Texas Hazing: A Comprehensive Guide for San Saba County Families

It’s recruitment season at a prominent Texas university. Your child, a bright student from San Saba County, is excited to join a fraternity or sorority, or perhaps an athletic team. They hear stories of “traditions” and “bonding experiences” from older members. Then, one night, they call you, shaken. They’ve been pressured to consume excessive alcohol, endure degrading rituals, or participate in physical challenges that left them injured and deeply humiliated. They’re afraid to tell anyone, worried about social repercussions, and confused if what happened even counts as “hazing.”

This scenario, or one strikingly similar, plays out far too often on college campuses across our state. For families in San Saba County and across the picturesque Central Texas region, sending a child off to college is a source of immense pride. The last thing any parent expects is for that child to become a victim of hazing – an insidious practice that destroys lives and violates trust.

This comprehensive guide is designed specifically for families in San Saba County and throughout Texas who need to understand:

• What hazing truly looks like in 2025, moving beyond outdated stereotypes.
• How Texas and federal law address hazing, providing avenues for justice.
• Lessons learned from major national hazing cases and their direct relevance to Texas families.
• The specific hazing landscape at prominent Texas universities like the University of Houston (UH), Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin (UT), Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Baylor University – institutions where many San Saba County students pursue their higher education.
• The legal options, compensation, and support available to victims and their families in San Saba County and across our state.

While this article provides general information, it is not specific legal advice. Every hazing incident is unique, and we at The Manginello Law Firm are ready to evaluate your individual case based on its specific facts. We serve families throughout Texas, including those in San Saba County, bringing our expertise and dedication to every case.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

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

In the first 48 hours:

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

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

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

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

The word “hazing” often conjures images from old movies: silly pranks, mild discomfort, or awkward rituals. However, this outdated perception fails to grasp the brutal reality of hazing in 2025, particularly on college campuses where young adults are eager for belonging. Today, hazing is a dangerous and often criminal practice that causes severe physical injury, lasting psychological trauma, and, tragically, death. It’s rarely “just harmless fun” and never about consent when power imbalances are at play.

In plain English, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, whether on or off campus, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students, and which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student. The critical distinction is that “I agreed to it” does not automatically make the activity safe or legal when there is intense peer pressure and a significant power imbalance.

Main Categories of Modern Hazing

Today’s hazing manifests in varied and often sophisticated ways, making it harder for victims and parents to identify.

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains one of the most prevalent and deadly forms. It involves forced or coerced drinking, often to dangerous levels. This includes “chugging challenges,” “lineups” where pledges are forced to rapidly consume alcohol, drinking games designed to cause extreme intoxication, or being pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances. The goal is often to incapacitate pledges, making them more vulnerable and compliant.

• Physical Hazing: Beyond the classic paddling, modern physical hazing includes extreme calisthenics, “workouts,” or “smokings” far beyond normal conditioning that can cause rhabdomyolysis – a severe muscle breakdown. It also encompasses sleep deprivation, food or water deprivation, exposure to extreme cold or heat, and forced exposure to dangerous or unsanitary environments. These acts are designed to break down a new member’s physical and mental resilience.

• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This deeply degrading category often involves forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (such as “roasted pig” positions), and wearing humiliating costumes. It can also include acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic overtones, the use of slurs, or forced role-playing of stereotypes. Such acts are not only deeply traumatizing but can also constitute sexual assault.

• Psychological Hazing: Often overlooked, psychological hazing is designed to inflict emotional harm. It includes constant verbal abuse, threats, forced social isolation, and manipulation. Pledges can be subjected to forced confessions, public shaming on social media or in meetings, and intense psychological pressure designed to foster dependence and undermine self-esteem.

• Digital/Online Hazing: With the rise of smartphones and social media, hazing has moved into the digital realm. This includes group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation via platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, and others. It can also involve pressure to create or share compromising images or videos of oneself or others, which creates a permanent and damaging record.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

It’s a common misconception that hazing is limited to “frat boys” at large state universities. The truth is, hazing can occur in nearly any organization that involves a hierarchy, initiation, or the desire for group belonging. This includes:

• Fraternities and Sororities: This is the most well-known context, encompassing Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and multicultural Greek organizations.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: These groups, with their emphasis on tradition, discipline, and hierarchy, are also vulnerable to hazing practices.
• Spirit Squads, Tradition Clubs: Examples like cheerleading, dance teams, or long-standing campus spirit organizations can develop dangerous “traditions.” Even some highly selective honor societies fall prey to hazing.
• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to baseball, soccer, and even individual sports, hazing is a persistent problem, often disguised as “team building” or “player bonding.”
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly innocuous groups focused on music or theater can engage in hazing, prioritizing tradition over safety.
• Some Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations: Any group designed around a strong sense of identity and belonging can, unfortunately, become a breeding ground for hazing.

The underlying common threads that allow hazing to persist, regardless of the organization type, are social status, tradition, and intense secrecy. These elements create an environment where dangerous practices are normalized, hidden from external oversight, and perpetuated despite clear prohibitions. For San Saba County families, understanding these contemporary hazing tactics is the first step toward protecting your children.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

Understanding the legal landscape surrounding hazing in Texas is crucial for San Saba County families seeking justice. Our state has clear laws prohibiting hazing, and federal regulations increasingly compel universities to take action.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

In Texas, hazing is not just a campus policy violation; it’s explicitly prohibited by state law, primarily under the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. This code broadly defines hazing, making it illegal whether it happens on campus or off.

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

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

For San Saba County families, this means that if someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they either intended to do it or were reckless about the risks involved, that constitutes hazing under Texas law.

Key aspects of the Texas hazing statute include:

• Location is irrelevant: Hazing is prohibited whether it occurs on campus property, at an off-campus house, or even during a remote retreat.
• Harm to mental or physical health: The law recognizes that hazing can inflict both physical injuries and deep psychological trauma.
• “Reckless” conduct is sufficient: The perpetrator doesn’t need to have specific intent to cause harm; if they knew their actions created a substantial risk of harm and disregarded that risk, they can be held accountable.
• “Consent” is not a defense: As explicitly stated in Texas Education Code § 37.155, even if the victim “agreed” or “consented” to the hazing activity, it is still illegal. The law recognizes that true consent is impossible in coercive, power-imbalanced environments, especially for young students desperate for acceptance.

Criminal Penalties

The Texas Education Code also outlines criminal penalties for hazing:

• Class B Misdemeanor: This is the default classification for hazing that does not result in serious injury. Penalties can include up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
• Class A Misdemeanor: If the hazing causes an injury that requires medical treatment.
• State Jail Felony: If the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. This is a critical provision that elevates severe hazing to a felony, carrying much stiffer penalties.

Additionally, under Texas law, it can be a misdemeanor to:

• Fail to report hazing if you are a member or officer of an organization and knew about it.
• Retaliate against someone who reports hazing.

Organizational Liability

Texas Education Code § 37.153 specifies that organizations themselves can be held criminally responsible for hazing if:

• The organization authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
• An officer or member of the organization, acting in an official capacity, knew about the hazing and failed to report it.

Penalties for organizations can include a fine of up to $10,000 per violation, and universities also have the power to revoke recognition and ban the organization from campus. This highlights that both individuals and the organization can face criminal accountability – a crucial point that can also inform civil suits.

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting

Texas Education Code § 37.154 provides protection for individuals who report hazing. A person who in good faith reports a hazing incident to university authorities or law enforcement is generally immune from civil or criminal liability that might arise from that report. Furthermore, many university policies and Texas law itself offer amnesty for students who call 911 or seek help in a medical emergency, even if underage drinking or hazing was involved, prioritizing saving lives over punishment.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

For San Saba County families, it’s important to differentiate between criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits in hazing incidents:

• Criminal Cases: These are initiated and led by the state (prosecutor). The aim is to punish individuals for breaking the law, potentially leading to jail time, fines, or probation. Hazing-related criminal charges can range from misdemeanor hazing to felony assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or even manslaughter in fatal cases.

• Civil Cases: These are brought by the victims (or their surviving families) against the individuals and organizations responsible for the harm. The primary goal is monetary compensation for damages and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Civil claims in hazing cases often include negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring or supervision, premises liability, and emotional distress.

It’s vital to understand that a civil lawsuit can proceed even if criminal charges are not filed, or if individuals are acquitted in criminal court. The burdens of proof are different, and a criminal conviction is not a prerequisite for pursuing a civil case.

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

Beyond state law, federal regulations play an increasing role in addressing hazing on college campuses:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This significant federal legislation mandates that colleges and universities receiving federal financial assistance (which includes virtually all of them) must:

  • Increase transparency by publicly reporting hazing incidents in more detail.
  • Strengthen hazing education and prevention programs.
  • Maintain accessible, public data on hazing incidents. These requirements are being phased in, with full compliance expected by around 2026.

• Title IX / Clery Act: When hazing involves sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual assault, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is triggered. This federal law prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, imposing strict obligations on universities to respond to and prevent such conduct. The Clery Act (Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act) requires colleges to record and disclose certain crime statistics, including those that often overlap with hazing incidents, such as assaults and alcohol or drug-related offenses.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

Determining liability in a hazing lawsuit can be complex, but several parties may be held responsible:

• Individual Students: Those directly involved in planning, carrying out, supplying materials, or covering up the hazing acts.
• Local Chapters/Organizations: The specific fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself, particularly if it operates as a legal entity and its policies or practices enable hazing. Officers or “pledge educators” can be particularly important defendants.
• National Fraternities/Sororities: The national headquarters, which sets policies, collects dues, and supervises local chapters, can be held liable. Their liability often hinges on what they knew or should have known about a chapter’s hazing history, and whether they adequately enforced their own anti-hazing rules.
• Universities or Governing Boards: The educational institution itself, or its governing board (like the Board of Regents for public universities) may be sued. Liability can arise from theories of negligence, negligent supervision, or a failure to respond to known hazing in violation of state or federal statutes (like Title IX).
• Third Parties: This can include landlords or property owners of off-campus houses where hazing occurs, bars or alcohol suppliers under “dram shop” laws (which hold businesses liable for over-serving intoxicated individuals who then cause harm), or even security companies and event organizers.

Every hazing case is highly fact-specific. Not every party listed above will be liable in every situation. An experienced hazing attorney understands how to meticulously investigate each incident to identify all potentially liable parties and hold them accountable.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

The tragic incidents of hazing across the United States are not isolated events. They reveal dangerous patterns and underscore the urgent need for stringent accountability. These national cases, though not always occurring in Texas, have profoundly shaped the legal landscape, influencing how hazing lawsuits are pursued and decided, even for San Saba County families. They demonstrate the foreseeability of harm and the devastating consequences when institutions fail to act.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Forced alcohol consumption continues to be the deadliest form of hazing, leading to multiple high-profile deaths nationwide.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): In one of the most widely publicized cases, 19-year-old Timothy Piazza died after a “bid acceptance” event. He was forced to rapidly consume large amounts of alcohol, leading to multiple falls and severe brain injuries. Fraternity brothers delayed calling for help for hours. This tragedy resulted in an unprecedented number of criminal charges against fraternity members, extensive civil litigation, and the enactment of the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania, a landmark piece of legislation. The case highlighted the lethal combination of extreme intoxication, delays in seeking medical attention, and a pervasive culture of silence and cover-up.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old FSU pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event. He was given a handle of liquor and was severely intoxicated before being abandoned. This incident led to criminal hazing charges against members, a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU, and renewed calls for statewide anti-hazing reforms in Florida. This case tragically illustrated how formulaic “tradition” drinking nights are a repeating script for disaster.

• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): During a “Bible study” drinking game, pledges were forced to drink heavily whenever they answered questions incorrectly. Max Gruver, 18, died from alcohol toxicity with a blood alcohol content of 0.495%. His death prompted the creation of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, which made hazing a felony and one of the toughest anti-hazing laws in the nation. The Gruver case established that legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of lethal hazing.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): During a pledge night, 20-year-old Stone Foltz was forced to consume nearly a full bottle of whiskey as part of a “Big/Little reveal” ritual. He died from alcohol poisoning. This case led to criminal convictions for multiple fraternity members, and Bowling Green State University agreed to a nearly $3 million settlement with the Foltz family in 2023. Further settlements were reached with the national fraternity and individuals, reportedly totaling $10 million. The Foltz case demonstrated that even public universities can face significant financial and reputational consequences alongside fraternities. Ohio subsequently enacted Collin’s Law: The Anti-Hazing Act, making hazing a felony when it involves drugs or alcohol causing serious harm.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Hazing extends beyond alcohol, often involving extreme physical abuse and degrading rituals.

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): During an off-campus fraternity retreat in the Pocono Mountains, 19-year-old Michael Deng was subjected to a violent, blindfolded ritual known as “the glass ceiling,” where he was repeatedly tackled. He suffered a fatal traumatic brain injury, and help was delayed by fraternity members. Multiple members were convicted, and the national fraternity itself was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter – a landmark case of organizational criminal liability. The Pi Delta Psi national fraternity was banned from Pennsylvania for ten years. This case tragically showed that off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous or worse than on-campus parties, and that national organizations can face serious sanctions for their conduct.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing problems are not exclusive to Greek life; they also plague athletic programs, even at the highest levels.

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): In a widespread scandal, former football players from Northwestern University alleged years of systemic, severe, and widespread hazing within the football program, including sexualized and racist acts. This led to multiple lawsuits against the university and coaching staff, the firing of long-time head coach Pat Fitzgerald, and confidential settlements. This significant case underlined that hazing is not limited to Greek life; it infiltrates major athletic programs, raising questions about institutional oversight and accountability for systemic abuse.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

These anchor stories reveal critical common threads in hazing incidents: forced excessive drinking, systemic humiliation, physical violence, consistent delays in seeking crucial medical care, and orchestrated cover-ups. For San Saba County families, these narratives are not distant news stories; they are crucial precedents. Reforms, multi-million-dollar settlements, and new laws often only emerge after profound tragedy and concerted litigation.

Whether your child attends UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor, you are operating within a legal and cultural landscape fundamentally shaped by these national lessons. These cases underscore that the risks are real and the need for accountability is paramount.

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

For San Saba County families, understanding the specific hazing landscape at Texas’s major universities is critical. Many students from our region attend these schools, and each institution has its own culture, policies, and history of handling—or mishandling—hazing. While San Saba County itself does not have a large university, our proximity to the major academic centers means that our children are often impacted by events on these campuses. The Manginello Law Firm, though based in Houston, extends its services throughout Texas, including to families in San Saba County who may have children attending these major universities.

University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston, a dynamic urban campus in the heart of our state’s largest city, attracts many students from diverse backgrounds, including those from Central Texas. For students from San Saba County thinking about or attending UH, understanding the campus’s approach to Greek life and hazing is essential.

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH is a large, diverse urban university with a significant mix of commuter and residential students. Its Greek life is active and vibrant, encompassing numerous fraternities and sororities across various councils (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural). Beyond Greek life, a wide array of student organizations, cultural groups, and sports clubs contributes to a rich campus environment, each with its own set of traditions and potential for hazing.

5.1.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

The University of Houston maintains a clear and comprehensive hazing policy, which echoes state law. Hazing is explicitly prohibited whether it occurs on-campus or off-campus. The policy strictly forbids forced consumption of alcohol, food, or drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and any acts causing mental distress as part of initiation or affiliation. UH provides clear reporting channels through the Dean of Students office, Student Conduct offices, and the UH Police Department (UHPD). The university also often posts a hazing statement and some generalized disciplinary information on its website.

5.1.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

While UH’s public reporting on specific hazing incidents tends to be less detailed than some other Texas universities, known cases underscore ongoing challenges.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2016): One notable incident involved the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Pledges allegedly experienced severe sleep and food deprivation during a multi-day event. One student reportedly suffered a lacerated spleen after being violently slammed onto a surface. The chapter faced misdemeanor hazing charges and a university suspension. This case highlights the dangerous potential for significant physical injury under the guise of “initiation.”
• Other disciplinary actions have involved various fraternities being sanctioned for behaviors “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” including alcohol misuse and other policy violations, leading to suspensions or probation.

This history indicates UH’s willingness to suspend chapters, but also reveals gaps in public detail, making it harder for parents to track specific organizational misconduct without legal intervention.

5.1.4 How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

For a hazing incident at UH, investigations could involve the UH Police Department or the broader Houston Police Department (HPD), depending on the incident’s location and severity. Civil lawsuits against individuals, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority, or potentially the university and property owners would typically be filed in courts within Harris County, which encompasses Houston. Our firm’s deep roots in Houston mean we are intimately familiar with the local legal landscape and court systems that would handle such a case.

5.1.5 What UH Students & Parents Should Do

For San Saba County families with ties to UH:

• Report immediately: Use UH’s official channels (Dean of Students, UHPD) for any suspected hazing.
• Document Everything: Preserve digital communications like GroupMe chats, DMs, photos, and videos. This is crucial as evidence can disappear quickly. Our attorneys can advise on proper digital evidence preservation.
• Review prior incidents: While public records can be limited, prior complaints and incidents, if known, can strengthen a case.
• Consult Houston-based legal counsel: A lawyer experienced in hazing cases in Houston can effectively subpoena records and internal files that may not be publicly accessible, and navigate the specific nuances of a case in Harris County.

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, a legendary institution with a fierce sense of tradition, holds a special place in the hearts of many Texans, including those from rural communities like San Saba County. The Aggie spirit, while powerful, also creates an environment where hazing can become deeply entrenched within “tradition.”

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M is renowned for its rich traditions, the Aggie Spirit, and its unique Corps of Cadets. This blend of collegiate life and military-style discipline creates a culture where hierarchy, loyalty, and “earning your place” are paramount. Both Greek life and the Corps are vibrant, highly engaging facets of campus life, but also areas where hazing, often cloaked in the guise of “tradition” or “discipline,” can thrive.

5.2.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Texas A&M unequivocally prohibits all forms of hazing. Its policies define hazing broadly to include any intentional, knowing, or reckless act related to group affiliation that endangers physical or mental health. A&M emphasizes that consent is not a defense. Reporting channels are managed through the Division of Student Affairs, Student Conduct Office, and the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD).

5.2.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Hazing has been a persistent concern at Texas A&M, affecting both Greek life and the revered Corps of Cadets:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2021) Chemical Burns Lawsuit: In a shocking incident, two pledges of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity alleged that they were forced to endure strenuous physical activity and then had substances, including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, poured on them. This resulted in severe chemical burns requiring multiple skin graft surgeries. The pledges subsequently sued the fraternity. The chapter was suspended by the university for two years. This case chillingly demonstrated the evolving and dangerous methods of physical hazing.
• Corps of Cadets (2023) “Roasted Pig” Hazing Lawsuit: A former cadet filed a lawsuit alleging severe and degrading hazing within the Corps. The allegations included simulated sexual acts and being bound in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The cadet sought over $1 million in damages. This case highlighted that deeply engrained “traditions” within the Corps can cross the line into illegal hazing, directly challenging the integrity of a highly honored institution.
• Kappa Sigma (2023, ongoing) Rhabdomyolysis Injury: Allegations surfaced of hazing within the Kappa Sigma fraternity leading to extreme physical injuries, including rhabdomyolysis – a severe muscle breakdown often triggered by overexertion or extreme physical activity during hazing. Litigation is ongoing, underscoring the severe health risks associated with certain forms of physical hazing.

These incidents illustrate that hazing at Texas A&M can affect both Greek life and the Corps, often under the guise of tradition, and can lead to severe physical and psychological trauma.

5.2.4 How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases originating from Texas A&M would involve investigations by Texas A&M UPD and potentially the Bryan Police Department or Brazos County Sheriff’s Office. Civil lawsuits would typically be heard in Brazos County courts. Given the university’s large endowment and the national reach of Greek organizations, these cases often involve significant legal resources and complex litigation, making experienced legal representation essential.

5.2.5 What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do

For San Saba County families involved with Texas A&M:

• Be vigilant about “traditions”: While Aggie traditions are cherished, critically evaluate any activity that seems physically or mentally dangerous.
• Report to Student Conduct or UPD: Utilize A&M’s official reporting channels for any suspected hazing.
• Document meticulously: Gather and preserve all possible digital and physical evidence related to the hazing.
• Understand institutional resistance: Texas A&M, like any large institution, will defend itself. An experienced hazing attorney can help navigate potential resistance in uncovering critical evidence and ensuring accountability.

University of Texas at Austin (UT)

The flagship University of Texas at Austin, a hub of academic excellence and vibrant student life, draws students from every corner of Texas, including San Saba County. Its large and diverse Greek system, coupled with numerous other student organizations, means hazing remains a persistent issue.

5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT Austin is a sprawling campus known for its extensive range of academic programs, vibrant campus culture, and bustling social scene. Its Greek system is one of the largest and most prominent in the state, comprising numerous fraternities and sororities across all councils. Beyond Greek life, a multitude of spirit, athletic, and academic organizations contribute to a dynamic environment, each with its unique set of traditions that can, unfortunately, sometimes include hazing.

5.3.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

The University of Texas has a zero-tolerance policy for hazing. UT’s policy aligns with state law, strictly prohibiting hazing as any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. UT emphasizes that consent is not a defense and provides clear avenues for reporting through the Dean of Students, Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, Title IX Office, and the UT Police Department (UTPD).

5.3.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

UT Austin is notable for its relatively high degree of transparency regarding hazing violations. The university maintains a public Hazing Violations webpage (hazing.utexas.edu) that lists organizations, dates of infractions, specific conduct, and sanctions imposed. This public log is an invaluable resource for parents and attorneys, demonstrating known patterns of behavior and accountability.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): As listed on UT’s hazing page, this fraternity was disciplined for requiring new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, which was found to be hazing. The chapter was placed on probation and mandated to implement new hazing-prevention education.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024) Assault Lawsuit: A new lawsuit was filed against a UT chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, alleging that an Australian exchange student was severely assaulted by fraternity members at a party. The injuries included a dislocated leg, broken ligaments, a fractured tibia, and a broken nose. This chapter was already suspended for prior hazing and safety violations.
• Texas Wranglers (“Absolute Texxas”) (2022): This spirit organization was disciplined for hazing violations that included alcohol/drug misconduct, blindfolding, kidnapping, and degrading new members. This highlights that hazing is not limited to Greek letter organizations.

UT’s public records clearly show repeated violations by various organizations, indicating a persistent problem despite the university’s stated commitment to prevention and transparency.

5.3.4 How a UT Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases stemming from UT Austin would involve investigations by UT Police Department and/or the Austin Police Department. Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in courts within Travis County, where Austin is located. The existence of UT’s public hazing log provides compelling prior instance evidence, which can strongly support civil suits by demonstrating knowledge of a pattern of misconduct by the university and specific organizations.

5.3.5 What UT Students & Parents Should Do

For San Saba County families whose children attend UT Austin:

• Utilize UT’s Hazing Violations Page: Regularly check hazing.utexas.edu for any reported incidents involving your child’s organization. This transparency is a significant tool.
• Report to UTPD or Dean of Students: Do not hesitate to report any suspected hazing to official university or law enforcement channels.
• Maintain meticulous records: Digital evidence (especially from encrypted apps like GroupMe and Snapchat which are commonly used in UT Greek life) and medical records are crucial.
• Seek skilled legal counsel: Our firm is adept at using public records, subpoenaing internal university documents, and navigating Travis County courts to build strong hazing cases.

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University, a private institution nestled in Dallas, is known for its selective admissions and affluent student body. With a robust Greek life, SMU, like other universities, grapples with the persistent threat of hazing, impacting students from across Texas, including San Saba County families who choose this prestigious school.

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

SMU is a private, well-regarded university with a strong academic reputation and a significant emphasis on Greek life. Its fraternities and sororities play a prominent role in campus social life. The campus culture, often described as highly engaged and tradition-oriented, creates an environment where Greek organizations wield significant influence, and “traditions” can sometimes overshadow safety and individual well-being.

5.4.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

SMU has a comprehensive anti-hazing policy that prohibits any activity that could cause physical or psychological harm, embarrassment, or ridicule, as a prerequisite for membership. The university emphasizes that participation, even if “voluntary,” does not excuse hazing. Reporting is facilitated through the Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the SMU Police Department. SMU also often utilizes anonymous reporting systems, such as “Real Response,” to encourage students to come forward.

5.4.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Despite its private status, SMU has had its share of public hazing incidents:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): This fraternity was suspended after reports surfaced of severe hazing, including alleged paddling, forced excessive alcohol consumption, and sleep deprivation. The chapter faced a multi-year suspension and significant restrictions on recruitment, indicating the severity of the findings.
• SMU’s status as a private university means that its internal incident reports and disciplinary actions are often less publicly transparent than those of state-funded institutions. However, this does not diminish the impact of hazing nor the university’s responsibility to prevent it.

5.4.4 How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases at SMU would typically involve investigations by the SMU Police Department and/or the Dallas Police Department. Civil lawsuits would be heard in courts within Dallas County. For private universities like SMU, the legal arguments might differ slightly from public institutions regarding issues like sovereign immunity. Our firm is experienced in navigating the legal nuances involved in cases against private institutions, ensuring evidence is discovered even when internal reporting is not public.

5.4.5 What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

For San Saba County families with children at SMU:

• Understand SMU’s accountability: While a private university, SMU has a responsibility to protect its students and can be held liable for negligence.
• Utilize SMU’s reporting systems: Encourage the use of anonymous hotlines or direct reporting to the Dean of Students.
• Be aware of social pressures: SMU’s strong Greek culture can intensify pressure to participate in hazing; discuss this with your child.
• Seek experienced Dallas County legal counsel: Our firm has experience with cases involving private universities and can effectively pursue claims in Dallas County to uncover the full truth.

Baylor University

Baylor University, a private Baptist university in Waco, is known for its unique blend of faith-based education and big-time sports. Students from San Saba County and across Texas are drawn to Baylor, making it important to understand how the university addresses hazing, especially in light of its history with institutional accountability concerns.

5.5.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor University offers a distinctive environment rooted in its Christian mission, which shapes many aspects of campus life, including student conduct expectations. It boasts a thriving Greek system, competitive athletic programs, and numerous student organizations. The university has a strong emphasis on community and tradition. However, this commitment to tradition, coupled with a past characterized by high-profile accountability failures in other areas (e.g., sexual assault scandals surrounding its football program), means that hazing must be scrutinously managed.

5.5.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Baylor maintains a strict anti-hazing policy that adheres to Texas law, prohibiting any act that could cause harm or degradation for affiliation. Baylor’s policy stresses that all students and student organizations are held to high standards of conduct, and that hazing activities violate the university’s Christian mission. Reporting channels include the Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the Baylor University Police Department.

5.5.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Baylor’s commitment to “zero tolerance” for hazing has been tested by specific incidents:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): An investigation into hazing within the Baylor baseball program led to the suspension of 14 players. The suspensions were staggered to manage team operations but underscored a clear breach of anti-hazing policies within one of Baylor’s flagship athletic programs.
• These incidents, and others that may not always be publicly detailed, exist within Baylor’s broader history of institutional scrutiny, particularly concerning its handling of student welfare and misconduct (e.g., the sexual assault scandal involving the football team). This prior context means that any hazing incident at Baylor, whether in Greek life or athletic programs, inevitably engages with questions of institutional oversight and accountability.

5.5.4 How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases at Baylor would involve investigations by the Baylor University Police Department and/or the Waco Police Department. Civil lawsuits would proceed in courts within McLennan County, where Waco is located. Pursuing claims against a private institution like Baylor – especially one with a history of defending its institutional practices – requires a firm well-versed in complex litigation strategy. Our firm understands the intricacies of navigating such circumstances.

5.5.5 What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do

For San Saba County families enrolled at Baylor:

• Scrutinize “Traditions”: Discuss with your child the line between harmless tradition and potential hazing. Review Baylor’s hazing policies together.
• Report Confidently: While Baylor is a private university, reports to the Dean of Students or Baylor UPD are official.
• Document Everything: Even seemingly minor details can be crucial evidence in a legal case.
• Seek legal advice early: Given Baylor’s unique institutional context and history, consulting an experienced hazing attorney familiar with litigation in McLennan County is advisable to ensure maximum accountability.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

The Greek system, for all its potential benefits, often operates under a shadow of hazing. Many of the fraternities and sororities you find at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor are chapters of national organizations. This connection is critical because the national organizations often have extensive histories of hazing incidents across the country. Understanding these national patterns is crucial for San Saba County families seeking justice, as it demonstrates a foreseeability of harm and can bolster negligence and punitive arguments against both local chapters and their parent national entities.

Why National Histories Matter

National fraternity and sorority headquarters maintain thick anti-hazing manuals and risk management policies precisely because they have faced deaths and catastrophic injuries in the past. They know the dangerous patterns: forced drinking nights, physically abusive “traditions,” and humiliating rituals. When a Texas chapter of a national fraternity or sorority repeats a hazing script that has caused harm at another chapter in another state, it can serve as powerful evidence of foreseeability – proving that the national organization knew or should have known about the serious risks, and yet failed to prevent it. This “pattern evidence” is a cornerstone of proving negligence and can significantly influence settlement leverage and insurance coverage disputes.

Organization Mapping: National Hazing Pervasiveness

While we cannot list every single chapter, and rosters may change, here are some of the major fraternities and sororities commonly found on Texas campuses (including those at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor) that have a documented national history of hazing incidents:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike): A very common fraternity at many Texas universities. Nationally, Pi Kappa Alpha has been involved in several high-profile and tragic hazing incidents. The death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University (2021) from alcohol poisoning during a “Big/Little” event, and the $10 million settlement that followed, is a stark example. Another case involved David Bogenberger at Northern Illinois University (2012), also from alcohol poisoning, resulting in a $14 million settlement. These repeated incidents of coerced alcohol consumption show a clear pattern that national Pike should be aware of, making them potentially liable if such patterns occur at Texas chapters.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE): Present at multiple Texas campuses, SAE has a national history marred by numerous hazing-related deaths and severe injuries across the country. Lawsuits against SAE have included a severe traumatic brain injury case at the University of Alabama (filed 2023). Within Texas, SAE has faced significant allegations, including a lawsuit at Texas A&M University (2021) alleging pledges suffered severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts after being doused with industrial cleaner and other substances, and a $1 million lawsuit at the University of Texas at Austin (2024) after an exchange student was allegedly assaulted by fraternity members at a party, despite the chapter already being on suspension. This organization’s history repeatedly demonstrates a pattern of dangerous alcohol hazing and physical abuse.

• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): This fraternity is also common across Texas. Nationally, the death of Max Gruver at Louisiana State University (2017) from alcohol poisoning during a “Bible study” drinking game led to the landmark Max Gruver Act (felony hazing law). This national pattern provides strong evidence of foreseeability for any similar alcohol-related hazing incidents that occur within Phi Delta Theta chapters at Texas universities.

• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): Found at several Texas universities. Nationally, the death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University (2017) from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event (where pledges were given handles of hard liquor) serves as a potent example of this fraternity’s hazing history. This pattern reinforces the notion that national Pi Kappa Phi should be acutely aware of excessive alcohol consumption risks within its chapters.

• Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ): Frequently present on Texas campuses. The widely publicized death of Timothy Piazza at Penn State University (2017) after extreme alcohol consumption and a delayed response from members during a “bid acceptance” night is the most significant case. The civil litigation and criminal charges that followed against Beta Theta Pi (and its members) demonstrated colossal liability. This provides a national precedent for extreme alcohol hazing within the fraternity.

• Phi Gamma Delta (ΦΓΔ / FIJI): Also has chapters in Texas. The catastrophic injury of Danny Santulli at the University of Missouri (2021), where he suffered severe, permanent brain damage after being forced to consume excessive alcohol, resulted in confidential multi-million-dollar settlements with 22 defendants. This case showcases the devastating non-fatal impacts that hazing, and particularly forced drinking, can have.

• Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ): This fraternity has an extensive presence in Texas and a long national history of hazing incidents. The drowning death of Chad Meredith at the University of Miami (2001) after being pressured to swim a lake while intoxicated, led to a $12.6 million jury verdict against Kappa Sigma, and a state law named in his honor. More recently, allegations of severe physical hazing causing rhabdomyolysis have surfaced against a Kappa Sigma chapter at Texas A&M University (2023), showing an ongoing pattern.

• Sigma Chi (ΣΧ): Active at many Texas universities. A recent settlement in a hazing case at the College of Charleston (2024) awarded the family over $10 million in damages for physical beatings, forced substance consumption, and psychological torment. This demonstrates that juries will award substantial damages for severe hazing even in non-fatal cases. Another incident involved a pledge being hospitalized with alcohol poisoning at UT Arlington (2020), leading to a settlement.

It’s critical to note that while these organizations are mentioned due to their documented national hazing incidents, similar patterns can exist in other fraternities, sororities, and campus organizations, even if they haven’t made national headlines. Furthermore, even sororities, though historically associated with less physical hazing, are not immune from severe psychological and alcohol-related abuses. Kappa Kappa Gamma (ΚΚΓ), for example, faced allegations of branding pledges with cigarettes and severe alcohol consumption at DePauw University in 1997, showing that hazing can occur across the Greek spectrum.

Tie Back to Legal Strategy

For San Saba County families, these national patterns are not merely cautionary tales; they are powerful legal tools.

• Foreseeability: Repeated incidents across states and campuses demonstrate that certain organizations had ample prior warnings about specific types of hazing and their potential for harm. This establishes foreseeability, a key element in negligence claims.
• Enforcement: Courts can and will examine whether national organizations meaningfully enforced their anti-hazing policies, responded aggressively to prior incidents, or if their policies were merely “paper policies” designed to avoid liability.
• Punitive Damages: When defendants demonstrate gross negligence or a callous indifference to known risks—often evidenced by a pattern of similar incidents without meaningful intervention—courts may award punitive damages, designed not just to compensate victims but to punish wrongdoers and deter future misconduct.
• Insurance Coverage: The repeated patterns of hazing also play a role in complex insurance coverage disputes, where nationals and universities often try to argue that “intentional acts” or “hazing” are excluded from their policies. An experienced attorney can counter these arguments by focusing on the negligent supervision or failure to act despite known risks.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Bringing a hazing lawsuit requires a meticulous and strategic approach to uncover the truth and hold all responsible parties accountable. For San Saba County families, understanding the types of evidence crucial to these cases and the potential damages that can be recovered is empowering.

Evidence

The strength of any hazing case hinges on the quality and volume of evidence collected. In modern hazing, digital evidence is overwhelmingly the most critical category.

• Digital Communications: These are often the “smoking gun.”

  • Group Messaging Apps: Platforms like GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, and even fraternity-specific apps are where hazing is planned, executed, and discussed. They reveal who knew what, when, and who was involved. Critical evidence includes plans for events, explicit or implicit threats, instructions to pledges, and discussions about cover-ups.
  • Social Media: Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Facebook often contain posts, stories, or comments that document hazing activities, injuries, or the aftermath. Even seemingly “harmless” content shared during hazing events can become crucial evidence.
  • Text Messages & DMs: Direct messages between members or from older members to pledges can establish intent, coercion, and participation.

  The key is preservation. Our firm advises families on immediately screenshotting and backing up all relevant digital content, regardless of how minor it seems. We also utilize digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages, photos, and videos, which can be critical if perpetrators attempt to cover their tracks.

• Photos & Videos:

  • Filmed Hazing: Content filmed by members during the events themselves, especially if shared in group chats or posted online, provides irrefutable proof.
  • Injuries: Detailed photographs of physical injuries (bruises, burns, cuts) taken immediately after the incident and over several days to document progression are essential.
  • Locations/Objects: Photos of the off-campus house or venue, alcohol bottles, paddles, costumes, or other props used in hazing activities.

• Internal Organization Documents: Subpoenas can compel the production of:

  • Pledge Manuals/Ritual Scripts: These can document “traditional” hazing practices.
  • Internal Communications: Emails or texts from officers or members discussing plans, concerns, or efforts at concealment.
  • National Policies: The anti-hazing policies and risk management materials of national fraternities or sororities are crucial for demonstrating what they knew or should have known.

• University Records: Through discovery in a lawsuit or public records requests (for public universities), we can obtain:

  • Prior Conduct Files: Documenting previous hazing violations, probations, or suspensions against the same organization or individuals. This shows a pattern and the university’s prior knowledge.
  • Incident Reports: Filed with campus police or student conduct offices.
  • Clery Reports: Annual crime statistics that can highlight patterns of alcohol or assault-related incidents.

• Medical and Psychological Records: These document the extent of harm suffered by the victim.

  • Emergency Room & Hospital Records: Detailing immediate injuries, treatments, and toxicology reports (e.g., blood alcohol levels).
  • Long-Term Care Notes: Records from surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and ongoing medical treatments.
  • Psychological Evaluations: Documentation of PTSD, depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health impacts, often including therapy notes and diagnoses.

• Witness Testimony: Eyewitness accounts are vital.

  • Other Pledges/Members: Their testimony can corroborate events, identify perpetrators, and describe the coercive environment.
  • Roommates, Friends, RAs: Individuals who observed behavioral changes, injuries, or overheard conversations.
  • Former Members/Bystanders: Anyone who witnessed the hazing or has knowledge of past incidents.

Damages

When hazing causes harm, the law aims to compensate victims and their families for their losses. These “damages” fall into several categories:

• Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses):

  • Medical Bills & Future Care: Covering emergency room visits, hospitalizations, surgeries, prescriptions, ongoing therapy (physical, occupational, psychological), and, in severe cases, specialized life care plans for permanent disabilities.
  • Lost Earnings/Educational Impact: Reimbursement for missed work, lost tuition or scholarships, and compensation for diminished future earning capacity if injuries lead to permanent disability or delayed career entry.
  • Property Damage: Costs for personal items damaged during the hazing.

• Non-Economic Damages (Non-Monetary Losses):

  • Physical Pain & Suffering: Compensation for the actual pain endured from injuries and any ongoing discomfort.
  • Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm: Addressing mental anguish, trauma, humiliation, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and the lasting psychological scars of hazing. Our firm often works with mental health experts to thoroughly document these profound impacts.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensating for the inability to participate in activities, hobbies, or social interactions due to injuries or trauma, impacting the victim’s college experience and overall quality of life.

• Wrongful Death Damages (for Families): In the most tragic cases, when hazing leads to death (as seen nationally with Max Gruver, Timothy Piazza, and Stone Foltz), surviving family members can recover:

  • Funeral and Burial Costs: Direct expenses related to the death.
  • Loss of Financial Support: Compensation for the income and financial contributions the deceased would have provided.
  • Loss of Companionship, Love, & Society: Acknowledging the profound emotional loss to parents, siblings, and other close family members.
  • Grief and Mental Anguish: Compensation for the family’s severe emotional suffering.

• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness, malice, or gross negligence, courts may award punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate the victim but to punish the defendants for their egregious conduct and deter similar behavior in the future. Texas law has specific criteria and caps for punitive damages, and skilled legal strategy is required to pursue them effectively.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing cases often involve multiple defendants (individual students, local chapters, national organizations, universities), each with their own legal counsel, deep pockets, and insurance carriers.

• National fraternities, sororities, and universities often hold extensive insurance policies that may cover claims of negligence. However, insurers frequently attempt to deny coverage by arguing that hazing involves “intentional acts” or is explicitly excluded from policies.
• Our firm, with former insurance defense attorney Lupe Peña, understands these tactics. We can aggressively identify all potential insurance coverage sources, challenge wrongful denials, and strategically frame claims to maximize recovery for our clients. The goal is to ensure that all avenues of compensation are explored and that victims are not left to bear the financial burden of their injuries alone.

Practical Guides & FAQs

For San Saba County families, navigating the aftermath of a hazing incident can feel overwhelming. Here, we offer actionable guidance for parents, students, and witnesses, as well as answers to common legal questions.

For Parents: Protecting Your Child from Hazing

As a parent, your intuition is your most powerful tool. Trust it if you suspect something is wrong.

• Warning Signs of Hazing: Be attuned to changes in your child:

  • Physical: Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts or frequent “accidents,” extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, weight changes, signs of alcohol or drug misuse.
  • Behavioral/Emotional: Sudden secrecy (“I can’t talk about it”), withdrawal from friends/family, personality changes (anxiety, irritability), defensiveness when asked about the group, obsessively trying to please older members, fear of “getting in trouble.”
  • Academic: Sudden drop in grades, missing classes, falling asleep in lectures due to late-night “mandatory” activities.
  • Financial: Unexpected large expenses, frequent requests for money without clear explanation, buying excessive alcohol or items for others.
  • Digital: Constant phone use for group chats, anxiety around phone notifications, obsessive message deletion, newly installed geo-location tracking apps.

• How to Talk to Your Child: Approach with empathy, not accusation.

  • Ask open-ended questions like, “How are things really going with the [group]? Are you enjoying it?”
  • Emphasize their safety and well-being are paramount, far above any group affiliation.
  • Reassure them that you will support them, no matter what, and that “consent” in hazing is a legal myth.

• If Your Child Is Hurt: Prioritize their health.

  • Get immediate medical care, regardless of the circumstances.
  • Document everything: Take photos of injuries, screenshot any texts or chats they show you, and write down every detail they share while it’s fresh.
  • Collect names, dates, and locations.

• Dealing with the University:

  • Document every communication with university administrators. Ask specific questions about past incidents involving the organization and the university’s response.
  • Understand that university investigations are often internal and may prioritize the institution’s reputation over your child’s legal rights.

• When to Talk to a Lawyer:

  • If your child suffers significant physical or psychological harm.
  • If you feel the university or organization is minimizing the incident or covering it up.
  • Contact Attorney911 early. We can help you preserve evidence, understand your rights under Texas law, and protect your child from further coercion or retaliation.

For Students/Pledges: Recognizing Hazing and Protecting Yourself

If you’re a student from San Saba County in a new organization, it’s easy to get swept up in the desire to belong. But know your rights and recognize the warning signs.

• Is This Hazing or Just Tradition?: Ask yourself: Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do? Would I do this if I had a real choice without social consequences? Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal? Would the university or your parents approve if they knew exactly what was happening? If the answer is yes, it’s likely hazing, regardless of how others label it. The Three-Tier System (subtle, harassment, violent) detailed earlier shows that even psychological hazing is illegitimate.

• Why “Consent” Isn’t the End of the Story: You might feel like you “agreed” to it by showing up. However, the law recognizes the intense pressure, fear of exclusion, and power dynamics inherent in initiation. True consent is impossible under duress. You have the right to be safe, regardless of what you might have “agreed” to under pressure.

• Exiting and Reporting Safely: You have the legal right to leave any organization at any time.

  • If in immediate danger, call 911 or campus police. Your safety comes first.
  • Tell a trusted outsider first (parent, RA, friend).
  • Send a clear email/text to leadership stating your resignation. Avoid “one last meeting” where you might be pressured.
  • Report safely: Use campus channels (Dean of Students, Title IX Coordinator for sexual hazing, campus police), or anonymous hotlines like 1-888-NOT-HAZE.

• Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty: Texas law and many university policies provide immunity for individuals who report hazing or call for help in good faith, especially in medical emergencies. This means you generally won’t get in trouble for trying to save a life, even if underage drinking was involved.

For Former Members/Witnesses: Standing Up Against Hazing

If you were part of hazing, whether as a participant or observer, you might feel guilt or fear of repercussions. However, your testimony can be crucial in preventing future harm and saving lives.

• Your Role in Accountability: Your evidence can prevent another tragic incident. While you should seek your own legal counsel on your specific exposure, cooperating with authorities or a victim’s attorney can be a powerful step toward justice.
• Navigating Legal Exposure: Lawyers can advise you on your rights, potential liabilities, and how to safely navigate your role as a witness without exposing yourself to undue risk.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

For San Saba County families, knowledge is power, and avoiding common pitfalls is as important as gathering evidence.

1. Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence: This is a critical error. What may seem like an attempt to avoid trouble can be viewed as spoliation of evidence, severely damaging a legal case. Preserve everything immediately, even if it’s embarrassing.
2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly: Emotional confrontations allow the organization to immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare their defense. Document everything remotely, then contact a lawyer.
3. Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms: Universities often pressure families into signing waivers or “internal resolution” agreements. These can surrender your legal right to sue and settle your child’s claim for far less than its actual value. Do NOT sign anything without an attorney’s review.
4. Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer: While tempting to share your story, anything posted publicly can be used against you, allowing defense attorneys to scrutinize for inconsistencies and potentially compromise your legal strategy.
5. Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”: Once you are considering legal action, all communication should go through your attorney. Returning to the group allows them to pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that can harm your case.
6. Waiting “to see how the university handles it”: Universities’ internal processes are not designed for victim compensation. Evidence disappears rapidly, witnesses graduate, and statutes of limitations can expire. Preserve evidence NOW and consult a lawyer immediately.
7. Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer: Insurance adjusters, even friendly ones, work for the insurance company, not you. Recorded statements can be used against you, and early settlement offers are almost always low-balled. Politely decline and let your attorney handle all communications.

Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (like UH, Texas A&M, UT) benefit from sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, willful misconduct, and Title IX violations, and you can sue individuals in their personal capacity. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts—contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for 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 under Texas law if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals who fail to report hazing can also face misdemeanor charges.

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

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
  Generally, there is a 2-year statute of limitations from the date of injury or death in Texas. However, exceptions like the “discovery rule” or fraudulent concealment can extend this period, particularly if the harm or its cause was not immediately apparent or if there was a cover-up. Time is critical—evidence disappears, memories fade, and organizations destroy records. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to discuss your specific timeline. For more information about statute of limitations, please visit our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c.

• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  Location does not eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be held liable based on their sponsorship, control, knowledge, and the foreseeability of hazing, even if it happens off-campus. Many major hazing settlements and verdicts, such as the Pi Delta Psi retreat case or the Sigma Pi unofficial house case, involved incidents that occurred off university property.

• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  Most hazing cases settle confidentially before ever going to trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy and can work to request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. Our focus is on achieving justice and accountability while protecting your child’s future.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

When your family in San Saba County faces a hazing incident, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions like national fraternities and major universities fight back – and how to win anyway. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, we bring unparalleled expertise to hazing cases throughout Texas.

From our Houston office, we serve families across the entire state, including those in San Saba County and the surrounding Central Texas region. We understand that hazing at Texas universities impacts families far beyond the campus borders. Many students from San Saba, Richland Springs, Cherokee, and neighboring communities like Mason and McCulloch County pursue their education at institutions like UT Austin, Texas A&M, or Baylor, and hazing can devastate their futures.

What sets Attorney911 apart in hazing litigation:

• Insurance Insider Advantage: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/), previously worked as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. She deeply understands how fraternity and university insurance companies operate, how they value (and undervalue) hazing claims, and their common tactics to delay, deny, or minimize payouts. We know their playbook because we used to run it.
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions: Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/), has extensive experience taking on formidable defendants. He was one of the few Texas firms involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, demonstrating his capability for complex federal court cases against billion-dollar corporations. We are not intimidated by national fraternities, large universities, or their well-resourced defense teams. We’ve taken on the powerful and won.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: We have a proven track record in obtaining multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We work with economists and medical experts to fully value lifetime care needs for brain injuries or permanent disabilities. We don’t settle cheap; we strategically build cases that demand full accountability.
• Dual Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise: Ralph Manginello’s membership in the prestigious Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) gives our firm unique insight into how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members who may face dual criminal and civil exposure, navigating these complex waters with expert precision.
• Investigative Depth: We know exactly how to investigate modern hazing. This includes securing deleted group chats and social media evidence, subpoenaing national fraternity records that show patterns of prior incidents, uncovering university files through aggressive discovery tactics, and collaborating with digital forensics experts, medical professionals, and psychologists to present a comprehensive case. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it – because it does. Learn more about our approach to evidence documentation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs.

At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, we understand that this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our job is to get you answers, hold the right people accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family. We aren’t about quick settlements; we’re about thorough investigation and real accountability.

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

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

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options under Texas law, and help you decide on the best path forward. For more about our contingency fee structure, which means we don’t get paid unless we win your case, watch our video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.

What to expect in your free consultation:

• We will listen to your story with empathy and without judgment.
• We’ll review any evidence you have, such as photos, texts, or medical records.
• We’ll clearly explain your legal options, whether it’s exploring a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, both, or neither.
• We will discuss realistic timelines and what you can expect during the legal process.
• We’ll answer your questions about costs.
• There is no pressure to hire us on the spot – take the time you need to decide.
• Everything you tell us is confidential.

Call us today. Your emotional well-being and legal rights are our top priority.

The Manginello Law Firm (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 by emailing 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