Texas Hazing Litigation: A Comprehensive Guide for McMullen County Families

The phone call every parent dreads. It’s the middle of the night, and your child, who is away at college – perhaps at a university just a few hours’ drive from McMullen County – is either in the emergency room, too intoxicated to speak clearly, or deeply shaken by a recent “initiation” event. They might be at an off-campus house where a fraternity gathering took a dangerous turn, pressured to drink far beyond their limits, or enduring physical or psychological torment disguised as “tradition.” Others might be filming on phones, chanting, or laughing, completely oblivious to your child’s genuine distress. Someone gets hurt – a fall, a collapse, severe vomiting – but no one wants to call 911 because they fear getting the chapter shut down or facing legal trouble themselves. Your child feels trapped, caught between a powerful group and their own safety.

This isn’t a hypothetical scenario. It’s a harsh reality for far too many families across Texas. When your child leaves McMullen County for college, whether it’s a flagship university like UT Austin, Texas A&M, or UH, or a private institution like SMU or Baylor, you entrust that school with their well-being. But beneath the surface of campus life, dangerous hazing practices persist, often evolving to evade detection and accountability.

This comprehensive guide to hazing and the law in Texas is specifically written for families like yours in McMullen County, and across our proud state, who need to understand:

• What hazing truly looks like in 2025, moving beyond outdated stereotypes.
• How both Texas and federal laws address hazing.
• The crucial lessons we can learn from major national cases and how they apply to families in Texas.
• The specific hazing challenges and responses at the University of Houston (UH), Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin (UT), Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Baylor University, among other Texas schools where McMullen County families send their children.
• The legal options victims and families in McMullen County and throughout Texas may have to achieve justice and prevent future harm.

While this article provides general information to help educate and empower you, it is not specific legal advice. Every case has unique facts, and only a qualified attorney can provide guidance tailored to your situation. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, known as Attorney911, serves families throughout Texas, including McMullen County. We are here to help.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW, please act quickly:

• If your child is in immediate medical danger, call 911 immediately. Prioritize their safety and health above all else.
• Then, call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate legal guidance for these critical situations – that’s why we’re known as the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

In the first 48 hours, crucial steps must be taken to protect your child and any potential legal case:

• Seek medical attention for your child, even if they insist they are “fine.” Injuries, especially internal ones or those related to alcohol poisoning, may not be immediately apparent. Tell medical staff that hazing is suspected to ensure it’s documented.
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it can be deleted or destroyed. This is vital. Screenshot group chats, texts, and direct messages (DMs) immediately. Photograph any visible injuries from multiple angles and document their progression over time. Save any physical items involved, such as damaged clothing, receipts for forced purchases, or objects used in hazing rituals.
• Write down everything while memories are fresh – who was involved, what happened, when and where it occurred, and any specific language used. Contemporaneous notes are powerful evidence.
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or organization directly. This can lead to the destruction of evidence, coaching of witnesses, or retaliation.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company without legal advice. You could inadvertently waive critical rights.
  • Post details on public social media. This can compromise your child’s privacy, credibility, and the legal case.
  • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” any evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within the first 24–48 hours:

• Evidence can disappear incredibly fast, including deleted group chats, destroyed physical evidence, and coached witnesses.
• Universities and organizations often move quickly to control the narrative and conduct internal investigations that may not prioritize your child’s rights or long-term well-being.
• An attorney from The Manginello Law Firm can help preserve critical evidence, guide you through chaotic university processes, and protect your child’s legal rights.
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For McMullen County families unfamiliar with modern Greek life or campus organizations, it’s easy to dismiss hazing as just “a dumb prank.” However, the reality of hazing in 2025 is far more insidious and dangerous than the stereotypes of decades past. It’s evolved, often becoming more psychologically manipulative, digitally driven, and violent, always with a consistent goal: to assert power, control, and secrecy over new members.

Hazing, in plain English, is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, maintaining membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. It is crucial to understand that “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal, especially when there is intense peer pressure and a profound power imbalance inherent in the initiation process.

Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

At its core, hazing leverages a group’s desire for belonging against an individual’s right to safety and dignity. The defining characteristic is the power dynamic – older members exerting control over new members, often under the guise of “earning” their place or “building character.”

Main Categories of Hazing

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

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This is the single most common and deadly form. It includes forced or coerced drinking, often through dangerous chugging challenges, “lineups” where pledges consume multiple shots, “games” that require rapid and excessive alcohol consumption, or being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances. Many tragic hazing deaths in recent years nationally and here in Texas are directly linked to forced alcohol consumption.
• Physical Hazing: Beyond the cliché of paddling, physical hazing encompasses beatings, branding, extreme calisthenics or “workouts” far exceeding normal physical conditioning (often called “smokings”), and severe sleep, food, or water deprivation. It can also involve exposure to extreme cold or heat, or dangerous environments, leading to serious injury and illness.
• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This deeply damaging type involves forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (such as “elephant walks” or “roasted pig” positions), wearing degrading costumes, or engaging in acts with racial, homophobic, or sexist overtones including slurs or role-play. This type of hazing can produce lasting trauma and often intersects with Title IX violations.
• Psychological Hazing: Often overlooked but profoundly damaging, psychological hazing involves verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, and forced confessions. It includes public shaming, often on social media or in group meetings, designed to break down an individual’s self-esteem and foster absolute loyalty through fear.
• Digital/Online Hazing: This is a rapidly growing area, exploiting current technology. It includes group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation via platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Discord. There is intense pressure to create or share compromising images or videos and to respond instantly to commands at all hours, leading to sleep deprivation and constant anxiety. Location tracking via apps is also a modern manipulation tactic.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

Hazing is not confined to one type of organization or a specific demographic. While historically associated with fraternities, it is pervasive across a wide spectrum of campus groups:

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes those under the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and various multicultural Greek councils.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: Organizations with hierarchical structures and intense training can be particularly vulnerable to hazing under the guise of “discipline” or “tradition.”
• Spirit Squads, Tradition Clubs, and Student Groups: Organizations like university spirit groups, some student government associations, and long-standing campus traditions can foster environments where hazing practices take root.
• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to baseball, cheerleading, and smaller recreational teams, hazing remains a persistent problem, sometimes disguised as “team building” or “conditioning.”
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly benign artistic groups can engage in hazing fueled by peer pressure and hierarchical structures.
• Some Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations: Any group that requires an “initiation” or “new member process” can be susceptible if not vigilant against hazing behaviors.

The insidious nature of hazing lies in how social status, the allure of tradition, and an intense code of secrecy allow these practices to thrive, even when everyone involved “knows” that hazing is illegal and dangerous. For McMullen County families, understanding these nuances is the first step toward prevention and protection.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

For families in McMullen County, understanding the legal landscape of hazing in Texas is critical. Our state has specific laws designed to combat these dangerous practices, and victims have pathways for accountability and compensation.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Texas takes hazing seriously, with specific provisions outlined in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Texas law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, committed on or off campus, by an individual alone or with others, directed against a student. This act must be for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students. Crucially, the act must also endanger the mental or physical health or safety of a student.

This means that if someone makes you do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they did it intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly (meaning they should have known of the risk and did it anyway), that’s considered hazing under Texas law.

Key points of the Texas Hazing Law:

• On or Off Campus: The location of the hazing event – whether it occurs on university grounds, at an off-campus house, or during a private retreat – does not diminish the fact that it is hazing under Texas law.
• Mental or Physical Harm: Hazing is not limited to physical injury. Acts that substantially affect a student’s mental health and safety, such as extreme humiliation or intimidation, are also covered.
• Recklessness is Enough: The law doesn’t require malicious intent. If someone acts recklessly and endangers a student during initiation, it’s hazing.
• “Consent” is Not a Defense: One of the most important aspects: even if the victim “agreed” or “consented” to the activity, it is explicitly not a defense against hazing charges. This acknowledges the inherent power dynamic and peer pressure present in these situations.

Criminal Penalties:

Hazing is a criminal offense in Texas, with penalties ranging in severity:

• Class B Misdemeanor: This is the default classification for most hazing offenses, carrying potential penalties of up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
• Class A Misdemeanor: If the hazing causes bodily injury requiring medical treatment, the charge can be elevated to a Class A Misdemeanor, with potential jail time up to one year and a fine of up to $4,000.
• State Jail Felony: If the hazing causes serious bodily injury (which often means a life-threatening injury or one that causes permanent disfigurement or long-term impairment) or death, the offense is a State Jail Felony. This can result in a jail sentence ranging from 180 days to two years, and a fine of up to $10,000.
• Failure to Report: Any student, faculty member, or public school employee who witnesses or has firsthand knowledge of a hazing incident and fails to report it can face misdemeanor charges.
• Retaliation: Retaliating against someone who reports hazing is also a misdemeanor offense.

Organizational Liability ($\sect$ 37.153):

The law also holds organizations accountable. Chapters, fraternities, sororities, or any student group can be held criminally responsible for hazing if:

• The organization authorized or encouraged the hazing activity, OR
• An officer or any person acting in an official capacity for the organization knew about a hazing incident and failed to report it.

Penalties for organizations can include fines up to $10,000 per violation, and universities can revoke official recognition, effectively banning the organization from campus. This is a critical provision that means both individuals and the organization they represent can face criminal consequences.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

It’s important for McMullen County families to understand that hazing can involve two distinct legal pathways:

• Criminal Cases: These are initiated and pursued by the state (police and prosecutors) to punish illegal acts. In hazing scenarios, prosecutors might bring charges like:
  • Hazing offenses: Based directly on the Texas Education Code.
  • Furnishing alcohol to minors: Often a contributing factor in severe hazing injuries.
  • Assault, aggravated assault, or sexual assault: When physical violence or unwanted sexual contact occurs.
  • Manslaughter or negligent homicide: In tragic cases resulting in death.
    The goal of a criminal case is to impose penalties like incarceration, fines, or probation.
• Civil Cases: These are brought by the victim or their surviving family members. The primary goal of a civil lawsuit is monetary compensation for the harm suffered and to hold responsible parties (individuals, organizations, universities) accountable for their negligence or wrongdoing. Civil claims related to hazing can include:
  • Negligence / Gross Negligence: For failing to prevent the harm or acting with extreme carelessness.
  • Wrongful Death: If the hazing resulted in a fatality.
  • Negligent Supervision: Against institutions or individuals responsible for oversight.
  • Premises Liability: If the hazing occurred on property that was unsafely maintained.
  • Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: For severe psychological harm.
    It’s crucial to note that a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. The burden of proof is lower in civil court (preponderance of the evidence vs. beyond a reasonable doubt).

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

Beyond state law, federal regulations also play a role in campus safety and hazing accountability:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This landmark federal legislation, set to fully roll out by 2026, aims to increase transparency and prevention. It requires colleges and universities receiving federal funding to:
  • Publicly report all findings of hazing violations and related disciplinary actions taken against student organizations.
  • Provide stronger hazing education and prevention programs across campus.
  • Maintain and publicly display comprehensive hazing education data.
    This act means that families in McMullen County and across Texas will, in time, have more public data to assess the hazing history of organizations at the schools their children attend.
• Title IX / Clery Act: These federal laws can become relevant in hazing cases:
  • Title IX: Prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. If hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender-based violence, or creates a hostile environment based on sex, Title IX obligations are triggered. Universities must investigate and respond appropriately, regardless of whether the hazing occurred on or off campus.
  • Clery Act: Requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Hazing incidents often overlap with categories reported under Clery, especially when they involve assaults, alcohol/drug violations, or other criminal behaviors.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

Determining liability in a civil hazing lawsuit involves identifying all parties whose actions or inactions contributed to the harm. This is often a complex web, and an experienced attorney is crucial to untangle it:

• Individual Students: These are often the most immediate actors – the ones who planned, compelled, physically assaulted, supplied the alcohol, or helped cover up the hazing. Their personal assets or homeowner’s insurance policies might be targeted.
• Local Chapter / Organization: The specific fraternity, sorority, club, or student group itself can be named as a defendant if it is recognized as a legal entity. This includes the chapter, officers, and members acting in an official capacity (e.g., “pledge educators”).
• National Fraternity / Sorority: Many local chapters are affiliates of larger national organizations. These national bodies often set policies, collect dues, manage risk, and provide oversight. Their liability often hinges on whether they knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing (either within the local chapter or across their other chapters nationally) and failed to take effective steps to prevent it. They often possess substantial insurance coverage.
• University or College: The institution itself can be held liable under various legal theories, including:
  • Negligence / Gross Negligence: For failing to adequately supervise, enforce policies, investigate complaints, or protect its students.
  • Respondeat Superior: If hazing involved employees or agents acting within the scope of their duties.
  • Breach of Contract: If they failed to uphold promises made to students about safety.
  • Premises Liability: If the hazing occurred on university property that was unsafe.
    Public universities in Texas (like UH, Texas A&M, UT) benefit from sovereign immunity, which limits their liability, but important exceptions exist for gross negligence, willful misconduct, and certain federal claims (like Title IX). Private universities (SMU, Baylor) generally have fewer immunity protections.
• Third Parties: Depending on the circumstances, others might also be held accountable:
  • Landlords / Property Owners: If the hazing occurred at a private residence or an off-campus property where safety regulations were violated.
  • Bars / Alcohol Providers: If alcohol was illegally furnished to minors or served to obviously intoxicated individuals, contributing to the hazing.
  • Security Companies / Event Organizers: If their negligence contributed to an unsafe environment.

Every hazing case is fact-specific; not every potential party is liable in every situation. For McMullen County families, a careful investigation by an experienced attorney is vital to identify all responsible parties.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

Understanding hazing goes beyond local incidents. Major cases from across the country set crucial legal precedents and reveal dangerous patterns that often repeat themselves. These national tragedies directly influence how hazing cases are pursued and settled right here in Texas. They demonstrate that certain types of hazing, especially involving forced alcohol consumption, are foreseeable and preventable.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

The most common and devastating form of hazing involves forced or coerced alcohol consumption, leading to severe injury or death. These cases highlight systemic failures and the deadly consequences of delayed emergency care.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): In one of the most high-profile hazing cases, 19-year-old Timothy Piazza died after a “bid acceptance” event that involved extreme alcohol consumption. Security cameras captured him falling repeatedly, suffering severe brain injuries. Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for nearly 12 hours, fearing repercussions. This tragedy resulted in nearly two dozen fraternity members facing hundreds of criminal charges, including involuntary manslaughter. The Piazza family’s civil litigation led to significant confidential settlements, and Pennsylvania enacted the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, one of the toughest in the nation. The case underscored how a culture of silence, extreme intoxication, and a delay in professional medical help can be legally devastating for individuals and organizations.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): 20-year-old Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event. He was allegedly given a handle of liquor and consumed dangerous amounts. Multiple fraternity members were prosecuted, and FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life, overhauling its hazing policies. This case further exposed how formulaic “tradition” drinking nights with dangerous amounts of alcohol are a repeating script for disaster in many fraternities.
• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max Gruver died with a blood alcohol content of 0.495% (more than six times the legal driving limit) after participating in a “Bible study” drinking game where pledges were forced to consume alcohol heavily if they answered questions incorrectly. This case led to criminal charges and the enactment of Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing law, demonstrating how public outrage over clear hazing incidents can drive significant legislative change. A civil verdict later awarded the Gruver family $6.1 million against an individual in the case.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): 20-year-old Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning during a “Big/Little” pledge night. He was allegedly forced to consume an entire bottle of hard liquor. The incident led to multiple criminal convictions for fraternity members, with one officer ordered to pay the Foltz family $6.5 million. In a separate civil suit, Bowling Green State University (a public institution) agreed to a nearly $3 million settlement with the Foltz family, with additional significant settlements from the national Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. This case powerfully illustrated that universities themselves can face substantial financial and reputational consequences alongside fraternities, and that individual officers can face immense personal liability.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Beyond alcohol, physical and ritualized hazing, often intended to “break” individuals down, also results in severe injuries and fatalities.

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng died after suffering a traumatic brain injury during a violent “glass ceiling” hazing ritual at a remote off-campus retreat in the Pocono Mountains. Pledges were blindfolded, made to wear heavy backpacks, and repeatedly tackled. Fraternity members delayed calling for help for hours. Multiple individuals were convicted, and in a landmark decision, the national Pi Delta Psi fraternity itself was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, and subsequently banned from operating in Pennsylvania for 10 years. This set a critical precedent for organizational criminal liability and showed that off-campus “retreats” are often chosen precisely to conceal illegal hazing.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is not exclusive to Greek life. Major athletic programs, often with immense institutional support and high stakes, can also become breeding grounds for dangerous hazing.

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): In 2023, former football players came forward alleging widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the highly respected Northwestern football program, dating back years. These allegations included forced sexual acts, racial discrimination, and other forms of abuse. The scandal led to the firing of long-time head coach Pat Fitzgerald, numerous lawsuits against the university and coaching staff, and a major crisis for the institution. Multiple players have filed civil suits against the university, and Coach Fitzgerald later settled a wrongful-termination lawsuit confidentially. This case underscored that hazing can permeate even the most prominent athletic departments, raising serious questions about institutional oversight and the responsibility of coaches and administrators.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

These national tragedies, far from being isolated incidents, highlight common threads that are just as likely to occur in Texas settings: forced drinking, extreme physical challenges, humiliation, pervasive secrecy, delayed or denied medical care, and systematic cover-ups. The reforms, legislative changes, and multi-million-dollar settlements that have resulted from these cases inform and strengthen the legal strategies available to families in McMullen County and throughout Texas. When tragedies occur at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor, these national lessons become critical tools in holding institutions accountable.

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

For families in McMullen County, understanding the specific environments and hazing histories of major Texas universities is paramount. While McMullen County is located in South Texas, approximately two hours south of San Antonio, and does not host a major university, many McMullen County families send their children to these prominent institutions across the state. The legal landscape and campus culture at each school can significantly impact how hazing incidents are handled and the pathways for justice. Our firm, based in Houston, serves clients throughout Texas, including McMullen County and surrounding areas, who have been affected by hazing at any of these campuses.

University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston, a large urban campus in our home city, Houston, thrives with a diverse student body and a vibrant mix of commuter and residential students. Its Greek life is extensive, encompassing numerous fraternities and sororities, alongside a wide array of student organizations and sports clubs.

UH’s Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

The University of Houston maintains a strict anti-hazing policy, prohibiting such activities both on and off campus. Their policy explicitly bans forced consumption of alcohol, food, or drugs; sleep deprivation; physical mistreatment; and any actions causing mental distress during initiation or affiliation processes. UH provides several reporting channels through the Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). While UH posts a general hazing statement on its website, comprehensive public violation lists, compared to some other Texas institutions, can be less detailed.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Like many universities, UH has faced its share of hazing allegations. A notable incident involved the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity in 2016. Pledges allegedly suffered from insufficient food, water, and sleep during an extended event, with one student reportedly sustaining a lacerated spleen after a physical impact. This led to misdemeanor hazing charges and a university suspension for the chapter. Other fraternities have also faced disciplinary action, such as suspensions or probation, for alcohol misuse and policy violations where activities were deemed “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort.” These incidents highlight UH’s efforts to suspend chapters, but also reveal the challenges in maintaining detailed public records of all violations.

How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed for McMullen County Families

For McMullen County families whose children attend UH, a hazing incident involves several key agencies. The UHPD would investigate campus-related incidents, while the Houston Police Department would handle matters off-campus. Civil suits would typically be filed in courts with jurisdiction over Houston and Harris County. Potential defendants could include the individual students involved, the local chapter, the national fraternity or sorority, and potentially the university itself, particularly regarding its oversight and prevention efforts. Property owners where off-campus hazing occurred could also be named.

What UH Students & Parents from McMullen County Should Do

• Report to UH Authorities: Contact the UH Dean of Students office, UH Campus Police, or utilize their online reporting forms.
• Document Everything: Meticulously record all details of the hazing, including dates, times, locations, individuals involved, and specific actions. Preserve any digital evidence such as screenshots of group chats or photos.
• Seek Medical Attention: If physical or psychological harm has occurred, ensure your child receives immediate medical attention and that the hazing context is clearly documented in medical records.
• Consult a Houston-Based Hazing Attorney: An attorney experienced in hazing cases in the Houston area can navigate UH’s unique protocols, help uncover prior disciplinary actions, and build a strong legal case by understanding local jurisdiction.

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, with its deep traditions and strong sense of community, including the venerable Corps of Cadets, draws students from across Texas, including McMullen County. This unique culture, while fostering loyalty, can also present challenges regarding campus hazing traditions.

Texas A&M’s Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Texas A&M strictly prohibits hazing across all student organizations, including Greek life and the Corps of Cadets. Their policy emphasizes that hazing includes any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, regardless of “consent.” Reports can be made through the Dean of Student Life, the Office of the Commandant (for Corps-related issues), and the Texas A&M Police Department (TAMUPD). The university publishes some hazing violations in its annual statistical reports.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Texas A&M has faced hazing incidents within both its Greek life and the Corps. A notable instance involved Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) around 2021, where pledges alleged they were covered in a mixture of substances, including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns that required skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and the pledges pursued a civil lawsuit. More recently, in 2023, a lawsuit was filed regarding alleged degrading hazing within the Corps of Cadets, where a cadet claimed forced participation in simulated sexual acts and being bound in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. These cases highlight the spectrum of hazing at A&M, from Greek fraternities to its most storied tradition.

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed for McMullen County Families

Hazing cases at Texas A&M would involve investigations by TAMUPD and potentially local Bryan/College Station law enforcement. Civil suits would typically fall under Brazos County jurisdiction. Given the strong alumni network in McMullen County, families may find both support and a sense of shared community concern. Potential defendants include individual perpetrators, the specific chapter, the national organization (for Greek life), and the university itself, particularly regarding oversight of both Greek life and the Corps.

What Texas A&M Students & Parents from McMullen County Should Do

• Report Internally: Utilize Texas A&M’s confidential reporting mechanisms through the Dean of Student Life or the Commandant’s Office.
• Emergency Action: If a Corps member is in danger, contact the TAMUPD immediately. For other students, contact TAMUPD or Bryan/College Station police.
• Preserve Digital Evidence: Specific to the Corps, traditional “unofficial” communication channels may exist; ensure all digital communications are captured.
• Consult a Hazing Attorney: An attorney with experience addressing hazing at Texas A&M understands the nuances of Corps culture and Greek life at the university, which is crucial for building a case against powerful institutions.

University of Texas at Austin (UT)

The University of Texas at Austin, a flagship institution, is known for its academic excellence, vibrant campus life, and extensive Greek system. It is also one of the more transparent Texas universities regarding hazing violations.

UT Austin’s Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

UT Austin maintains a robust anti-hazing policy, clearly defining prohibited behaviors tied to initiation or membership. They also stand out by publishing a public Hazing Violations page on their website, which lists organizations, dates of incidents, a summary of the conduct, and the disciplinary sanctions imposed. This public log is a critical resource for parents and potential new members. Reporting channels include the Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD).

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

UT’s public violations log showcases a range of incidents. For example, in 2023, Pi Kappa Alpha was sanctioned after new members were reportedly directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, actions found to constitute hazing. This led to probation and new hazing-prevention education requirements. Other groups, including spirit organizations like the Texas Wranglers, have faced sanctions for physical hazing, alcohol-related misconduct, forced servitude, or punishment-based practices. This extensive public record is a double-edged sword: it shows enforcement, but also ongoing issues.

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed for McMullen County Families

Hazing incidents at UT Austin could involve investigations by UTPD and/or the Austin Police Department, depending on the specifics and location. Civil lawsuits would likely proceed in Travis County courts. For McMullen County families, the public record of UT’s hazing violations is a significant asset. It can provide critical “pattern evidence” to demonstrate that the university and national organizations had knowledge of ongoing issues and the foreseeability of harm, which strengthens civil claims.

What UT Austin Students & Parents from McMullen County Should Do

• Check the Hazing Violations Log: Prior to joining any organization, McMullen County students and parents should review UT’s public hazing violations page for transparency on past conduct.
• Report to UT Authorities: Utilize the Dean of Students, UTPD, or the online reporting forms.
• Document All Details: Capture any and all evidence immediately, especially digital communications.
• Consult an Austin-Area Hazing Attorney: An attorney experienced with UT Austin’s specific culture and its detailed public hazing records understands how to leverage this information effectively in a civil case.

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a private, affluent campus in Dallas known for its strong Greek presence. The university draws students from across Texas, including McMullen County.

SMU’s Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

SMU maintains a strict anti-hazing policy that prohibits any activity that could risk mental, physical, or emotional harm to prospective members. They utilize various hazing prevention efforts, including anonymous online reporting systems (e.g., Real Response) and direct channels through the Office of Student Affairs and the SMU Police Department. Due to its private status, SMU’s public reporting of specific incidents may be less frequent or detailed than public universities.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

SMU has had its share of hazing incidents, often centered around its prominent Greek life. A notable instance involved the Kappa Alpha Order in 2017, where new members were reportedly subjected to paddling, forced alcohol consumption, and sleep deprivation. This resulted in the chapter’s suspension and severe restrictions on its ability to recruit for several years. While SMU emphasizes prevention, such incidents underscore the challenges even private institutions face in controlling hazing.

How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed for McMullen County Families

Hazing incidents at SMU would involve investigations by the SMU Police Department and potentially the Dallas Police Department. Civil lawsuits would proceed in Dallas County courts. As a private university, SMU generally does not have the same sovereign immunity protections as public institutions, potentially making it easier to pursue claims directly against the university for negligence. This means that, for a McMullen County family, while the internal investigation process might be similar, the legal avenues for civil recourse against the institution could be more straightforward.

What SMU Students & Parents from McMullen County Should Do

• Report All Allegations: Use SMU’s anonymous reporting systems or contact the Office of Student Affairs and SMU PD directly.
• Medical Care is Paramount: Prioritize immediate medical and psychological evaluation if harm occurs.
• Be Prepared for Limited Public Information: Private universities may not disclose as much public detail about investigations as public universities. This makes private evidence collection even more critical.
• Consult a Dallas-Area Hazing Attorney: An attorney familiar with SMU’s specific policies and the nuances of litigation against private institutions can effectively navigate these challenges, ensure evidence is preserved, and compel discovery when details are not public.

Baylor University

Baylor University, a private Baptist university in Waco, is known for its strong religious identity and academic programs. Baylor has faced intense scrutiny in the past over high-profile athletic scandals, particularly related to football and Title IX issues, which provides a unique context for understanding hazing.

Baylor’s Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Baylor maintains a “zero tolerance” policy for hazing across all student organizations, including Greek life and athletic teams. Their policy is rooted in both Texas law and their institutional values. Reporting channels include the Dean of Students Office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the Baylor University Police Department. Baylor also provides anonymous reporting options. However, similar to other private institutions, detailed public lists of hazing violations might be less comprehensive than some public universities.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Baylor’s history of scrutiny over its administration’s handling of student safety issues, particularly regarding its football program and Title IX, adds a layer of concern to any hazing incident. In 2020, for example, the Baylor baseball team faced a hazing investigation that resulted in 14 players being suspended. This incident, while handled internally, occurred within a broader context of public questions about Baylor’s institutional oversight. These cases highlight the tension between official “zero tolerance” statements and recurring misconduct within campus organizations.

How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed for McMullen County Families

Hazing incidents at Baylor would involve investigations by the Baylor University Police Department and potentially the Waco Police Department. Civil lawsuits would proceed in McLennan County courts. For McMullen County families, any civil claim against Baylor would need to be strategically framed within its unique institutional context, including its prior legal challenges related to student conduct and oversight. As a private institution, Baylor does not benefit from sovereign immunity, making the university a direct target for negligence claims.

What Baylor Students & Parents from McMullen County Should Do

• Report through Official Channels: Utilize Baylor’s Dean of Students Office or Baylor PD for formal reports.
• Thorough Documentation: Given the potential for internal investigations to be less transparent at private schools, meticulous documentation of all evidence (texts, photos, witness accounts) by the victim and family is paramount.
• Prioritize Medical and Psychological Care: Engage medical professionals immediately to document any physical or emotional injuries.
• Consult a Hazing Attorney: An attorney familiar with Baylor’s institutional history and its unique legal posture can effectively navigate claims against the university and affiliated organizations, compelling discovery and building a case based on both specific hazing acts and potential institutional failures.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

For McMullen County families, understanding the role of national fraternity and sorority organizations is crucial. When a local chapter at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor engages in hazing, it’s rarely an isolated incident unique to that specific campus. These local chapters are often part of much larger national organizations, and the national entity’s history of hazing — and its response, or lack thereof — can be a powerful tool in seeking accountability and justice.

Why National Histories Matter

Most fraternities and sororities active at Texas universities, such as Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike), Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi, and Kappa Alpha Order, are chapters of national or international organizations. These national headquarters (HQs) typically:

• Possess detailed anti-hazing manuals and risk management policies: They develop these extensive guidelines precisely because they have seen deaths, catastrophic injuries, and significant lawsuits across their chapters over many years.
• Are aware of common hazing patterns: They know the “playbook” – the forced drinking nights, the “Big/Little” events involving excessive alcohol, the physical endurance tests, and the humiliating rituals that recur across their organization.

When a local chapter in Texas repeats this dangerous script – the very same actions that led to severe injury or death at another chapter in a different state – it provides crucial evidence of foreseeability. It demonstrates that the national organization knew, or should have known, the risks associated with these activities and failed to take adequate steps to prevent them. This pattern of knowledge reinforces arguments for negligence and can significantly bolster claims for punitive damages.

Organization Mapping + National Histories

Here’s an overview of some organizations active at Texas campuses (UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor) with notable national hazing histories. This is not an exhaustive list but highlights common patterns and the types of prior incidents that inform current litigation strategies.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike / ΠΚΑ): Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and Baylor, Pike is a fraternity with a deeply concerning national hazing history.
  • Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, 2021) and David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois University, 2012): Both pledges died from alcohol poisoning during “Big/Little” events involving forced, excessive drinking. The Foltz case resulted in a $10 million settlement (with $7 million from the national fraternity and his chapter, and $3 million from the university) and criminal convictions. Bogenberger’s family received a $14 million settlement. These cases demonstrate a clear, repeated pattern of dangerous alcohol hazing within Pi Kappa Alpha chapters.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE / ΣΑΕ): Found at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and SMU, SAE has a history of high-profile hazing deaths and severe injuries, leading them to famously eliminate traditional pledging nationwide in 2014 (though hazing persists).
  • University of Alabama (2023): A pledge allegedly suffered a traumatic brain injury during a hazing ritual, leading to an ongoing civil suit for fraud, negligence, and assault.
  • Texas A&M University (2021): Pledges alleged they suffered severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts after industrial-strength cleaner, eggs, and spit were poured on them during a hazing event. The pledges sued the fraternity for $1 million.
  • University of Texas at Austin (2024): An exchange student sued the chapter for over $1 million after an alleged assault at a fraternity party, occurring while the chapter was already suspended for prior hazing violations.
  • Carson Starkey (California Polytechnic State University, 2008): Pledge died from alcohol poisoning after forced drinking. The family settled for a confidential (reportedly substantial) amount and used funds to create a national anti-hazing non-profit. SAE’s repeated issues highlight why national organizations are often held to account.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and Baylor, this fraternity was involved in one of the most significant recent hazing deaths.
  • Maxwell “Max” Gruver (Louisiana State University, 2017): Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%) after a “Bible study” drinking game. This led to criminal convictions and the Max Gruver Act (felony hazing) in Louisiana. A multi-million-dollar settlement was reached.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, and UT.
  • Andrew Coffey (Florida State University, 2017): Pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event, leading to multiple criminal prosecutions and a statewide anti-hazing movement in Florida.
• Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ): Present at UH, Texas A&M, and UT.
  • Timothy Piazza (Penn State University, 2017): As discussed, Piazza’s death from traumatic brain injuries and delayed medical help after extreme alcohol consumption led to monumental criminal and civil legal actions, and Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.”
• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI / ΦΓΔ): Active at Texas A&M.
  • Danny Santulli (University of Missouri, 2021): An 18-year-old pledge suffered severe, permanent brain damage (now requires 24/7 care, cannot walk, talk, or see) after excessive alcohol consumption during pledge “reveal” night. His family settled lawsuits with 22 defendants for multi-million-dollar, largely confidential amounts. This case became a national example of catastrophic, non-fatal hazing injury leading to profound individual and organizational liability.
• Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ): Found at UH, Texas A&M, and UT.
  • Chad Meredith (University of Miami, 2001): Drowned after being persuaded by fraternity members to swim across a lake while intoxicated. A jury awarded his parents $12.6 million in a negligence suit, leading to Florida law making hazing a criminal offense.
  • Texas A&M University (2023, ongoing): Allegations of hazing resulting in severe rhabdomyolysis (extreme muscle breakdown from intense physical hazing) leading to ongoing litigation.
• Omega Psi Phi (ΩΨΦ): Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and Baylor (NPHC).
  • Rafeal Joseph (University of Southern Mississippi, 2023): A former student filed a federal lawsuit alleging severe hazing, including repeated beatings with a wooden paddle during “Hell Night,” resulting in emergency surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
  • Joseph Snell (Bowie State University, 1997): Endured four weeks of severe beatings and burns, resulting in a $375,000 verdict. This established a precedent that both the international organization and local chapter are liable for hazing.
• Sigma Chi (ΣΧ): Active at UH, Texas A&M, and UT.
  • College of Charleston (2024): A pledge alleged physical beatings, forced substance consumption, and psychological torment. The family received more than $10 million in damages in settlement or verdict. This case demonstrates that juries and settlements can indeed award substantial damages for severe hazing.

Tie Back to Legal Strategy

These recurring patterns highlight a critical legal strategy: when a Texas chapter repeats hazing practices seen elsewhere, it strengthens the argument that the national organization had prior notice and foreseeability of the risks involved. This means that:

• Courts can scrutinize whether national organizations genuinely enforced their anti-hazing policies or merely paid lip service to them.
• It impacts settlement leverage, as national entities often prefer to settle to avoid public exposure of repeated misconduct.
• It can significantly influence insurance coverage disputes, as insurers may try to deny coverage for “intentional acts,” but a pattern of organizational negligence can override such exclusions.
• The potential for punitive damages (intended to punish and deter) becomes more likely when egregious, repeated failures by a national organization can be demonstrated.

For McMullen County families, this means that an experienced hazing attorney won’t just look at what happened in Texas, but will connect your case to a broader national history to build the strongest possible claim for justice and accountability.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Successfully pursuing a hazing claim requires more than just knowing what happened; it demands meticulous evidence collection, a deep understanding of potential damages, and a sophisticated legal strategy. This is where the experience of The Manginello Law Firm truly makes a difference.

Evidence

Modern hazing cases are often won or lost based on the quality and completeness of evidence. We leverage every available resource to uncover the truth:

• Digital Communications: These are often the “smoking gun” in today’s hazing cases.
  • Group Chats and DMs: Platforms like GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, and even fraternity-specific apps are where hazing is planned, executed, and discussed. They show planning, intent, knowledge, patterns of behavior, who was involved, and what was said before, during, and after an incident.
  • Screenshots: Crucially, if you or your child has access, take full-thread screenshots of these communications with timestamps and participant names clearly visible. It’s important not to excessively crop them, as context is everything.
  • Deleted Messages: Even if messages are deleted, digital forensics experts can often recover them from device backups, cloud storage, or through subpoenas issued to tech companies.
• Photos & Videos:
  • Content Filmed by Members: Many hazing events are recorded by participants, either for “fun” or as proof. This footage, often shared in group chats or on social media, can be invaluable.
  • Security Camera Footage: Ring cameras, doorbell cameras, and surveillance systems at houses or venues where hazing occurred can provide objective evidence.
  • Injury Documentation: Immediate, high-resolution photographs of any injuries (bruises, burns, lacerations) are vital. Take multiple angles, close-ups, and ensure clear lighting. Document the progression of injuries over several days. Have a trusted person photograph the injuries if possible.
• Internal Organization Documents: These reveal the internal workings and compliance efforts (or lack thereof).
  • Pledge Manuals/Initiation Scripts: These can show contradictory information to official anti-hazing policies.
  • Emails/Texts from Officers: Communications from chapter leadership planning events or discussing “new members” can be highly incriminating.
  • National Policies/Training Materials: Comparing these documented policies against the actual conduct is a key strategy.
• University Records: Schools have a duty to investigate and document.
  • Prior Conduct Files: Histories of disciplinary actions, probation, or suspensions against a specific organization can establish a pattern and university knowledge.
  • Incident Reports: Campus police reports or student conduct office reports provide official documentation.
  • Clery Reports: These annual disclosures can show patterns of crime on and around campus that overlap with hazing behaviors.
• Medical and Psychological Records: Crucial for documenting the full extent of harm.
  • Emergency Treatment & Hospitalization Records: These lay the groundwork for physical injuries. Always ensure the context of “hazing” is noted by medical staff.
  • Toxicology Reports: Essential if alcohol or drugs were involved.
  • Psychological Evaluations: Diagnoses of PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other trauma-related conditions by mental health professionals quantify the emotional and mental toll, which can be a significant component of damages.
• Witness Testimony:
  • Other Pledges/Members: These individuals, while sometimes hesitant, are key. Many may choose to cooperate after legal action begins, often after seeing the severity of the harm or facing remorse.
  • Roommates, RAs, Coaches, Bystanders: Anyone who noticed changes, heard conversations, or saw parts of the events.
  • Former Members: Those who previously quit or were expelled may be willing to provide critical inside information.

Damages

Hazing causes profound harm, both tangible and intangible. Our firm is dedicated to ensuring families understand the full scope of potential damages that can be recovered (Appendix E: Damages & Recovery Framework).

• Economic Damages: These are quantifiable financial losses.
  • Medical Expenses: Past and future costs, including emergency room visits, ambulance transport, hospitalization, surgeries, ongoing therapies (physical, occupational, speech, psychiatric), medications, and specialized equipment. For catastrophic injuries like brain damage, this can include life care plans projecting costs for lifelong care.
  • Lost Income & Earning Capacity: This includes lost wages for the victim or parent/guardian who had to care for them. It also covers lost educational opportunities (tuition, fees, scholarships for missed semesters, delayed graduation) and, crucially, reduced future earning capacity if injuries lead to permanent disability or impair ability to work. Expert economists are retained to calculate these lifetime losses.
  • Other Economic Losses: Property damage (e.g., destroyed phone or clothing during hazing) or relocation costs if a student transfers to a new school to escape the traumatic environment.
• Non-Economic Damages: These are subjective but legally compensable losses for the victim’s pain and suffering.
  • Physical Pain & Suffering: Covering immediate pain from injuries, and chronic pain from permanent conditions.
  • Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm: This category is vital in hazing cases and can include diagnosed conditions like PTSD, severe depression, generalized anxiety, panic attacks, and even suicidal ideation. It also accounts for humiliation, shame, loss of dignity, fear, nightmares, flashbacks, and the severe loss of trust.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to participate in activities once loved (sports, hobbies), withdrawal from the college experience, and damaged relationships.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): In tragic cases where hazing results in death, the surviving family members (parents, children, spouse) can recover substantial damages.
  • Economic: Funeral and burial costs, and the loss of financial support the deceased would have provided over their lifetime.
  • Non-Economic: The profound loss of companionship, love, society, and emotional support. It includes the grief and emotional suffering of the family, and loss of parental guidance or counsel.
• Punitive Damages: While not always available, punitive damages are critical when a defendant’s conduct is particularly egregious, reckless, willful, or malicious. Their purpose is to punish the wrongdoer and deter others. In Texas, punitive damages are available but capped in most cases. These damages are particularly relevant in hazing cases where organizations ignored repeated warnings, tried to cover up incidents, or showed callous indifference to known risks. Our firm aggressively pursues punitive damages where the facts support them.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing cases often involve multiple layers of defendants, each typically covered by different insurance policies. Fraternities, sororities, and universities nearly always carry substantial insurance. However, their insurers will often employ aggressive tactics to deny coverage, arguing that hazing falls under “intentional act” or “criminal conduct” exclusions within their policies.

Experienced hazing lawyers at Attorney911 understand these strategies because our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, worked for a national defense firm and knows their playbook inside out. We:

• Identify All Potential Coverage Sources: From individual homeowner’s policies to local chapter policies, national fraternity umbrella policies, and vast university insurance policies.
• Navigate Complex Coverage Disputes: We aggressively dispute attempts by insurers to deny coverage based on exclusions. We argue that even if the hazing involved intentional acts by individuals, the national organization or university’s negligent supervision or failure to enforce policies is a separate, covered event.
• Force Insurers to Defend: We ensure that insurance companies fulfill their contractual obligations to defend and potentially indemnify their policyholders.

Understanding these complexities is critical, as battles over insurance coverage can be as intense as the underlying negligence claims. For McMullen County families, this means having lawyers who can not only prove the hazing occurred but also ensure there are funds available to compensate for the immense harm it caused.

Practical Guides & FAQs

Practical Guides

For families in McMullen County, having clear, actionable guidance is essential when confronting the overwhelming reality of hazing. Our firm provides this practical advice to protect your children and your rights.

For Parents

No parent wants to imagine their child experiencing hazing. Knowing what to look for and how to respond is your best defense.

Warning Signs of Hazing:

• Unexplained Injuries or “Accidents”: Bruises, burns, cuts, or physical ailments that don’t have a clear, believable explanation, or seem to happen repeatedly.
• Extreme Fatigue & Sleep Deprivation: Your child is constantly exhausted, falling asleep in class, or talking about late-night “mandatory” events that interfere with sleep. You might see them receiving texts or calls at odd hours requiring immediate response.
• Drastic Mood/Personality Changes: Sudden anxiety, depression, irritability, anger, uncharacteristic withdrawal from friends and family, or secrecy about organization activities (e.g., “I can’t talk about it,” “It’s a secret”).
• Physical Appearance Changes: Sudden weight loss or gain due to food/water deprivation, or appearing unkempt/disheveled.
• Academic Decline: A sudden drop in grades, missed classes, or prioritizing organization activities over academics.
• Constant Phone Use & Fear of Missing Out: Obsessively checking their phone for group chat messages, showing anxiety when their phone rings, or expressing fear of repercussions if they don’t respond immediately.
• Financial Red Flags: Unexpected requests for money, unexplained expenses, or buying excessive amounts of alcohol or supplies for older members.

How to Talk to Your Child:

• Ask Open-Ended Questions: Instead of “Are they hazing you?”, try “How are things going with [organization name]? Is anything making you uncomfortable?” or “What are you expected to do as a new member?”
• Emphasize Safety Over Status: Reassure them that their well-being is your top priority, not their membership in any group. Remind them they can tell you anything without judgment.
• Listen Without Interruption: If they open up, let them speak freely. Don’t immediately jump to solutions or anger.
• Be Prepared for Denial: They may deny it due to fear of retaliation or a misguided sense of loyalty. Continue to observe and let them know you’re always there.

If Your Child is Hurt:

• Immediate Medical Care: Prioritize getting them medical attention. Do not delay. Request that the medical staff document the circumstances of the injury, including any mention of hazing.
• Document Everything: While fresh, write down everything your child tells you about what happened, who was involved, and when/where it occurred. Take comprehensive photos of any injuries, and save any digital communications (texts, group chats, social media posts).
• Contact a Lawyer: If the injuries are significant or you suspect a cover-up, contact attorneys experienced in hazing litigation, like Attorney911, as soon as possible.
• Managing University Communications: Document all interactions with university administrators. Ask specific questions about prior incidents involving the organization and what steps the school has taken. However, consult your attorney before signing any university documents or agreeing to internal “resolutions.”

When to Talk to a Lawyer:

• Significant Physical/Psychological Harm: Any injury requiring medical attention, or showing signs of severe emotional trauma (PTSD, deep depression, anxiety).
• University/Organization Minimizing or Hiding: If you feel the school or organization is stonewalling, downplaying the incident, or trying to control the narrative.
• Repeat Offenders: If the organization has a history of hazing violations at present or other campuses.
• Cover-Up Attempts: If evidence is being destroyed, witnesses are coached, or there is an atmosphere of intimidation.
• Uncertainty of Rights: If you are unsure about your legal options, the statute of limitations, or how to navigate the complex process.

For Students / Pledges

If you are a student from McMullen County currently experiencing hazing, your safety and well-being are paramount. You are not alone, and you have rights.

Is This Hazing or Just Tradition?

• Ask yourself these key questions: Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do? Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal? Would university officials or my parents approve if they knew exactly what was happening? Are older members making new members do things they don’t have to do themselves? Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about this? If you answer “yes” to any of these, it is very likely hazing. Tradition should never involve humiliation, danger, or coercion.

Why “Consent” Isn’t the End of the Story:

• In Texas, consent is not a defense to hazing. Our laws explicitly state this because they recognize that in hierarchical groups, true consent is often impossible. The intense desire to belong, fear of exclusion, and peer pressure create a coercive environment where any “agreement” is not truly voluntary. You are the victim in these situations, not a willing participant.

Exiting and Reporting Safely:

• Immediate Danger: If you are in immediate danger (e.g., intoxicated and unable to care for yourself, physically assaulted), call 911 immediately. You will not get in trouble for calling for help in a medical emergency under Texas’s good-faith reporter protection laws.
• Quitting an Organization: You have the legal right to leave any organization at any time. You do not need their permission. Inform a trusted adult (parent, RA, professor) first. Then, send a clear, concise text or email to the chapter president or new member educator stating: “I am resigning my pledge/membership effective immediately.” Do not attend any “final meetings” where you might be pressured or intimidated.
• Reporting Options:
  • University: Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct, Title IX Coordinator (if sexual harassment/assault) or Campus Police. Many schools have anonymous tip lines.
  • Texas Anti-Hazing Hotlines: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (anonymous, 24/7).
  • Local Police: If crimes occurred (assault, sexual assault, damage to property, illegal alcohol provision).
  • Lawyer: Consult with an attorney experienced in hazing cases like Attorney911; all communications are confidential.

Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty:

• Texas law and many university policies encourage reporting hazing or seeking medical help in emergencies by offering immunity or amnesty. This means that if you call 911 for an overdose or injury, you (or the person you call for) will likely not face disciplinary action for underlying offenses like underage drinking. Your safety and the safety of others is the priority.

For Former Members / Witnesses

If you were once involved in hazing but now regret it or wish to speak out, know that your courage can prevent future harm and save lives.

• Acknowledge Guilt and Fear: It is natural to feel conflicted – guilt over past actions, fear of retribution or legal consequences. However, your insights and testimony are invaluable.
• Your Role in Accountability: By cooperating, you can provide critical evidence that helps victims, holds perpetrators accountable, and forces institutions to make meaningful changes. This is an important step towards making amends and preventing future tragedies.
• Seek Legal Advice: You may want to consult with your own legal counsel to understand your rights, potential legal exposure, and how cooperation might impact your situation. An experienced attorney can help navigate your role as a witness or even a co-defendant. The Manginello Law Firm’s criminal defense background means we can advise on both criminal exposure and civil liability for those who come forward.

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

For McMullen County families, avoiding common pitfalls is as crucial as gathering evidence. These mistakes, often made with good intentions, can severely undermine a hazing case:

1. Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence: Parents might think they’re protecting their child from further trouble, but deleting crucial digital communications (texts, group chats, DMs, photos) can be seen as obstruction of justice and makes proving a case nearly impossible. Do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even content that seems embarrassing or incriminating. Your lawyer will know how to handle it.
2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly: While a natural instinct, approaching the organization directly allows them to immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses on what to say (or not say), and prepare their defense. Do instead: Document everything discreetly, then immediately contact an attorney who can advise you on the proper, strategic approach.
3. Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms: Universities often pressure families to sign waivers or internal resolution agreements to keep matters quiet and avoid litigation. Do instead: Never sign anything from the university without having an attorney review it first. You could inadvertently waive your right to sue or settle for far less than your child’s case is worth.
4. Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer: Sharing your story on public platforms, however cathartic, can gravely harm your legal case. Defense attorneys routinely screenshot everything, and any inconsistencies can be used to attack credibility. It can also waive legal privileges. Do instead: Document your experiences privately. Let your lawyer control public messaging and strategic disclosures.
5. Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”: Once you’re considering legal action, any request for your child to attend a “final meeting” with the organization or university is likely an attempt to pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that could hurt your case. Do instead: Once you engage legal counsel, all communication with the organization or university should go through your attorney.
6. Waiting “to see how the university handles it”: While universities initiate investigations, their primary interest is often protecting their own reputation and Greek system, not necessarily maximizing your family’s recovery or ensuring comprehensive accountability. Evidence disappears rapidly, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations continues to run. Do instead: Preserve evidence NOW. Consult with an attorney immediately. The university’s internal process is separate from pursuing real legal accountability.
7. Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer: Insurance adjusters, however friendly, work for the insurance company, not for you. They aim to minimize payouts, and recorded statements they collect will be used against you. Do instead: Politely decline to speak with them and inform them that your attorney will be in contact.

For McMullen County families who have experienced hazing, watching Attorney911’s video on client mistakes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY) can provide further critical guidance.

Short FAQ

Q: Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?

A: Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin have some sovereign immunity, which limits their liability, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, willful misconduct, and certain federal claims like Title IX. Private universities like SMU and Baylor generally have fewer immunity protections. Every case is unique and depends on specific facts – contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, case-specific analysis.

Q: Is hazing a felony in Texas?

A: It can be. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default. However, it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. This means potential jail time and significant fines. In addition, individuals who witness hazing and fail to report it can face misdemeanor charges.

Q: Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?

A: Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” given under duress, peer pressure, power imbalance, or fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent. Your child is considered a victim in the eyes of Texas law, regardless of any perceived “agreement.”

Q: How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit in Texas?

A: Generally, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits in Texas is two years from the date of injury or death. However, there are exceptions, such as the “discovery rule” (where the clock starts when an injury or its cause is or should have been discovered), or tolling for minors until they reach adulthood. In cases involving cover-ups or fraud, this period may be extended. Time is extremely critical in hazing cases because evidence disappears quickly. For more information, you can also watch Attorney911’s video explaining the statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c. We strongly advise calling Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to discuss your specific timeline.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?

A: The location of hazing does not eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities or sororities can still be held liable based on their sponsorship of the organization, their knowledge of ongoing issues, their control over student groups, and the foreseeability of hazing occurring off-campus. Many major hazing cases that resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments have occurred at off-campus houses or private venues. An experienced hazing attorney understands how to hold all responsible parties accountable, regardless of where the incident took place.

Q: Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?

A: While criminal cases are often public record, most civil hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. We understand the sensitivity of these cases and will prioritize your family’s privacy interests by requesting sealed court records and confidential settlement terms whenever possible, while still pursuing maximum accountability.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

When your family in McMullen County 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. This means having legal representation that not only understands the intricacies of Texas hazing law but also possesses the experience to take on national fraternities, major universities, and their well-funded defense teams.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, your Legal Emergency Lawyers™, offers a unique and powerful combination of expertise specifically designed for complex hazing litigation. Based in Houston with offices in Austin and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including McMullen County and surrounding areas, who have been impacted by campus abuse. We understand deeply that hazing at Texas universities can affect families right here in McMullen County, just as it does in our major metropolitan areas.

Our unique qualifications set us apart:

• Insurance Insider Advantage with Lupe Peña: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, brings invaluable insight to every hazing case. As a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm, she knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and often undervalue) hazing claims. She understands their delay tactics, their arguments for coverage exclusion, and their settlement strategies. We know their playbook because she used to run it. Her expertise is crucial for successfully navigating the often-complex battles over insurance coverage that are common in hazing litigation, ensuring that we fight to secure maximum compensation for your child.
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions with Ralph Manginello: Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, is no stranger to taking on formidable opponents. He was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in litigation following the BP Texas City explosion, demonstrating his capability against billion-dollar corporations. His extensive experience in federal court (United States District Court, Southern District of Texas) means he is not intimidated by national fraternities, university legal departments, or their aggressive defense teams. We’ve taken on major corporations and won, applying that same fierce advocacy to our hazing cases.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: We have a proven track record of securing multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. This includes working with expert economists to properly value the loss of life, and collaborating with life care planners to determine the long-term medical and rehabilitation needs for victims of brain injury or permanent disability. We don’t settle cheap; we build cases that compel accountability and secure the resources needed for a victim’s future. Our firm has extensive wrongful death experience 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) gives our firm a robust understanding of how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. This dual expertise means we can provide comprehensive advice to victims, as well as to witnesses or former members who might face dual exposure in both criminal and civil proceedings. Our criminal defense experience is detailed at https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/.
• Investigative Depth: We pride ourselves on thorough, relentless investigation. This means leveraging a vast network of experts—medical professionals, digital forensics specialists, economists, and psychologists—to uncover every piece of evidence. Our team is adept at obtaining hidden evidence, including deleted group chats, social media records, internal chapter documents, and university files through discovery and public records requests. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it truly does.

We understand that hazing cases are profoundly difficult. We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face, whether your child attends the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or another Texas campus. Our job is to get you answers, hold the right people accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family. We approach every case with empathy and an unwavering commitment to thorough investigation and real accountability, not just quick settlements. We’ve built our firm on the principle of fighting for victims against the odds, providing immediate, aggressive, and professional legal assistance when you need it most.

Contact Attorney911 for a Confidential Consultation today.

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether it’s a situation involving fraternities, sororities, an athletic team, or the Corps of Cadets—we want to hear from you. Families in McMullen County and throughout the surrounding region have the right to answers and accountability.

The Manginello Law Firm offers a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options clearly, and help you decide on the best path forward for your family. During your free consultation, you can expect us to:

• Listen to your story without judgment, providing a safe space to share your experience.
• Review any evidence you’ve already collected, such as photos, texts, or medical records.
• Carefully explain your legal options—whether pursuing a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, both, or neither—and the implications of each.
• Discuss realistic timelines and what the legal process might entail.
• Answer your questions about costs. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case. You can watch our video explaining contingency fees at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.
• There is no pressure to hire us on the spot—we want you to feel confident and informed before making any decisions.

Whether you’re in McMullen County or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. An experienced attorney can review your specific facts, explain your rights under Texas law, and help you understand your best options for justice.

Call us today.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
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.

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