Hazing in Texas: A Definitive Guide for City of Hunters Creek Village Families

It’s late at night at an off-campus house near a major Texas university. Laughter and loud music spill into the street, masking the cries coming from inside. Your son, a bright-eyed freshman from City of Hunters Creek Village, is among the new members of a fraternity, being forced to consume excessive amounts of alcohol, his limits ignored by older members chanting for him to drink more. He feels a loyalty to the group he desperately wants to join, but also a growing terror as his vision blurs and his stomach churns. One by one, others in the “pledge class” are passing out, becoming violently ill, or losing control. No one wants to call for help, afraid of “getting the chapter shut down” or facing consequences. Trapped between loyalty and fear, your child’s health, future, and even life, hang in the balance.

This isn’t a fictional scenario; it is a harsh reality playing out at colleges and universities across our state. Families in City of Hunters Creek Village, and across the Greater Houston area, send their children to these institutions with hopes of a bright future, not the nightmare of hazing.

This comprehensive guide serves as an essential resource for City of Hunters Creek Village families who need to understand the complex landscape of hazing, its legal ramifications, and the options available to victims. We will explore:

• What hazing truly looks like in 2025, moving beyond outdated stereotypes.
• The specifics of Texas and federal laws governing hazing.
• Critical insights gleaned from major national hazing cases and their relevance to Texas families.
• The documented hazing incidents and trends at prominent Texas institutions like the University of Houston (UH), Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin (UT), Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Baylor University.
• The legal recourse available to victims and their families in City of Hunters Creek Village and throughout Texas.

While this article provides general information, it is crucial to remember it is not a substitute for tailored legal advice. The Manginello Law Firm is dedicated to evaluating individual cases based on their unique facts. We proudly serve families throughout Texas, from our Houston offices to communities like City of Hunters Creek Village, seeking justice and accountability in hazing matters.

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 above all else.
  • Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
    • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately, ensuring full conversations, names, and timestamps are visible.
    • Photograph any injuries from multiple angles, ideally with a ruler or coin for scale, and retake photos over several days to show progression.
    • Secure physical items such as clothing worn during the hazing (do not wash, as it may contain evidence), receipts for forced purchases, or any objects used in the hazing.
  • Write down everything while the memory is fresh—who was involved, what exactly happened, when, and where.
  • Do NOT:
    • Confront the fraternity/sorority or individuals involved directly. This can lead to destruction of evidence or retaliation.
    • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company without legal counsel reviewing it first.
    • Post details on public social media, as this can compromise your case.
    • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” any potential evidence.

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

  • Critical evidence disappears rapidly through deleted group chats, destroyed physical items, and coached witnesses.
  • Universities often act quickly to control the narrative surrounding incidents.
  • Our experienced team can assist in preserving evidence and fiercely protecting your child’s rights.
  • Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation and guidance.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

When families in City of Hunters Creek Village hear the word “hazing,” they might picture something from a 1980s movie—a silly prank or an uncomfortable initiation rite. However, hazing in 2025 is far more insidious, dangerous, and often digitally enforced than these outdated stereotypes suggest. It’s 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. This can include activities that students might superficially “agree” to, but which are not truly voluntary when peer pressure, power imbalances, and the fear of exclusion are at play.

This section will illuminate the modern face of hazing, detailing its various forms and where it commonly occurs, ensuring City of Hunters Creek Village families are equipped to recognize it.

Main Categories of Hazing

Hazing tactics have evolved, but their dangerous core remains. We classify modern hazing into several key categories:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing
  This is, unfortunately, the most common and often deadliest form of hazing. It involves forcing or pressuring new members to consume dangerous quantities of alcohol or other substances. “Chugging challenges,” “lineups” where multiple drinks are consumed rapidly, and drinking games designed to induce extreme intoxication are prevalent. Big/Little reveal nights, for example, often involve pledges being given handles of hard liquor. Pledges are often pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances, leading to severe health consequences.

• Physical Hazing
  Physical abuse persists in many organizations. This includes traditional acts like paddling and beatings, but also extreme calisthenics, forced “workouts,” or “smokings” that push physical limits far beyond safe conditioning. Sleep deprivation, often through mandatory late-night events, and food/water deprivation are also common. Pledges may be exposed to extreme cold or heat, or placed in dangerous environments, leading to serious injury or illness.

• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
  This deeply degrading form of hazing includes forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (often referred to euphemistically to evade detection), or performing acts with racial, homophobic, or sexist overtones. Shame and embarrassment are powerful tools of control, and these acts can inflict lasting psychological damage.

• Psychological Hazing
  Often less visible but equally destructive, psychological hazing involves sustained verbal abuse, threats, isolation from outside connections, and manipulation. Pledges may be subjected to public shaming, constant criticism, or fear-inducing scenarios designed to break down their self-esteem and foster absolute loyalty to the group. The constant pressure and mental anguish can lead to severe anxiety, depression, and other mental health crises.

• Digital/Online Hazing
  With the omnipresence of smartphones and social media, hazing has moved into the digital realm. This includes group chat dares, challenges, and public humiliation orchestrated via platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, and GroupMe. Pledges can be subjected to 24/7 digital control, constant text demands, and forced to create or share compromising images or videos. This constant digital monitoring and pressure can lead to chronic sleep deprivation and an inability to disengage from the demands of the group.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

It’s vital for City of Hunters Creek Village families to understand that hazing is not confined to stereotypical fraternity houses. While Greek life remains a significant arena for hazing, these dangerous practices permeate many other student organizations:

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes chapters under the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and various multicultural Greek organizations.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: The hierarchical structure and emphasis on tradition in these groups can sometimes foster environments where hazing is disguised as “tough training” or “building camaraderie.”
• Spirit Squads, Tradition Clubs, and Student Organizations: Groups focused on school spirit, unique campus traditions (like the Texas Cowboys at UT Austin), or various cultural and interest-based clubs can also be sites of hazing.
• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to cheerleading and club sports, hazing can occur on teams as a twisted form of initiation or “team building,” sometimes involving sexualized rituals or excessive alcohol consumption.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even organizations dedicated to the arts and music have been implicated in hazing incidents, demonstrating that the drive for group cohesion can be misused in unexpected places.

The pervasive nature of hazing is primarily sustained by social status, tradition, and a code of intense secrecy. Despite widespread anti-hazing campaigns and laws, these practices continue, often because new members desire acceptance and older members feel compelled to perpetuate the “traditions” they endured. Understanding these dynamics is the first step toward protecting students from the deep physical and psychological harm that hazing inflicts.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

For City of Hunters Creek Village families navigating the aftermath of a hazing incident, understanding the legal framework in Texas is paramount. Hazing is not just a campus policy violation; it’s a crime, and it carries significant civil liability for those involved.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Under Texas law—which governs cases in City of Hunters Creek Village and across the state—hazing is explicitly prohibited. The Texas Education Code broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, whether on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student. This act must endanger the mental or physical health or safety of a student and occur for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

In plain terms, if someone compels a student to perform an act that is dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or remain in a group, and they either intended for it to happen or were reckless about the risks, that constitutes hazing under Texas law. Key aspects of this definition include:

• Location is irrelevant: Hazing can happen on or off campus.
• Harm can be mental or physical: The law recognizes the severe impact of psychological abuse.
• Intent matters, but recklessness is enough: Perpetrators don’t need malicious intent; merely knowing the risk and proceeding with the act can lead to liability.
• “Consent” is not a defense: As detailed in Texas Education Code § 37.155, even if the victim “agreed,” it’s legally still hazing if the criteria are met. This acknowledges the powerful coercive dynamics inherent in hazing.

Texas law also imposes criminal penalties for hazing, ranging from misdemeanors for less severe acts up to state jail felonies for actions causing serious bodily injury or death. Furthermore, there are reporter protections that can grant limited immunity to individuals who report hazing incidents or seek emergency medical help in good faith. This is a summary; real situations involve complex application of statutes and case law.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

It’s crucial for City of Hunters Creek Village families to distinguish between criminal and civil legal actions related to hazing:

• Criminal Cases: These are initiated by the state (prosecutors) and aim to punish unlawful behavior. Hazing-related criminal charges in Texas can include the hazing offense itself, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, and even manslaughter in fatal incidents. Convictions can result in jail time, fines, and probation for individuals and organizations.
• Civil Cases: These are pursued by victims or their surviving families seeking monetary compensation and accountability from those responsible. Civil claims often involve theories of negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring/supervision, premises liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. A pivotal point for City of Hunters Creek Village families is that a criminal conviction is not a prerequisite for filing a civil lawsuit; these two legal paths can proceed independently.

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

Beyond state laws, federal regulations also impose obligations on universities and can influence hazing cases:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This landmark act mandates that colleges and universities receiving federal funds must become more transparent about hazing incidents. By approximately 2026, they will be required to publicly report hazing violations and strengthen their prevention and education programs. This will provide unprecedented data for families in City of Hunters Creek Village to assess campus safety records.
• Title IX / Clery Act: When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based discrimination, Title IX is triggered, compelling institutions to investigate and respond. The Clery Act requires universities to report campus crime statistics, which can encompass hazing incidents when they involve crimes like assault or alcohol/drug violations.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

Determining who is legally responsible in a hazing incident often involves multiple parties:

• Individual Students: Those who planned, orchestrated, provided alcohol, carried out the hazing acts, or participated in cover-ups can face direct liability.
• Local Chapter / Organization: The specific fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself, if legally structured as an entity, can be sued. Key individuals within the chapter, such as officers or “pledge educators,” are often central to claims.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: The national headquarters, which sets policies, collects dues, and oversees local chapters, can be held liable. Liability often depends on what the national organization knew—or should have known—from prior incidents and whether they adequately enforced their anti-hazing policies.
• University or Governing Board: The educational institution itself, or its governing board, may be sued under various theories, including negligence, gross negligence, or Title IX violations. Critical questions for liability often revolve around the university’s awareness of prior hazing, its enforcement of policies, and whether it showed deliberate indifference to known risks. Public universities in Texas, like UH, Texas A&M, and UT, may assert sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist, particularly for gross negligence or when suing individual employees for their personal actions. Private universities, such as SMU and Baylor, have fewer immunity protections.
• Third Parties: This can include landlords or owners of off-campus houses or event spaces where hazing occurred, bars or alcohol suppliers involved in providing alcohol to minors (under Texas dram shop laws), and even security companies or event organizers who failed in their duty of care.

It is important to understand that every hazing case is unique, and the specific parties held liable will depend entirely on the facts, the evidence, and the applicable law. The Manginello Law Firm is experienced in identifying all potentially liable parties and building a comprehensive case for City of Hunters Creek Village families.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

Understanding the national landscape of hazing cases provides a crucial context for City of Hunters Creek Village families. These high-profile tragedies, often leading to significant legal action and even legislative reform, illuminate the patterns of harm and the legal precedents that can apply to hazing incidents at Texas universities. They demonstrate that the issues contributing to hazing deaths and severe injuries are tragically common across institutions and organizations.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Forced alcohol consumption remains the most common and deadliest form of hazing, leading to repeated patterns of tragic outcomes nationwide.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge, died after participating in a “bid acceptance” night at a Beta Theta Pi fraternity house. He was forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol, leading to a series of severe falls captured on the fraternity’s security cameras. Despite his obvious distress and repeated falls, fraternity members delayed calling for medical help for nearly 12 hours. The aftermath involved multiple criminal charges against fraternity members, extensive civil litigation with confidential settlements, and the passage of the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania, a felony hazing statute. This case highlighted the lethal combination of extreme intoxication, deliberate delay in seeking medical aid, and a pervasive culture of silence.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): During a “Big Brother Night” event, Andrew Coffey, an 18-year-old pledge, was given a full handle of hard liquor and forced to consume it rapidly. He died from acute alcohol poisoning. The incident led to criminal prosecutions of fraternity members and a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU, followed by a systemic overhaul of hazing policies. This tragedy demonstrated how formulaic “tradition” drinking nights are often a repeating script for disaster, with predictable and fatal consequences.

• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max Gruver, a pledge at Phi Delta Theta, died from alcohol toxicity after participating in a coercive “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers to trivia questions resulted in forced drinking. His blood alcohol content was dangerously high (0.495%). The case led to a conviction for negligent homicide for one member and triggered the passage of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, which made certain hazing acts a felony. This case underscores how legislative change often follows public outrage and clear, undeniable evidence of hazing, pushing for stronger legal deterrents.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old pledge, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” night. Multiple fraternity members were convicted of hazing-related criminal charges. In 2023, Foltz’s family reached a $10 million settlement ($7 million from the national Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and approximately $3 million from Bowling Green State University). This case demonstrated that universities, even public ones, face significant financial and reputational consequences alongside the implicated fraternities, emphasizing institutional accountability.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Beyond alcohol, physical and ritualized hazing continue to cause severe injury and death, often under the guise of “tradition” or “bonding.”

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College / Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng, a pledge for Pi Delta Psi, died after a violent blindfolded ritual known as “glass ceiling” during an off-campus retreat in the Pocono Mountains. He was forced to wear a weighted backpack and repeatedly tackled. Fraternity members delayed calling for help. Multiple members were convicted, and the national fraternity itself was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, subsequently banned from Pennsylvania for a decade. This tragedy underscored that off-campus “retreats” are not safe havens from hazing laws and can be more dangerous due to their isolation; national organizations can face severe criminal and civil sanctions for their chapters’ conduct.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing unfortunately extends beyond Greek life, often affecting high-profile athletic programs where power dynamics and team hierarchy can create fertile ground for abuse.

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): Former football players came forward with allegations of widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the Northwestern football program over several years. Multiple players filed lawsuits against the university and coaching staff. The head coach, Pat Fitzgerald, was fired and later confidentially settled a wrongful-termination lawsuit. This scandal unequivocally demonstrated that hazing is not exclusive to Greek life; major athletic programs, with their significant financial and cultural influence, can also harbor systemic abuse, raising critical questions about institutional oversight.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

These national anchor stories share harrowing and instructive common threads: forced excessive drinking, intentional humiliation, physical violence, a dangerous delay in seeking medical care, and concerted efforts to cover up the truth. While the scope of tragedy is immense, these incidents have also catalyzed significant reforms and, notably, led to multi-million-dollar settlements or verdicts. This financial accountability often only materializes after victims’ families pursue rigorous litigation.

For City of Hunters Creek Village families facing hazing at institutions like UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor, these national lessons are profoundly relevant. They highlight the patterns of organizational and institutional liability and underscore the critical importance of swift legal action to protect rights and pursue justice. You are not alone; these cases illustrate a national struggle for safety and accountability on college campuses, providing crucial precedents for action in Texas.

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

For City of Hunters Creek Village families, the proximity and reputation of Texas’s leading universities make understanding hazing incidents and policies at these institutions particularly important. Whether your child attends one of these schools or interacts with students from them, knowledge is your first line of defense. From our Houston offices, The Manginello Law Firm helps families in City of Hunters Creek Village and across Texas navigate these challenging situations.

University of Houston (UH): Insights for City of Hunters Creek Village Families

The University of Houston, a vibrant urban campus with a significant student body from the Greater Houston area, including City of Hunters Creek Village, hosts an active Greek life and numerous student organizations. While UH prohibits hazing, incidents can still occur, affecting students who live both on and off campus.

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH is one of Texas’s largest and most diverse universities, blending a commuter student population with a growing residential campus. Its robust Greek life includes fraternities and sororities under the Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and Multicultural Greek Council, alongside many other student organizations and athletic groups—all of which have the potential for hazing.

5.1.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

UH maintains a clear anti-hazing policy, prohibiting any 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. The policy specifically outlaws forced alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and mental distress. UH provides several reporting channels, including the Dean of Students Office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD), all detailed on the university’s official website.

5.1.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Among the notable incidents at UH was a 2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case. Pledges allegedly endured sleep and food deprivation during a multi-day event, with one student sustaining a lacerated spleen after being slammed onto a table. This led to misdemeanor hazing charges against individuals and the chapter’s suspension. While UH’s public reporting of hazing violations may not be as extensive as some other Texas universities, it has shown a willingness to suspend chapters engaged in behavior that produces “mental or physical discomfort,” especially involving alcohol misuse.

5.1.4 How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing incidents involving UH students may fall under the jurisdiction of UHPD or, for off-campus events in City of Hunters Creek Village or other Harris County locations, the Houston Police Department or Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in Harris County courts. Potential defendants could include individual students, the local chapter, the national fraternity or sorority, and potentially the university itself, especially if there’s evidence of prior knowledge or a failure to enforce policies.

5.1.5 What UH Students & Parents Should Do

For students attending UH or City of Hunters Creek Village families with children at UH:

• Familiarize yourselves with UH’s hazing policy and formal reporting procedures.
• Utilize UH’s reporting channels through the Dean of Students, UHPD, or online forms. Make sure reports are documented.
• If you have knowledge of prior hazing complaints or incidents involving an organization, document them.
• If hazing occurs, contacting a lawyer experienced in Houston-based hazing cases from the Manginello Law Firm can provide critical assistance in gathering information, uncovering prior discipline, and accessing internal university files.

Texas A&M University: Insights for City of Hunters Creek Village Families

Texas A&M University in College Station, a school often attended by students from City of Hunters Creek Village and across Texas, is renowned for its traditions, including the pervasive influence of the Corps of Cadets and a large Greek life presence. This strong institutional culture, while often positive, can also create environments where hazing is disguised under “tradition.”

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M’s identity is deeply intertwined with its traditions, particularly the Corps of Cadets—a uniformed student military organization that emphasizes discipline and hierarchy. Alongside this, A&M boasts a substantial Greek system, from IFC and Panhellenic to NPHC and multicultural organizations. The unique blend of military-style structure and traditional Greek life sets a distinct cultural backdrop for hazing dynamics.

5.2.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Texas A&M’s Uniform Hazing Policy aligns with state law, strictly prohibiting hazing by any student organization, including the Corps of Cadets. The university’s policy outlines procedures for education, prevention, and reporting through the Division of Student Affairs and the Dean of Students Office, as well as the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD).

5.2.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

A significant incident involved Sigma Alpha Epsilon around 2021, where pledges alleged forced immersion in substances including an industrial-strength cleaner, resulting in severe chemical burns requiring emergency skin graft surgeries. This led to the fraternity’s suspension and a multi-million-dollar lawsuit. Separately, a 2023 Corps of Cadets lawsuit alleged degrading hazing rituals, including simulated sexual acts and a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in the mouth. These incidents show that both Greek life and deeply ingrained Corps traditions can be problematic.

5.2.4 How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed

Legal actions involving Texas A&M would typically involve Bryan-College Station law enforcement (College Station PD / Brazos County Sheriff) and be heard in Brazos County courts. However, as a state institution, Texas A&M may assert sovereign immunity. Nevertheless, exceptions for gross negligence or Title IX violations, and the ability to sue individuals in their personal capacity, provide avenues for holding institutions and individuals accountable.

5.2.5 What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do

For City of Hunters Creek Village families with children at Texas A&M:

• Be especially attuned to the fine line between tradition and hazing, particularly within the Corps of Cadets and Greek system.
• Document any concerning behaviors, especially those involving physical discomfort or forced alcohol.
• Utilize A&M’s formal reporting channels for hazing.
• Understand that civil cases often target both Greek life and Corps traditions. Consulting with an experienced hazing attorney is vital to navigate these unique cultural and legal complexities.

University of Texas at Austin (UT): Insights for City of Hunters Creek Village Families

The University of Texas at Austin, a flagship institution, is a destination for many City of Hunters Creek Village students. UT has a large and visible Greek system, and its proactive stance on publicizing hazing violations provides valuable insight into ongoing campus safety challenges.

5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT Austin boasts a highly visible Greek system with dozens of fraternities and sororities, shaping a significant part of the student social experience. Beyond Greek life, numerous spirit organizations and athletic teams also contribute to the campus culture, all operating under the university’s watchful eye but also susceptible to hazing.

5.3.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

UT’s hazing policy is robust, clearly defining prohibited acts and emphasizing that consent is not a defense. Uniquely, UT maintains a publicly accessible Hazing Violations webpage (hazing.utexas.edu) that lists organizations, dates of incidents, a description of the conduct, and the disciplinary sanctions imposed. This transparency is a valuable resource for City of Hunters Creek Village parents.

5.3.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

UT’s public registry highlights recurring issues. For example, Pi Kappa Alpha was sanctioned in 2023 for directing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, deemed hazing. Other groups, including spirit organizations like the Texas Wranglers, have faced sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, or punishment-based practices. The transparency, while progressive, also indicates ongoing challenges.

5.3.4 How a UT Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing incidents at UT might involve the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) or the Austin Police Department, with civil cases typically proceeding in Travis County courts. UT’s public record of prior violations is particularly significant for civil lawsuits, as it can be used as strong evidence to establish patterns of misconduct, foreseeability of harm, and the university’s prior knowledge of hazing within specific organizations. This data can be crucial for City of Hunters Creek Village families seeking accountability.

5.3.5 What UT Students & Parents Should Do

For City of Hunters Creek Village families with children at UT Austin:

• Regularly check UT’s Hazing Violations webpage to monitor organizational conduct.
• Be aware that even with robust policies, hazing persists. Document all incidents thoroughly.
• Understanding that UT’s transparency on prior violations can strongly support a civil case is crucial.
• Contacting an experienced Texas hazing attorney can help leverage this public information and navigate the complex legal landscape in Austin.

Southern Methodist University (SMU): Insights for City of Hunters Creek Village Families

Many City of Hunters Creek Village students are attracted to Southern Methodist University’s prestigious academic environment in Dallas, which also features a prominent Greek life. As a private institution, SMU’s accountability mechanisms differ from public universities.

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

SMU is a private, affluent university with a deeply entrenched and influential Greek culture. Fraternities and sororities play a central role in social life, often leading to intense competition for membership and, sometimes, an environment conducive to hazing.

5.4.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

SMU strictly prohibits hazing, defining it as any intentional act against a student for affiliation purposes that endangers mental or physical health. The university employs various methods for hazing prevention and reporting, including anonymous hotline services and confidential reporting systems (e.g., Real Response), facilitated through the Office of Student Affairs.

5.4.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

In 2017, the Kappa Alpha Order chapter at SMU was suspended after allegations of pledges being paddled, forced to consume alcohol, and deprived of sleep. This suspension lasted until approximately 2021, reflecting a significant institutional response. SMU’s commitment to investigating hazing is evident, but the private nature of the university means that disciplinary outcomes are not always as publicly accessible as at state-funded institutions.

5.4.4 How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing incidents at SMU typically involve the SMU Police Department and Dallas Police Department for criminal investigations, with civil cases heard in Dallas County courts. As a private university, SMU does not have sovereign immunity, which can simplify certain aspects of litigation compared to public universities. Civil suits might focus on uncovering internal reports and disciplinary actions through legal discovery, even if not publicly posted.

5.4.5 What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

For City of Hunters Creek Village families with children at SMU:

• Be aware that while SMU offers various reporting methods, the public transparency of incidents may be limited.
• Thorough documentation of any hazing incident becomes even more critical due to this limited public disclosure.
• Consulting an experienced hazing attorney from The Manginello Law Firm is essential to compel discovery and uncover relevant institutional knowledge and prior incidents that SMU might not publicly disclose.

Baylor University: Insights for City of Hunters Creek Village Families

Baylor University, a respected Baptist institution in Waco, attracts many students from City of Hunters Creek Village and throughout Texas. Baylor’s history of prior scandals related to its athletic program and Title IX issues adds a unique layer of scrutiny to its handling of student safety, including hazing.

5.5.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor, with its strong religious identity and NCAA Division I sports programs, cultivates a distinct campus culture. It has a Greek system and many other student organizations, but its recent history of high-profile campus abuse scandals (particularly around its football program and Title IX compliance) makes its approach to student safety particularly scrutinized.

5.5.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Baylor maintains a “zero tolerance” policy against hazing, defining it broadly to include any action that places a student at risk of physical or emotional harm for the purpose of membership. Reporting channels include the Baylor Police Department, the Office of Student Conduct, and confidential reporting options available through its website.

5.5.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

In 2020, the Baylor baseball team faced a hazing investigation that resulted in the suspension of 14 players. While specific details were limited, this incident highlighted that hazing extends to athletic programs within the university. This situation must be viewed within the context of Baylor’s broader cultural and oversight challenges, where official “zero tolerance” statements have sometimes been perceived as clashing with recurring misconduct.

5.5.4 How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing incidents at Baylor would involve the Baylor Police Department and Waco Police Department for criminal matters, with civil cases filed in McLennan County courts. Similar to SMU, as a private institution, Baylor does not benefit from sovereign immunity. However, its complex history of litigation and institutional oversight challenges means that hazing cases may become highly scrutinized. Allegations of institutional indifference or negligence around student safety are particularly resonant given its past.

5.5.5 What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do

For City of Hunters Creek Village families with children at Baylor:

• Be aware of Baylor’s policies and, crucially, understand how its history impacts the university’s response to student misconduct.
• Prompt and thorough documentation of any hazing incidents is paramount.
• Given Baylor’s background, having an experienced hazing attorney to navigate its legal department and ensure thorough investigation is highly recommended. Legal counsel can help uncover how “tradition” or “team building” may have masked hazing activities.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

For City of Hunters Creek Village parents and students, understanding that a local chapter’s actions are often connected to a national organization’s broader patterns of behavior is critical. The Manginello Law Firm leverages this knowledge to build robust cases against powerful defendants.

Why National Histories Matter

Most fraternities and sororities at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor are not isolated local clubs; they are chapters of large, national organizations. These national headquarters develop extensive anti-hazing policies, risk management guidelines, and training materials precisely because they have a history of facing severe consequences, including multi-million-dollar lawsuits and even criminal charges, stemming from hazing incidents across the country.

Tragically, certain hazing methods—such as dangerous “Big/Little” drinking nights, “initiation” rituals involving physical abuse, or patterns of humiliation—are recurring scripts within specific national organizations. When a local Texas chapter, whether at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor, repeats these same actions that have led to deaths or severe injuries in other states, it provides powerful evidence of foreseeability. This pattern demonstrates that the national organization knew, or should have known, the dangers associated with these practices, opening the door for claims of negligence, gross negligence, and even punitive damages.

Organization Mapping (Synthesized)

While it’s impossible to list every fraternity and sorority with a hazing history (as incidents often occur and are resolved quietly), several national organizations have been repeatedly implicated in high-profile cases at Texas universities and nationwide.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike): Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and Baylor. This fraternity has a concerning national pattern. The Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green State University (2021) involved forced alcohol consumption during a “Big/Little” pledge night, resulting in a $10 million settlement. Similarly, the David Bogenberger death at Northern Illinois University (2012) also involved alcohol poisoning during a pledge event, leading to a $14 million settlement. This record demonstrates a recurring issue within the organization concerning forced alcohol hazing.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE): Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and SMU. SAE has a long and troubled national history, leading it to eliminate its pledging process in 2014, although hazing incidents continue. Recent lawsuits include a tragic traumatic brain injury at the University of Alabama (2023), chemical burns requiring skin grafts at Texas A&M (allegedly from industrial cleaner, 2021), and an alleged assault on an exchange student at UT Austin (2024), where the chapter was already under suspension. These cases show disturbing patterns of both physical and ritualistic hazing.

• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor. This organization was at the center of the Max Gruver fatality at Louisiana State University (2017), where he died from alcohol poisoning after a coercive drinking game. This incident led to a felony hazing law in Louisiana.

• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): Present at UH, Texas A&M, and UT. The Andrew Coffey death at Florida State University (2017) highlighted severe alcohol hazing during a “Big Brother Night,” leading to charges against chapter members.

• Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ): Present at Texas A&M and SMU. This fraternity has faced hazing allegations resulting in suspensions at multiple universities, including an incident at SMU (2017) involving alleged paddling and forced drinking.

• Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ): Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor. The Timothy Piazza death at Penn State (2017) stands as a landmark case involving extreme alcohol, physical falls, and a shocking delay in medical aid, underscoring systemic failures of oversight.

• Sigma Chi (ΣΧ): Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor. A 2024 case at the College of Charleston resulted in a $10 million+ settlement for a pledge who alleged physical beatings and forced substance consumption, demonstrating significant financial accountability for severe hazing.

• Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ): Present at UH, Texas A&M, and Baylor. The Chad Meredith drowning death at the University of Miami (2001) resulted in a $12.6 million jury verdict against the fraternity based on hazing that led to the incident. More recently, allegations of severe injuries from hazing at Texas A&M (2023) highlight ongoing issues with physical hazing.

This is not an exhaustive list, but it highlights that hazing is a systemic issue within many national organizations.

Tie Back to Legal Strategy

For City of Hunters Creek Village families seeking justice, these national patterns are crucial. They allow us to demonstrate that:

• Certain organizations had repeated warnings about specific dangerous practices, but failed to adequately prevent them.
• Courts can examine whether national organizations meaningfully enforced their anti-hazing policies, or if these policies were mere window-dressing.
• Evidence of prior incidents and insufficient responses can amplify settlement leverage, influence insurance coverage disputes (by showing the intentional act was foreseeable due to negligent supervision), and strengthen arguments for punitive damages.

The Manginello Law Firm conducts thorough investigations into these national histories because knowledge of past failures is a cornerstone of proving liability and ensuring true accountability for hazing incidents at Texas universities.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Building a compelling hazing case requires meticulous investigation, a deep understanding of institutional liability, and aggressive legal strategy. It involves identifying and securing all forms of evidence, quantifying the full extent of damages, and preparing for the complex legal battles often mounted by well-resourced universities and national fraternities. For families in City of Hunters Creek Village, partnering with experienced legal counsel is essential to navigate this process.

Evidence

Modern hazing leaves a digital footprint, which has become the most critical source of evidence. The Manginello Law Firm specializes in collecting and preserving:

• Digital Communications: This includes GroupMe, WhatsApp, Signal, iMessage, Discord, Slack, and even fraternity-specific apps. We pursue both active messages and forensic recovery of deleted content. These platforms often contain the planning, directives, peer pressure, and communications that directly prove hazing—showing who ordered what, when, and to whom. Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, and TikTok comments also provide vital clues.
• Photos & Videos: Contemporaneous content filmed by members during hazing events is invaluable. This includes footage shared in group chats, posted on social media (even if quickly deleted), or recovered from personal devices. Security camera footage from campus, private houses, or commercial venues also plays a role. We advise clients to screenshot everything immediately, as recovery can be challenging once deleted.
• Internal Organization Documents: This can include pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” lists, rules of conduct, and emails or texts between officers discussing “new member education” (often a euphemism for hazing). National anti-hazing policies and risk management guidelines are also essential to compare what was said versus what was done.
• University Records: Through subpoenas and public records requests, we seek prior conduct files, probation orders, suspension notices, and warnings issued to the implicated organization. Incident reports from campus police or student conduct offices, Clery Act reports, and other disclosures can show a pattern of negligence or deliberate indifference by the institution.
• Medical and Psychological Records: Comprehensive documentation includes emergency room reports, hospitalization records, surgical notes, physical therapy records, and toxicology reports (blood alcohol, drug screens). Crucially, psychological evaluations for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation are critical for establishing the profound mental health impact of hazing.
• Witness Testimony: Eyewitness accounts from other pledges, current members (who might fear retaliation), former members, roommates, Resident Advisors (RAs), coaches, trainers, and other bystanders are crucial. We also work with expert witnesses, such as psychologists, forensic toxicologists, and hazing prevention specialists, to provide context and analysis.

Damages

The goal of a civil hazing lawsuit is to fully compensate the victim and their family for the harm suffered. This includes:

• Medical Bills & Future Care: This covers all costs, from immediate emergency room visits and ambulance transport to complex surgeries, ongoing treatment, physical therapy, prescription medications, and long-term care plans for catastrophic injuries (such as traumatic brain injuries or organ damage that renders a victim permanently disabled).
• Lost Earnings / Educational Impact: This includes lost tuition and fees for missed semesters, lost academic or athletic scholarships, and the financial impact of delayed graduation. If injuries lead to permanent disability, we work with economists to calculate the long-term loss of earning capacity over the victim’s lifetime.
• Non-Economic Damages: These subjective but legally compensable damages include intense physical pain and suffering, profound emotional distress, trauma, persistent humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life. This can also include the loss of cherished activities, disruption of relationships, and the deep emotional toll of the hazing experience.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): In cases tragically resulting in death, surviving family members can pursue damages for funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and the irreplaceable loss of companionship, love, and support. This also includes the profound grief and emotional suffering experienced by parents, siblings, and other close family members.

These categories represent the types of damages that can be sought; the specific amount in any given case depends entirely on the unique facts, severity of injury, and applicable law.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing cases often involve multiple potentially liable parties. National fraternities and universities typically carry substantial insurance policies to cover such incidents. However, their insurers frequently attempt to deny coverage by arguing that hazing constitutes “intentional acts” or falls under specific exclusions in their policies.

The Manginello Law Firm excels at:

• Identifying all potential sources of insurance coverage: This includes local chapter policies, national organization policies, university umbrella policies, and even individual homeowner’s policies.
• Navigating fierce disputes about exclusions: We challenge arguments that hazing was a purely “intentional act” by emphasizing the negligent supervision, failure to prevent, and organizational culpability.
• Leveraging our insider knowledge: Lupe Peña’s background as an insurance defense attorney gives our firm a distinct advantage in understanding how these companies value claims, negotiate, and defend against them.

Successfully pursuing a hazing case involves not only proving what happened but also strategically overcoming the formidable legal and financial defenses mounted by institutions and their insurers. The Manginello Law Firm has the experience and resources to fight these battles for City of Hunters Creek Village families.

Practical Guides & FAQs

For Parents in City of Hunters Creek Village

As a parent in City of Hunters Creek Village, you are your child’s most important advocate. Recognizing the signs of hazing and knowing how to respond can make all the difference.

Warning Signs of Hazing:

• Unexplained Injuries or Frequent “Accidents”: Look for bruises, cuts, burns, or sprains that your child can’t explain or that don’t match the given explanation.
• Sudden Exhaustion and Sleep Deprivation: Constant late-night meetings, early morning calls, or a dramatic decrease in sleep can indicate hazing.
• Drastic Mood Changes: Anxiety, depression, irritability, withdrawal from family or old friends, or uncharacteristic secrecy can be red flags.
• Constant Phone Use and Anxiety: Obsessive checking of phone for group chats, fear of missing “mandatory” communications, or an immediate anxious response to phone pings suggests digital coercion.
• Academic Decline: A sudden drop in grades, missed classes, or inability to focus due to lack of sleep or stress.
• Changes in Eating Habits: Significant weight loss or gain, or being unusually hungry or tired.
• Financial Strain: Unexplained expenses, “fines,” or constant requests for money without clear justification.
• Sudden Secrecy: Being told “I can’t talk about it” when asked about group activities, or defensiveness when you probe.

How to Talk to Your Child:

Approach your child with empathy, not judgment. Ask open-ended questions like, “How are things really going in your group?” or “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?” Emphasize that their safety and well-being are your top priority, and that you will support them no matter what. Let them know they can confide in you without fear of judgment.

If Your Child Is Hurt:

• Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Prioritize your child’s health. Document all injuries with detailed photos, noting dates, times, and any explanations (or lack thereof).
• Document Everything: Keep a detailed journal of what your child tells you, any communications from the university or the organization, and any behavioral changes you observe.
• Preserve Evidence: Crucially, help your child screenshot all relevant digital communications (group chats, texts, DMs, social media posts). If there are physical items like damaged clothing or peculiar objects, preserve those too.

Dealing with the University:

• Document All Communications: Every email, phone call, or meeting with university officials should be recorded, noting dates, times, and who was present.
• Ask Direct Questions: Specifically inquire about prior hazing incidents involving the same organization and what disciplinary actions were taken. This information can reveal patterns of organizational misconduct or university negligence.

When to Talk to a Lawyer:

If your child has suffered significant physical or psychological harm, or if you feel the university or organization is minimizing the incident or hiding information, it’s time to speak with an attorney. Lawyers experienced in these cases can help you understand your rights, protect evidence, and navigate complex university and legal systems.

For Students / Pledges

Is This Hazing or Just Tradition?

If you feel unsafe, humiliated, or coerced, or if you’re forced to drink or endure pain; if the activity is shrouded in secrecy from the public or administrators—it is likely hazing. True “tradition” should empower, not endanger, you. If you wouldn’t tell your parents or a university official about what you’re doing, it’s probably hazing.

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

Many hazing victims feel they “agreed” to the acts. However, the law, especially in Texas, recognizes the immense power dynamics at play. The fear of exclusion, the desire to belong, and intense peer pressure mean that “consent” often isn’t truly voluntary. If you felt pressured or like you couldn’t say no without facing negative consequences, then your “agreement” is not a defense to the hazing.

Exiting and Reporting Safely:

You have the right to leave any situation that feels unsafe or uncomfortable. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911. For non-emergencies, inform someone outside the organization (a trusted friend, family member, RA, or university official) of your intent to resign or report. You can report privately or anonymously through campus channels or national tip lines like 1-888-NOT-HAZE.

Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty:

Many universities and state laws (including in Texas) offer protections for students who report hazing or call for help in an emergency, even if they were involved or underage. These “amnesty” policies are designed to prioritize safety and encourage reporting without fear of getting into trouble.

For Former Members or Witnesses

If you were part of a hazing incident, or witnessed it, and now carry guilt or fear, know that coming forward can be the most powerful step toward preventing future harm and saving lives. Your testimony and evidence can be critical. You may want to seek your own legal advice to understand your rights and potential exposure, but cooperating with an investigation can be an important part of personal accountability and healing. The Manginello Law Firm can help navigate your role as a witness, ensuring your rights are protected throughout the process.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case:

For City of Hunters Creek Village families facing a hazing incident, immediate actions can either preserve opportunities for justice or inadvertently destroy them. Avoid these critical mistakes:

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

   • Why it’s wrong: Deleting evidence (e.g., group chats, texts, social media posts) can be perceived as an attempt to cover up, may be illegal (obstruction of justice), and makes it nearly impossible to build a strong case. Forensic recovery is possible, but original, unedited screenshots are gold.
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even content that might seem embarrassing. Screenshot full conversations with timestamps and participant names clearly visible.

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly:

   • Why it’s wrong: Direct confrontation will often cause the organization and its members to immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, delete communications, coach witnesses on what to say, and solidify their defenses.
   • What to do instead: Document everything in private. Before any direct engagement, consult with an experienced hazing lawyer.

3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms Without Legal Review:

   • Why it’s wrong: Universities may pressure families into signing waivers or “internal resolution” agreements. These documents often require you to give up your right to pursue further legal action, and any “settlement” offered is typically far below the true value of the case.
   • What to do instead: Never sign anything from the university or any organization without an attorney from The Manginello Law Firm reviewing it first.

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

   • Why it’s wrong: While understandable, publicly airing details can be weaponized by defense attorneys. Inconsistencies between public accounts and legal filings can damage credibility, and privacy rights related to your case may be inadvertently waived.
   • What to do instead: Document everything privately. Let your legal team control public messaging strategically, if any.

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

   • Why it’s wrong: If your child is considering legal action, returning for a meeting (even if framed as “just a talk”) exposes them to pressure, intimidation, or attempts to extract statements that can be detrimental to their case.
   • What to do instead: Once you are exploring legal avenues, inform the organization that all future communications must go through your attorney.

6. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”:

   • Why it’s wrong: Universities’ internal processes are often designed to protect the institution first. While they investigate, critical evidence can disappear, witnesses may graduate or forget details, and the statute of limitations may run out. The university’s internal “justice” often falls short of real accountability and compensation.
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW. Consult a lawyer immediately. University disciplinary processes are distinct from legal accountability.

7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer:

   • Why it’s wrong: Insurance adjusters, even those who seem friendly, work for the insurance company. They are trained to elicit information that can be used against your claim, and early settlement offers are almost always significantly undervalued.
   • What to do instead: Politely decline to speak to any insurance adjuster. Inform them that your attorney will contact them directly.

Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (like UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin) benefit from some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individual employees in their personal capacity. Private universities (such as SMU and Baylor) typically have fewer immunity protections. Every case hinges 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 Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default, it elevates to a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals in leadership positions within an organization can also face criminal charges for failing to report hazing or for engaging in retaliation against someone who reports.

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

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
  Generally, in Texas, you have 2 years from the date of injury or death to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. However, exceptions like the “discovery rule” may extend this period if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately apparent. In cases involving cover-ups or fraud, the statute of limitations may be tolled (paused). Time is always critical—evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations may destroy 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 hazing does not eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities or organizations can still be held liable based on their sponsorship, control, knowledge, and the foreseeability of hazing occurring even off-campus. Many major hazing cases that resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments, such as the Pi Delta Psi retreat case (Deng) or the Sigma Pi unofficial house case (Wiant), occurred off-campus.

• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  Most hazing cases are resolved through confidential settlements before going to trial. Our firm prioritizes your family’s privacy and can work to request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We aim to achieve accountability while protecting your child’s future and reputation.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

When your family faces a hazing case in Texas, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who intimately understand how powerful institutions—universities, national fraternities, and their insurance carriers—fight back, and how to effectively counteract their strategies to win.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, your Legal Emergency Lawyers™, brings a unique and powerful combination of experience to hazing litigation that few firms in Texas can match. From our Houston offices, we serve families like yours throughout Texas, including City of Hunters Creek Village and the surrounding region, who have been impacted by hazing at campuses across the state. We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families in City of Hunters Creek Village and across the region, whether their children attend UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor.

Our firm’s unique qualifications for complex hazing cases include:

• Insurance Insider Advantage with Lupe Peña: Associate Attorney Lupe Peña previously worked as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/). This invaluable experience means she knows precisely how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and often undervalue) hazing claims. She understands their delay tactics, their arguments for coverage exclusions, and their settlement strategies because “we know their playbook because we used to run it.”
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions with Ralph Manginello: Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/), has extensive experience in complex litigation, including being one of the few Texas firms involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. This background demonstrates our capability to take on and win against billion-dollar corporations. We are not intimidated by national fraternities, major universities, or their formidable defense teams; “we know how to fight powerful defendants.” Our federal court experience (United States District Court, Southern District of Texas) equips us for multi-district and significant cases involving federal regulations.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: The Manginello Law Firm has a proven track record of securing multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/). We collaborate with economists to accurately value lifetime care needs for victims with brain injuries or permanent disabilities. “We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.”
• Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) provides us with a nuanced understanding of how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. This dual expertise means we can advise on both criminal exposure and civil liability for all parties involved, including witnesses and former members who may face dual exposure.
• Investigative Depth: We pride ourselves on thorough investigative work, leveraging a network of experts including digital forensics specialists, medical professionals, and psychologists. We are skilled at obtaining hidden evidence—from deleted group chats and social media records to subpoenaing national fraternity records that reveal critical patterns, and uncovering university files through discovery and public records requests. “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

We leverage deep understanding of how fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, and athletic departments operate. We know what makes hazing cases different—the powerful institutional defendants, the intricate insurance coverage battles, the delicate balance of victim privacy versus public accountability, and the complexities of Greek culture and proving coercion.

“We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face.” Our job at The Manginello Law Firm is to get you answers, hold the responsible parties accountable, and contribute to preventing such tragedies from happening to another family. We are committed to thorough investigation and achieving real accountability, not just quick settlements.

Your Call to Action: Contact The Manginello Law Firm Today

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or another institution—we want to hear from you. Families in City of Hunters Creek Village and throughout the surrounding region have the right to answers and accountability.

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

What to expect in your free consultation:

• We will listen to your story with empathy and without judgment.
• We will review any evidence you have, such as photos, texts, or medical records.
• We will explain your legal options, including a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, pursuing both paths, or exploring other resolutions.
• We will discuss realistic timelines and what to expect throughout the legal process.
• We will answer your questions about costs; we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Watch our video explaining contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc
• Many families appreciate learning about common client mistakes that can undermine a case; watch Attorney911’s video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• There is no pressure to hire us on the spot—we want you to take the time you need to make an informed decision.
• Everything you tell us is strictly confidential.

Whether you’re in City of Hunters Creek Village or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Call us today.

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

Hablamos Español – For a consultation in Spanish, please contact Lupe Peña directly at lupe@atty911.com. 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