Unmasking the Dangers of Hazing: A Guide for Washington Families on Texas Campus Abuse

In the verdant landscapes of Washington, where evergreen forests meet the glimmer of the Puget Sound, families often envision bright futures for their children at acclaimed Texas universities. The pursuit of higher education, Greek life, or prestigious athletic programs promises growth, camaraderie, and lifelong connections. Yet, beneath this veneer of opportunity, a darker reality can lurk – the hidden world of hazing.

Imagine a scene: it’s “initiation night” at an off-campus fraternity house near a major Texas university. A student from Washington, eager to belong, is being pressured to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol, perform degrading acts, or endure extreme physical abuse. Others stand by, cell phones in hand, recording the spectacle, chanting, and laughing. Suddenly, someone collapses, vomits, or hits their head. Panic ripples through the group. No one wants to call 911, fearing the group’s “brotherhood” will be exposed or the chapter shut down. The student, injured and afraid, feels trapped, caught between a desperate need for acceptance and their own failing health.

This isn’t a rare or isolated incident. This could happen at any Texas university—including schools where Washington families send their children.

This comprehensive guide aims to arm Washington families with the crucial knowledge needed to protect their loved ones. We delve into the sobering realities of modern hazing, the specific dangers at prominent Texas institutions like the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, Southern Methodist University, and Baylor, and the legal avenues available for accountability and justice. Even if your child attends school far from our home base in Houston, Texas hazing law and experienced Texas counsel can provide critical support.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

• If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

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

• In the first 48 hours:

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

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

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

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For Washington families unfamiliar with modern Greek life or collegiate organizations, hazing often conjures outdated images from movies – a harmless prank or a bit of roughhousing. However, hazing in 2025 is far more insidious, dangerous, and often hidden. It’s an issue rooted in power dynamics, secrecy, and a warped sense of “tradition” that can lead to severe physical, psychological, and even fatal consequences.

Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing, in its simplest terms, is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. This definition broadens the scope beyond mere physical abuse to encompass psychological manipulation, social exclusion, and digital harassment. The key is that “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and a significant power imbalance.

Main Categories of Hazing

Hazing manifests in various forms, often escalating in severity. We categorize these into three tiers:

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing

Subtle hazing often disguises itself as harmless fun, team-building, or tradition, but it systematically emphasizes power imbalances. These behaviors, while not immediately dangerous, break down individual autonomy and create an environment ripe for escalation to more severe forms of abuse. For Washington students seeking new collegiate communities, these subtle signs can be the first indication of a problematic group culture.

• Deception and Secrecy: Pledges are often told to lie or withhold information from parents, university officials, or outsiders about group activities. This cultivates a culture of distrust and isolation.
• Servitude: Requiring new members to perform menial tasks for older members, such as cleaning rooms, doing laundry, driving them around at all hours, or being “on call 24/7.”
• Degrading Language or Names: Assigning demeaning nicknames or forcing new members to respond to insults.
• Social Isolation: Restricting contact with friends outside the group, or dictating who new members can socialize with.
• Academic Interference: Mandatory late-night meetings or activities that interfere with studying, sleep, or class attendance.
• Humiliating Tasks: “Scavenger hunts” or “tasks” designed to embarrass new members in public.
• Digital Vigilance: Requiring instant responses to group chats at all hours, or monitoring social media activity.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing

This tier involves behaviors that cause emotional or physical discomfort, creating a hostile environment that can still be dismissed as “just part of the experience.”

• Verbal Abuse: Constant yelling, screaming, insults, and demeaning language used to intimidate or belittle.
• Sleep Deprivation: Enforced late-night activities and early morning wake-up calls, sometimes stretching for days, seriously impacting health and academic performance.
• Food or Water Restriction: Limiting access to meals, forcing consumption of unpleasant substances (like hot sauce or spoiled food), or forcing pledges to eat excessive amounts of bland items.
• Excessive Physical Exertion: Prolonged and extreme calisthenics, forced runs, or “workouts” that push physical limits beyond safety, under the guise of “conditioning.”
• Public Humiliation: Forcing pledges to participate in embarrassing public stunts, wear degrading costumes, or endure “roasts” where they are verbally attacked.
• Exposure to Unsanitary Conditions: Forcing pledges into filthy environments or covering them with unpleasant, non-harmful substances like eggs or dirt.
• Digital Humiliation: Forcing pledges to post embarrassing social media content, participate in online challenges, or endure mockeries in private group chats.

Tier 3: Violent Hazing

This is the most dangerous tier, carrying a high potential for severe physical injury, psychological trauma, sexual assault, or even death.

• Forced Alcohol or Drug Consumption: This is the most common and deadly form of hazing, involving “lineup” drinking, rapid chugging, bottle exchanges, or coerced use of illicit substances.
• Physical Beatings: Paddling, punches, kicks, slaps, or other forms of physical assault. “Branding” with hot objects is also documented.
• Dangerous Physical Tests: Blindfolded tackling rituals, staged fights, dangerous driving, or forced exposure to extreme weather without proper attire.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, or sexual assault, which can leave deep, lasting psychological scars.
• Discrimination: Hazing acts with racist, homophobic, or sexist overtones.
• Kidnapping or Restraint: Abducting pledges and abandoning them far from campus, or physically binding and restraining them.
• Extreme Environmental Exposure: Locking pledges in confined, cold, or hot spaces, or denying access to basic necessities like bathrooms.
• Chemical Hazing: Historically documented in national cases, involving pouring harmful or irritating substances onto pledges.
• Fire/Burn Hazing: Incidents like the Phi Kappa Psi case at San Diego State demonstrate the extreme dangers of forced contact with fire or heat.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

It’s a common misconception that hazing is exclusively a “frat boy” problem. In reality, hazing transcends organizational boundaries, occurring in settings driven by status, tradition, and secrecy. For Washington students, understanding this broader context is key to identifying risk:

• Fraternities and Sororities: Both Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and multicultural Greek-letter organizations.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC: Military-style groups often have ingrained cultures of physical and psychological “initiation.”
• Athletic Teams: From football to swimming, cheerleading, and club sports.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly benign groups can harbor dangerous hazing traditions.
• Spirit Squads and Tradition Groups: Organizations associated with school spirit or long-standing campus traditions.
• Other Student Organizations: Including some service, cultural, and academic clubs where a power dynamic develops.

The common threads linking these diverse groups are social status, tradition, and a code of silence. These elements create an environment where hazing can flourish unchecked, even when explicitly prohibited.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

For Washington families facing the reality of hazing on a Texas campus, the legal landscape can seem daunting. However, both state and federal laws provide avenues for accountability. It’s crucial to understand these frameworks to pursue justice for your child.

Texas Hazing Law Basics

Texas has explicit anti-hazing provisions enshrined in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. This law broadly defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

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

This means that if someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they intended to do it or were reckless about the risk, that is hazing under Texas law. Critically, this can happen on or off campus, and harm can be mental or physical. The defense of “consent” is explicitly rejected by the law.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing:

• Class B Misdemeanor: The default charge for hazing, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
• Class A Misdemeanor: If the hazing causes bodily injury, the charges can be elevated.
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, the charge becomes a state jail felony, carrying more severe penalties.

Additionally, individuals who fail to report hazing (if they are a member or officer and knew about it) can face misdemeanor charges. Retaliating against someone who reports hazing is also a misdemeanor.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

Understanding the distinction between criminal and civil cases is vital for families seeking justice.

• Criminal Cases: These are brought by the state (prosecutor) on behalf of the public. Their aim is to punish the individual wrongdoers through jail time, fines, or probation. In hazing incidents, prosecutors might pursue hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, or even manslaughter or negligent homicide in fatal cases.
• Civil Cases: These are initiated by victims or their surviving families against those responsible for the harm. The primary goal is monetary compensation for damages suffered and to hold individuals and institutions accountable. Civil cases typically focus on legal theories like negligence (failure to act reasonably), gross negligence (extreme carelessness), wrongful death, negligent hiring or supervision, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

It’s important to note that criminal and civil cases can proceed independently. A criminal conviction is not a prerequisite for pursuing a civil lawsuit, and victims can seek compensation even if criminal charges are never filed or result in acquittal.

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

Beyond Texas state law, federal regulations add layers of protection and accountability for students.

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This landmark federal legislation mandates that colleges and universities receiving federal funds must adopt a more transparent approach to hazing. By around 2026, institutions will be required to:

  • Publicly report hazing incidents, detailing the organizations involved, the nature of the misconduct, and the disciplinary actions taken.
  • Implement comprehensive hazing education and prevention programs.
  • Maintain publicly accessible data on hazing incidents.
    This act aims to provide families, including those in Washington, with clearer information about hazing risks at colleges nationwide.

• Title IX: This federal law prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. If hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. This requires universities to investigate and respond appropriately, regardless of whether the hazing occurs on or off campus.

• Clery Act: The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Certain hazing incidents that involve assault, alcohol or drug violations, or other reportable offenses can fall under Clery Act reporting requirements, contributing to campus safety transparency.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

In a civil hazing lawsuit, a range of individuals and entities can be held responsible for the harm caused:

• Individual Students: Those who actively planned, carried out, supplied alcohol, or participated in the hazing acts, or helped cover them up.
• Local Chapter/Organization: The fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself, if it operates as a legal entity. This includes chapter officers and “pledge educators” who often play key roles.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: The national headquarters of Greek-letter organizations can be held liable. Their liability often stems from establishing policies, collecting dues, and their supervisory role over local chapters, especially if they had knowledge of previous hazing incidents or failed to adequately enforce their own anti-hazing policies.
• University or Governing Board: The educational institution itself, or its governing board (like the Board of Regents for public universities in Texas), can be sued under theories of negligence, gross negligence, or premises liability. This liability often hinges on whether the university had prior warnings about hazing, failed to enforce its own policies, or showed deliberate indifference to known risks.
• Third Parties: This can include landlords or property owners of off-campus houses or event spaces where hazing occurred, or even bars and alcohol providers who illegally served minors, under laws like Texas’s Dram Shop Act.

Every case is unique, and the specific facts determine who may ultimately be held liable.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

The tragic stories of hazing victims across the United States serve as stark reminders of the profound human cost of these dangerous traditions. These cases not only expose the brutality of hazing but also establish crucial legal precedents for accountability. For Washington families, understanding these national patterns illuminates the severe risks and the legal strategies that have forced institutions and organizations to pay millions.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

The vast majority of hazing-related deaths are attributed to forced or excessive alcohol consumption, often during “bid night” or “big/little” events.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): In one of the most publicized hazing cases in U.S. history, Timothy Piazza, 19, died from traumatic brain injuries and a ruptured spleen after consuming a dangerous amount of alcohol during a bid acceptance event. Security cameras captured him falling repeatedly, only for fraternity brothers to delay calling 911 for nearly 12 hours. The aftermath led to dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, extensive civil litigation, and the enactment of the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania. This case underscored the lethal consequences of extreme intoxication, the critical dangers of delayed medical intervention, and the pervasive culture of cover-ups.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Andrew Coffey, 20, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” where pledges were given handles of hard liquor. This repetitive ritual proved fatal, resulting in criminal hazing charges against multiple members and leading FSU to temporarily suspend all Greek life and overhaul its policies. Coffey’s death, along with others, highlights how formulaic drinking nights are a recurring script for disaster, showing national organizations repeated warnings about such practices.

• Max Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): At a “Bible study” drinking game, Max Gruver, 18, was forced to drink if he answered questions incorrectly. He died with a blood-alcohol content of 0.495%. His death spurred the passage of the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making felony hazing a reality. This case powerfully demonstrates how public outrage and clear evidence of hazing can drive significant legislative change, transforming misdemeanor acts into severe criminal offenses.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone Foltz, 20, died after consuming a handle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” pledge night. This tragic event resulted in multiple criminal convictions for hazing-related charges against eight fraternity members. Furthermore, BGSU, a public university, agreed to a substantial settlement of nearly $3 million with Foltz’s family, with other settlements reached with the fraternity and individuals. Foltz’s death underscores the significant financial and reputational consequences that both universities and fraternities can face, particularly when such incidents align with known national patterns of alcohol hazing. His parents settled for $10 million from the national fraternity and university, and have become national anti-hazing advocates.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Beyond alcohol, physical and psychologically brutal hazing rituals continue to cause severe injuries and fatalities.

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng, 19, died after a brutal “glass ceiling” ritual at an off-campus fraternity retreat in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Blindfolded and weighted down with a backpack, he was repeatedly tackled by fraternity members. His injuries were fatal, and critical medical help was delayed by over an hour. This landmark case led to multiple criminal convictions for members, and the national fraternity itself was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, subsequently banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Deng’s case proved that off-campus retreats are not immune from accountability and can lead to severe sanctions against national organizations.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is not confined to Greek life; it is a pervasive issue within athletic programs, often disguised as team-building or “tough love.”

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): A scandal erupted when former football players alleged widespread sexualized, racist, and dehumanizing hazing within the program over multiple years. These allegations led to the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who subsequently filed a wrongful-termination lawsuit against the university (which was confidentially settled in August 2025). Multiple players filed civil lawsuits against Northwestern and its coaching staff. This case brought national attention to the systemic hazing prevalent even in elite collegiate athletic programs and raised serious questions about institutional oversight and responsibility.

What These Cases Mean for Washington Families

These national tragedies highlight critical common threads: forced intoxication, dehumanizing rituals, intentional delay in seeking medical care, and a pervasive culture of secrecy and cover-ups. For Washington families, these devastating incidents serve as crucial precedents:

• Hazing patterns, especially involving alcohol, are dangerously predictable across campuses and organizations.
• Delayed emergency medical care significantly exacerbates injuries and amplifies legal liability.
• National fraternities and universities face increasing litigation and public pressure to enforce their own anti-hazing policies, especially when repeat offenses occur.
• Civil lawsuits, though emotionally taxing, can lead to substantial monetary damages, forcing accountability from individuals and institutions.
• Many of these cases have led to stronger anti-hazing laws and improved transparency requirements, demonstrating the profound impact of victim advocacy.

Washington families facing hazing at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor are not alone. These national lessons shape the landscape of accountability, providing a foundation for legal action and demanding institutional change.

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

For families in Washington, particularly those considering or with children attending universities across Texas, understanding the unique cultural nuances and hazing realities at these five major institutions is critical. Attorney911 operates across Texas, serving families from Washington and beyond who encounter hazing at any of these campuses.

University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston, often simply called “UH,” stands as a vibrant, diverse urban campus in the heart of Houston. It caters to a large student body, blending residential life with a significant commuter population. UH maintains an active Greek life, comprising Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, and various multicultural fraternities and sororities, alongside a myriad of other student organizations, sports clubs, and cultural groups.

UH’s Hazing Policy & Reporting:
The University of Houston explicitly prohibits hazing, whether it occurs on-campus or off-campus. Its policy bars forced consumption of alcohol, food, or drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and psychological abuse as part of any initiation process. UH provides clear reporting channels through the Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). The university also posts its anti-hazing statement and, at times, disciplinary information, emphasizing its zero-tolerance stance.

Example Incident & Response:
In 2016, a significant case involving the Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) fraternity at UH drew national attention. Pledges allegedly faced severe deprivation of sufficient food, water, and sleep during an extended multi-day event. One student reportedly suffered a lacerated spleen, believed to be caused by being slammed onto a table or similar surface during the hazing. The UH chapter faced misdemeanor hazing charges filed by authorities and was subsequently hit with a university suspension. This incident, among others, has reinforced UH’s willingness to crack down on chapters that violate its anti-hazing policies, showcasing a pattern of proactive, though sometimes delayed, institutional response. Subsequent disciplinary references involving other fraternities have highlighted continued issues with alcohol misuse, psychological discomfort, and policy non-compliance, often resulting in probations or renewed suspensions.

How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed:
For Washington families, understanding the jurisdiction is key. Hazing cases at UH might involve investigations by the UHPD for on-campus incidents or the Houston Police Department for off-campus events in the city. Civil lawsuits would likely proceed in Harris County courts, considering Houston’s vast metropolitan area. Potential defendants could include the individual students involved, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority, and potentially the University of Houston and any involved property owners. An attorney experienced in Houston-based litigation can effectively navigate these local complexities.

What UH Students & Parents Should Do:

• Report Immediately: If you suspect hazing, report it to the UH Dean of Students Office, UHPD, or through the online reporting forms.
• Document Thoroughly: Keep meticulous records of all communications, incidents, and any visible injuries.
• Seek Legal Counsel: Contact a lawyer experienced in Houston-based hazing cases like Attorney911 to understand how to leverage prior UH discipline and internal files.

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, nestled in College Station, is renowned for its deep-rooted traditions, fiercely loyal alumni, and distinctive military-style culture embodied by the Corps of Cadets. Greek life is also a significant component of campus social life alongside numerous other student organizations. Families in Washington often consider Texas A&M for its strong academic programs and unique campus identity.

Texas A&M’s Hazing Policy & Reporting:
Texas A&M maintains stringent anti-hazing policies, strictly prohibiting any activity that could endanger the mental or physical health of students. The university’s Code of Conduct clearly outlines sanctions for hazing violations. Reporting can be made through the Student Conduct Office, the Corps of Cadets leadership (if applicable), or the Texas A&M University Police Department.

Example Incidents & Response:
Texas A&M has faced multiple hazing allegations. In a high-profile case around 2021, members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity were accused of covering pledges in substances, including an industrial-strength cleaner, that caused severe chemical burns. These burns required emergency skin graft surgeries, leading to a lawsuit by the injured pledges and the fraternity’s suspension by the university. In another incident that garnered attention around 2023, a Cadet alleged degrading hazing within the Corps of Cadets, including simulated sexual acts and being bound in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The Cadet filed a lawsuit seeking over $1 million, prompting Texas A&M to state it addressed the matter under its internal regulations. These incidents collectively highlight that hazing at Texas A&M can manifest in both traditional Greek life and within the highly structured, tradition-rich Corps culture.

How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed:
Hazing cases originating from Texas A&M would involve investigations by the Texas A&M University Police Department or local College Station authorities. Civil suits would typically be filed in Brazos County district courts. Due to the university’s public status, issues of sovereign immunity may arise, but exceptions for gross negligence or willful misconduct can allow a case to proceed.

What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do:

• Contact University Authorities: Report any hazing concerns to either the Student Conduct Office or the Corps of Cadets chain of command, as well as university police.
• Preserve Evidence: Act quickly to gather any digital communications, photos, or witness accounts.
• Consult Legal Experts: An attorney with experience in hazing litigation against public universities in Texas can guide Washington families through the complexities, including sovereign immunity challenges.

University of Texas at Austin (UT)

The University of Texas at Austin, a flagship institution in the state capital, boasts a vast and dynamic campus with a prominent Greek life scene, competitive athletic programs, and numerous student organizations. For Washington families, UT Austin represents a top-tier academic destination, but like any large university, it’s not immune to hazing.

UT’s Hazing Policy & Reporting:
UT Austin maintains comprehensive anti-hazing policies, explicitly forbidding any mental or physical hazing activity. The university stands out for its public transparency regarding hazing. Its “Hazing Violations” webpage, a public log, lists organizations, the dates of incidents, the nature of the misconduct, and the disciplinary sanctions imposed. This public record is an invaluable resource for parents and students. Reporting can be done via the Office of the Dean of Students, the Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL), or the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD).

Example Incidents & Response:
UT Austin’s public hazing log frequently documents incidents. For instance, Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) received sanctions in 2023 when new members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics—activities explicitly defined as hazing. The chapter was placed on probation and required to implement new hazing-prevention education. Other student groups, including spirit organizations like the Texas Wranglers, have faced sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, or punishment-based practices. The recurring presence of some fraternities on this log, despite prior disciplinary actions, highlights the persistent challenge of hazing culture.

How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed:
Hazing incidents at UT Austin could involve investigations by UTPD or the Austin Police Department. Civil actions would typically fall under the jurisdiction of Travis County courts. While the University of Texas System holds certain sovereign immunity privileges as a public entity, exceptions may apply in cases of gross negligence or specific federal violations like Title IX. The transparency of UT’s public hazing log can be highly beneficial for plaintiffs, as it often provides ready-made evidence of an organization’s alleged pattern of misconduct and the university’s prior knowledge of the issue.

What UT Austin Students & Parents Should Do:

• Review Public Logs: Washington families researching UT Austin should review the university’s “Hazing Violations” page to identify any organizations with repeated infractions.
• Document and Report: Use UT’s reporting channels (Dean of Students, BCAL, UTPD) if hazing is suspected.
• Contact Counsel: An attorney with experience in hazing cases against public universities can help leverage UT’s public records and navigate the specific legal procedures in Travis County.

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University, a private institution nestled in a picturesque Dallas neighborhood, is known for its strong academic reputation, vibrant social scene, and a Greek life that plays a central role in student culture. For Washington families seeking a distinctive collegiate experience, SMU often appeals, though its private status means different legal considerations in hazing cases.

SMU’s Hazing Policy & Reporting:
SMU maintains a strict anti-hazing policy that aligns with Texas state law, prohibiting any act causing mental or physical harm for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. As a private university, SMU can enforce its policies with greater autonomy than public institutions. Reporting mechanisms include the Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the SMU Police Department. SMU encourages anonymous reporting through various online forms and mechanisms like Real Response.

Example Incident & Response:
SMU has faced its share of hazing challenges. In 2017, the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity was sanctioned after allegations of severe hazing, including reports of new members being paddled, forced to consume alcohol, and deprived of sleep. The chapter faced university suspension and significant restrictions on its recruiting activities for several years following the incident. SMU’s response in such cases typically involves thorough internal investigations and disciplinary actions that can range from probation to suspension or permanent removal of the organization.

How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed:
As a private university, SMU does not benefit from sovereign immunity, making it potentially more amenable to civil lawsuits for negligence or other claims. Hazing incidents would likely be investigated by the SMU Police Department or the Dallas Police Department for crimes occurring off-campus. Civil suits would typically be heard in Dallas County district courts. The private nature of SMU means that while internal reports may not be as publicly transparent as at UT Austin, discovery in a civil lawsuit can compel the release of relevant documents.

What SMU Students & Parents Should Do:

• Understand Non-Immunity: Recognize that as a private institution, SMU may be directly sued for negligence related to hazing without the same immunity shields as public universities.
• Utilize Anonymous Reporting: If hesitant to come forward directly, use SMU’s anonymous reporting channels.
• Seek Experienced Counsel: Washington families should contact an attorney with experience in complex litigation against private universities, who can guide them through the discovery process to uncover internal records.

Baylor University

Baylor University, a private Baptist university in Waco, Texas, is defined by its faith-based mission, academic rigor, and vibrant campus community. While renowned for its athletics, particularly football, Baylor has also faced significant scrutiny over issues of campus safety and misconduct, including hazing.

Baylor’s Hazing Policy & Reporting:
Baylor’s anti-hazing policy is stringent, reflecting both its commitment to student welfare and its experiences with past campus controversies, including a major Title IX sexual assault scandal. The policy prohibits any activity that could cause physical or mental harm, humiliation, or degradation as part of joining any university-recognized organization. Reporting is channeled through the Dean of Students, the Baylor Police Department, or a dedicated confidential reporting hotline. Baylor often emphasizes a “zero-tolerance” approach, particularly given its history of oversight challenges.

Example Incident & Response:
Baylor’s athletic programs have also faced hazing allegations. In 2020, as many as 14 players from the Baylor Baseball team were suspended following an internal hazing investigation. The suspensions were staggered to minimize programmatic impact but underscored that hazing extends beyond Greek life even within a highly monitored athletic department. This incident, while not directly involving Greek life, fits into Baylor’s broader struggle for institutional accountability. The university’s official responses often reiterate its commitment to student safety and policy enforcement, but these instances highlight the persistent challenges.

How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed:
As a private university, Baylor does not have the protection of sovereign immunity, akin to SMU. This means that if a student from Washington, or anywhere, experiences hazing at Baylor, the university can be directly sued for negligence or other torts. Investigations might be conducted by the Baylor Police Department or Waco Police, with civil cases falling under McLennan County courts. The prior scrutiny over Title IX and athletic misconduct means that Baylor is increasingly sensitive to allegations of student abuse and may be more inclined to engage in legal processes to resolve such matters.

What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do:

• Be Aware of Climate: Understand that hazing can occur even in institutions with strong religious affiliations and strict policies, especially if enforcement is weak.
• Report Through Official Channels: Use Baylor’s Dean of Students, Police, or confidential hotline.
• Legal Strategy: Contact Attorney911 to discuss legal options against private institutions like Baylor, where civil litigation can compel transparency and hold the university directly accountable for its actions or inactions.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

For Washington families navigating the complexities of Texas universities, understanding the national landscape of fraternities and sororities is as critical as local campus culture. Many organizations present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor are chapters of multi-state national entities that carry significant histories – including repeated hazing incidents.

Why National Histories Matter

The reality is that national fraternities and sororities, despite having robust anti-hazing policies and risk management manuals, often share strikingly similar patterns of hazing across their various chapters. These organizations have learned, often tragically, that certain rituals – like forced drinking, physical abuse, or psychological torment – predictably lead to catastrophic injuries or deaths. These national patterns mean:

• Foreseeability: When a Texas chapter replicates hazing rituals that have caused harm at a sister chapter in another state, the national organization often loses its defense that such an incident was “unforeseeable.” Past incidents create a clear pattern of knowledge.
• Liability: National headquarters are not just names on a letterhead; they set rules, collect dues, maintain records, and often have direct communication with local chapters. This organizational control can make them directly liable for the actions of their chapters, particularly if a pattern of non-enforcement exists.
• Settlement Leverage: When multiple hazing incidents highlight a systemic problem within a national organization, victims and their families gain significant leverage in settlement negotiations, as the national entity faces increasing legal and reputational risk.

Organization Mapping (Synthesized)

Let’s look at some of the prominent national Greek organizations and the patterns of hazing associated with them that families in Washington should be aware of, even if a specific incident has not occurred in Texas this year:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Nationally, Pike has been involved in numerous hazing incidents, most notably the tragic death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University in 2021. Foltz died from alcohol poisoning after consuming a near-fatal amount of liquor during a “Big/Little” pledge night. Pike has a documented history of such alcohol-fueled “traditions” leading to severe harm. If a Pike chapter at UH or Texas A&M engages in similar conduct, it demonstrates a clear pattern and raises questions of national culpability due to prior notice.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Often dubbed “America’s deadliest fraternity” by some media outlets, SAE has a history marred by multiple hazing-related deaths and severe injuries nationwide. These include traumatic brain injury lawsuits, and incidents involving chemical burns where pledges were drenched in industrial-strength cleaners, as seen at Texas A&M. In 2024, a Texas A&M chapter pledge alleged severe injuries including rhabdomyolysis due to extreme physical hazing. In January 2024, an Australian exchange student at the University of Texas at Austin sued an SAE chapter for over $1 million after allegedly suffering serious injuries including a dislocated leg and broken bones during an assault at a party. The chapter was already suspended for prior hazing violations. The national organization has taken steps to eliminate traditional pledging, yet incidents persist, demonstrating the challenge of internal reform.

• Phi Delta Theta: This fraternity garnered national attention with the death of Max Gruver at Louisiana State University in 2017. Gruver died from alcohol intoxication during a “Bible study” hazing game. This case led to Louisiana’s felony hazing statute, the Max Gruver Act. If a Phi Delta Theta chapter at Baylor or SMU were to engage in similar alcohol-related “games,” the national organization’s history would be central to any legal claim of foreseeability.

• Pi Kappa Phi: The death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University in 2017 from alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” is a tragic testament to Pi Kappa Phi’s hazing challenges. In late 2025, Attorney911 filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, alleging he suffered acute kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis after being forced to consume excessive alcohol and perform degrading physical acts, including hose spraying “like waterboarding” and forced consumption until vomiting, resulting in him passing brown urine, a classic symptom of rhabdomyolysis. This case, taking place right here in Houston, directly ties Pi Kappa Phi’s national history of hazing to a local Texas incident.

• Kappa Alpha Order: This organization has faced numerous hazing suspensions across college campuses, including at SMU. Such incidents often involve forced drinking and physical abuse. These patterns of misconduct illustrate that hazing persists despite institutional crackdowns.

Tie Back to Legal Strategy

For Washington families considering legal action in Texas, understanding these national histories profoundly impacts strategy:

• Pattern Evidence: Documenting a national organization’s history of hazing, particularly repeat offenses across different chapters, is crucial for establishing pattern evidence. This demonstrates that the national entity had prior knowledge (or should have had knowledge) of the specific types of hazing acts and therefore a foreseeable risk of harm.
• Duty and Breach: Plaintiffs can argue that an organization’s national headquarters breached its duty of care by failing to adequately monitor, train, and discipline local chapters, especially in light of a known history of similar hazing.
• Settlement Leverage and Punitive Damages: A clear pattern of ignored warnings or ineffective enforcement of anti-hazing policies significantly strengthens a claim for punitive damages, which are intended to punish egregious conduct and deter future wrongdoing. This also increases settlement leverage, as national organizations often prefer to avoid public trials that would expose a long history of hazing.
• Insurance Coverage: Lupe Peña’s experience as a former insurance defense attorney becomes invaluable here. She understands how national and local organizations attempt to deny coverage based on policy exclusions for intentional acts. However, arguments for negligent supervision or failure to prevent foreseeable harm can force insurers to cover claims.

By meticulously researching these histories, Attorney911 builds a robust case that links local chapter misconduct at Texas universities to the broader, often tragic, patterns within national organizations, ensuring maximum accountability.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

The path to justice after a hazing incident requires meticulous preparation, strategic legal insight, and an unyielding commitment to holding all responsible parties accountable. For Washington families, understanding what goes into building a successful hazing case provides clarity during what can be an overwhelming time.

Evidence

In today’s interconnected world, evidence in hazing cases is more critical and complex than ever. Our investigations leverage every available resource:

• Digital Communications: These are often the lifeblood of a hazing case. GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram DMs, and even fraternity-specific apps can contain damning evidence. This includes planning discussions, orders given, humiliating comments, photos, and videos of hazing in progress or its aftermath. We work with digital forensics experts who can even recover deleted messages, though original screenshots are always invaluable. Attorney911’s video on using your cellphone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) explains best practices for preserving screenshots and photos.
• Photos & Videos: Beyond what’s in chat logs, content filmed by members during events, surveillance footage from houses or venues, and Ring/doorbell camera recordings can provide irrefutable proof. Photographs of injuries, both immediately after the incident and as they heal, are crucial for documenting harm.
• Internal Organization Documents: Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “traditions” lists, emails, and texts from officers or members detailing hazing plans are powerful evidence. We can subpoena national anti-hazing policies and training materials to highlight the gap between stated rules and actual conduct.
• University Records: Through discovery and public records requests (especially for public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT), we seek prior conduct files, probation letters, incident reports made to campus police or student conduct offices, and any internal communications about the organization. The University of Texas at Austin’s public hazing log is a potent tool here, offering clear evidence of past violations.
• Medical and Psychological Records: Comprehensive records from emergency room visits, hospitalizations, surgeries, rehabilitation, toxicology reports (especially relevant in alcohol hazing incidents), and psychological evaluations (diagnosing PTSD, depression, anxiety stemming from trauma) are essential to demonstrate the full extent of physical and emotional damages.
• Witness Testimony: The accounts of other pledges, current or former members, roommates, Resident Assistants (RAs), coaches, and even bystanders who observed changes or incidents are vital. Our legal team works to secure these testimonies, understanding the fear and reluctance witnesses might initially feel.

Damages

Hazing inflicts a wide array of damages, both tangible and intangible. Our goal is to ensure Washington families receive full compensation for every aspect of their child’s suffering:

• Medical Bills & Future Care: This covers all costs, from immediate emergency room visits and ambulance transport to long-term physical therapy, psychiatric care, specialized medications, and even life care plans for catastrophic injuries such as brain damage or organ failure.
• Lost Income / Educational Impact: This includes lost wages if the victim or a parent (acting as a caregiver) misses work, as well as the financial impact of missed semesters, lost scholarships, delayed graduation, and a reduced earning capacity if permanent injuries affect future career prospects.
• Non-Economic Damages: These quantify the subjective but profound suffering, including physical pain, emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression), humiliation, loss of dignity, fear, nightmares, and the overall loss of enjoyment of life. This can impact a student’s ability to participate in hobbies, social activities, and even their ability to trust others.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the most tragic cases, families can recover for funeral expenses, the loss of financial support the deceased would have provided, and the immeasurable loss of companionship, love, and grief suffered by parents and siblings.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing litigation often involves multiple, well-resourced defendants and complex insurance battles. The Manginello Law Firm’s experience in this arena is a distinct advantage:

• Multi-Party Liability: We analyze the involvement of individual students, local chapters, national organizations, universities, and even third-party property owners or alcohol providers. Each party may hold a piece of the responsibility.
• Insurance Challenges: Insurers for fraternities, sororities, and universities often attempt to deny coverage, arguing that hazing, as an “intentional act,” falls under policy exclusions. However, our expertise allows us to argue that while hazing may be intentional, the organization’s or university’s negligent supervision or failure to prevent foreseeable harm is a covered event. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/) is invaluable here; she knows their tactics and how to counter them.
• Strategic Negotiations and Litigation: We meticulously prepare each case to demonstrate systemic failures, building maximum leverage for settlement negotiations. Should a fair settlement not be reached, we are fully prepared to pursue aggressive litigation in court, drawing on our deep experience in federal and state courts.

With comprehensive evidence, a clear understanding of damages, and a strategic approach, Attorney911 builds a compelling case that demands accountability from all responsible parties.

Practical Guides & FAQs

For Parents in Washington: Protecting Your Child from Hazing

As parents in Washington, sending your child off to a Texas university is a moment filled with hope and dreams. But knowing the hidden dangers of hazing requires you to be informed and vigilant.

Warning Signs of Hazing

Be alert to the following indicators, which often suggest your child may be experiencing hazing:

• Unexplained Injuries: Look for bruises, burns, cuts, or other injuries that your child cannot credibly explain or dismisses as “accidents.”
• Extreme Exhaustion: Hazing often involves severe sleep deprivation, leading to constant fatigue, falling asleep in class, or profound exhaustion.
• Drastic Mood Changes: Sudden shifts in personality, including increased anxiety, depression, irritability, withdrawal from normal activities, or unexplained anger.
• Secrecy and Evasiveness: Your child becomes unusually secretive about their group’s activities, using phrases like “I can’t talk about it” or “It’s a secret.”
• Obsessive Phone Use: Constant checking of group chats or anxiety when the phone buzzes, indicating a fear of missing mandatory communications.
• Academic Decline: A sudden drop in grades, missed classes, or a lack of interest in their studies due to time demands from the group.
• Changes in Appearance: Being forced to wear specific clothing, having their head shaved or hair cut, or wearing humiliating items.
• “Blind Loyalty”: An extreme eagerness to please older members, or a defensive stance when you question the organization.

How to Talk to Your Child

Approach sensitive conversations with care and empathy:

• Ask Open-Ended Questions: Instead of accusations, ask “How are things going with [group name]? Are you enjoying it?” or “What kind of activities do you do as a new member?”
• Emphasize Safety: Make it clear that their safety and well-being are your top priority, far above any group affiliation or “status.”
• Listen Without Judgment: If they open up, listen carefully without interrupting or accusing. Reassure them you are there to support them, not get them into trouble with the group.
• Validate Their Feelings: Acknowledge that the pressure to belong can be immense and that “traditions” can be hard to question.

If Your Child Is Hurt

If you discover your child has been injured or suffered psychological harm, act decisively:

• Seek Medical Care Immediately: Prioritize their physical and mental health. Take them to an emergency room, urgent care, or a mental health professional. Insist that the medical staff document that the injuries or distress are “hazing-related.”
• Document Everything:
  • Photos: Take clear, timestamped photos of any physical injuries from multiple angles.
  • Digital Records: Ask your child to screenshot all relevant text messages, group chats, social media posts, or DMs.
  • Notes: Write down a detailed account of what happened, including dates, times, locations, individuals involved, and any specific acts of hazing.
• Keep Records: Save any physical items (clothing, props, receipts for forced purchases) that might serve as evidence.

Dealing with the University

• Formal Reporting: Understand the university’s official reporting channels, typically the Dean of Students Office or Student Conduct.
• Document Interactions: Keep records of all communications with university officials, including emails, meeting summaries, and phone call notes.
• Inquire About History: Ask about prior incidents involving the specific organization and the university’s response. Texas public universities, like UT Austin, often make this information publicly available.

When to Talk to a Lawyer

Contact Attorney911 immediately if:

• Your child has sustained significant physical or psychological harm.
• You suspect the university or organization is minimizing the incident, attempting a cover-up, or pressuring your child into silence.
• You are unsure of your child’s legal rights or how to navigate the complex reporting and investigation processes.

For Students / Pledges: Your Safety and Rights

Being a new member or pledge is exciting, but it should never come at the cost of your dignity or safety. If you are a student in Washington experiencing or witnessing hazing at a Texas university, know your rights and options.

Is This Hazing or Just Tradition?

Ask yourself these questions:

• Safety and Dignity: Am I being asked to do anything that is physically or mentally harmful, degrading, humiliating, or illegal?
• Coercion: Do I feel pressured or forced to participate, with unspoken consequences if I refuse?
• Secrecy: Am I being told to keep secrets from family, friends, or the university? Is there a “what happens here, stays here” mentality?
• Power Imbalance: Are older members making new members do things they themselves don’t have to do?
• Ethical Conflict: Would my parents, a teacher, or a university official approve of this activity?

If your answer is YES to any of these, it is likely hazing, regardless of what anyone calls it or whether “everyone else is doing it.”

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

Hazing thrives on the illusion of consent. You might feel you “agreed” to be there, or that you “chose” to participate. However, Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. The law recognizes that true voluntary consent cannot exist in an environment of peer pressure, social coercion, fear of exclusion, or emotional manipulation. Your desire to belong does not forfeit your right to safety and respect.

Exiting and Reporting Safely

You have the absolute right to leave a hazing situation or withdraw from an organization at any time.

• Immediate Danger: If you are in immediate physical danger, call 911. Do not worry about “getting the group in trouble.” Your life is paramount.
• Depart Safely: If possible, tell a trusted non-group member (a friend, RA, or family member) that you are leaving. Send a brief text or email to the chapter president or new member educator stating, “I am resigning my pledge/membership effective immediately.” Avoid confronting members directly if you fear retaliation or further pressure.
• Reporting Options:
  • On Campus: Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct, Title IX Coordinator (if sexual harassment involved), Campus Police, or the university’s anonymous reporting hotline.
  • Off Campus: Local police (for criminal acts), or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE (anonymous and 24/7).

Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty

Many universities and Texas state law (including the Texas Education Code, § 37.154) offer “good-faith reporter” protections. This means you generally will not be punished for seeking help in an emergency, even if you were drinking underage or initially involved in the hazing. Your safety and the safety of others take precedence over minor code violations.

For Former Members / Witnesses: Coming Forward

If you are a former member, or a witness to hazing at a Texas university, coming forward can be daunting. You may fear retaliation, guilt, or legal consequences yourself.

• Your Role in Prevention: Your testimony and any evidence you possess are crucial. They can prevent future harm, save lives, and hold those responsible accountable.
• Navigating Legal Exposure: You may have participated in hazing, but providing truthful information can significantly aid investigations and potentially lead to more favorable outcomes for you. Consult a lawyer to understand your rights and potential legal exposure.
• Protecting Evidence: Any evidence you hold (digital communications, photos, videos) should be preserved immediately and confidentially shared with a legal team. This evidence can make or break a case.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

For Washington families and students affected by hazing, the actions taken—or not taken—in the critical moments after an incident can dramatically impact the viability and outcome of a legal claim. Avoid these common missteps:

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

   • Mistake: Believing that deleting incriminating texts or photos protects your child from further trouble.
   • Reality: This destroys crucial evidence. It can be viewed as obstruction, hindering any future legal action.
   • Solution: Preserve everything immediately. Screenshot all group chats, private messages, and social media posts, even if they are embarrassing. These are often the most valuable pieces of evidence. Attorney911’s video on using your cellphone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) explains best practices for preserving screenshots and photos.

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly:

   • Mistake: Angrily contacting chapter leadership or national officials demanding answers.
   • Reality: This alerts the perpetrators and institutions, giving them time to lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare their defenses.
   • Solution: Document everything privately, then consult with an experienced hazing attorney before any direct engagement with the organization.

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

   • Mistake: Feeling pressured by the university to sign documents related to an internal investigation or disciplinary action.
   • Reality: These forms may contain waivers of your right to sue, confidentiality clauses, or release statements that severely limit your legal options or force you into a low-value “settlement” far below what your child deserves.
   • Solution: Never sign any document from the university or an insurance company without having an experienced attorney review it first.

4. Posting Details on Social Media Before Consulting a Lawyer:

   • Mistake: Feeling an urge to expose the injustice online or seek public sympathy.
   • Reality: Defense attorneys and investigators for the opposing side will screenshot everything. Your posts can create inconsistencies, undermine credibility, or unintentionally waive legal privileges.
   • Solution: Document everything privately. Let your legal team control public messaging to protect your case.

5. Letting Your Child Go Back for “One Last Meeting” or “A Talk”:

   • Mistake: Believing the organization genuinely wants to discuss the situation or for your child to explain their side.
   • Reality: These meetings are often designed to pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that can be used against your child or weaken a potential case.
   • Solution: Once you are considering legal action, all communication with the organization should go through your attorney.

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

   • Mistake: Trusting that the university’s internal process will deliver true accountability and justice.
   • Reality: University investigations often prioritize institutional reputation over victim rights. Evidence disappears rapidly, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations can expire.
   • Solution: Preserve evidence NOW. Consult a lawyer immediately because the university’s internal process for student conduct is not a substitute for legal accountability.

7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer:

   • Mistake: Believing adjusters are there to help and that giving a statement will expedite the process.
   • Reality: Insurance company adjusters work for the opposing side. They record statements to find reasons to deny or minimize your claim. Early settlement offers are typically lowball.
   • Solution: Politely decline to speak with any insurance adjuster directly. State that your attorney will contact them.

Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (like UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections, which can limit direct lawsuits against them. However, exceptions exist for gross negligence, willful misconduct, and certain federal violations like Title IX. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) generally 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. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default. However, it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals who fail to report hazing can also face misdemeanor charges.

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

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit in Texas?”
  Generally, civil lawsuits in Texas must be filed within two years from the date of injury or death. However, the “discovery rule” may extend this period if the harm or its cause was not immediately apparent. In cases involving cover-ups or deliberate concealment, the statute of limitations may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations can destroy records. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately. Learn about Texas statute of limitations in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c.

• “How will we pay for a lawyer?”
  The Manginello Law Firm handles hazing cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case through a settlement or jury verdict. Our fees come as a percentage of the recovery. This ensures that expert legal representation is accessible to Washington families regardless of their financial situation. Watch our video explaining contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.

• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be held liable based on their sponsorship of the organization, their control over student activities, prior knowledge of hazing, and the foreseeability of harm. Many major hazing cases that resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments, such as the Pi Delta Psi retreat case, 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. We prioritize your family’s privacy interests while steadfastly pursuing accountability. While some cases, like the $10 million Leonel Bermudez lawsuit in Houston, become public due to the severity of the allegations, many others are resolved discreetly. We can help you navigate these considerations.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action for Washington Families

When your family faces a hazing incident at a Texas campus, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, brings unparalleled experience and an aggressive, strategic approach to these complex cases. We understand the unique challenges that Washington families face when their child is harmed far from home, and we are here to bridge that gap.

Why Attorney911 for Hazing Cases?

Our firm stands apart due to our distinct qualifications that perfectly position us to handle hazing litigation:

• Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña): Our Associate Attorney Lupe Peña brings a critical perspective to every hazing case. As a former insurance defense attorney for a national firm, she knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies operate. She understands their valuation strategies (and their efforts to undervalue claims), their delay tactics, and their often-complex arguments for denying coverage. “We know their playbook because we used to run it.” 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.
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello): Managing Partner Ralph Manginello has a proven track record of successfully taking on formidable opponents. He was one of the few Texas firms involved in the massive BP Texas City explosion litigation, demonstrating our capability to handle multi-district, high-stakes cases against billion-dollar corporations. Our extensive federal court experience, including in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, means we are not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their well-funded defense teams. “We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We know how to fight powerful defendants.” Ralph Manginello’s complete credentials and case history are detailed at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: Our firm has a proven track record of securing multi-million dollar results in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We regularly collaborate with economists and medical experts to accurately value lifetime care needs for victims of brain injury or permanent disability. “We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.” Attorney911 has extensive wrongful death experience (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/), having recovered millions for families in catastrophic cases, including our active $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi.
• Dual Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) provides us with a unique advantage. When hazing leads to criminal charges, we understand how these proceedings interact with civil litigation. This dual perspective is invaluable for advising clients who may have criminal exposure or those whose cases involve simultaneous civil and criminal processes. When hazing results in criminal charges, Attorney911’s criminal defense experience (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/) means we understand both the criminal and civil tracks.
• Investigative Depth: We commit to a thorough and relentless investigation, leveraging a network of experts in medical forensics, digital forensics, and psychology. We have the capability to uncover hidden evidence, from deleted group chats and social media content to subpoenaed national fraternity records and university files. “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”
• Empathy and Victim Advocacy: We understand that facing a hazing incident is one of the hardest things a family can endure. Our approach is empathetic but firm, focused on getting you answers, holding the right people accountable, and preventing future harm. This is not about quick settlements but about thorough investigation and real justice.

From our Houston offices, we serve families throughout Texas, including Washington and surrounding areas. We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families in Washington and across the entire region. We guide families through the intricacies of campus policies, state laws, and complex litigation, ensuring that their voices are heard and justice is served.

Call to Action for Washington Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus, we want to hear from you. Families in Washington, including Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and throughout the surrounding region, have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, honestly explain your legal options, and help you decide 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’ll review any evidence you’ve gathered—photos, texts, medical records.
• You’ll receive a clear explanation of your legal options: whether to pursue a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, both, or neither.
• We’ll discuss realistic timelines and what you can expect during the legal process.
• We will answer all your questions about our contingency fee structure—you pay nothing upfront unless we win your case.
• There is no pressure to hire us on the spot; take the time you need to make an informed decision.
• Everything you tell us is strictly confidential.

Whether you’re in Washington 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
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

Spanish-language services:
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