Hazing Victims in Cass County, Texas: Legal Rights and How to Get Help
The Hazing Crisis in Cass County and Beyond
Hazing isn’t just a problem happening far away—it’s happening right here in Texas, including at colleges and universities near Cass County. What started as seemingly harmless “tradition” has escalated into a dangerous epidemic that has hospitalized and even killed students across the country, including right here in Texas.
The recent case we’re handling against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston proves that hazing is alive and well in our state. A young man was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and ended up in the hospital with kidney failure. This didn’t happen in some distant state—it happened in Houston, and similar incidents could be happening at colleges near Cass County.
What Constitutes Hazing in Texas?
Texas law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, or maintaining membership in an organization. This includes:
- Physical brutality like beating, paddling, or forced exercise
- Sleep deprivation and exposure to extreme weather
- Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or other substances
- Psychological abuse and humiliation
- Any activity that creates unreasonable risk of harm
Importantly, Texas law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the organization and individuals can still be held legally responsible.
The Real Cost of Hazing: Medical Consequences
Hazing isn’t just embarrassing or uncomfortable—it can cause serious, life-threatening medical conditions. In our current case, the victim developed rhabdomyolysis, a dangerous condition where muscle tissue breaks down and releases proteins that can cause kidney failure. He spent four days in the hospital fighting for his life.
Other common medical consequences of hazing include:
- Alcohol poisoning from forced drinking
- Traumatic brain injuries from beatings or falls
- Hypothermia or heat stroke from extreme exposure
- Cardiac arrest from excessive physical exertion
- Long-term psychological trauma including PTSD, anxiety, and depression
Who Is Liable for Hazing in Cass County?
When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:
- Local chapters – The fraternity or sorority chapter that organized and conducted the hazing
- National organizations – The parent organization that failed to supervise or enforce anti-hazing policies
- Universities – Institutions that failed to protect students despite knowing about hazing risks
- Individual members – Those who participated in or facilitated the hazing activities
- Alumni and property owners – Those who allowed hazing to occur on their property
In our Houston case, we’re pursuing all these parties because each one played a role in allowing the abuse to continue.
Your Legal Rights as a Hazing Victim in Cass County
If you or your child has been hazed in Cass County or at a nearby university, you have important legal rights:
- The right to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages
- The right to hold all responsible parties accountable – not just the individuals who participated
- The right to protection from retaliation – organizations cannot punish you for speaking out
- The right to confidentiality – your identity can be protected if you fear retribution
- The right to pursue justice through both civil and criminal courts
What to Do If You’ve Been Hazed in Cass County
If you or your child has been a victim of hazing, follow these critical steps:
- Seek medical attention immediately – Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Document everything – Take photos of injuries, save all communications, and write down what happened
- Preserve evidence – Don’t delete any text messages, social media posts, or other communications
- Report the incident – Notify university officials and consider filing a police report
- Contact an attorney – Before speaking to the organization, university, or their insurance company
Most importantly: DO NOT sign anything or accept any settlement offers without consulting an attorney first.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Cass County Hazing Case
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting one of the most significant hazing cases in Texas history—a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, how to hold institutions accountable, and how to win.
Here’s why Cass County families choose us:
- We’re fighting this battle right now – This isn’t theoretical; we’re actively litigating a major hazing case
- We understand the medical consequences – We have experience with rhabdomyolysis and other hazing-related injuries
- We know how to pursue deep pockets – We go after national organizations and universities, not just individual students
- We offer contingency fees – You pay nothing upfront; we only get paid if we win your case
- We serve Cass County families – While based in Houston, we represent hazing victims across Texas, including Cass County
The Same Hazing Happens at Cass County Colleges
The fraternities and sororities operating at colleges near Cass County are the same organizations involved in the Houston case. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other major Greek organizations have chapters at Texas universities, and they all face the same hazing risks.
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at a college near Cass County, they face the same dangers that hospitalized our client in Houston. The same “traditions” exist, the same negligence persists, and the same life-threatening consequences can occur.
Our Current Case: What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Cass County
In our current $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, we’re representing a young man who:
- Was waterboarded with a garden hose
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until he vomited, then made to continue exercising
- Hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
This didn’t happen in some distant state—it happened right here in Texas. And it could happen to students from Cass County at nearby universities.
The Pattern of Negligence
What makes our current case so compelling is the pattern of negligence:
- Pi Kappa Phi knew – In 2017, Andrew Coffey died at a Pi Kappa Phi event at Florida State University. They had 8 years to fix their culture but did nothing.
- University of Houston knew – In 2017, a student was hospitalized from hazing at another UH fraternity. They had 8 years to implement real oversight but did nothing.
- They all failed – Despite knowing the risks, they allowed the same dangerous culture to continue.
The same pattern exists at colleges near Cass County. Universities know hazing happens. National organizations know hazing happens. But they continue to fail our students.
What a Hazing Lawsuit Can Achieve for Cass County Families
A successful hazing lawsuit can accomplish several important goals:
- Financial compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages
- Institutional change – Forcing universities and national organizations to implement real safeguards
- Accountability – Holding all responsible parties accountable for their actions
- Prevention – Sending a message that hazing will not be tolerated
In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million to send exactly this message.
Recent Hazing Cases Prove You Can Win
Recent hazing cases across the country have resulted in significant verdicts and settlements:
- $10.1 million – Stone Foltz case (Bowling Green State University)
- $6.1 million jury verdict – Maxwell Gruver case (Louisiana State University)
- $110+ million – Timothy Piazza case (Penn State University)
These cases prove that juries and courts take hazing seriously and are willing to award significant damages to victims and their families.
How We Build Strong Hazing Cases for Cass County Victims
When we take on a hazing case, we:
- Preserve evidence immediately – Texts, photos, videos, witness statements
- Identify all liable parties – Not just individuals, but organizations and institutions
- Document all damages – Medical records, therapy records, academic impact
- Build leverage – Using media attention, public pressure, and legal strategy
- Negotiate from strength – We’re currently litigating a $10 million case, which gives us credibility
- Take it to trial if needed – We’re not afraid to go to court to get justice
The Urgency: Statute of Limitations in Texas
Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including hazing. This means you have only two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to compensation forever.
Don’t wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your rights expire. Contact us immediately if you or your child has been hazed.
What to Expect When You Contact Us
When you call Attorney 911 about a hazing case:
- Free consultation – We’ll evaluate your case at no cost
- No upfront fees – We work on contingency; you pay nothing unless we win
- Confidentiality – Your information is protected
- Immediate action – We’ll start preserving evidence right away
- Compassionate representation – We understand what you’re going through
Our Commitment to Cass County Hazing Victims
We see your child as a person—not a paycheck. We’re fighting this battle because we truly care about stopping hazing and protecting students. When we take on a hazing case, we’re not just seeking compensation—we’re seeking justice, accountability, and change.
If your child has been hazed at a college near Cass County, we will fight for you with the same aggression we’re bringing to our current $10 million case.
Contact Attorney 911 Today
If you or your child has been a victim of hazing in Cass County or at a nearby university, contact us immediately for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We serve Cass County families and hazing victims across Texas. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
Remember: The same fraternities operating near Cass County have paid millions in hazing settlements. The same universities near Cass County have failed to protect students. And the same legal strategies that are winning in Houston can win for Cass County families.
Don’t let them get away with it. Call us today.
