Texas Hazing Guide for Rains County Families: Understanding Campus Abuse, Laws, and Your Legal Rights

The phone rings late, a panicked voice on the other end. Your child, away at one of Texas’s many universities, whispers about an “initiation night” gone horribly wrong. They were forced to drink beyond their limits, enduring physical exhaustion and psychological torment, all in the name of “tradition” or “bonding.” Another student collapsed, or worse, someone started filming the degrading acts, threatening to share them if anyone spoke up. Your child feels trapped, torn between loyalty to the group and their own safety, now scared of both the institution and the consequences of speaking out. This horrifying scenario is more common than many Rains County families, and indeed families across Texas, realize.

This comprehensive guide is designed for families in Rains County and throughout Texas who need to understand the complex, often hidden, world of campus hazing. We explore what hazing truly looks like in 2025 – far beyond a harmless prank. We delve into the intricacies of Texas and federal anti-hazing laws, examine patterns from major national cases, and specifically review incidents and policies at the University of Houston (UH), Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin (UT), Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Baylor University. Most importantly, we outline the legal options available to victims and their families in Rains County and across the Lone Star State.

Please understand that while this article provides extensive general information, it is not specific legal advice. Every case has unique details that require personalized evaluation. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, serves families throughout Texas, including those in Rains County and surrounding communities in Northeast Texas, offering thorough, confidential case assessments.

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.” Prioritize their health and safety.
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, and direct messages (DMs) immediately.
  • Photograph any injuries from multiple angles, ideally with a ruler or coin for scale.
  • Save any physical items involved, such as damaged clothing, receipts for forced purchases, or objects used in hazing.
• Write down everything while memory is fresh: who was involved, what happened, when it occurred, and where it took place.
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or organization directly.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company without legal advice.
  • Post details on public social media before consulting with an attorney.
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” any evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

• Evidence disappears rapidly – deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses.
• Universities often act quickly to control the narrative.
• We can help preserve critical evidence and protect your child’s rights from the outset.
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For families in Rains County, understanding hazing goes far beyond the images of “Animal House.” Modern hazing is sophisticated, often insidious, and designed to evade detection. It 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’s crucial to understand that a student’s “agreement” or “consent” to activity does not automatically make it safe or legal, especially when peer pressure and a significant power imbalance are at play.

Main Categories of Hazing: Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing has evolved, often adapting to avoid detection, but its core remains the abuse of power and trust.

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This is hands-down the most dangerous and frequently fatal form of hazing. It includes forced or coerced drinking of alcohol, often to dangerous levels, during “lineups,” “Bible studies,” drinking games where wrong answers lead to forced consumption, or “Big/Little” events. Pledges may be pressured to consume unknown substances or dangerous concoctions. In Texas, this often includes events at off-campus houses or rural properties to avoid university oversight.
• Physical Hazing: Still prevalent, physical hazing involves paddling and beatings, often disguised as “discipline.” Extreme calisthenics, “workouts,” or “smokings” far beyond normal conditioning are common. Sleep, food, and water deprivation are used to break down resolve. Students might be exposed to extreme cold or heat, forced into dangerous environments, or tied up in degrading positions. Incidents can even involve chemical burns, as seen in some Texas cases.
• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This category is deeply damaging. It may involve forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (like the “roasted pig” position), or being forced to wear degrading costumes. Acts with racist, homophobic, or sexist overtones are also reported, often involving slurs or forced role-play to demean specific individuals or groups.
• Psychological Hazing: Often overlooked but profoundly impactful, psychological hazing uses verbal abuse, threats, and isolation to instill fear and control. Manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming (even on social media) are tactics that can lead to severe mental distress, anxiety, depression, and long-term trauma.
• Digital/Online Hazing: This is a rapidly growing area of concern. Group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation via platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Discord are increasingly common. Students can be pressured to create or share compromising images or videos. Constant monitoring of group chats, requiring immediate responses at all hours, creates extreme sleep deprivation and anxiety, with punishments meted out for non-compliance.

Where Hazing Actually Happens: A Pervasive Problem

Hazing is not exclusive to “frat boys” or Greek life. It affects a wide array of student organizations where social status, tradition, and secrecy are valued. Rains County families should understand that hazing can occur in:

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes social Greek life (Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Divine Nine organizations, and various multicultural Greek councils.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: The hierarchical structure and emphasis on tradition in these groups can unfortunately be exploited for hazing, with “traditions” sometimes masking abuse.
• Spirit Squads, Tradition Clubs, and Student Organizations: Groups like “Absolute Texxas” at UT Austin or similar spirit organizations at other Texas campuses have faced disciplinary action for hazing.
• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to baseball, cheer, and even club sports, athletes are often subjected to hazing designed to “build character” or “test commitment,” but which instead inflicts harm. The Northwestern scandal is a stark reminder that even multi-million dollar athletic programs are vulnerable.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even organizations dedicated to performance and arts have reported hazing incidents, demonstrating that no group is entirely immune.

When these behaviors persist despite anti-hazing policies, it often stems from a culture of secrecy, a reverence for “tradition,” and a misguided belief that these acts foster loyalty – even when everyone involved “knows” that hazing is officially prohibited.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

Understanding the legal landscape surrounding hazing in Texas is crucial for Rains County families. While the emotional toll of hazing is immense, the law provides pathways for accountability and compensation.

Texas Hazing Law Basics: Education Code

Texas has a specific, robust legal framework for addressing hazing, primarily found in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. For a student in Rains County or attending any Texas university, it is vital to know that:

• Hazing is broadly defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, committed by one person alone or with others, that is directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students. Crucially, this act must endanger the mental or physical health or safety of a student. This means hazing doesn’t have to be violent; psychological harm is covered.
• The law applies whether the hazing occurs on or off campus, making location irrelevant to its illegality.
• The victim’s consent is not a defense. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that it is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the activity. Courts recognize that factors like peer pressure, the desire to belong, and power imbalances often negate true consent.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing

Texas law imposes significant criminal penalties for hazing, especially when injuries occur:

• Class B Misdemeanor (Default): Hazing that does not cause serious injury is generally a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000.
• Class A Misdemeanor: If the hazing causes bodily injury requiring medical attention, it elevates to a Class A misdemeanor, with potential jail time of up to one year and/or a fine of up to $4,000.
• State Jail Felony: If the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a state jail felony, carrying a range of six months to two years in a state jail facility, in addition to potential fines.
• Reporting Requirements: Individuals who are members or officers of an organization and know about hazing but fail to report it can also face misdemeanor charges. Retaliating against someone who reports hazing is also a misdemeanor.

Organizational Liability

Organizations themselves, such as fraternities, sororities, or sports clubs, can be criminally prosecuted for hazing if they authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer or member acting in an official capacity knew about the hazing and failed to report it. Penalties for organizations can include fines of up to $10,000 per violation, and universities can revoke recognition or ban the organization from campus. This dual criminal accountability—for individuals and the organization—is a critical aspect of Texas law and can strengthen civil claims.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Pathways to Justice

When hazing occurs, there are typically two distinct legal avenues that can be pursued, often simultaneously:

• Criminal Cases: These are initiated by the state (prosecutors) to punish illegal acts. In hazing contexts, criminal charges can range from basic hazing offenses and furnishing alcohol to minors, to more severe charges like assault, battery, or even manslaughter or negligent homicide in cases involving death or catastrophic injury. The goal of a criminal case is to determine guilt and impose punitive measures (jail time, fines, probation).
• Civil Cases: These are brought by the victims or their surviving family members (plaintiffs), and their primary aim is monetary compensation for the harm suffered, along with holding responsible parties accountable. Civil hazing lawsuits often focus on legal theories such as negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring or supervision, and premises liability. A criminal conviction is not a prerequisite for a civil case; victims can seek compensation even if no criminal charges are filed or if criminal charges do not result in a conviction.

Both the criminal and civil systems play vital roles in addressing hazing and seeking justice for victims in Rains County and beyond.

Federal Overlay: Strengthening Accountability

Beyond state law, federal regulations also impose obligations on universities regarding hazing, particularly those receiving federal funding:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This landmark federal legislation mandates that colleges and universities receiving federal financial assistance enhance their hazing prevention and reporting efforts. Key provisions require institutions to report hazing incidents more transparently, strengthen educational and prevention programs, and maintain publicly accessible data on hazing violations. This act is being phased in by approximately 2026 and will create greater transparency for Rains County families seeking information about university safety records.
• Title IX and Clery Act: When hazing involves elements of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, it can trigger obligations under Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education. The Clery Act requires colleges to disclose campus crime statistics, and hazing incidents often overlap with categories like assault, alcohol-related offenses, and other crimes, highlighting potential institutional failures in campus safety.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

In a civil hazing lawsuit, liability can extend beyond just the individuals who carried out the acts. Multiple parties can be held responsible:

• Individual Students: Those who planned, orchestrated, supplied alcohol, carried out, or otherwise participated in the hazing acts.
• Local Chapter / Organization: The specific fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself, especially if it operates as a legal entity. Officers and “pledge educators” who had a leadership role are key targets.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: The national headquarters, as they set policies, collect dues, and often have supervisory roles over their local chapters. Their liability often hinges on whether they knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing at the local or other chapters and failed to intervene.
• University or Governing Board: The educational institution itself, or its governing board (like the University of Houston System or Texas A&M System), can be sued under theories of negligence, gross negligence, or, in some cases, civil rights violations. This often depends on whether the university had prior warnings, failed to enforce its own policies, or showed deliberate indifference to student safety.
• Third Parties: This can include landlords or property owners of houses or event spaces where hazing occurred, bars or alcohol suppliers (under dram shop laws if they overserved minors), and even security companies or event organizers who failed in their duty of care.

Each hazing case is unique, and the specific parties held liable will depend on the facts, the evidence, and the applicable laws in Texas.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families

While the tragic incidents we discuss may have happened outside the Lone Star State, they set crucial legal precedents and expose patterns all Rains County families need to understand. These national anchor stories illustrate the severity of hazing, the legal tools used to fight it, and the substantial accountability that can be – and has been – achieved.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death: A Repeating Tragedy

Forced alcohol consumption continues to be the leading cause of hazing fatalities across the country.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Timothy Piazza died from traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding after a “bid acceptance” night. Surveillance cameras showed fraternity members forcing him to consume large amounts of alcohol, then delaying medical assistance for hours after he suffered severe falls. This case led to over 1,000 criminal charges against fraternity members, extensive civil litigation, and the creation of Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. This tragedy demonstrated how extreme intoxication, delayed 911 calls, and a culture of silence within a brotherhood can be legally devastating for both individuals and the institution.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning after a “Big Brother Night” where he was given an entire handle of liquor and forced to drink it. This formulaic drinking night became another tragic example of how “tradition” masks dangerous practices. His death resulted in criminal hazing charges against multiple members, a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU, and a state-wide overhaul of hazing policies in Florida.
• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max Gruver died with a blood alcohol content of 0.495% after participating in a “Bible study” drinking game. Pledges were forced to drink heavily if they answered questions incorrectly. His death directly led to the enactment of Louisiana’s felony hazing law, the Max Gruver Act. This case powerfully demonstrated how public outrage and clear proof of hazing can drive significant legislative change, setting a higher bar for accountability.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone Foltz died from alcohol poisoning during a pledge night where he was forced to consume a full bottle of whiskey. The incident led to multiple criminal convictions for hazing-related charges against fraternity members. In a significant civil development, Bowling Green State University (a public institution) agreed to a nearly $3 million settlement with the Foltz family, with additional multi-million dollar settlements from the national fraternity and individuals. This case illustrated how universities themselves can incur substantial financial and reputational consequences alongside the implicated fraternities.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing: The Brutality Beneath Tradition

While less common than alcohol-related deaths, physical and ritualized hazing can be equally brutal and deadly.

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng died from a traumatic brain injury after a brutal “glass ceiling” ritual at an off-campus fraternity retreat in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Blindfolded and weighted with a backpack, he was repeatedly tackled. Fraternity members delayed calling for help for hours. This landmark case resulted in multiple criminal convictions, and the national fraternity itself was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, leading to its ban from Pennsylvania. It demonstrated that off-campus “retreats” are often chosen precisely to conceal illegal acts, and national organizations bear significant liability in such scenarios.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse: Beyond Greek Life

Hazing is not confined to fraternities and sororities; it is a pervasive issue across various student groups, including highly visible and financially powerful athletic programs.

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): Multiple former football players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the university’s football program, occurring over several years. This scandal resulted in multiple lawsuits against Northwestern University and its coaching staff. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired and later confidentially settled a wrongful-termination lawsuit. This high-profile case emphatically showed that hazing can permeate major athletic departments, highlighting issues of institutional oversight and accountability beyond Greek life.

What These National Cases Mean for Rains County Families in Texas

These tragic national incidents provide critical lessons for Rains County families and students at Texas universities. They reveal common threads in hazing cases: forced drinking, extreme physical or psychological humiliation, violence, deliberate delays in seeking medical care, and concerted efforts to cover up incidents.

These cases also demonstrate that significant legal reforms, including felony hazing laws, and multi-million dollar settlements often occur only after tragedy and subsequent aggressive litigation. Families in Rains County who face hazing at schools like UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor are not alone; they operate within a legal landscape shaped by these powerful national precedents. They reinforce that accountability for such behavior is possible, and that courageous victims and their families can drive meaningful change.

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

For Rains County families, understanding the unique cultures, policies, and past hazing incidents at Texas’s major universities is critical. While Rains County sits in Northeast Texas, separated from some of these larger metropolitan areas, its families send students to all corners of the state. Therefore, our firm, located in Houston, extends its services to all Texans, recognizing the interconnectedness of our communities and universities. We will examine how a hazing case might proceed for a student attending any of these institutions and look at specific incidents that highlight ongoing issues.

5.1 University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston, a vibrant and diverse urban campus, serves as a hub for students from across the Houston area and beyond. Families from Rains County whose children attend UH might find themselves navigating the complexities of a large institution located over 200 miles away, emphasizing the importance of informed legal guidance.

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH is a large, public research university in the heart of Houston, with a mix of commuter and residential students. Its Greek life is active and includes a diverse range of fraternities and sororities, alongside numerous other student organizations, cultural groups, and competitive sports clubs. This diverse environment means hazing incidents can arise from many different types of groups.

5.1.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

The University of Houston maintains a strict anti-hazing policy. Their code of student conduct explicitly prohibits hazing, defining it broadly to include any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership. Prohibited acts include forced consumption of alcohol/food/drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and activities causing mental distress. UH provides various reporting channels through the Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). They also publish statements and some disciplinary information regarding hazing on their website.

5.1.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Like many large universities, UH has faced its share of hazing allegations and disciplinary actions:

• 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha Case: This incident involved allegations that pledges were deprived of sufficient food, water, and sleep during a multi-day event. One student reportedly suffered a lacerated spleen after being violently slammed onto a table or similar surface. The local chapter faced misdemeanor hazing charges and was subsequently suspended by the university.
• Ongoing Disciplinary Actions: UH’s publicly available disciplinary records indicate other instances where fraternities and various student organizations have faced sanctions for behaviors deemed “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” including alcohol misuse and violation of university hazing policies, leading to periods of suspension or probation.

These examples highlight UH’s proactive stance in suspending chapters implicated in hazing. However, compared to some other Texas universities, the public detail on specific violations might be limited, complicating independent research for Rains County families.

5.1.4 How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

If a hazing incident occurs at UH, the involved agencies may include the UHPD, which has jurisdiction on campus, and/or the Houston Police Department if the incident happens off-campus within city limits. Civil lawsuits against individuals, the chapter, and the national organization would typically be filed in courts within Harris County, encompassing the city of Houston. Potential defendants could include individual students, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority, and potentially the university and property owners complicit in the incident. Our Houston-based firm is ideally suited to navigate the local legal landscape.

5.1.5 What UH Students & Parents Should Do

For students and parents from Rains County facing a hazing situation at UH:

• Report hazing immediately through UH’s Dean of Students office, UHPD, or their online reporting forms.
• Document any prior complaints or known past incidents involving the organization. This historical pattern can be crucial for building a case.
• Consulting a lawyer experienced in Houston-based hazing cases can help uncover internal university discipline records and other critical evidence often withheld from the public.
• Preserve all digital evidence, including GroupMe chats, photos, and emails, as these are often central to proving hazing occurred.
• Seek medical attention if there are any injuries, no matter how minor they seem. Comprehensive medical records are invaluable.

5.2 Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, a sprawling campus with deeply rooted traditions, attracts students from all over Texas, including Rains County, approximately 150 miles away. The university’s strong sense of community and revered institutions like the Corps of Cadets sometimes create unique challenges for hazing prevention.

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M in College Station is known for its proud traditions, including the Corps of Cadets, a large and influential Greek life system, and enthusiastic student organizations. This environment, while fostering strong loyalty, can also be a breeding ground for hazing when “tradition” is prioritized over safety and well-being.

5.2.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Texas A&M has clear policies prohibiting hazing, outlined in the Student Conduct Code and within the Corps of Cadets regulations. The university works to enforce these rules through its Student Conduct Office, the Texas A&M University Police Department (TAMU PD), and specific reporting mechanisms for Corps members. They also emphasize educational initiatives and anonymous reporting tools.

5.2.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Texas A&M has faced significant hazing issues, often highlighting the tension between tradition and safety:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (around 2021): This particularly egregious incident involved allegations that two pledges were forced to endure strenuous activities during which various substances, including an industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, were poured on them. The pledges suffered severe chemical burns that required skin graft surgeries. The fraternity chapter was suspended for two years by the university, and the pledges subsequently sued for $1 million, demonstrating the serious physical harm, and financial restitution sought in such cases.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A former cadet filed a lawsuit alleging degrading hazing within the Corps. The allegations included 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, exposing some of the darker aspects of “tradition.” Texas A&M stated it handled the matter according to its internal policies.

These incidents underscore that hazing at Texas A&M is not confined to Greek life but can tragically occur within its revered Corps of Cadets, where the line between challenging training and abusive hazing can be blurred.

5.2.4 How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases originating from Texas A&M would involve TAMU PD for on-campus incidents. Civil suits would typically be heard in courts within Brazos County, where College Station is located. Similar to UH, potential defendants include individuals, the chapter, the national organization, and the university itself, with many cases specifically targeting elements of the Corps of Cadets or Greek life.

5.2.5 What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do

For families from Rains County whose children attend Texas A&M:

• Report concerns discreetly to the Student Conduct Office or TAMU PD. There are also specific reporting channels for the Corps of Cadets that should be explored.
• Families should specifically investigate an organization’s disciplinary history, recognizing that A&M’s emphasis on tradition can sometimes mask underlying issues.
• Be aware of the university’s internal processes, which might prioritize institutional reputation. An experienced hazing lawyer can help navigate these complexities and ensure all legal avenues are explored.
• Gather and preserve evidence related to any forced activities, especially in the Corps of Cadets where physically demanding “training” can cross into hazing.
• Understand that federal laws, like the Stop Campus Hazing Act, are increasing transparency requirements, which will be useful for future investigations.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)

The University of Texas at Austin, a flagship institution, is a popular choice for students across Texas, including those from Rains County, located about 200 miles northeast. UT Austin has one of the most comprehensive public records of hazing violations, offering a transparent, if sobering, look at the challenges universities face.

5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT Austin is a sprawling, highly competitive university known for its robust academic programs, vibrant social scene, and large Greek life community. While a hub of academic excellence, it also grapples with the pressures and hidden dangers that can accompany large, traditional student organizations.

5.3.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

The University of Texas at Austin maintains stringent anti-hazing policies, which are prominently displayed and regularly updated. UT’s policies align with the Texas Education Code definition of hazing, unequivocally prohibiting any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for initiation or membership purposes. UT is notable for its public Hazing Violations page (hazing.utexas.edu), which lists specific organizations, the nature of their violations, and the sanctions imposed. Reporting can be made through the Dean of Students, the Compliance and Ethics Services, or the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD).

5.3.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

UT’s public hazing log provides invaluable insight into the ongoing challenges:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): The UT chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha (PKA) was disciplined for directing new members to consume milk to induce vomiting and to perform strenuous calisthenics. This was clearly found to be hazing, resulting in chapter probation and mandates for new hazing-prevention education.
• Other Student Groups: The public log frequently features other organizations, including various fraternities, sororities, and spirit organizations (like “Texas Wranglers” or “Absolute Texxas”). Documented violations often include forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, sleep deprivation, and punishment-based practices targeting new members.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (January 2024): The UT chapter of SAE was sued for over $1 million by an Australian exchange student who alleged severe assault during a fraternity party, resulting in a dislocated leg, torn ligaments, fractured tibia, and a broken nose. The chapter was already under suspension for prior hazing and safety violations, highlighting a pattern of misconduct at a national level.

UT’s commitment to publicizing hazing violations, while commendable for transparency, also shows that despite policies and sanctions, these issues persist on campus.

5.3.4 How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing incidents at UT Austin would involve UTPD for campus-based actions and the Austin Police Department for off-campus events. Civil lawsuits would generally be filed in courts within Travis County, where Austin is located. For Rains County families, the public disciplinary records at UT Austin can be a potent source of evidence to establish a pattern of misconduct and the university’s knowledge of prior issues, strengthening a civil case.

5.3.5 What UT Austin Students & Parents Should Do

For Rains County students and parents connected to UT Austin:

• Regularly check UT’s public Hazing Violations website (hazing.utexas.edu) to understand the disciplinary history of organizations. This can offer critical insights.
• Be proactive in reporting any suspicious activities to the Dean of Students or the UTPD. UT’s policies and transparency can often work in a victim’s favor.
• Recognize that even with transparency, serious incidents still occur. Documentation of communication, injuries, and specific incidents is vital.
• Consult with an attorney experienced in hazing cases who can fully leverage UT’s public records and navigate the specific legal landscape of Travis County.
• Understand that while UT does good work in transparency, a confidential legal consultation with our firm can provide personalized guidance and ensure all rights are protected.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University, a distinguished private institution situated in Dallas, is another destination for students statewide, including those from Rains County. The university’s private status influences how hazing incidents are reported and investigated, often leading to less public documentation than at state-funded schools.

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

SMU is known for its rigorous academics, beautiful campus, and a prominent Greek life system that is deeply intertwined with its social culture. As a private university, SMU exercises significant control over its student organizations and campus environment, but this also means its hazing records are often less publicly accessible than those of public universities.

5.4.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

SMU maintains clear anti-hazing policies, explicitly prohibiting any activity that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers students for the purpose of membership. Reporting channels are available through the Dean of Students, the Office of Student Conduct, and the SMU Police Department. The university also utilizes tools like the “Real Response” app, offering an anonymous reporting option for students.

5.4.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

SMU has also encountered significant hazing challenges:

• Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017): This well-publicized incident involved multiple allegations of severe hazing, including pledges being paddled, forced to consume excessive amounts of alcohol, and deprived of sleep. The national chapter and university took action, leading to the local chapter’s suspension with restrictions on recruiting until around 2021.
• Ongoing Disciplinary Actions: While not as publicly detailed as UT, SMU’s website and internal communications indicate ongoing disciplinary actions against various fraternities and student groups for policy violations, reflecting the persistent nature of hazing.

These incidents highlight the fact that even at private universities with strict policies, hazing remains a major concern, often requiring aggressive intervention to curb harmful practices.

5.4.4 How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

For hazing incidents at SMU, the SMU Police Department would generally lead on-campus investigations, while the Dallas Police Department would handle off-campus crimes. Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in courts within Dallas County. Because SMU is a private institution, its records are generally not subject to public information requests, making discovery—the legal process of requesting documentation—a crucial initial step in any civil litigation.

5.4.5 What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

For Rains County students and parents connected to SMU:

• Utilize SMU’s anonymous reporting tools, such as the “Real Response” app, if fear of retaliation is a concern.
• Be aware that information about hazing incidents at private universities like SMU might be less transparent than at public schools. This makes thorough documentation by the victim even more critical.
• Seek legal counsel quickly. An experienced hazing attorney can initiate the discovery process to compel SMU to release internal investigation files, incident reports, and disciplinary records that might not be publicly disclosed.
• Focus on documenting all aspects of the hazing, from digital communications to physical injuries, as these elements become the core of any legal action.

5.5 Baylor University

Baylor University, a private Baptist university in Waco, draws students from across Texas, including Rains County, approximately 130 miles away. Baylor’s strong faith-based identity and its recent history of intense scrutiny over campus safety issues create a unique context for understanding hazing.

5.5.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor University cultivates a distinct faith-based learning environment. It has a significant Greek life presence and diverse athletic programs. However, Baylor has faced national scrutiny over past handling of sexual assault and other misconduct, which places any campus safety issue, including hazing, under an even brighter spotlight.

5.5.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Baylor maintains a strict “zero-tolerance” policy regarding hazing, aligning with Texas state law. The university’s policies explicitly prohibit any act that endangers students for initiation or membership into any organization. Reporting channels are available through the Baylor Department of Public Safety, the Dean of Students office, and the university’s anonymous reporting line. Baylor emphasizes its commitment to student welfare and has made efforts to improve its institutional response to all forms of student misconduct.

5.5.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Baylor, like other universities, has seen hazing incidents reach the public eye:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): An investigation culminated in the suspension of 14 Baylor baseball players for hazing violations in 2020. The suspensions were staggered to uphold NCAA compliance, but the incident highlighted that hazing can affect high-profile athletic teams, even at institutions striving for strong moral and ethical standards.
• Ongoing Scrutiny: Baylor’s past challenges with oversight and misconduct mean that any hazing incident can compound existing concerns about institutional accountability and student safety. The university’s official statements on “zero tolerance” are continually tested by recurring incidents.

These events underscore the complex intersection of institutional identity, cultural pressures, and the persistent challenge of hazing, even at universities with strong ethical declarations.

5.5.4 How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed

For hazing incidents at Baylor, the Baylor University Police Department would handle on-campus investigations, while the Waco Police Department or McLennan County Sheriff’s Office would investigate off-campus incidents. Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in McLennan County courts. Given Baylor’s history, any hazing case would likely face intense public scrutiny, and a legal team would meticulously examine the university’s internal policies and past responses to student misconduct. Like SMU, as a private university, records may have to be compelled through the discovery process in civil litigation.

5.5.5 What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do

For Rains County students and parents connected to Baylor University:

• Report hazing concerns through Baylor’s Department of Public Safety or the Dean of Students. Use available anonymous reporting channels if safety or fear of retaliation is a concern.
• Be aware that Baylor’s strong institutional control and past controversies mean that transparency around incidents may not always be immediate or complete.
• Document everything meticulously – especially communications from the university regarding any internal investigation or disciplinary proceedings.
• An attorney with experience navigating private university policies and the specific legal landscape of McLennan County can be invaluable in compelling relevant information and pursuing justice.
• Recognize that despite Baylor’s declared commitments, persistent vigilance and prompt legal action are often necessary to ensure accountability.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

When hazing occurs at a Texas university, it is rarely an isolated incident confined to a single chapter. Many of the fraternities and sororities active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor are part of national organizations. These national entities typically have extensive anti-hazing policies, risk management protocols, and educational programs – precisely because they have a long and often tragic history of hazing incidents, deaths, and catastrophic injuries across chapters nationwide.

Why National Histories Matter

The detailed records of national hazing incidents are not merely historical footnotes; they are crucial evidence. When a Texas chapter of a national fraternity or sorority repeats behaviors that have caused harm or death at another chapter in a different state, it significantly strengthens the argument that the national organization had foreseeability and prior notice of the risks. This evidence can underpin claims of negligence or even gross negligence against the national entity.

Consider how these national patterns fuel legal arguments:

• Foreseeability: If a national organization has experienced multiple alcohol poisoning deaths during “Big/Little” events, they can no longer claim surprise or unforeseeability when such an incident occurs at a Texas chapter. They know the script.
• Pattern of Conduct: A consistent history of similar hazing tactics (e.g., specific drinking games, forced physical exercises, degradation rituals) across different chapters demonstrates a pattern that speaks to systemic issues rather than one-off “rogue” acts.
• Failure to Enforce: The existence of extensive anti-hazing manuals is meaningless if they are not consistently enforced. Lawyers can investigate whether national headquarters meaningfully intervened in prior incidents, or if punishments were minimal, effectively tacitly approving the continuation of dangerous practices.

Organization Mapping: Connecting Local Chapters to National Patterns

While we cannot list every chapter, it’s vital for Rains County families to recognize that many of the organizations on Texas campuses have national counterparts with significant hazing histories.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Active at UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin. PKA has a devastating national history of alcohol-related hazing. The Stone Foltz case at Bowling Green State University (2021), where a pledge died after being forced to consume a bottle of whiskey, resulted in a $10 million settlement and multiple criminal convictions. Another PKA hazing death, David Bogenberger at Northern Illinois University (2012), resulted in a $14 million settlement. These cases demonstrate a clear and recurring pattern of dangerous alcohol hazing. In 2023, the UT Austin PKA chapter itself faced discipline for forced calisthenics and milk consumption.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and SMU. SAE has been involved in multiple hazing-related deaths and severe injuries nationwide. At Texas A&M (2021), two pledges alleged they suffered severe chemical burns after industrial-strength cleaner was poured on them during hazing, leading to a $1 million lawsuit. At the University of Texas at Austin (January 2024), an exchange student alleged severe assault by SAE members, resulting in significant injuries. SAE famously abolished its pledge process nationwide in 2014 in response to a string of deaths, yet issues persist, indicating that policy changes alone are insufficient without rigorous enforcement and a shift in culture.
• Phi Delta Theta (Phi Delt): Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Baylor. The fraternity was at the center of the tragic Max Gruver death at Louisiana State University (2017), where a pledge died from alcohol poisoning after a forced drinking game. The case led to landmark felony hazing legislation in Louisiana.
• Pi Kappa Phi (Pi Kapp): Active at UH and Texas A&M. Pi Kappa Phi was involved in the death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University (2017), who died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” involving forced alcohol consumption.
• Beta Theta Pi (Beta): Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and SMU. Beta was implicated in the high-profile death of Timothy Piazza at Penn State University (2017), a case that led to the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania and massive criminal and civil actions.
• Kappa Alpha Order (KA): Active at Texas A&M and SMU. KA chapters have faced multiple hazing allegations and suspensions, including the significant disciplinary actions at SMU (2017) where new members were allegedly paddled, forced to drink, and deprived of sleep.
• Kappa Sigma (Kappa Sig): Active at UH, Texas A&M, and Baylor. Kappa Sigma has a notable history, including the Chad Meredith drowning death at the University of Miami (2001), which resulted in a $12.6 million jury verdict and influenced Florida’s criminal hazing laws. More recently, Kappa Sigma at Texas A&M (2023) faced allegations of severe injuries, including rhabdomyolysis, stemming from extreme physical hazing.
• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI): While not listed at many Texas campuses we focus on, the national organization was involved in the Danny Santulli case at the University of Missouri (2021), where a pledge suffered severe, permanent brain damage from forced alcohol consumption, leading to multi-million dollar settlements. This highlights that hazing can cause catastrophic non-fatal injuries as well.
• Sigma Chi (Sig Chi): Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Baylor. Recent hazing allegations at the College of Charleston (2024) resulted in a payment of more than $10 million in damages for severe hazing leading to lasting physical and psychological harm. This demonstrates the substantial awards juries are willing to grant in such cases.

Tie Back to Legal Strategy for Rains County Families

Understanding these national and campus-specific patterns is crucial for anyone considering legal action in Rains County. These histories provide critical context, showing that:

• Foreseeability is Key: These organizations had repeated warnings about specific hazing methods and their deadly consequences.
• Enforcement Failures: The consistent recurrence of similar incidents suggests a failure on the part of national organizations and sometimes universities to meaningfully enforce anti-hazing policies.
• Insurance Liability: The pattern of institutional knowledge can significantly impact insurance coverage disputes, making it harder for national fraternities and their insurers to deny liability by claiming ignorance or “rogue chapter” defenses.

For a family in Rains County pursuing a hazing case in Texas, connecting their local experience to these broader patterns strengthens settlement leverage and can increase the potential for punitive damages, holding institutions accountable for their repeated failures.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Pursuing a hazing case is complex, requiring meticulous investigation, legal acumen, and a deep understanding of institutional defense tactics. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC excels in this area, recognizing that success hinges on comprehensive evidence collection and a strategic approach to proving liability and securing adequate compensation.

Evidence: The Silent Witnesses

Modern hazing cases are increasingly won or lost based on digital evidence and meticulous documentation. We meticulously collect and analyze every piece of available information:

• Digital Communications: This is often the most critical category. We subpoena and forensically analyze group chat messages (GroupMe, WhatsApp, Signal, iMessage, Discord, fraternity-specific apps), direct messages on social media (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok), and emails. These messages can reveal planning, intent, knowledge, explicit instructions, demands, threats, and attempts at cover-up. Even “disappearing messages” can sometimes be recovered or documented through diligent screenshotting.
• Photos & Videos: Any photos or videos taken by members, pledges, or bystanders, especially footage shared on social media or within private groups, are invaluable. This includes images of injuries, degrading acts, forced drinking, or proof of location. Surveillance footage from houses or venues can also be vital.
• Internal Organization Documents: We compel the production of pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” lists, and communications from officers regarding new member activities. National policies, training materials, and risk management files are also crucial for demonstrating a national organization’s knowledge and its failure to enforce its own rules.
• University Records: Through discovery in civil lawsuits and, at public universities like UT and UH, through public information requests, we obtain prior conduct files, records of probation or suspension for the organization, incident reports from campus police or student conduct offices, and Clery Act reports. These records can establish a university’s knowledge of a pattern of misconduct that it failed to adequately address.
• Medical and Psychological Records: Comprehensive emergency room reports, hospitalizations, surgical notes, toxicology reports (including blood alcohol content), and detailed psychological evaluations (documenting PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation, or suicidal ideation) are essential for proving the extent of physical and emotional harm.
• Witness Testimony: We interview pledges, current members, former members (especially those who left due to hazing), roommates, residential advisors (RAs), coaches, and even bystanders. Often, individuals who regret their involvement or have been impacted by hazing are willing to provide crucial testimony.

Damages: Quantifying the Incalculable

Families in Rains County pursuing hazing lawsuits can seek compensation for a range of damages designed to cover past and future losses:

• Medical Bills & Future Care: This includes the immediate costs of emergency room visits, ambulance transport, hospital stays, surgeries, and medications. For severe injuries, it also covers ongoing physical therapy, rehabilitation, continuous psychiatric care, and, in catastrophic cases like severe brain injury, the cost of a lifetime of specialized care.
• Lost Earnings / Educational Impact: This category covers wages lost if the student or a parent missed work due to the hazing incident. Critically, it also extends to the long-term impact on the student’s education and career—missed semesters, lost scholarships, delayed graduation, and diminished future earning capacity if permanent injuries affect their ability to work.
• Non-Economic Damages: These damages account for the profound, non-financial suffering caused by hazing. This includes physical pain and suffering, extreme emotional distress, trauma, lasting humiliation, and the loss of enjoyment of life. For many victims, the psychological scars are as deep, if not deeper, than the physical ones.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for Families): In the agonizing event of a hazing death, surviving family members can recover for funeral and burial costs, the loss of financial support the deceased would have provided, and the incalculable loss of companionship, love, and emotional support. This also includes the grief and suffering experienced by parents and siblings.

While we do not promise specific dollar amounts, we build cases that reflect the full extent of the harm, ensuring that liable parties are held accountable for their actions.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing litigation is further complicated by the multiple layers of potential defendants and their associated insurance policies:

• National fraternities and universities often carry substantial insurance policies designed to cover such incidents. However, their insurers frequently attempt to deny coverage, arguing that hazing or “intentional acts” are excluded from their policies.
• Our experienced hazing lawyers understand how to identify all potential sources of insurance coverage, including national policies, local chapter policies, and homeowner’s policies of individual members. We fiercely challenge attempts by insurers to deny coverage, arguing that even if the hazing was intentional, the failure of the national organization or university to prevent it constitutes negligence, which is typically covered. We know their playbook because our attorney, Lupe Peña, worked for years defending large insurance companies; she understands their tactics for delaying, devaluing, and denying claims.

The pursuit of justice in hazing cases requires tenacious legal strategy, a deep bench of experts, and an unwavering commitment to victims and their families. This is the caliber of advocacy The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC brings to every case.

Practical Guides & FAQs

For Rains County families, navigating the aftermath of hazing can be overwhelming. This section offers practical advice for parents and students, answers common questions, and warns against critical mistakes that can jeopardize a case.

8.1 For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Your intuition is a powerful tool. Trust it.

• Warning Signs of Hazing: Look for unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, burns) or repeated “accidents” with inconsistent stories. Observe extreme fatigue, constant exhaustion, and sudden sleep deprivation (frequent late-night activities). Notice drastic changes in mood, increased anxiety, social withdrawal, or a sudden secrecy about organization activities with phrases like “I can’t talk about it.” Watch for constant, anxious phone use for group chats and a fear of missing “mandatory” events.
• How to Talk to Your Child: Approach them with empathy, non-judgmentally. Emphasize their safety and well-being above all else. Ask open-ended questions like, “What are the new member activities really like?” or “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?” Reassure them that you will support them regardless of what they say and that their loyalty to you comes first.
• If Your Child is Hurt: Prioritize medical care immediately, even if they downplay their injuries. Document everything: take clear photos of injuries from multiple angles and over several days, screenshot all relevant texts and group chats, and write down everything your child tells you while details are fresh. Save any physical items like damaged clothing or receipts for forced purchases.
• Dealing with the University: Document every conversation with administrators. Ask direct questions about the organization’s disciplinary history, specifically inquiring about prior hazing violations or complaints. An experienced lawyer can help you obtain this information, which the university might not readily offer.
• 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 what happened, it is crucial to consult with an attorney experienced in hazing cases. Early legal intervention can preserve crucial evidence that quickly disappears.

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

If you are a student from Rains County or attending a Texas university and are questioning your experience, ask yourself these questions:

• Is this hazing or just tradition? If you feel unsafe, humiliated, threatened, or coerced; if you are forced to consume alcohol or endure pain; if the activity must be hidden from the public, university administrators, or your parents – it is likely hazing. If older members are making new members do things they don’t have to do, that’s a key indicator.
• Why “consent” isn’t the end of the story: You are in a vulnerable position with power dynamics and peer pressure. The desire to belong is powerful. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing because courts and common sense recognize that such “consent” is not truly voluntary.
• Exiting and Reporting Safely: You have the legal right to leave any organization at any time. If you feel unsafe, get to a safe location (your dorm, a trusted friend’s place, a public area) and then tell someone outside the organization (parent, trusted university official, RA). Consider sending an email or text stating, “I am resigning my pledge/membership effective immediately,” without going to a “last meeting” where you might be pressured or intimidated. Report fear of retaliation to the Dean of Students.
• Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty: Texas law and many university policies provide immunity or leniency to students who report hazing incidents or call for help in medical emergencies, even if they were involved or underage. Your safety and the safety of others must come first.

8.3 For Former Members / Witnesses: A Path to Accountability

For those who once participated in hazing, knew about it, or helped cover it up, it’s common to experience guilt, fear of reprisal, and distress. Your perspective, however, can be vital:

• Preventing Future Harm: Your testimony and evidence can prevent future tragedies and save lives. Coming forward can be a critical step toward accountability and healing.
• Navigating Legal Exposure: While your cooperation can be invaluable, you should seek your own legal advice. An attorney specializing in hazing can help you understand your rights and potential exposure while ethically assisting in holding responsible parties accountable. Your cooperation can be weighed against any potential charges or civil liability you might face.

8.4 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

For Rains County families, understanding these pitfalls is paramount to protecting your legal rights and ensuring accountability.

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

   • Why it’s wrong: This can appear as evidence tampering, can be considered obstruction of justice, and makes proving your case exponentially harder.
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately – every text, screenshot, photo, and video – even if it seems embarrassing or incriminating. Digital forensics can recover deleted items, but original capture is always best.

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly:

   • Why it’s wrong: Direct confrontation will cause them to immediately involve their legal counsel, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare their defense, often before you have even collected yours.
   • What to do instead: Document everything in private, then consult with a lawyer before any communication or confrontation with the organization.

3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms:

   • Why it’s wrong: Universities may pressure families into internal agreements or waivers that can severely limit or waive your right to pursue legal action in court. These often result in settlements far below the true value of your case.
   • What to do instead: Absolutely do NOT sign any document from the university or organization without your attorney reviewing it first.

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

   • Why it’s wrong: Anything posted publicly can (and will) be used against you by defense attorneys. Inconsistencies can damage your credibility, and it can inadvertently waive legal privileges.
   • What to do instead: Document privately and confidentially. Let your lawyer control any public messaging strategically and at the appropriate time if a public statement becomes necessary.

5. Letting Your Child Go Back to “One Last Meeting”:

   • Why it’s wrong: If your child wants to leave, they may be pressured, intimidated, or manipulated into making statements that harm their future case.
   • What to do instead: Once legal action is being considered, all communication with the organization should typically go through your lawyer.

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

   • Why it’s wrong: Delays mean evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes of limitations can run, and the university controls the narrative, often prioritizing its image over a victim’s full recovery.
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW. Consult a lawyer immediately. The university’s internal process is distinct from achieving full legal accountability and compensation.

7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer:

   • Why it’s wrong: Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Any recorded statement or early settlement offer you accept will be used against you and is typically a lowball offer.
   • What to do instead: Politely decline to speak with any adjuster and instruct them to contact 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, benefiting from sovereign immunity, may be shielded from some lawsuits, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, willful misconduct, Title IX violations (if applicable), and when suing individuals in their personal capacity. Private universities like SMU and Baylor typically have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on its specific facts; contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis.

• “Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
  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. Individuals who are officers of an organization and fail to report known hazing can also face 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 and juries acknowledge that true consent is often absent in scenarios involving extreme peer pressure, power imbalances, and the psychological desire to belong to a group.

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
  Generally, you have 2 years from the date of injury or death to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in Texas. However, certain legal principles, such as the “discovery rule” (which may extend the period if the injury or its cause was not immediately apparent) or tolling for minors, can alter this timeline. Time is critical in hazing cases because evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and organizations purge records. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to protect your rights.

• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  The location of the hazing does not eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities or organizations can still be held liable based on their sponsorship of the group, their knowledge of off-campus activities, and the foreseeability that hazing would occur. Many major hazing cases that resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments, including the Pi Delta Psi retreat case (Michael Deng) and the Sigma Pi “unofficial house” case (Collin Wiant), occurred off-campus.

• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  While some high-profile hazing cases make headlines, most hazing lawsuits are resolved confidentially before trial. Our firm prioritizes your family’s privacy and can often work to request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms, balancing the need for accountability with your desire for discretion.

Hazing law is complex and fact-specific. We strongly recommend contacting our firm for an experienced attorney to review your unique situation, explain your rights under Texas law, and help you understand your best options.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action for Rains County Families

When your family faces the profound trauma of a hazing incident, 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 requires a unique blend of legal expertise, investigative tenacity, and deep empathy for victims.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, is a Houston-based Texas personal injury firm with extensive experience in serious injury, wrongful death, and institutional accountability cases. We understand that hazing at Texas universities profoundly impacts families in Rains County and across the entire region—from Emory and Point to Quitman and Alba, and beyond.

Our firm brings unique qualifications to hazing cases:

• Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña): Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. She knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims, understands their delay tactics, their coverage exclusion arguments, and their settlement strategies. We know their playbook because she used to run it.
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello): Our managing partner, Ralph P. Manginello, has a track record of taking on formidable defendants. He was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the initial BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation, representing victims against a multi-billion dollar corporation. With extensive experience in federal courts, we are not intimidated by national fraternities, powerful universities, or their well-funded defense teams. We’ve proven our ability to fight powerful defendants and secure justice.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, working with economists to value the profound loss of life. We are experts at valuing lifetime care needs for catastrophic injuries such as brain damage or organ failure, ensuring victims receive the resources they need for their future. We don’t settle cheap; we build cases that force accountability and truly compensate for the harm suffered.
• Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the prestigious Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) provides a deep understanding of how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. This dual expertise allows us to advise witnesses and former members who may face both criminal exposure and civil liability in hazing incidents.
• Investigative Depth: We leverage a vast network of experts—medical specialists, digital forensics experts, economists, and psychologists—to build comprehensive cases. We are adept at obtaining hidden evidence, from deleted group chats and social media content to subpoenaing national fraternity records and uncovering university files through discovery and public records requests. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

We understand how fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, and athletic departments actually operate behind closed doors, often with a culture of secrecy. We know how to effectively investigate modern hazing, balancing victim privacy with the fierce pursuit of public accountability. Our commitment is to getting you answers, holding the right people accountable, and helping prevent this from happening to another family.

Call to Action for Rains County Families:

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

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

In your free consultation, you can expect:

• A empathetic legal team that listens intently to your experience.
• A review of any available evidence, including photos, texts, or medical records.
• A clear explanation of your legal options: a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, both, or neither.
• A discussion about realistic timelines and what to expect from the legal process.
• Answers to your questions about legal fees; we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case.
• No pressure to hire us on the spot—we want you to make the best decision for your family.
• Everything you tell us is strictly confidential.

Call us today:

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

Hablamos Español: If you prefer a consultation in Spanish, please contact our attorney Lupe Peña directly at lupe@atty911.com. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

Whether you’re in Rains 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