Texas Hazing Litigation: A Comprehensive Guide for City of Carrollton Families

The call comes late at night. Your child, home from their Texas university for a brief visit to City of Carrollton, sounds distressed, or perhaps they’re unusually quiet and withdrawn after an “initiation” event at an off-campus house. Maybe they’re vague about what happened, saying simply, “I can’t talk about it,” or, “Everyone does it.” Meanwhile, you see unexplained bruises, a sudden weight loss, or an exhaustion that goes far beyond typical college stress. You sense something is very wrong. They seem trapped between loyalty to a group and their own well-being.

This scenario isn’t just a worst nightmare for families navigating university life in City of Carrollton. It’s a reality far too many parents across Texas face when hazing takes a dangerous turn. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, we understand the fear, confusion, and anger that arise when your child is harmed by the very organizations meant to build camaraderie and leadership.

This comprehensive guide is designed for families in City of Carrollton and across Texas who need to understand:

• What hazing truly looks like in 2025, far beyond old stereotypes.
• The details of Texas and federal hazing laws.
• How national hazing tragedies shape accountability for Texas universities and organizations.
• Specific insights into hazing patterns at major Texas universities: the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, and Baylor University.
• The legal options available to victims and families in City of Carrollton and throughout Texas.

Please remember, this article provides general information and is not specific legal advice. However, The Manginello Law Firm is here to evaluate your individual case based on its specific facts. We serve families throughout Texas, including City of Carrollton, bringing our Houston-based expertise directly to those who need it most.

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 over concerns about “getting in trouble.”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, and direct messages immediately.
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles and over several days to show progression.
  • Save physical items like clothing worn during the hazing, receipts for forced purchases, or any objects used.
• Write down everything while memory is fresh: who was there, what happened, when and where it occurred.
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or other organization directly. This can lead to evidence destruction or retaliation.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company without legal advice.
  • Post any details on public social media before consulting a lawyer, as this can compromise a future case.
  • Let your child delete messages or attempt to “clean up” any evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

• Evidence in hazing cases disappears incredibly fast: group chats are deleted, physical objects are destroyed, and witnesses are coached.
• Universities often move quickly to control the narrative, sometimes minimizing the severity of incidents.
• We can help preserve critical evidence and protect your child’s rights from the very beginning.
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For City of Carrollton families, understanding hazing requires moving past outdated portrayals. It’s rarely the “harmless” pranks shown in movies. Modern hazing is an insidious web of power, control, and secrecy that can inflict profound physical and psychological harm. It’s any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, maintaining membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers mental or physical health, humiliates, or exploits someone.

A critical point many might not realize is that saying, “I agreed to it,” does not automatically make an activity safe or legal in the eyes of the law. When there’s immense peer pressure, a significant power imbalance, and the threat of social exclusion, true voluntary consent is often absent.

Main Categories of Hazing

Hazing manifests in various forms. While some parents might imagine only extreme physical abuse, the reality is far more complex and often subtle at first.

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This is tragically common and often deadly. It involves forced or coerced drinking, chugging competitions, “lineups” where members quickly consume multiple drinks, or games that require rapid intoxication. Pledges are often pressured to consume unknown substances or dangerous mixtures. The catastrophic consequences are frequently seen in national headlines.
• Physical Hazing: Beyond the classic image of paddling, this includes excessive calisthenics, “workouts,” long runs, or “smokings” (forced exercise until exhaustion) that go far beyond healthy conditioning. It also encompasses sleep deprivation, food and water restriction, and exposure to uncomfortable or dangerous environments like extreme cold or heat. Injuries from physical hazing are often downplayed or hidden.
• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This particularly degrading form involves forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts or positions (such as the “roasted pig” position seen in some military-style groups), requiring members to wear demeaning costumes, or participating in acts with racial, homophobic, or sexist overtones. The psychological scars from such treatment can last a lifetime.
• Psychological Hazing: Often overlooked but deeply damaging, psychological hazing involves verbal abuse, threats, forced isolation, constant berating, and public shaming, sometimes orchestrated on social media. It can also include emotional manipulation and forced confessions, eroding a student’s self-worth and creating intense anxiety.
• Digital/Online Hazing: This is a rapidly growing area of modern hazing. It includes group chat dares, online “challenges” that might involve embarrassing or dangerous acts, pressuring members to create or share compromising images and videos, and using apps for constant monitoring or demanding instant responses at all hours. Social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Discord are often weaponized.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

Hazing is not confined to a single type of organization. While fraternities and sororities (including Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and multicultural chapters) are frequently associated with hazing incidents, it’s crucial for City of Carrollton families to understand that abuse can occur in a wide range of groups:

• Fraternities and Sororities: All Greek life organizations, regardless of their council, can face hazing challenges.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: The tradition-heavy, hierarchical nature of these groups can sometimes create environments ripe for hazing.
• Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs: Groups like the Texas Cowboys or other campus spirit organizations can develop dangerous “traditions.”
• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to baseball, cheerleading, and swimming, hazing sometimes occurs under the guise of “team bonding” or “toughening up.”
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly innocuous organizations can fall prey to hazing rituals.
• Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations: Any group with an initiation process or desire for exclusivity can potentially engage in hazing.

The persistence of these practices, despite their documented dangers, is often fueled by a combination of social status, deeply entrenched “traditions,” and a powerful code of secrecy. Many students feel they “just have to get through it” to earn their place, creating a cycle of abuse that endangers members and undermines the very values these organizations claim to uphold.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

Understanding the legal landscape surrounding hazing in Texas is crucial for families in City of Carrollton seeking justice and accountability. Both state and federal laws aim to prevent hazing and punish those responsible, though the pathways for criminal prosecution differ from those for civil lawsuits.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions outlined in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. In plain terms for City of Carrollton residents, this law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, committed on or off campus, by one person or a group, directed against a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization, that:

• Endangers the physical health or safety of a student (e.g., beatings, forced exercise, coerced consumption of alcohol or drugs).
• Substantially affects the mental health or safety of a student (e.g., extreme humiliation, isolation, intimidation, psychological torment).

Key points about Texas hazing law:

• On or Off Campus: The law applies regardless of whether the hazing occurs on university property, at an off-campus house, or at a remote retreat.
• Intent vs. Recklessness: You don’t have to prove the perpetrators intended to cause harm; if they acted with reckless disregard for a student’s safety, that’s enough for a hazing violation.
• “Consent” is Not a Defense: Critically, Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that it is not a defense to a hazing accusation that the person being hazed “consented” to the activity. The law recognizes that true consent is impossible under duress, peer pressure, and power imbalances.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing:

• Class B Misdemeanor (Default): 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 requiring medical treatment.
• State Jail Felony: If the hazing results in serious bodily injury or death. This carries more severe penalties, including potential state jail time.
• Failing to Report: An officer or student who knows about hazing and fails to report it can also face misdemeanor charges.
• Retaliation: Retaliating against someone who reports hazing is also a misdemeanor.

Organizational Liability:

Under § 37.153, organizations themselves (fraternities, sororities, clubs, teams) can be criminally prosecuted for hazing if they:

• Authorized or encouraged the hazing.
• Had an officer or member, acting in an official capacity, who knew about the hazing and failed to report it.
  Penalties for organizations can include fines up to $10,000 per violation, and universities can revoke recognition, effectively banning the organization from campus.

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting:

§ 37.154 provides that individuals who report hazing incidents in good faith, whether to university officials or law enforcement, are generally immune from civil or criminal liability that might arise solely from that report. Many university policies and the Texas Good Samaritan Law also offer amnesty for students who call 911 for medical emergencies, even if underage drinking was involved. This provision is designed to encourage witnesses and victims to come forward without fear.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

It’s important for City of Carrollton families to understand the two distinct legal paths in hazing cases:

• Criminal Cases: These are brought by the state (prosecutors) and aim to punish illegal conduct. In hazing incidents, prosecutors might pursue charges for hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, or even manslaughter or negligent homicide in fatal cases. The goal is to enforce public safety and deter future offenses.
• Civil Cases: These are initiated by victims or their surviving families. The primary goal is monetary compensation and accountability for injuries, suffering, and losses incurred due to the hazing. Civil claims often focus on:
  • Negligence and Gross Negligence: The failure of individuals, organizations, or institutions to act reasonably to prevent foreseeable harm.
  • Wrongful Death: When a death results from the hazing.
  • Negligent Hiring/Supervision: If a university or national organization failed to properly supervise its employees or student leaders.
  • Premises Liability: If hazing occurred on property where the owner failed to maintain a safe environment.
  • Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress/Assault/Battery: For direct harms caused by the perpetrators.

Critically, a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. The burden of proof is different, and a civil jury can find liability even if criminal charges are not filed or do not result in a conviction. Both types of cases can proceed simultaneously.

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

In addition to Texas law, federal statutes add layers of oversight and accountability for hazing in higher education:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This landmark federal law requires colleges and universities receiving federal funds to:
  • Transparently report hazing incidents to the public, similar to how crime statistics are reported.
  • Strengthen hazing education and prevention measures.
  • Maintain and publicly share comprehensive hazing data. These provisions are being phased in, with full compliance expected around 2026. This act aims to create a national picture of hazing and hold institutions accountable for addressing it.
• Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based discrimination, Title IX comes into play. This federal law prohibits sex-based discrimination in education and requires universities to respond promptly and equitably to such incidents, whether they occur on or off campus.
• Clery Act: This federal law mandates that colleges and universities disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. If hazing incidents involve assaults, alcohol or drug offenses, or other reportable crimes, they fall under Clery Act reporting requirements. This helps ensure transparency in campus safety statistics.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

For City of Carrollton families considering legal action, identifying all potentially liable parties is crucial. Hazing lawsuits often involve multiple defendants, reflecting the layers of responsibility in these complex incidents:

• Individual Students: Those who actively planned, encouraged, supplied prohibited items (like alcohol), carried out the hazing acts, or participated in cover-ups can be held personally liable.
• Local Chapters/Organizations: The specific fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself can be sued as an entity where its members, particularly officers, authorized or participated in hazing.
• National Fraternities/Sororities: The national headquarters, umbrella organizations, or parent corporations of local chapters can be held liable. This often hinges on whether the national organization knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing at that chapter or similar chapters and failed to intervene effectively.
• Universities or Governing Boards: The educational institution itself, including its board of regents or trustees, may be sued. This can involve claims of:
  • Negligent Supervision: Failure to adequately supervise student organizations or employees.
  • Failure to Enforce Policies: Ignoring repeated hazing violations or failing to enforce anti-hazing rules.
  • Deliberate Indifference: Particularly in cases involving Title IX, if the university was aware of severe or pervasive discrimination and failed to act.
• Third Parties: This can include:
  • Landlords/Property Owners: If the hazing occurred on private property (like an off-campus house) where the owner knew or should have known about unsafe activities.
  • Alcohol Providers: Bars, stores, or individuals who illegally furnished alcohol to minors involved in hazing may face dram shop liability.
  • Security Companies or Event Organizers: If their negligence contributed to the incident.

Every hazing case is fact-specific, and not every party will be liable in every situation. A thorough investigation is required to identify all responsible entities.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

National hazing tragedies often share chillingly similar patterns. These cases aren’t isolated incidents; they represent a widespread cultural problem. For City of Carrollton families, understanding these national precedents is vital, as they influence how hazing cases are approached and litigated right here in Texas.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Forced alcohol consumption remains the leading cause of hazing fatalities across the country. The following cases illustrate recurring patterns of dangerous Big/Little rituals, delayed medical care, and a pervasive culture of silence.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge, died after participating in a series of excessive drinking rituals during a “bid acceptance” night. He suffered multiple falls, including down a flight of stairs, resulting in a traumatic brain injury. Fraternity brothers delayed calling 911 for nearly 12 hours, a cover-up captured on the chapter’s own security cameras. The tragedy led to dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, extensive civil litigation, and the enactment of Pennsylvania’s landmark Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. This case underscored how extreme intoxication, a delay in seeking medical help, and a pervasive culture of silence can be legally devastating for both individuals and organizations.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning after a “Big Brother Night” in which pledges were given handles of liquor and pressured to consume them quickly. The incident resulted in criminal hazing charges against multiple fraternity members. Florida State University subsequently suspended all Greek life and overhauled its hazing policies. Coffey’s death highlighted how formulaic “tradition” drinking nights are a repeating script for disaster within Greek organizations.
• Max Gruver – LSU, 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 with a blood alcohol content of 0.495%. His death led to Louisiana enacting the Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute, which was one of the strongest anti-hazing laws in the nation at the time. This case clearly demonstrated how legislative change often follows public outrage and undeniable proof of hazing.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old pledge for Pi Kappa Alpha, was forced to consume a full bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event. He died from alcohol poisoning. The incident led to multiple criminal convictions against fraternity members and a $10 million settlement with his family, with $7 million coming from the national Pi Kappa Alpha organization and approximately $3 million from Bowling Green State University. Foltz’s death led to the passing of Collin’s Law in Ohio, upgrading hazing to a felony. This case exemplifies how universities and national fraternities can face significant financial and reputational consequences.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Beyond alcohol, physical and psychologically brutal rituals continue to claim lives and cause severe injuries.

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng was a pledge at Pi Delta Psi fraternity. During a fraternity retreat in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, he was blindfolded, forced to wear a heavy backpack, and repeatedly tackled by fraternity brothers in a ritual called “the glass ceiling.” He suffered a fatal traumatic brain injury, and help was significantly delayed by fraternity members. The incident led to multiple criminal convictions, and the national fraternity itself was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter. Pi Delta Psi was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years and faced substantial fines. This landmark case showed that off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous or worse than on-campus parties, and that national organizations face serious sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is not exclusive to Greek life. Prestigious athletic programs, often with their own intense hierarchies and traditions, can also become breeding grounds for abuse.

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): In a scandal that rocked college athletics, former Northwestern football players came forward with allegations of widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the program spanning multiple years. The incidents included forced sexual acts, often involving an individual known as “The Shrek” who would perform “dry humping” on players. This led to multiple lawsuits against Northwestern University and the coaching staff, the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald (who subsequently filed a wrongful-termination suit that was confidentially settled), and a broader investigation into hazing across multiple NCAA sports at the university. This case demonstrated that hazing extends far beyond Greek life into major athletic programs, and that institutional oversight often fails even at elite universities.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

These national tragedies, with their haunting common threads, offer critical lessons for City of Carrollton families. They reveal recurring patterns of forced drinking, overt humiliation, ritualized violence, deliberate delays in calling for medical assistance, and concerted efforts to cover up the truth. In nearly every instance, substantial reforms, multi-million-dollar settlements, or verdicts followed only after immense tragedy and sustained legal action. For families in City of Carrollton whose children attend or plan to attend UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor, these national lessons underscore the high stakes and the critical importance of strong legal representation when hazing occurs.

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

For City of Carrollton families, whether your child attends college locally or across the state, understanding the unique context of hazing at Texas’s major universities is essential. While The Manginello Law Firm is based in Houston, we represent families throughout Texas, including residents of City of Carrollton and Denton County whose children may be enrolled at any of these institutions. We bring our expertise to ensure accountability no matter which campus is involved.

University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston, a vibrant urban campus with a mix of commuter and residential students, hosts an active Greek life and numerous student organizations. For City of Carrollton families, UH is a major university option, and it faces its own challenges with hazing.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH serves a diverse student body, fostering a dynamic urban university experience that includes a thriving Greek life across various councils, as well as numerous cultural, academic, and athletic groups. The university’s official hazing policies are designed to protect students participating in these organizations.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

UH explicitly prohibits hazing, whether it occurs on or off campus. Their policy covers forced consumption of alcohol, food, or drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and acts causing mental distress as part of initiation or membership. UH provides clear reporting channels through the Dean of Students Office, Student Conduct, and the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). The university publishes a public statement regarding hazing prevention on its website.

Example Incident & Response

In 2016, the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity chapter at UH faced significant scrutiny after allegations emerged that pledges were deprived of adequate food, water, and sleep during events. One student reportedly suffered a lacerated spleen after being slammed onto a table or similar surface. The incident gained widespread attention, leading to misdemeanor hazing charges and a university suspension for the chapter. Other fraternities at UH have also faced disciplinary action for behavior deemed “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” often involving alcohol misuse and policy violations, resulting in suspensions or probation. These cases highlight UH’s proactive stance in suspending chapters when hazing is confirmed. While UH’s public disciplinary records are not as extensive as some other Texas universities, these incidents demonstrate an ongoing commitment to addressing hazing.

How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed for a City of Carrollton Family

If a hazing incident were to occur involving a student from City of Carrollton at UH, City of Carrollton families would find that the process involves several key agencies. UHPD and/or the Houston Police Department would typically handle criminal investigations, depending on the precise location of the incident. Any civil lawsuits would likely be filed in the courts having jurisdiction over Houston and Harris County. Potential defendants would include the individual students involved, the local chapter, the national fraternity or sorority, and potentially the university itself, particularly if there’s evidence of negligence or policy failures. Landlords or owners of off-campus properties where hazing occurred might also be named.

What UH Students & Parents Should Do

For City of Carrollton students at UH, and their parents, immediate action is crucial if hazing is suspected:

• Report Hazing: Utilize UH’s official reporting channels, including the Dean of Students or UHPD. Consider making a report to the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE as an anonymous option.
• Document Everything: Meticulously record dates, times, names, locations, and details of any incidents. Screenshot text messages, social media posts, and any visual evidence.
• Seek Counsel: Contact a lawyer experienced in Houston-based hazing cases right away. An attorney can help uncover prior disciplinary actions against organizations at UH and navigate complex internal university files to build a strong case.
• Prioritize Safety: If your child is in immediate danger, call 911 first.

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, a sprawling institution steeped in tradition, especially with its Corps of Cadets, has a unique landscape. For City of Carrollton families thinking about sending their children here, understanding hazing’s role in this environment, both within Greek life and other organizations, is important.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M is renowned for its deep-rooted traditions, including the globally recognized Corps of Cadets. Alongside a vibrant Greek life, A&M fosters a strong sense of community and loyalty, which can, unfortunately, sometimes lead to hazing under the guise of “tradition” or “toughening up” in various student organizations.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Texas A&M unequivocally prohibits hazing, aligning with state law. Their policies cover physical, mental, and emotional abuse for the purpose of initiation or membership. The university encourages reporting through the Department of Student Conduct, the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, and the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD).

Example Incident & Response

In 2021, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) chapter at Texas A&M faced a lawsuit after two pledges alleged brutal hazing. They claimed they were forced to endure strenuous activities and had substances, including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, poured on them, resulting in severe chemical burns that required skin graft surgeries. The pledges sought $1 million in damages, and the fraternity was suspended by the university for two years. Such an incident underscores how hazing can involve extreme physical harm, moving beyond simple alcohol consumption.

More recently, a 2023 lawsuit against the university exposed alleged degrading hazing within the Corps of Cadets. A cadet claimed he was subjected to simulated sexual acts and was physically restrained in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. He sought over $1 million, prompting Texas A&M to state it had addressed the matter internally according to its regulations. These cases highlight that hazing is not confined to Greek life at A&M, and can occur in its deeply traditional Corps.

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed for a City of Carrollton Family

Should a City of Carrollton student at Texas A&M become a victim of hazing, criminal investigations could involve the Texas A&M UPD or the Bryan or College Station Police Departments. Civil lawsuits would likely proceed in courts within Brazos County, where the university is located. The scope of defendants could range from individual students and the local chapter to the national organization (for Greek life cases), and the university itself, particularly given the strong traditions within systems like the Corps of Cadets. Expert testimonies might be crucial to dissect the fine line between tradition and abuse.

What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do

For City of Carrollton students attending Texas A&M, and their parents, immediate and decisive action is critical:

• Understand Corps Traditions: Recognize the difference between legitimate military discipline and abusive hazing, which goes against military values.
• Official Reports: File reports with Texas A&M’s Department of Student Conduct or UPD. Anonymously report via the National Anti-Hazing Hotline if direct reporting is too intimidating.
• Evidence is Key: Document any injuries, sleep deprivation, or psychological distress your child experiences. Gather screenshots of digital communications used during “tradition” or “initiation” events.
• Consult Experienced Counsel: Engage a lawyer familiar with both Greek life and the specific cultural nuances of the Corps of Cadets and other A&M organizations. Our firm, from our Houston offices (https://attorney911.com), can help navigate these complex issues for City of Carrollton families.

University of Texas at Austin (UT)

As the flagship university of Texas, UT Austin attracts a significant number of students from City of Carrollton and across the state. Despite its academic prowess, UT has a documented history of hazing incidents, underscoring the universal challenge institutions face.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

The University of Texas at Austin is a large, vibrant university with a bustling Greek system, extensive athletic programs, and a wide array of student organizations. Its prominent status often means that incidents on campus draw significant public attention, making transparency and accountability particularly important.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

UT Austin maintains a strict anti-hazing policy, prohibiting any act for initiation or membership that causes physical or mental harm. The university is notably proactive in its transparency efforts, publishing a comprehensive Hazing Violations page on its website (hazing.utexas.edu). This page lists organizations, dates of violation, specific conduct, and the sanctions imposed. Reporting channels include the Dean of Students, Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, and the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD).

Example Incident & Response

UT Austin’s Hazing Violations page provides numerous examples. In 2023, the Pi Kappa Alpha chapter was sanctioned after new members were reportedly forced to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. This was deemed hazing, leading to the chapter being placed on probation and required to implement enhanced hazing-prevention education. Other student groups, including spirit organizations like the Texas Wranglers, have faced disciplinary action for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based practices. These public records are a crucial tool for understanding patterns and holding organizations accountable.

A 2024 lawsuit against the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) chapter highlights ongoing concerns at UT. An Australian exchange student alleged assault during a party, resulting in severe injuries including a dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and a broken nose. The chapter was already under suspension for prior hazing and safety violations at the time of the incident, demonstrating a pattern of institutional disregard for student safety.

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed for a City of Carrollton Family

For a City of Carrollton student involved in hazing at UT Austin, criminal matters could involve UTPD and/or the Austin Police Department. Civil actions would typically be filed in courts within Travis County. The university’s detailed public hazing log at hazing.utexas.edu is a unique and powerful source of potential evidence. These public records of prior violations can significantly strengthen civil lawsuits by demonstrating institutional knowledge and a pattern of negligence by the university or specific organizations.

What UT Austin Students & Parents Should Do

City of Carrollton parents of UT Austin students, and the students themselves, should take these steps:

• Review UT’s Hazing Violations Page: Check hazing.utexas.edu to see if specific organizations have prior hazing history. This information can be critical in evaluating risk and building a case.
• Report to UT: Use the university’s reporting mechanisms. If criminal activity occurred, contact UTPD or Austin PD.
• Document Systematically: Collect all evidence—especially digital communications and detailed accounts of incidents.
• Immediate Legal Consultation: An attorney can leverage UT’s public data, subpoena additional records, and navigate the complex legal landscape of a case involving civil and potentially criminal action in Travis County. Our firm works with families from City of Carrollton to ensure their rights are protected at UT Austin.

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University, known for its strong Greek presence and affluent student body in Dallas, is another significant institution where hazing can occur. For City of Carrollton families, SMU is a premier private university option.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

SMU is a private university with a highly competitive and socially active campus culture. Greek life plays a prominent role in student social circles, and SMU has a stated commitment to fostering a safe environment, though hazing incidents still emerge.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

SMU strictly prohibits hazing activities that endanger the mental or physical well-being of its students. As a private institution, SMU maintains internal disciplinary processes and reporting forms available through its Office of Student Affairs and the Dean of Students. They also encourage anonymous reporting through platforms like Real Response, designed to gather information on misconduct.

Example Incident & Response

In 2017, the Kappa Alpha Order chapter at SMU faced allegations of severe hazing, including reports of pledges being paddled, forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol, and deprived of sleep. This extensive hazing led to the chapter’s suspension and significant restrictions on its recruiting activities for several years. The incident highlighted that even at private universities with strict policies, hazing remains a persistent issue. Despite SMU’s efforts, the inherent secrecy in hazing often means that official responses come only after significant harm has occurred.

How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed for a City of Carrollton Family

If a City of Carrollton student were hazed at SMU, criminal investigations would typically involve the SMU Police Department and/or the Dallas Police Department. Civil lawsuits would likely be filed in Dallas County courts. As a private university, SMU does not have the same sovereign immunity protections as public institutions, which can simplify certain aspects of litigation. However, private universities also have less stringent public disclosure requirements, meaning internal reports and past incidents may not be publicly posted; our firm would seek this information through the legal discovery process.

What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

For City of Carrollton parents with students at SMU:

• Utilize SMU’s Reporting: Make use of SMU’s internal reporting mechanisms, including anonymous options.
• Understand Privacy: Be aware that due to SMU’s private status, some internal disciplinary records may not be publicly accessible. However, an attorney can obtain these through legal discovery.
• Document Diligently: Keep detailed records of any incidents, communications, and visible injuries.
• Timely Legal Consult: Contact an experienced hazing attorney who understands the nuances of litigation against private universities. Our firm advises City of Carrollton families on their options for pursuing accountability at SMU.

Baylor University

Baylor University, a private Baptist university in Waco, has faced intense scrutiny regarding student safety and institutional accountability in recent years, particularly concerning athletic programs and sexual assault. This history frames how hazing incidents are viewed and managed on its campus. For City of Carrollton families, Baylor offers a unique academic and student life experience rooted in faith-based principles.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor’s identity as a Christian institution deeply influences its campus culture and policies. While fostering strong community and spiritual growth, the university has also grappled with serious issues of campus misconduct, including a widely publicized sexual assault scandal involving its football program. This history means that any allegations of hazing are viewed through a lens of heightened sensitivity and a demand for institutional accountability.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Baylor maintains a strict “zero tolerance” policy against hazing, defining it broadly to include any action that places mental or physical health at risk for initiation or continued membership. The university encourages reporting through its Title IX Office (if applicable), the Baylor Police Department, and the Student Conduct Office.

Example Incident & Response

In 2020, Baylor’s baseball program became the subject of a hazing investigation. As a result, 14 players were suspended, with suspensions staggered throughout the early season. While the specific details of the hazing were not fully disclosed, the incident highlighted that hazing extends beyond Greek life into prominent athletic programs, even at institutions with strong ethical codes and recent histories of major misconduct investigations. This event also underscored the tension between official “zero tolerance” policies and recurring student behavior.

How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed for a City of Carrollton Family

A City of Carrollton student involved in hazing at Baylor might find criminal investigations conducted by the Baylor Police Department and/or the Waco Police Department. Civil lawsuits would generally be filed in courts within McLennan County. As a private university, Baylor does not benefit from sovereign immunity, making it directly actionable in civil court for negligence. However, given its history of intense scrutiny and legal battles, Baylor is typically represented by seasoned legal teams, underscoring the need for equally experienced counsel for victims.

What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do

City of Carrollton parents and students associated with Baylor should note:

• Leverage Institutional History: Baylor’s past struggles with institutional oversight mean its responses to new misconduct allegations are under increased public and legal scrutiny.
• Report Through Key Channels: Use Baylor’s Student Conduct Office or Title IX Office (if applicable), or the Baylor Police Department.
• Comprehensive Documentation: Gather all evidence meticulously. The nature of hazing often leaves digital footprints.
• Seek Specialized Legal Guidance: Given Baylor’s unique institutional context and its past legal challenges, obtaining counsel from a law firm experienced in holding major institutions accountable is essential. Our firm is equipped to assist City of Carrollton families navigating legal issues with Baylor University.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

When hazing occurs at a local chapter at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor, the reach of accountability often extends far beyond that single campus. For City of Carrollton families, it’s crucial to understand why the national history of a fraternity or sorority matters as much, if not more, than just the local chapter’s conduct.

Why National Histories Matter

Most fraternities and sororities with chapters at Texas universities are part of large, national, or even international organizations. These national headquarters are critical players because:

• They Set the Rules: National organizations issue extensive policy manuals, anti-hazing guidelines, and risk management protocols to their chapters.
• They Have Prior Knowledge: More often than not, these “thick anti-hazing manuals” exist precisely because the national organization has a history of member deaths, catastrophic injuries, and costly lawsuits stemming from hazing incidents at other chapters across the country. They know the patterns: the forced drinking nights, the paddling traditions, the humiliating rituals.
• They Collect Dues and Oversee Chapters: National HQs often collect dues from local members and are supposed to provide oversight, training, and support to local chapters.

When a chapter at a Texas university—whether it’s UT Austin, Texas A&M, or SMU—repeats a pattern of behavior that has historically led to injury, death, and lawsuits at other chapters of the same national organization, this creates a crucial legal argument of foreseeability. It suggests the national organization had prior knowledge of the danger and failed to take adequate steps to prevent it, which can significantly strengthen negligence or even punitive damages arguments.

Organization Patterns: A Glimpse into National Histories

While we cannot list every single chapter or incident, a look at some common national organizations present at Texas universities reveals concerning patterns often cited in litigation:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Widely known for incidents like the Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green State University, where a pledge died from alcohol poisoning after forced consumption. Other cases, such as David Bogenberger at Northern Illinois University, also involved pledges dying due to extreme alcohol hazing. These incidents establish a pattern of dangerous “Big/Little” rituals and excessive alcohol use.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): This fraternity has a tragic national history, marked by multiple hazing-related deaths and severe injuries nationwide involving alcohol and physical abuse. Lawsuits include allegations of traumatic brain injury (University of Alabama) and severe chemical burns (Texas A&M University, where pledges were allegedly doused with industrial-strength cleaner). In 2024, an Australian exchange student sued the UT Austin chapter for over $1 million after an alleged assault that resulted in severe leg and facial injuries. SAE’s repeated involvement in such incidents paints a clear picture of an organization frequently battling hazing allegations across its chapters.
• Phi Delta Theta: Associated with the tragic death of Max Gruver at Louisiana State University, where a pledge died from a forced drinking game. The subsequent Max Gruver Act made hazing a felony in Louisiana, highlighting the severe consequences of this fraternity’s hazing practices.
• Pi Kappa Phi: The death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” is a prominent example of this fraternity’s hazing history, often involving large amounts of liquor provided to pledges.
• Beta Theta Pi: The death of Timothy Piazza at Penn State, where a pledge succumbed to injuries after forced drinking and falls, brought widespread national attention to Beta Theta Pi’s hazing culture and the dangerous practice of delayed medical care.
• Kappa Alpha Order: This fraternity has faced numerous hazing suspensions across the country, including incidents at SMU where pledges were reportedly paddled, forced to drink, and deprived of sleep.
• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI): The catastrophic brain damage suffered by Danny Santulli at the University of Missouri during an alcohol-fueled hazing event led to multi-million-dollar settlements with Phi Gamma Delta and its members, underscoring the potential for permanent, life-altering injuries.
• Sigma Chi: Verdicts and settlements exceeding $10 million (e.g., College of Charleston) have highlighted severe physical beatings, forced consumption, and psychological torment within some chapters. Another UT Arlington case involved a pledge hospitalized with alcohol poisoning, leading to a settlement.
• Omega Psi Phi: A federal lawsuit was filed in 2023 against the university and the Nu Eta chapter at the University of Southern Mississippi, alleging severe hazing including repeated beatings with a wooden paddle that required emergency surgery and months of rehabilitation.
• Kappa Sigma: The high-profile Chad Meredith wrongful death case at the University of Miami, where a pledge drowned after being coerced into a dangerous swim while highly intoxicated, resulted in a $12.6 million verdict. Recent litigation at Texas A&M also involved claims of severe injuries from physical hazing.

Tie Back to Legal Strategy

For City of Carrollton families, these national patterns are not just historical curiosities. They form the bedrock of a strong legal strategy:

• Proving Foreseeability: When an organization has a history of certain types of hazing, a national defense arguing “we didn’t know this could happen” becomes extremely difficult.
• Impact on Settlement and Litigation: Documented national patterns often increase the leverage for plaintiffs during settlement negotiations and can persuade juries to award significant damages, sometimes including punitive damages, against organizations that have demonstrated willful indifference to student safety.
• Navigating Insurance: These histories inform how skilled hazing attorneys challenge insurance companies that try to deny coverage based on “intentional acts” clauses. An experienced attorney can argue that the organization’s negligent failure to prevent the foreseeable hazing is a covered event.

At The Manginello Law Firm, we meticulously research these national histories to build compelling cases for families impacted by hazing at Texas universities. We expose patterns of failure and hold powerful organizations accountable for actions they repeatedly knew were dangerous.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Successfully pursuing a hazing claim against powerful organizations and institutions requires a sophisticated and aggressive legal approach. For City of Carrollton families, understanding the types of evidence that make a difference, the categories of damages you can pursue, and the strategic complexities involved is crucial.

Collecting the Right Evidence is Critical

Hazing cases often rely heavily on circumstantial evidence and a thorough investigation to piece together what happened when perpetrators attempt to cover up their actions. For City of Carrollton families, evidence collection begins immediately and never stops. Attorney911’s video on using your phone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) explains best practices for preserving screenshots and photos.

• Digital Communications: In 2025, group chats and direct messages are often the most damning evidence. We pursue:
  • GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack: Messages from these platforms often show the planning, intent, specific instructions, and cover-up efforts.
  • Social Media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, TikTok comments, or posts can reveal coercion, humiliation, or direct hazing acts. Even if “disappearing messages” are used, digital forensics can often recover them.
• Photos & Videos: Any content filmed by members during hazing events, footage shared in private group chats, or publicly posted (then deleted) can be crucial. This also includes surveillance footage from houses, venues, or even Ring/doorbell cameras where incidents took place.
• Internal Organization Documents: These can include pledge manuals, initiation scripts (often euphemistically called “traditions”), emails or texts from officers giving instructions, and official national policies versus actual chapter practices. These documents reveal intent and knowledge of hazing.
• University Records: We seek prior conduct files for the organization, records of previous disciplinary actions, probation or suspensions, incident reports filed with campus police or student conduct offices, and even Clery Act reports or similar disclosures that show patterns of prior misconduct and a university’s knowledge.
• Medical and Psychological Records: These document the extent of harm. This includes emergency room reports, hospitalization records, surgery and rehabilitation notes, toxicology reports (for alcohol/drug involvement), and critical psychological evaluations for conditions like PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
• Witness Testimony: Eyewitness accounts from other pledges, current or former members, roommates, Resident Advisors (RAs), coaches, trainers, or even bystanders are invaluable. Many former members, no longer under the organizational pressure, may be willing to speak the truth.

Damages in Hazing Cases

Hazing can cause severe, long-lasting consequences. The law aims to compensate victims and families for these harms. While we never promise specific dollar amounts, we help City of Carrollton families understand the types of damages they can pursue:

• Medical Bills & Future Care: This covers immediate emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, ongoing medical treatment, physical therapy, prescription medications, and, in severe cases like brain injuries, future long-term care or “life care plans.”
• Lost Earnings / Educational Impact: This includes income lost if the victim or a parent had to take time off work. It also covers the profound impact on a student’s education, such as missed semesters, loss of scholarships, delayed graduation, and reduced future earning capacity if permanent injuries or psychological trauma prevent them from pursuing their chosen career.
• Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for subjective but very real suffering, including:
  • Physical Pain and Suffering: From injuries, recovery, and any ongoing chronic pain.
  • Emotional Distress and Psychological Harm: Covering trauma, humiliation, shame, anxiety, depression, PTSD, lasting fear, and loss of dignity. This is why psychological evaluations are so crucial.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to participate in activities, hobbies, or social life the victim once enjoyed, and the diminished quality of life caused by the hazing.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): In the tragic event of a hazing-related death, families can pursue:
  • Funeral and Burial Costs: Direct expenses related to the death.
  • Loss of Companionship and Support: For parents, children, or sometimes siblings, this compensates for the profound emotional loss and the absence of the deceased’s love, comfort, and guidance.
  • Loss of Financial Support: If the deceased would have contributed to the family’s income in the future.
  • Emotional Harm: For the severe grief and suffering experienced by immediate family members.
    In Texas, only certain family members can bring wrongful death claims. Attorney911 has extensive wrongful death experience (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/), having recovered millions for families in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing cases are often intricate due to the number of potential defendants and the complexities of insurance coverage. National fraternities, sororities, and universities typically carry substantial insurance policies designed to protect them from liability. However, insurers will often try to:

• Argue that hazing or “intentional acts” are excluded from coverage.
• Claim that their policy doesn’t cover certain specific defendants or types of harm.
• Delay, deny, or minimize claims.

This is where the specialized expertise of a firm like The Manginello Law Firm becomes invaluable. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/) is crucial for navigating fraternity and university insurance coverage disputes. We meticulously identify all potential sources of coverage, aggressively challenge unjust exclusions, and strategically negotiate with insurers to ensure full accountability. Our goal is to maximize compensation for our clients, often pushing past initial denials to hold the liable parties, and their insurers, responsible.

Practical Guides & FAQs

When hazing impacts a family in City of Carrollton, immediate, clear guidance is essential. Here, we offer practical advice for parents, students, and even former members, along with answers to common legal questions.

For Parents in City of Carrollton

It can be terrifying to suspect your child is being hazed. Early recognition and careful action can make all the difference.

• Warning Signs of Hazing: City of Carrollton parents should be vigilant for:
  • Physical Changes: Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, cuts), extreme fatigue, significant weight loss or gain, constant exhaustion, or chemical burns.
  • Behavioral & Emotional Shifts: Sudden secrecy about their organization’s activities (“I can’t talk about it”), withdrawal from family and non-Greek friends, increased anxiety, depression, irritability, or an obsession with pleasing older members. They might say things like, “I just have to get through this.”
  • Academic Decline: Sudden drops in grades, missing classes, or falling asleep due to late-night “mandatory” events.
  • Digital Obsession: Constant phone use for group chats, responding to messages at all hours, or anxiety when their phone buzzes.
• How to Talk to Your Child: Approach them with empathy, not judgment. Ask open-ended questions like, “How are things going with your group? Are you enjoying it? Is anything making you uncomfortable?” Emphasize their safety and well-being over loyalty to the organization, and assure them you will support them no matter what.
• If Your Child is Hurt: Prioritize medical care immediately. Document everything meticulously: take clear photos of injuries, screenshot any text messages or social media posts they show you, and write down every detail they share—who, what, when, where—while it’s fresh.
• Dealing with the University: Document every communication with university administrators. Specifically ask about prior incidents involving the same organization and what the university did in response.
• 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 or covering up what happened, contact an experienced hazing lawyer immediately.

For Students / Pledges

If you are a student in City of Carrollton attending a Texas university, and you are experiencing pressure or abuse, know your rights and options.

• Is This Hazing or Just “Tradition”? If an activity makes you feel unsafe, humiliated, fearful, or coerced; if you’re forced to drink or endure physical pain; if older members make you do things they don’t do themselves; or if you’re told to keep the activity secret from outsiders or administrators—it is hazing. Your gut feeling is often right.
• Why “Consent” Isn’t the End of the Story: The law, particularly in Texas, recognizes that so-called “consent” given under immense peer pressure, fear of exclusion, or the desire to belong is not true voluntary consent. You have rights even if you “agreed” to participate.
• Exiting and Reporting Safely: You have the legal right to leave any organization at any time. If you feel unsafe, remove yourself from the situation and reach out to a trusted adult. You can report privately or anonymously through campus channels, anonymous tip lines (like the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE), or directly to local law enforcement if crimes have occurred.
• Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty: Many universities and Texas law offer protections (like immunity) for students who report hazing or call for help in an emergency, even if they were also involved in underage drinking or the hazing itself. These provisions are designed to prioritize safety.

For Former Members / Witnesses

If you were once involved in hazing, or witnessed it, and now regret your actions or want to do the right thing, your input can be invaluable.

• Your Role in Accountability: Your testimony and any evidence you possess can be key to preventing future harm and holding culpable individuals and organizations accountable.
• Seeking Legal Advice: If you’re concerned about your own potential legal exposure (criminal or civil), it’s wise to seek your own legal counsel. An attorney can advise you on your rights and obligations, and how best to cooperate with an investigation while protecting yourself. Lawyers can help navigate your role as a witness or even a potential co-defendant.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

For City of Carrollton families, taking the right steps immediately after a hazing incident is crucial. Making common mistakes, often out of fear or a misunderstanding of the legal process, can severely jeopardize your ability to seek justice. Attorney911’s video on client mistakes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY) explains common pitfalls.

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages or “Clean Up” Evidence:
   • The Mistake: Families, often with good intentions, instruct their child to delete embarrassing photos, texts, or group chats.
   • Why It’s Wrong: This can be seen as a cover-up, potentially obstruct an investigation, and makes proving your case almost impossible. Digital forensics can often recover deleted data, but original, unedited screenshots are far more powerful.
   • What to Do Instead: Preserve everything, immediately. Even seemingly harmless or embarrassing content can provide critical context.
2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly:
   • The Mistake: Parents, fueled by anger, confront chapter members or advisors.
   • Why It’s Wrong: The organization will immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and begin building a defense against you.
   • What to Do Instead: Document all information privately and then contact a lawyer before any confrontation.
3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms:
   • The Mistake: Universities often push families to sign waivers or agreements for an “internal resolution” that might seem expedient.
   • Why It’s Wrong: You may unknowingly waive your right to pursue a civil lawsuit, and these internal settlements are typically far below the true value of your case.
   • What to Do Instead: Absolutely do NOT sign anything from the university or any organization without an attorney thoroughly reviewing it first.
4. Posting Details on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer:
   • The Mistake: Wanting to alert others or vent frustration, families post detailed accounts on public platforms.
   • Why It’s Wrong: Defense attorneys will screenshot every post. Any inconsistencies can be used to attack your credibility, and you may unknowingly waive legal privileges.
   • What to Do Instead: Document privately. Let your attorney control any public messaging once a strategy is in place.
5. Letting Your Child Go Back to a “One Last Meeting”:
   • The Mistake: Organizations often try to coax students into a final “talk” before they formally leave or take legal action.
   • Why It’s Wrong: This is an opportunity for them to pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that could harm your case.
   • What to Do Instead: Once you are considering legal action, all communication from the organization should be directed to your attorney.
6. Waiting “to See How the University Handles It”:
   • The Mistake: Relying solely on the university’s internal process, hoping they will deliver justice.
   • Why It’s Wrong: Evidence vanishes quickly, witnesses graduate, the statute of limitations continues to run, and the university’s primary goal is often self-preservation and protecting its own reputation, not necessarily maximizing your child’s recovery or holding negligent parties fully accountable.
   • What to Do Instead: Preserve evidence now and consult with an experienced hazing lawyer immediately. The university process is separate from pursuing real legal accountability.
7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer:
   • The Mistake: Engaging directly with adjusters who claim they just need a statement to “process the claim.”
   • Why It’s Wrong: Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Any statement you give can be used against you, and initial settlement offers are almost always lowball.
   • What to Do Instead: Politely decline to speak with them and inform them that your attorney will be in contact.

Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities like the University of Houston, Texas A&M, and UT Austin have some sovereign immunity protections under Texas law, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individual employees in their personal capacity. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on its specific facts—contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis.
• “Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
  It can be. While Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default, it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers can also face criminal charges for failing to report hazing they knew about.
• “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 a hazing charge or lawsuit. Courts recognize that “consent” given under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent.
• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
  Generally, you have 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. However, the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving cover-ups or fraud, the statute of limitations may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations destroy records. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to discuss your specific timeline. Learn about Texas statute of limitations in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  The location of the hazing does not eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be held liable based on their sponsorship, control, knowledge, and the foreseeability of the hazing. Many major hazing cases that resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments, such as the Pi Delta Psi retreat case or cases involving “unofficial” off-campus houses, occurred away from university grounds.
• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  Many hazing cases resolve through confidential settlements before a public trial. It is often possible to request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms to protect your family’s privacy while still pursuing accountability. We prioritize your family’s privacy in all legal strategies.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

When your family in City of Carrollton faces the devastation of a hazing incident, you need more than just any personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who intimately understand how powerful institutions—national fraternities, wealthy universities, and their seasoned legal teams—fight back, and more importantly, how to prevail against them.

At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, we stand as Legal Emergency Lawyers™ here in Texas, bringing unparalleled experience to complex hazing litigation. We serve families across Texas, including City of Carrollton and throughout Denton County. We know that hazing at Texas universities impacts families far beyond the campus borders.

Our firm offers unique qualifications that directly benefit hazing victims:

• Insurance Insider Advantage: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, brings invaluable insight from her previous career as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. She knows precisely how fraternity and university insurance companies value (or, more often, undervalue) hazing claims. She understands their delay tactics, their arguments for coverage exclusions, and their settlement strategies because she used to be on their side. We know their playbook because we used to run it. Lupe Peña’s complete credentials are detailed at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions: Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has extensive experience taking on formidable opponents. He was involved in the complex BP Texas City explosion litigation, demonstrating our capacity to challenge billion-dollar corporations in federal court (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas). We are not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their deep-pocketed defense teams. We know how to fight powerful defendants and achieve significant results.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: We possess a proven track record in obtaining multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. This includes collaborating with economists to accurately value lifetime care needs for victims with brain injuries or permanent disabilities. We don’t settle cheap; we meticulously build cases that compel true accountability.
• Dual Criminal and Civil Expertise: Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) provides a distinct advantage. We understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation, allowing us to advise witnesses and former members who may face dual exposure while also strengthening the civil case.
• Investigative Depth: We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does. We leverage a robust network of experts, from digital forensics specialists who can recover deleted group chats and social media evidence, to medical professionals, economists, and psychologists who can fully assess the physical, psychological, and financial impact of hazing. We know how to subpoena national fraternity records to uncover patterns of prior incidents and compel universities to release internal files through diligent discovery and public records requests.

We recognize that enduring a hazing incident is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our job is not just to secure compensation, but to get you answers, hold the responsible parties accountable, and work to prevent such tragedies from happening to another family. Our approach is characterized by thorough investigation and genuine accountability, driven by empathy for victims.

Call to Action for City of Carrollton Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether it’s UT Austin, Texas A&M, SMU, Baylor, the University of Houston, or another institution—we want to hear from you. Families in City of Carrollton and throughout Denton County have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm today 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 your family.

What to expect in your free consultation:

• We will listen to your story with compassion and without judgment.
• We will review any evidence you have, such as photos, texts, or medical records.
• We will clearly explain your legal options—whether that involves a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, both, or neither.
• We will discuss realistic timelines and what to expect throughout the legal process.
• We will answer all your questions about our costs; we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case. You can watch our video explaining contingency fees at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.
• There is no pressure to hire us on the spot; we encourage you to take the time you need to make an informed decision.
• Everything you tell us during this consultation is confidential.

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

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911:

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

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

Legal Disclaimer

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

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

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

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