The Definitive Guide to Hazing Laws and Fraternity Accountability: A Carthage Family’s Resource

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone

For parents in Carthage, Panola County, the college experience for your child might feel worlds away from our close-knit East Texas community. You picture them in lecture halls at Stephen F. Austin State University in nearby Nacogdoches, or perhaps you’ve sent them further to flagship schools like Texas A&M or the University of Texas. The last thing you imagine is a phone call saying your child has been brutally hazed—forced to endure physical abuse, dangerous drinking, or psychological torment as a condition of joining a campus group.

Yet right now, in Houston, our firm is leading one of the most serious hazing lawsuits in the country. Leonel Bermudez, a student at the University of Houston, nearly lost his life after a fall 2025 pledge period with the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to a Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case, he was subjected to a degrading “pledge fanny pack” rule, forced through extreme workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park, sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and made to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited. The result? Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown, he was hospitalized for four days, and he now faces the risk of permanent kidney damage.

This is not an isolated story from a distant campus. It is a $10 million lawsuit unfolding in our state, and it reveals a harsh truth: the systems of hazing and abuse that plague national fraternities are operating at Texas universities where Carthage families send their children. Whether your student is at a local campus in East Texas or at a major university hours away, the same dangerous patterns exist.

This guide is written specifically for parents, families, and students in Carthage and across Panola County. Our goal is to arm you with knowledge: what hazing looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects victims, what has happened at universities relevant to our community, and the legal pathways to accountability and recovery. You have the right to answers, and your child has the right to safety.

Immediate Help for a Hazing Emergency in Carthage

If you suspect 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 provide immediate legal guidance—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

In the first 48 hours, Carthage families should:

1. Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor or your child is reluctant. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis or internal trauma can be delayed. Go to the emergency room or urgent care.
2. Preserve Digital Evidence: This is critical. Help your child take screenshots of ALL relevant group chats (GroupMe, iMessage, WhatsApp), social media posts, and DMs BEFORE they are deleted. Learn best practices in our video, Can You Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?
3. Document Everything: Write down everything your child tells you—dates, times, locations, names of involved individuals. Photograph any visible injuries.
4. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or team directly.
   • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” their phone.
   • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. If hazing has impacted your Carthage family, call us for a free, confidential consultation at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Hazing in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing is not just “boys being boys” or harmless tradition. It is a calculated pattern of coercion and abuse designed to create power imbalances. For Carthage parents whose own college experiences may differ, understanding its modern forms is the first step to recognizing danger.

A Modern, Texas-Legal Definition

Under Texas Education Code Chapter 37, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with a group that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student. Crucially, this applies on or off campus, and the victim’s “consent” is not a legal defense.

The Four Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol & Substance Hazing: The most common and deadly. This includes forced chugging, “family tree” drinking games, “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, and coerced consumption of drugs or unknown substances.
2. Physical Hazing: Beyond “hard workouts.” This is systematic physical abuse: paddling, beatings, “smokings” (extreme calisthenics to the point of collapse), sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements.
3. Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (like the “roasted pig” position reported in Texas A&M Corps cases), degrading costumes, and acts with racist, sexist, or homophobic overtones.
4. Digital & Psychological Hazing: Round-the-clock control via group chats, public shaming on social media, “mandatory” all-night study sessions, isolation from friends and family, and verbal abuse framed as “character building.”

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

While fraternities and sororities are often the focus, hazing is a systemic issue in:

• Fraternities & Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural Greek Councils)
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading)
• Corps of Cadets & ROTC Units
• Marching Bands & Performance Groups
• Spirit & Tradition Organizations (like Texas Cowboys or Aggi-Ettes)
• Academic & Service Clubs

The throughline is power, tradition, and secrecy. These groups often justify abuse as “bonding” or “earning your place,” creating a culture of silence that is difficult for a student—or a parent in Carthage—to break.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: A Carthage Family’s Legal Framework

When harm occurs, understanding the legal landscape is essential. Texas has specific statutes, and federal laws add another layer of protection and obligation.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute

This law provides the foundation for both criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits in our state.

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. If it causes bodily injury, it becomes a Class A misdemeanor. If it causes serious bodily injury or death, it is a state jail felony. Individuals who fail to report hazing or who retaliate against reporters can also face misdemeanor charges.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (§37.155) is explicit: a victim’s “agreement” to participate is irrelevant. Courts recognize that true consent cannot exist under peer pressure and the threat of social exclusion.
• Good-Faith Reporter Immunity: Those who report hazing in good faith to university officials or law enforcement are immune from civil or criminal liability that might stem from their own involvement. This is designed to encourage life-saving intervention.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (e.g., Panola County District Attorney’s Office, Harris County DA). The goal is punishment: jail time, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter in fatal cases.
• Civil Cases: Brought by the victim or their family. The goal is compensation for damages and institutional accountability. A civil lawsuit can proceed independently of any criminal case and can target a wider range of defendants, including national organizations and universities.

Federal Laws That Overlay Texas Cases

• The Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to increase transparency in hazing reporting and strengthen prevention programs by 2026.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, schools have a duty to investigate and address it under federal law.
• The Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including assaults and alcohol-related arrests, which often accompany hazing incidents.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A comprehensive legal strategy looks at every potential responsible party:

1. Individual Students: The members who planned, executed, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As a legal entity, if it owns property, holds insurance, or operates as a corporation.
3. The National Headquarters: For negligence in supervision, training, and for failing to act on known patterns of abuse across its chapters. Our firm’s Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine is built specifically to identify and investigate these national entities.
4. The University: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or violating its own policies. Public universities (like UT or Texas A&M) have certain immunity defenses, but exceptions exist for gross negligence.
5. Third Parties: Property owners of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol (under Texas dram shop law), or security companies.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragedy at the University of Houston is not unique. It follows a decades-long national pattern where specific fraternity rituals and institutional failures lead to catastrophe. Understanding these cases shows Carthage families that what happened to their child is part of a predictable, and therefore preventable, cycle.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A pledge was forced to drink an entire bottle of alcohol during a “Big/Little” event. He died of alcohol poisoning. His family secured a $10 million settlement ($7M from the national fraternity, ~$3M from the university).
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A pledge died during a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. This led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, creating felony hazing penalties.
• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): A bid-acceptance night with extreme drinking led to fatal falls. Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for hours. The case resulted in the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania and criminal charges against 18 members.

The Physical & Ritualized Abuse Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): A pledge was blindfolded, weighted down, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat, suffering fatal brain injuries. The national fraternity was convicted of manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.

The Athletic Hazing Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): A scandal involving alleged sexualized and racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements, proving hazing is endemic in high-profile sports programs.

What This Means for Carthage Families

These national cases establish critical legal precedents: they prove foreseeability. When a fraternity at a Texas university uses the same “Big/Little” drinking script that killed Stone Foltz, the national organization cannot claim it was an unforeseeable accident. This pattern evidence is powerful in court and forms the basis of our investigations at Attorney911.

Texas Universities: A Carthage Parent’s Guide to Campus-Specific Risks

Carthage families have strong educational ties throughout the region and state. Whether your student attends a local university or a major flagship, understanding the specific landscape of Greek life and hazing history at that school is crucial.

For Families with Students at Local & Regional East Texas Campuses

Many Carthage students choose excellent schools closer to home. These campuses have active Greek communities and are not immune to risk.

Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches)

• Carthage Connection: A short drive from Panola County, SFA is a common choice for local students. Its Greek community includes Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic chapters.
• Public Records Insight: Our data engine shows registered Greek entities tied to the Nacogdoches area, such as the ETA ALPHA HOUSE CORPORATION OF KAPPA DELTA SORORITY (EIN 742930349, College Station) and the EPSILON TAU CHAPTER OF THETA CHI FRATERNITY (EIN 756053083, Nacogdoches). These housing corporations and chapter entities are part of the financial and legal backbone of campus Greek life.
• Action for Parents: If an incident occurs at SFA, jurisdiction may involve the Nacogdoches Police Department and the university’s own conduct process. Evidence preservation is key, as groups may try to handle matters “internally.”

University of Texas at Tyler

• Carthage Connection: Part of the prestigious UT System, UT Tyler attracts students from across East Texas.
• Public Records Insight: The HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI chapter (EIN 352335400) is registered in Tyler, representing just one of many academic and social Greek organizations in the area.
• Action for Parents: As a public university, UT Tyler has specific reporting protocols. Hazing incidents here trigger both university discipline and potential criminal liability under Texas law.

For Families with Students at Major Texas Universities

Many Carthage students also attend the state’s largest and most well-known universities, where Greek life is deeply entrenched.

University of Houston – The Active Litigation Example

• The Leonel Bermudez Case: As detailed in the ABC13 coverage of his lawsuit, this case involves the Pi Kappa Phi chapter house, an off-campus residence on Culmore Drive, and hazing at Yellowstone Park. Defendants include 13 individual members, the chapter housing corporation, Pi Kappa Phi nationals, and the University of Houston itself.
• What This Shows: Universities and national fraternities will be sued together when systemic failure is alleged. The rapid chapter suspension and charter surrender show institutional damage control, but do not replace accountability to the victim.

Texas A&M University – Corps and Greek Life Complexities

• Corps of Cadets Hazing: In a 2023 lawsuit, a cadet alleged being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth as part of degrading hazing. The Corps is a tradition-heavy system with its own disciplinary protocols.
• Fraternity Hazing: A Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) lawsuit alleged pledges were doused with industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts.
• Carthage Parent Consideration: A&M’s unique culture means hazing may be disguised as “training” or “tradition.” Overcoming this narrative requires precise evidence and an understanding of both Corps and Greek life dynamics.

University of Texas at Austin – Transparency and Pattern

• Public Hazing Violations Log: UT Austin maintains a public online list of sanctioned organizations. Recent entries include Pi Kappa Alpha for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, and other groups for alcohol-related hazing.
• Legal Advantage: This public record is a gift to investigators. It demonstrates prior knowledge and pattern, which can be used to show a university or national organization’s negligence in supervising a repeat-offender chapter.

Baylor University & Southern Methodist University

• As private institutions, their internal processes can be less transparent. However, they are still subject to Texas criminal hazing law and federal statutes like Title IX. Past incidents, like hazing within Baylor’s baseball program, demonstrate that no campus is immune.

The Greek Ecosystem in Texas: Tracking the Organizations Behind the Letters

When a hazing incident occurs, the first thing parents see is the Greek letters on a shirt. Our job as hazing litigators is to trace those letters back to every legal and financial entity that shares responsibility. For Carthage families, understanding this network is understanding where true accountability lies.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Our Investigative Backbone

We maintain a proprietary database built from public records to map the Greek ecosystem in Texas. This includes:

• IRS B83 Records: Over 125 Texas-registered tax-exempt organizations classified as fraternities, sororities, and related entities. These are housing corporations, alumni chapters, and educational foundations—each with an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and a legal address.
• Metro-Level Analysis: Across 25 Texas metro areas, we track over 1,400 Greek-related organizations. For East Texas families, entities in the Longview and Tyler metros are particularly relevant, as are those in the major hubs of Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston where many national headquarters operate.
• University Chapter Rosters: Verified lists of active chapters at schools like UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor.

A Sample from the Public Record: Entities Operating in Texas

To illustrate the scale and structure, here are examples of organizations recorded in state and federal filings. This is the kind of data we use to identify all potentially liable parties in a case.

East Texas & Regional Entities:

• ALPHA TAU OMEGA HOUSING CORPORATION OF ETA IOTA CHAPTER – EIN 300517788, Nacogdoches, TX 75965
• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY – EPSILON ZETA – EIN 756041410, Nacogdoches, TX 75965
• SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY ZETA ETA – EIN 756060974, Commerce, TX 75429 (Texas A&M University-Commerce)

Major University Hub Entities (Where Carthage Students Often Attend):

• TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC – EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC – EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035 (Connected to the UH case)
• BUILDING CORPORATION OF DELTA CHAPTER OF ALPHA DELTA PI – EIN 746047117, Austin, TX 78705

National Brands with Texas Presence (From Cause IQ Metro Data):

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp. (Austin metro)
• Delta Tau Delta – Gamma Iota Chapter (Austin metro)
• Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (Houston metro)

Why This Mapping Matters for Your Case

If your child is hazed by the “XYZ Fraternity” at their university, we don’t just sue the students in the room. We investigate:

1. The local chapter corporation that owns the house.
2. The alumni housing board that manages the property.
3. The national fraternity’s risk management and insurance structure.
4. The interrelated educational foundations that hold assets.

This comprehensive approach is how we locate insurance coverage, uncover prior incident reports buried in national files, and build maximum leverage for a just recovery. It turns the fraternity’s own organizational complexity against them.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Pursuing a hazing case is a complex fight against well-resourced institutions. At Attorney911, we apply a structured, evidence-driven approach honed over decades of complex litigation, including our work on the BP Texas City explosion case.

The Evidence Collection Imperative

Digital evidence disappears within hours. Witness memories fade. Universities and fraternities begin their internal PR and legal strategies immediately. Our first goal is to preserve and collect:

1. Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, and Instagram/Snapchat threads are the modern minute books of hazing. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages when necessary.
2. Photos & Videos: Content posted socially or shared privately is invaluable for establishing what happened, who was involved, and the severity of acts.
3. Medical Records: Documentation of injuries, ER visits, toxicology reports (elevated blood alcohol), and diagnoses like rhabdomyolysis or PTSD are the foundation of your damages claim.
4. University Records: Through discovery, we obtain prior conduct reports for the same chapter, internal investigatory files, and communications between the school and the national organization.
5. National Fraternity Files: We subpoena the national headquarters for their “risk management” files on the chapter, which often contain a history of warnings, violations, and internal knowledge of hazing problems.

Overcoming Institutional Defense Tactics

We expect and counter common defenses:

• “The Pledge Consented”: We cite Texas law §37.155 and use evidence of peer pressure and coercion to nullify this argument.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We use our data engine and discovery to show the national organization’s pattern of similar incidents across the country, proving foreseeability and negligent supervision.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: We establish that the university or national organization still exercised control, funding, or sponsorship over the event or the group responsible.
• “Our Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts”: Here, our co-founding attorney Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney is invaluable. He knows how insurers construct these arguments and how to fight them, often by arguing that the organization’s negligent supervision—not just the intentional hazing act—is what triggered the coverage.

Understanding Damages: What Can Be Recovered

A civil lawsuit seeks to make the victim and their family whole, and to hold defendants accountable. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All past and future medical expenses, lost wages, costs of psychological counseling, and diminished future earning capacity if injuries are permanent.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (in fatalities): Funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship, love, and guidance for the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious conduct or cover-ups, courts may award damages intended to punish the defendant and deter future behavior.

We work with life-care planners, economists, and medical experts to build a comprehensive picture of the lifelong impact of a hazing injury, ensuring we fight for full and fair compensation. We explain this process in detail in our video, How Do Contingency Fees Work?

Practical Steps for Carthage Parents and Students

A Parent’s Action Checklist

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: Get medical attention immediately. Trust the professionals at your local Carthage medical center or the university hospital.
2. Become an Evidence Archivist: Help your child safely preserve all digital evidence. Do not let them delete anything out of shame or fear.
3. Document a Timeline: Write down everything your child recalls: dates, times, locations, names, and specific acts.
4. Seek Legal Counsel Early: Contact a firm with specific hazing experience before engaging deeply with the university’s internal process. We can help you navigate that process without waiving your rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.
5. Understand the Reporting Options: You can report to campus police, the Dean of Students, and/or local law enforcement. A lawyer can advise on the strategic implications of each.
6. Avoid Critical Mistakes: Do not confront the organization, sign settlements without review, or post about the case on social media. We detail these pitfalls in our video, Client Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case.

A Student’s Guide to Safety and Rights

• You Have the Right to Be Safe: No tradition is worth your life or health.
• “Consent” Under Pressure Isn’t Real: Texas law protects you even if you felt you had to go along.
• How to Exit Safely: You can resign via email/text to the chapter president. Have a safe place to go (a friend’s dorm, home to Carthage) and tell a trusted adult.
• Where to Report Anonymously: Most schools have anonymous hotlines. The National Anti-Hazing Hotline is 1-888-NOT-HAZE.
• Good Samaritan/Amnesty Policies: Most Texas schools have policies protecting those who call for help in an alcohol or medical emergency from minor conduct violations.

Frequently Asked Questions for Carthage Families

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Texas?
A: Generally, the statute of limitations for personal injury is two years from the date of injury. However, complexities like the “discovery rule” or a victim’s age can affect this. Do not wait. Evidence deteriorates quickly. Learn more in our video, Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?

Q: Can we sue the university?
A: Yes, depending on the facts. Public universities have certain immunity protections, but they can be sued for gross negligence, violations of statutory duties, or under Title IX. Private universities like Baylor and SMU have fewer immunity barriers. Every case requires specific analysis.

Q: Will our name be public?
A: Many hazing cases settle confidentially before a public filing. If a lawsuit is filed, we can use legal tools to seek protective orders and seal sensitive documents to protect your family’s privacy as much as possible.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, including hazing litigation. This means you pay no upfront fees or hourly costs. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery we secure for you, and we only get paid if we win your case.

Why Carthage Families Choose Attorney911 for Hazing Cases

When your family is in crisis, you need advocates who combine deep legal skill with genuine compassion and the resources to take on powerful institutions. At The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911), we bring a unique set of advantages to hazing litigation.

1. Active, High-Stakes Hazing Litigation Experience: We are not theorists. We are currently lead counsel in the Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit—a $10 million case against a major university and a national fraternity. We are in the fight right now.

2. Insider Knowledge of Insurance Defense Tactics: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as a defense lawyer for national insurance companies. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will try to deny, delay, and minimize your claim. We know their playbook because we helped write it.

3. Proven Capability Against Giant Institutions: Founding attorney Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, taking on a billion-dollar corporation. We are not intimidated by the deep pockets and legal teams of national fraternities or university systems.

4. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: We don’t start from scratch. We maintain a proprietary database of over 1,400 Greek organizations in Texas. We know how to find the housing corporations, alumni boards, and national entities that share liability, ensuring we pursue every source of accountability and insurance.

5. A Full-Service Complex Litigation Firm: Hazing cases require expertise in wrongful death, catastrophic injury, digital evidence, and institutional negligence. Our broad practice—from 18-wheeler accidents to offshore injuries—means we have the expert network and trial experience to build the strongest possible case for your family.

6. Compassionate, Client-Focused Advocacy: We understand the trauma and confusion your family is experiencing. We guide you through every step, keep you informed, and fight not just for compensation, but for the answers and accountability that can aid in healing and prevent future tragedies.

Your Next Step: A Confidential, No-Obligation Consultation

If you are a parent in Carthage, Panola County, or anywhere in Texas, and you believe your child has been the victim of hazing, we are here to listen and to help.

Contact Attorney911 today for a free, confidential case evaluation.

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

We will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, explain your legal rights under Texas law, and outline your potential options. There is no pressure and no fee for this initial consultation. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront costs to you.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Let us use our experience, data, and determination to fight for your child’s future and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or form