The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits & Accountability in Texas: A Resource for Parents in Addison, Dallas County, and the DFW Metroplex

When you entrust your child to a Texas university, you expect them to be safe, supported, and focused on their future. For families across Addison and Dallas County, that trust is often placed in storied institutions like Southern Methodist University (SMU), the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), or other major Texas schools. But a hidden culture persists behind the letters, traditions, and team uniforms—one that can turn a dream of brotherhood or sisterhood into a nightmare of physical injury and psychological trauma. Hazing is not a relic of the past; it is a present and evolving danger on campuses nationwide, including right here in Texas.

Right now, our firm is leading one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in the country. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after brutal hazing by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. As detailed in a Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case, he was subjected to forced consumption of food until vomiting, hours of extreme calisthenics, humiliating “pledge fanny pack” rules, and being sprayed with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” His medical crisis—diagnosed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury—is a stark warning to every Texas family.

This guide is for you, the parents in Addison, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, and across the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the specific legal frameworks in Texas, the patterns of abuse at universities your children attend, and the difficult path to justice and accountability. Your child’s safety—and their future—depends on recognizing the signs and knowing where to turn.

Immediate Help for a Hazing Emergency in Addison or Dallas County

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.

In the First 48 Hours: Evidence is Everything

1. Get Medical Attention: Go to the ER or urgent care immediately. Tell doctors the injuries are from hazing.
2. Preserve Digital Evidence: Screenshot ALL group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), texts, and social media posts. Our video on using your phone to document a legal case explains best practices.
3. Document Physically: Photograph injuries from multiple angles. Save any clothing or objects involved.
4. Write It Down: Record everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations, specifics.
5. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team.
   • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” their phone.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Sign anything from the university or an insurance adjuster.

Time is critical. Universities and organizations move quickly to control narratives. Evidence disappears fast. Contact an experienced Texas hazing attorney within 24-48 hours. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like on Texas Campuses

Hazing has evolved far beyond crude stereotypes. It is a calculated system of power and control that endangers students mentally and physically. For parents in Addison, understanding these modern tactics is the first step to protection.

A Modern, Three-Tiered Definition of Hazing

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or affiliating with any organization. Under Texas law and university policies, it is not “tradition” or “team bonding” if it:

1. Endangers Physical Health or Safety: Forced drinking, extreme workouts, physical beatings, sleep deprivation, exposure to elements.
2. Endangers Mental Health or Safety: Severe humiliation, intimidation, coercion, social isolation, psychological manipulation.
3. Involves Consumable Substances: Forced ingestion of food, drink, drugs, or other substances.

Critical Legal Point: In Texas, “consent” is not a defense to hazing. The power imbalance between pledges and members, the fear of exclusion, and the group pressure mean true, voluntary consent does not exist in these scenarios.

The Evolution of Hazing Tactics: From Paddles to Digital Control

Today’s hazing is often disguised and digitally enabled.

• Digital Hazing & Coercion: 24/7 control via GroupMe or WhatsApp; demands for immediate responses at all hours; forced sharing of location data; public shaming or “challenges” on TikTok/Instagram; recording and sharing of humiliating acts in private chats.
• “Wellness” or “Team Building” Disguises: Extreme workouts framed as “fitness tests”; overnight activities called “retreats” or “bonding”; mental degradation disguised as “interviews” or “character building.”
• Off-Campus & Third-Party Venues: To avoid campus security and cameras, hazing is moved to Airbnbs, remote rental houses, or members’ family properties, increasing danger and complicating university oversight.
• Psychological Warfare: Systematic sleep deprivation, forced isolation from friends and family, constant criticism, and threats of expulsion from the group for non-compliance.

Law & Liability: The Texas and Federal Framework for Hazing Cases

Texas has specific laws governing hazing, and federal statutes create additional layers of responsibility for universities. For a family in Addison, a case may involve Dallas County courts, the university’s internal system, and potentially federal claims.

Texas Hazing Law: Education Code Chapter 37

The Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F is the cornerstone of criminal hazing liability in our state.

• Definition (§37.151): Hazing is defined broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership.
• Criminal Penalties (§37.152):
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes bodily injury.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
  • It is also a crime to fail to report hazing or to retaliate against someone who does report.
• Organizational Liability (§37.153): The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 if it authorized the hazing or an officer knew and failed to report it.
• Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155): This statutory provision directly shuts down the most common excuse.

Civil Liability: The Path to Compensation and Accountability

A criminal case is brought by the state to punish. A civil lawsuit is brought by the victim and family to recover damages and force institutional change. They can proceed simultaneously. In a civil hazing case, multiple parties can be held liable:

1. The Individuals: Members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As an entity, for creating a dangerous culture and failing to control its members.
3. The National Organization: Headquarters can be liable for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and having prior knowledge of dangerous patterns at other chapters. The Pi Kappa Phi national organization is a defendant in the Bermudez lawsuit for this reason.
4. The University: Schools can be liable for negligent supervision if they knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing and failed to act. They also have duties under federal law.
5. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, property owners of retreat venues, or alcohol providers.

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

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based discrimination, universities have a legal duty to investigate and address it.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including aggravated assault and hazing-related incidents, in annual security reports.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to publicly report hazing incidents and strengthen prevention programs, increasing transparency for families.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases below are not isolated; they are blueprints that repeat. The same fraternities, the same rituals, and the same institutional failures occur from Pennsylvania to Louisiana to Texas. These cases shape the legal landscape for families in Addison.

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a forced drinking “bid acceptance” night. Security camera footage showed members delaying help for hours. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, civil settlements, and Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.”
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers mandated drinking. Result: Felony convictions and Louisiana’s “Max Gruver Act,” making hazing a felony.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. Result: A $10 million settlement from the national fraternity and university, and criminal convictions for members.
• Andrew Coffey (Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi, 2017): Died of alcohol poisoning at a “Big Brother” reveal event. This is the same national fraternity involved in the UH case we are litigating.

These cases prove that national fraternities are on notice. When a chapter at UH, Texas A&M, or SMU engages in forced drinking, it is following a deadly national script the headquarters has seen before. This “pattern and practice” is a powerful tool in civil litigation to prove negligence and secure accountability.

Texas University Focus: Where Addison and DFW Families Send Their Kids

Parents in Addison and the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area have deep connections to a network of prestigious universities. Understanding the specific Greek life ecosystems and hazing histories at these schools is crucial.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) – In the Heart of Dallas

For many families in North Dallas and Addison, SMU is a premier destination. Its prominent Greek life culture carries both tradition and risk.

• Campus Snapshot: A private university with a strong social and Greek life presence. Over 30% of undergraduates participate in fraternities and sororities.
• Documented Incidents: SMU has faced serious hazing allegations. The Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended in 2017 following reports of paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation. Such incidents trigger internal investigations, but outcomes are often shielded by the university’s private status.
• For Addison Families: A hazing incident at SMU would likely involve the SMU Police Department and Dallas Police Department, depending on location. Civil litigation could be filed in Dallas County courts. Evidence from SMU’s internal conduct process can be critical but may require legal intervention to obtain.

University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) – A Commuter Hub with Greek Life

As a major public university in the Metroplex, UTA attracts many local students. Its Greek system, while smaller than UT Austin’s, is not immune to hazing risks.

• Campus Snapshot: A large, diverse public institution. Its Greek community includes Interfraternity Council (IFC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and Multicultural Greek Council chapters.
• Legal Context: As a public university, UTA is subject to Texas’s hazing laws and the public records act. Potential civil claims against UTA must navigate the state’s sovereign immunity defenses, which require demonstrating gross negligence or other specific exceptions.

Other Key Universities for DFW Families

• University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton: Has a large Greek system with periodic conduct violations. Denton County courts would have jurisdiction.
• Texas A&M University-Commerce: Has faced hazing incidents in the past, highlighting that risks exist at regional campuses as well.
• University of Texas at Austin & Texas A&M University: While farther from Addison, they are common destinations for high-achieving DFW students. Both have public hazing violation logs showing recurring issues with specific fraternities.

The Greek Ecosystem: National Organizations Behind the Local Chapters

The fraternities and sororities on Texas campuses are almost all chapters of national organizations. These nationals have extensive—and often troubling—histories that directly impact local member safety. Our firm’s Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks these entities through public records.

Public Records Directory: Fraternity & Sorority Organizations in Texas

To hold organizations accountable, you must first identify them. We maintain a database built from IRS filings, state records, and national databases. Below is a snapshot of organizations operating in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and statewide, illustrating the complex web of liability.

Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Entities in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro (Select Examples):

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, EIN 74-2911848, Fort Worth, TX 76244 (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 74-1380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Delta Kappa Epsilon – Tau Gamma House Corp., Addison, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Kappa Delta Sorority – Gamma Beta Chapter, Denton, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Zeta Sigma House Corporation of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Dallas, TX 75223 (IRS B83 Filing)

Major Statewide University Hubs (Where Addison Students Attend):

• Sigma Phi Epsilon Texas Eta, EIN 82-4398421, Richmond, TX 77406 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Alumni, Beaumont, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing – connected to Lamar University)
• The University of Texas at Austin Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp., Austin, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing)

Why This Data Matters: Each of these legal entities may carry insurance, own property, and have a duty to supervise their chapters. In a lawsuit, we identify every potential defendant—not just the active students, but the housing corporations, alumni boards, and national headquarters that enable the system to persist. The Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 46-2267515, Frisco, TX) is a named defendant in the Bermudez lawsuit, showing how these entities are directly in the chain of liability.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Winning a hazing case requires a meticulous, data-driven investigation that leaves no stone unturned. At Attorney911, we approach these cases with the same rigor we applied to the BP Texas City explosion litigation: follow the evidence, identify all responsible parties, and build an unassailable narrative for a jury.

The Evidence That Wins Cases in 2025

1. Digital Forensics: Deleted GroupMe chats, WhatsApp messages, Instagram DMs, and Snapchat videos can often be recovered. We work with digital experts to obtain this critical evidence showing planning, boasting, and cover-ups.
2. Internal Organization Records: Through litigation discovery, we obtain the national fraternity’s prior incident reports, risk management manuals, and communications with the local chapter. This proves “foreseeability.”
3. University Conduct Files: We subpoena the university’s prior disciplinary records for the same chapter, proving a pattern the school knew or should have known about.
4. Medical & Psychological Records: Documentation from ER visits, hospitalizations, and follow-up therapy is essential to prove the extent of physical and emotional harm.
5. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders are crucial. We know how to interview them to overcome the “code of silence.”

Overcoming Common Institutional Defenses

We anticipate and dismantle the standard defenses:

• “It Was Off-Campus/Not Our Property”: Liability is based on duty and control, not just property lines. Nationals and universities that sponsor and recognize chapters have responsibilities.
• “The Pledge Consented”: Texas law §37.155 nullifies this. We demonstrate the coercive environment and power imbalance.
• “This Was a Rogue Chapter/We Have Policies”: We expose the gap between paper policies and real-world enforcement, using prior unresolved incidents as proof.

Damages: What Families Can Recover

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim whole and punish wrongful conduct. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All medical expenses (past and future), lost earning capacity, therapy costs, and educational losses.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages: In the ultimate tragedy, families can seek funeral costs, loss of financial support, and compensation for grief and loss of companionship.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct, courts can award damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Addison Parents and Students

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Recognize the Signs: Unexplained injuries, severe exhaustion, personality changes, sudden secrecy about group activities, constant anxiety about phone notifications.
2. Talk to Your Child: Use open-ended, non-judgmental questions. “I’m worried about you. Is there anything happening in your [fraternity/sorority/team] that makes you feel unsafe or pressured?”
3. Prioritize Safety & Evidence: If there is immediate danger, call 911. Then, help your child preserve evidence (screenshots, photos) before it’s deleted.
4. Seek Medical & Mental Health Care: A medical record creates an independent, time-stamped account of the harm.
5. Consult an Attorney BEFORE Reporting to the University: Universities have competing interests. An attorney can guide you on how to report while protecting your child’s rights and preserving legal claims. Do not sign any university resolution agreements without legal advice.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No tradition is worth your life or health.
• “Consent” is Not a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card: Legally and morally, you cannot consent to your own abuse in a coercive setting.
• How to Exit Safely: You can quit at any time. Send a clear, written resignation (email/text) to the chapter president. Inform a trusted adult (parent, RA, dean) first. Do not attend a “final meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur.
• Good Faith Reporting: Texas law and most university policies offer immunity for those who call for medical help in an emergency, even if they were drinking underage.

Critical Mistakes That Can Harm a Case

• Deleting Digital Evidence: The #1 mistake. Those group chats are your most powerful evidence.
• Confronting the Organization Directly: This triggers evidence destruction and witness coaching.
• Waiting for the University to “Handle It”: Internal processes are not designed for victim compensation or full accountability. The clock is ticking on your statute of limitations.
• Talking to Insurance Adjusters Alone: Adjusters work for the fraternity’s or university’s insurance company. Their goal is to settle for as little as possible, as fast as possible. We have a video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case that explains this in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Texas?
A: Generally, two years from the date of injury. However, exceptions exist. Do not wait. Watch our explainer on Texas statutes of limitation and call us immediately to protect your rights.

Q: Can we sue SMU or UTA even though they are the school?
A: Yes, but it is complex. Public universities like UTA have certain legal immunities, but they can be sued for gross negligence or violating specific duties. Private universities like SMU have fewer immunity barriers. The strategy depends on the facts.

Q: What if it happened at an Airbnb or a house not owned by the fraternity?
A: Location does not defeat liability. The organization is still responsible for the conduct of its members during sanctioned events. The property owner may also have liability if they were negligent.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and hazing cases. This means you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you. Learn more in our video on how contingency fees work.

Why Attorney911 is the Right Firm for Addison Families Facing a Hazing Crisis

When your family is in a legal emergency caused by hazing, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the playbook of powerful institutions because they’ve fought them before. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLD (Attorney911) brings a unique combination of insider knowledge, complex litigation experience, and unwavering commitment to victim advocacy.

Our Proven Advantage in Hazing Litigation

1. Insurance Insider Knowledge – Mr. Lupe Peña: Before fighting for victims, Mr. Peña spent years as an attorney for a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers investigate claims, set reserves, and use delay tactics to pressure families. We know their strategy because we used to be on their side.
2. Institutional Litigation Experience – Ralph Manginello: Our involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation proved our capability against billion-dollar defendants with limitless legal resources. We are not intimidated by national fraternity headquarters or university legal teams. We have federal court experience and understand how to manage high-stakes, document-intensive cases.
3. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: We don’t start from scratch. We maintain a proprietary database of Texas Greek organizations, their legal entities, and their national histories. In the Bermudez case, this allowed us to immediately identify and sue the housing corporation, alumni supporters, and national headquarters—maximizing leverage and potential insurance coverage.
4. Dual Civil & Criminal Capability: With Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits. We can advise your family on both fronts and communicate effectively with prosecutors if needed.
5. A Mission for Accountability: We take these cases to secure justice for your family and to force systemic change. A public lawsuit or a substantial settlement sends a message that universities and nationals must do more to protect students.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If you are a parent in Addison, Dallas, or anywhere in Texas, and you suspect your child has been hazed, you are not alone. The path forward is difficult, but it begins with a single, confidential conversation.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLD (Attorney911) today.

• Call our 24/7 line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Visit our website: Attorney911.com
• Email us directly: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com

Hablamos Español. Mr. Peña provides fluent Spanish-language legal services.

In your free consultation, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Discuss the investigation process and potential strategies.
• Answer your questions about timelines, costs, and what to expect.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Your location in Addison does not limit our ability to help you. The institutions behind hazing operate statewide and nationally—and so do we.

Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Each case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. Consult a qualified Texas attorney for advice on your situation.

© The Manginello Law Firm, PLLD (Attorney911). All rights reserved.