels

SMU strictly prohibits hazing across all student organizations, aligning its policy with Texas law. Hazing is defined as any act that causes or is likely to cause physical or psychological harm or humiliation to a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. SMU explicitly states that any act of hazing is unlawful and prohibited, regardless of a participant’s willingness to partake.

Reporting channels include the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs / Dean of Students, the SMU Police Department (SMU PD), and an online reporting form. SMU also uses reporting tools like “Real Response” to encourage anonymous student reporting. As a private institution, SMU’s disciplinary actions and specific details of hazing investigations are typically less publicly accessible than those of public universities.

5.4.3 Selected documented incidents & responses

While SMU’s private status means less public disclosure than at, for example, UT Austin, incidents of hazing and subsequent disciplinary actions have been acknowledged:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): The Kappa Alpha Order fraternity was suspended by SMU following allegations of hazing that included pledges being paddled, forced to consume alcohol, and deprived of sleep. The fraternity faced restrictions on recruiting and activities for several years. This incident highlighted that even at prestigious private institutions with strong Greek systems, hazing remains a persistent issue.
• Ongoing Monitoring: SMU’s Greek life often faces internal scrutiny and monitoring. While specific details of minor incidents are rarely made public, the university frequently places chapters on probation or takes disciplinary action for policy violations that may include hazing.

The challenge for Lampasas County families is that, without public databases, uncovering a pattern of behavior at SMU often requires extensive legal discovery.

5.4.4 How an SMU hazing case might proceed for Lampasas County residents

For Lampasas County families pursuing a hazing case at SMU:

• Law Enforcement: Incidents on campus would be handled by SMU Police Department. Off-campus hazing in the Dallas area would fall under the jurisdiction of the Dallas Police Department (DPD) or the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department.
• Civil Courts: Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in Dallas County District Courts.
• Potential Defendants: Individual students, the local chapter, the national organization, property owners, and Southern Methodist University itself could be named as defendants. As a private university, SMU typically does not enjoy the same sovereign immunity protections as public institutions, potentially making direct claims against the university more straightforward, though vigorously defended.

5.4.5 What SMU students & parents from Lampasas County should do

If your child from Lampasas County attends SMU and you suspect hazing:

• Act Promptly and Privately: Given SMU’s private nature, internal investigations can be less transparent. Document everything meticulously and seek legal counsel promptly before engaging with too many internal university processes.
• Preserve All Digital Information: Just like at larger public universities, digital evidence is key. Ensure all group chats, social media, and photos are archived.
• Contact Experienced Counsel: Attorney911 understands the nuances of litigating against private universities. We know how to compel discovery to uncover internal records, prior complaints, and unpublicized disciplinary actions that are essential for building a strong case. Our Houston office serves families across Texas, and our expertise extends to Dallas-area institutions.

5.5 Baylor University

5.5.1 Campus & culture snapshot for Lampasas County families

Baylor University, a private Baptist university in Waco, holds a unique position among Texas institutions. Its campus culture is strongly influenced by its Christian mission, which emphasizes community, service, and high ethical standards. For Lampasas County students seeking a faith-based educational environment, Baylor is a natural choice. Despite its strong values, Baylor has faced significant scrutiny over issues of institutional oversight and student safety, particularly within its athletics and Greek life, making hazing a sensitive but important concern for Lampasas County parents to understand.

5.5.2 Official hazing policy & reporting channels

Baylor University maintains a strict “Zero Tolerance” policy for hazing, explicitly prohibiting any activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for initiation, affiliation, or membership in any student organization. Baylor’s policy aligns with Texas law and clearly states that consent is never a defense for hazing.

Reporting channels include the Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement, the Baylor University Police Department (BUPD), and an online reporting form. Baylor’s responses to misconduct have been under increased public scrutiny following past high-profile scandals, indicating a heightened awareness and (ideally) commitment to enforcement.

5.5.3 Selected documented incidents & responses

Baylor has faced hazing challenges within its Greek and athletic programs:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): An investigation into the Baylor baseball program revealed hazing incidents, leading to the suspension of 14 players. The suspensions were staggered throughout the early season, impacting the team’s performance. This incident underscored that hazing can occur even within highly visible and often-praised athletic programs, challenging institutions to enforce their “zero tolerance” policies consistently.
• General Disciplinary Actions: While specific case details are often kept private due to Baylor’s status as a private university, the institution regularly updates its Greek life pages to reflect organizations currently under disciplinary action or suspension. These sanctions often stem from policy violations that could include hazing, alcohol misconduct, or other breaches of student conduct.

These incidents highlight the ongoing tension between stated values and actual student behavior, particularly in groups perceived to foster strong internal bonds.

5.5.4 How a Baylor hazing case might proceed for Lampasas County residents

For Lampasas County families involved in a hazing case at Baylor University:

• Law Enforcement: Incidents on campus would be investigated by the Baylor University Police Department (BUPD). Off-campus hazing in Waco would involve the Waco Police Department or the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office.
• Civil Courts: Civil lawsuits would generally be filed in McLennan County District Courts, the primary civil jurisdiction for Waco.
• Potential Defendants: In a civil suit, individual students, the local chapter, the national organization, property owners, and Baylor University itself could all be named. As a private university, Baylor does not have the same sovereign immunity protections as public institutions, potentially allowing for more direct legal claims, though vigorously defended given their prior legal challenges.

5.5.5 What Baylor students & parents from Lampasas County should do

If your child from Lampasas County attends Baylor and you suspect hazing:

• Prioritize Safety and Documentation: Baylor’s strong emphasis on community can sometimes lead to pressure to keep internal issues “within the family.” Prioritize your child’s safety, and meticulously document all evidence of hazing, regardless of pressure to remain silent.
• Contact Experienced Legal Counsel Early: Attorney911 has experience navigating complex institutional dynamics. Given Baylor’s history of managing high-profile misconduct claims, experienced legal counsel is essential to ensure your child’s rights are protected and that all avenues for accountability are explored. We can assist Lampasas County families in building a case that stands up to the institution’s legal resources.
• Utilize Reporting: While private, Baylor does have reporting channels. Consider using them in conjunction with legal advice to ensure the university is officially notified.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

On college campuses, from Houston to College Station, Austin, Dallas, and Waco, many fraternities and sororities operate as local chapters of much larger national organizations. While each local chapter has its own flavor and leadership, they are bound by the rules, policies, and often, the historical baggage of their national headquarters. For Lampasas County families, understanding this dual structure is key to understanding liability in a hazing case.

6.1 Why National Histories Matter

When hazing occurs, local chapters, and sometimes their national organizations, often claim it was “a few bad apples” or “rogue behavior” that contradicted their strict anti-hazing policies. However, experienced hazing attorneys know that many national organizations have extensive histories of hazing incidents, injuries, and deaths across their chapters nationwide.

• Foreseeability: National HQs often have thick anti-hazing manuals and sophisticated risk management guidelines precisely because they have seen deaths and catastrophic injuries in the past. They are, or should be, acutely aware of the patterns: forced drinking nights, ritualistic paddling, humiliating acts, and cover-up attempts.
• Pattern Evidence: When a local Texas chapter repeats the same dangerous script—a “Big/Little” event involving forced alcohol, an “initiation ritual” with physical abuse, or a coercive “bonding” experience—that has caused injury or death in another state or at another university, that can demonstrate foreseeability. Such pattern evidence is crucial in establishing negligence or gross negligence against national entities. It shows they had prior warnings, but failed to meaningfully intervene or enforce their own policies.
• Policy vs. Practice: While nationals may have robust anti-hazing policies on paper, a history of repeated incidents indicates a failure to enforce those policies effectively. This gap between stated policy and actual practice can be a powerful argument in civil litigation.

When a Lampasas County student is hurt by hazing, it’s not just the local students involved who might be liable; the national organization’s long history of similar incidents often puts them directly in the crosshairs, and for good reason.

6.2 Organization Mapping: Patterns of National Hazard

While specific rosters change and hazing can occur in any organization, certain national fraternities and sororities have accumulated an alarming number of severe incidents and tragedies over the years. This isn’t an exhaustive list but highlights organizations frequently seen in hazing litigation data:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike): This fraternity has a disturbing history of fatal alcohol hazing. The tragic death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University (2021) and David Bogenberger at Northern Illinois University (2012) both involved extreme forced alcohol consumption that led to death. These underscore a national pattern of dangerous “Big/Little” or pledge events within Pike. Families from Lampasas County should be particularly vigilant given Pike’s presence at universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE): SAE has arguably one of the most troubled hazing histories, leading them to temporarily ban pledging nationwide in 2014. Despite this, incidents continue, including an alleged traumatic brain injury lawsuit at the University of Alabama (2023), and local issues like the chemical burns case at Texas A&M University (2021) and an assault lawsuit at UT Austin (2024). The pattern often involves physical endurance, forced substance use, and aggressive behavior.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): The death of Maxwell “Max” Gruver at Louisiana State University (2017) from alcohol poisoning during a “Bible study” drinking game forever linked Phi Delta Theta with fatal hazing. This incident led to the felony hazing Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, setting a strong legal precedent for civil and criminal accountability. Phi Delta Theta chapters have been present at UT, Texas A&M, SMU, and Baylor, underscoring the relevance for Texas families.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): This fraternity was at the center of the death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University (2017), another case of acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night.” This tragedy led to significant reforms at FSU and highlighted the dangers of mandatory drinking rituals that are often seen as “tradition.” Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at UH, Texas A&M, and UT.
• Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ): The infamous death of Timothy Piazza at Penn State University (2017) put Beta Theta Pi under a national spotlight for extreme alcohol hazing and a horrific delay in seeking medical aid. This case demonstrated how institutional complicity and a culture of silence combine to create deadly environments. Beta Theta Pi chapters exist at UH, Texas A&M, SMU, and Baylor.
• Phi Gamma Delta (ΦΓΔ / FIJI): The catastrophic injury of Danny Santulli at the University of Missouri (2021), who suffered permanent brain damage from forced alcohol consumption, cemented Phi Gamma Delta’s place in hazing history. This multi-million dollar settlement case highlighted the devastating neurological consequences of severe hazing.
• Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ): This fraternity has been involved in several major hazing incidents, including the drowning death of Chad Meredith at the University of Miami (2001) for which a jury awarded $12.6 million, and recent allegations of rhabdomyolysis at Texas A&M University (2023). Kappa Sigma has a significant presence at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and Baylor.

This is not an exhaustive list but illustrates how a national organization’s history, even from outside Texas, creates a blueprint for foreseeing risk.

6.3 Tie back to Legal Strategy

Understanding these national patterns, and which organizations have a repeated history of grave hazing incidents, is vital for legal strategy.

• Establishing Foreseeability: When seeking to hold a national fraternity or sorority accountable, showing that similar hazing has caused injury or death within their organization elsewhere is critical. It dismantles the “rogue chapter” defense by proving the national HQ had ample reason to foresee the danger and failed to act.
• Insurance Coverage: Lupe Peña’s experience as an insurance defense attorney is invaluable here. She understands how national fraternities and universities negotiate with insurers. Knowledge of pattern evidence can impact whether insurance carriers are compelled to cover multi-million-dollar claims, especially when they might try to deny coverage based on “intentional acts” clauses.
• Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, establishing a pattern of deliberate indifference or gross negligence from a national organization can open the door to punitive damages, which are designed to punish extreme behavior and deter future harm. These damages can significantly increase the financial accountability beyond mere compensatory damages.

For Lampasas County families, this meticulous investigation into organizational histories means we don’t just focus on what happened locally; we look at the larger picture to build the strongest possible case for accountability and just compensation.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

When a hazing incident causes harm to a Lampasas County student, assembling a compelling legal case requires more than just knowing what happened. It demands a meticulous collection of evidence, a deep understanding of the types of damages recoverable, and a strategic legal approach to navigate powerful institutions.

For Lampasas County families, evidence collection must begin immediately following an incident. The moment you suspect hazing has occurred or your child is hurt, the clock starts ticking for preserving critical information.

7.1 Evidence

In modern hazing cases, evidence is often digital, ephemeral, and deliberately concealed. Our firm specializes in uncovering and preserving these crucial pieces:

• Digital Communications: This is often the most critical category of evidence. Group chat apps like GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Signal, Telegram, Discord, and Slack, as well as fraternity/sorority-specific apps, are central to hazing. These platforms show the planning, intent, specific orders, coercion, and cover-up attempts. Pictures and videos shared within these chats, even if later deleted, can often be recovered. Similarly, Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, and TikTok content reveal direct communication and public-facing (or semi-private) acts.
  • Our Approach: We advise clients to screenshot everything immediately. We also work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages, analyze metadata, and establish timelines, even when perpetrators attempt to erase their tracks. 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.
• Photos & Videos: Beyond group chats, any content filmed by members during events, footage posted on social media, or even incidental photos/videos from bystanders can be invaluable. Security camera footage from houses or venues, if available and not overwritten, can also provide critical objective evidence.
• Internal Organization Documents: These include pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “traditions” lists, and emails or texts from officers giving instructions or making threats. National policies and training materials are also crucial to compare against actual practices. We obtain these through legal discovery.
• University Records: University prior conduct files, disciplinary records, probation or suspension histories of the organization involved, incident reports to campus police or student conduct offices, official Clery reports, and internal emails among administrators discussing the organization’s problem behavior are all vital. These records often expose a pattern of warnings and institutional knowledge.
• Medical and Psychological Records: These document the full extent of the student’s harm. Emergency room and hospitalization records, lab results (e.g., blood alcohol content, toxicology, kidney function for rhabdomyolysis), imaging (X-rays, CTs), surgery and rehab notes, and detailed psychological evaluations (for PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidality) are essential for proving physical and emotional damages.
• Witness Testimony: Eyewitness accounts from other pledges, current members, former members (especially those who left due to hazing), roommates, Resident Advisors (RAs), coaches, trainers, or even independent bystanders. Our investigative team works to contact and interview these individuals to build a comprehensive picture of the hazing.

7.2 Damages

When hazing inflicts harm, the law provides for compensation to cover a wide range of losses, aiming to make the victim whole again. These can be significant and multifaceted. For families, especially in Lampasas County where access to specialized medical care might require travel, understanding these damages is key:

• Medical Bills & Future Care: This includes all costs associated with current and future medical treatment. Immediate expenses like ambulance services, emergency room visits, and hospitalization are covered. For severe injuries, this extends to surgeries, ongoing physical therapy, medications, specialized treatments, and for catastrophic injuries, a life care plan that outlines the astronomical costs of lifelong care, including in-home nurses, adaptive equipment, and continuous medical supervision.
• Lost Earnings / Educational Impact: Hazing can disrupt a student’s academic and career path. This category covers lost wages from any part-time jobs, tuition and fees for missed semesters, loss of scholarships (academic, athletic, or Greek-based), and the significant impact of delayed graduation on their entry into the professional workforce. For permanent injuries, it includes a calculation of diminished future earning capacity over their expected lifetime.
• Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for subjective but very real suffering. They include physical pain and suffering from injuries, emotional distress, trauma, and humiliation (often including diagnosed conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety), and loss of enjoyment of life—the inability to participate in activities once loved, the withdrawal from social life, and the general loss of the college experience.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): In the most tragic cases, when hazing results in death, the surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim. This typically covers funeral and burial costs, the loss of financial support the deceased would have provided (calculated over their expected lifetime), the loss of companionship, love, and society experienced by parents, siblings, or a spouse, and the profound grief and emotional suffering of the family.

While we’re describing types of damages here, it’s essential to understand that we do not promise or predict specific dollar amounts. Attorney911’s video “How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onBzdkIWadY) explains some of these complexities further.

7.3 Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing cases often involve multiple defendants, each with their own legal counsel and insurance policies. Navigating this web of liability is a critical aspect of our work:

• Identifying All Policies: National fraternities, sororities, universities, and even individual members often carry various types of insurance (general liability, umbrella policies, homeowner’s policies). Our team meticulously identifies all potential sources of recovery.
• Battling Insurance Exclusions: Insurers frequently attempt to deny coverage for hazing incidents, claiming they fall under “intentional acts” or “criminal conduct” exclusions. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/) is invaluable here. She knows their tactics firsthand and understands how to frame a case to trigger coverage, arguing that while the hazing act itself may have been intentional, the negligence of the organization in supervising or preventing it is covered.
• Negotiating and Litigating: We engage with all responsible parties—individual students, local chapters, national organizations, universities, and their insurers—to negotiate fair settlements. If fair offers are not made, we are prepared to take the case to trial, a commitment underscored by Ralph Manginello’s extensive litigation experience against massive defendants.

Building a hazing case in Texas is a complex, multi-layered process. It requires not only legal acumen but also a deep understanding of campus culture, digital forensics, and insurance defense tactics. This depth of expertise is what Attorney911 brings to Lampasas County families.

Practical Guides & FAQs

When hazing impacts a family, the immediate need is for clear, actionable guidance. We offer this practical advice for Lampasas County parents, students, and former members, alongside answers to frequently asked questions, empowering you with knowledge when you need it most.

8.1 For Parents

For Lampasas County parents, recognizing the “red flags” and knowing how to respond is critical:

• Warning Signs of Hazing:
  • Unexplained injuries: Bruises, burns, cuts, or “accidents” that don’t quite add up.
  • Sudden exhaustion: Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or falling asleep at odd times.
  • Drastic mood changes: Anxiety, depression, irritability, sudden secrecy, or withdrawal from family/friends.
  • Obsessive phone use: Anxious checking of group chats, fear of missing “mandatory” communications, or constantly making excuses for late-night appearances.
  • New phrases: Using terms like “just have to get through this,” “it’s tradition,” or “everyone else did it.”
• How to Talk to Your Child: Approach them with empathy, not judgment. Ask open-ended questions like, “How are things really going with X organization? Is anything making you uncomfortable?” Emphasize that their safety and well-being are your top priority, and that you will support them regardless of any shame or fear they feel.
• If Your Child is Hurt: Prioritize medical care immediately. Document everything meticulously: take photos of any injuries (with date/time stamps), screenshot all relevant texts/group chats, and write down everything your child tells you while it’s fresh. Preserve any physical objects involved.
• Dealing with the University: Document every interaction with university officials. Ask direct questions about the university’s prior knowledge of hazing in the organization, and what preventative or disciplinary steps were taken. Remember, the university’s primary goal is often to protect its reputation.
• 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 or hiding what happened, contact an experienced hazing attorney immediately.

8.2 For Students / Pledges

For students in Lampasas County or those away at college, recognizing hazing and protecting yourself is paramount:

• Is This Hazing or Just Tradition? Ask yourself: Does this activity make me feel unsafe, humiliated, or coerced? Am I being forced to drink or endure pain? Is this activity hidden from the public or administrators? If you answered yes to any of these, it is hazing, regardless of what others call it. The “Three-Tier Classification System” (subtle, harassment, violent) outlined in our firm’s resources shows the full spectrum.
• Why “Consent” Isn’t the End of the Story: The law, particularly in Texas (Education Code § 37.155), explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. This is because true consent cannot be given under duress, peer pressure, or the fear of exclusion and social consequences, which are inherent in hazing environments.
• Exiting and Reporting Safely: You have the legal right to leave any organization at any time. If you feel unsafe, get to a safe place immediately and tell someone outside the organization (parent, RA, trusted friend). You can report hazing privately or anonymously to campus authorities (Dean of Students), campus police, or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE).
• Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty: Many Texas universities and state laws encourage reporting of emergencies. If you call for help for someone in distress, even if underage drinking or hazing is involved, you are often granted immunity or leniency under good-faith reporter policies. Your safety and the safety of others must always come first.

8.3 For Former Members / Witnesses

If you are a former member, or a witness who participated in hazing but now regrets it, your actions can be incredibly powerful in seeking accountability and preventing future tragedies.

• Your Role in Preventing Harm: We understand the guilt, fear, and internal conflict you may feel. However, your testimony and any evidence you possess could be crucial in preventing future injuries or deaths. What you experienced or witnessed can expose systemic abuse.
• Seeking Legal Advice: If you have concerns about your own legal exposure, it is wise to seek confidential legal advice from an attorney regarding your rights and options. While we focus on victim advocacy, understanding your position is key.
• Cooperation and Accountability: While not without its challenges, cooperating with an investigation can be an important step towards healing and ensuring justice. Your commitment to truth can truly make a difference.

8.4 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

For Lampasas County families pursuing a hazing case, avoiding common errors is just as important as gathering evidence. We’ve seen good cases compromised by these critical mistakes. Watch Attorney911’s video on client mistakes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY) for more details.

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages or “Clean Up” Evidence:
   • Why it’s wrong: While fear of exposure is natural, destroying evidence looks like a cover-up, can be obstruction of justice, and makes proving your case nearly impossible.
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately—screenshots of group chats, texts, photos, even embarrassing content. An attorney can help manage this evidence strategically.
2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly:
   • Why it’s wrong: This immediately puts them on the defensive. They will lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare defenses, making your investigation exponentially harder.
   • What to do instead: Document everything in secret, then call a lawyer BEFORE any direct confrontation.
3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms:
   • Why it’s wrong: Universities often pressure families early on to sign waivers or “internal resolution” agreements. You may inadvertently waive your right to sue or accept a resolution far below the actual value of your case.
   • What to do instead: DO NOT sign anything from the university without an attorney reviewing it first.
4. Posting Details on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer:
   • Why it’s wrong: What seems like an effort to raise awareness can be used against you. Defense attorneys track social media. Inconsistencies can hurt credibility, and public posts can waive legal privileges.
   • What to do instead: Document privately, and let your lawyer control public communication strategy.
5. Letting Your Child Go Back to “One Last Meeting”:
   • Why it’s wrong: Once you’re considering legal action, any request for a “talk” without legal counsel is likely an attempt to pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that will hurt your case.
   • What to do instead: If you or your child is contacted, politely decline and state, “All communication will go through my attorney.”
6. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”:
   • Why it’s wrong: Universities have their own interests, which may not align with yours. Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and crucial legal deadlines (statutes of limitations) can pass while you wait.
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW and consult a lawyer immediately. A university’s internal process is not a substitute for legal accountability.
7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer:
   • Why it’s wrong: Insurance adjusters for the defendants are trained to extract information and minimize payouts. Any statement you give can be used against you, and early settlement offers are almost always lowball.
   • What to do instead: Politely decline to speak with them and refer them to your attorney.

8.5 Short FAQ

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

• “Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
  It can be. While basic hazing is a Class B misdemeanor, it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers or members who knew about hazing and failed to report it can also face misdemeanor charges.

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

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
  Generally, there’s a 2-year statute of limitations from the date of injury or death in Texas. However, the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving cover-ups or fraud, this period may be “tolled” (paused). Time is critical—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and organizations destroy records. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately upon suspicion. Learn more about Texas statute of limitations in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c.

• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  The location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be held liable based on their sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability of hazing, even if it happens off-campus. Many major hazing judgments have involved incidents that occurred at “unofficial” houses or remote retreats.

• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. While some families choose public advocacy, many prefer to keep matters private. We prioritize your family’s privacy interests while pursuing accountability.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

When your family faces a hazing case, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, we are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ armed with the experience and insight to take on complex hazing litigation for families across Texas, including those here in Lampasas County.

Our firm brings unique qualifications to the fight against hazing:

• Insurance Insider Advantage: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/), previously worked as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. She understands how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and often undervalue) hazing claims. She knows their delay tactics, their arguments for coverage exclusion, and their settlement strategies—because she used to run their playbook. This insider knowledge is a formidable advantage for our clients.
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions: Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/), has a quarter-century of experience taking on some of the largest corporations and institutions. He was one of the few Texas firms involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, and his extensive federal court experience means we are not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their well-funded defense teams. We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We know how to fight powerful defendants.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, working with economists to value the full loss of life and for future lifetime care needs in severe brain injury or permanent disability cases. We don’t settle cases cheap. We meticulously build strong cases that force accountability and achieve comprehensive compensation. Find out more about our wrongful death expertise: 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) gives us deep insight into how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. This dual understanding allows us to strategically advise victims, witnesses, or even former members who may face dual exposure. Find out more about our criminal defense practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/.
• Unmatched Investigative Depth: We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does. Our network of experts includes medical specialists, digital forensics experts for recovering deleted messages, economists, and psychologists. We are adept at uncovering hidden evidence, from encrypted group chats to national fraternity records and university files obtained through subpoenas and public records requests. We understand how fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, and athletic departments operate behind closed doors, and how to prove coercion even when victims are afraid to speak out.

From our Houston and Austin offices, we serve families throughout Texas, including Lampasas County, Lampasas, Kempner, Cove, and all surrounding areas. We understand that hazing at Texas universities can deeply impact families in Lampasas County and across our region, regardless of how far their child’s campus may be. Our job is to get you answers, hold the responsible parties accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family. We approach each case with empathy and a steadfast commitment to justice, knowing that hazing often involves profound trauma and a violation of trust.

Call to Action

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

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

• What to expect in your free consultation:
  • We’ll listen to your story without judgment.
  • We’ll review any initial evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records).
  • We’ll explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither.
  • We’ll discuss realistic timelines and what to expect from the legal process.
  • We’ll answer your questions about our contingency fee structure—we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Watch our video explaining contingency fees: 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.

Don’t let powerful institutions or the passage of time allow evidence to disappear. Act now to protect your child’s rights and seek justice.

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

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

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

Legal Disclaimer

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

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

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

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