Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Legal Guide for Nash Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at College, You’re Not Alone—And You Have Rights

Picture this: Your child from Nash, excited to join a fraternity at a Texas university, attends what they’re told is a “big brother reveal” at an off-campus house. What starts as pizza and introductions turns into something darker. Older members line up the new pledges. Your child is handed a bottle of liquor and told to finish it. Everyone is watching, phones are out recording, and the pressure is overwhelming. Later that night, they’re vomiting uncontrollably, but their “brothers” tell them to sleep it off. They’re afraid to call for help because they don’t want to “get the chapter in trouble.” By morning, they’re in the ER with alcohol poisoning.

This nightmare scenario happens to Texas students every year—and it’s happening right now. In November 2025, a University of Houston student named Leonel Bermudez filed a $10 million hazing lawsuit after his Pi Kappa Phi pledge period left him with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown. He was hospitalized for four days. The fraternity chapter was shut down. Attorney911 represents him in this ongoing case.

If you’re a parent in Nash, Bowie County, your child might attend Texas A&M University-Texarkana just minutes away, or they might be at Texas A&M in College Station, UT Austin, University of Houston, or any of Texas’s 96 campuses. Wherever they are, if hazing has harmed them, you need to know: This is illegal, this is preventable, and you have legal options.

This guide is written specifically for Nash families and all Texas parents facing the reality of campus hazing. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, break down Texas and federal law, show you patterns from national cases, examine what’s happening at major Texas universities, and outline your family’s path to accountability and recovery.

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

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

Modern Hazing: Not Just “Pranks” or “Tradition”

For Nash families watching their children head off to college, understanding contemporary hazing is critical. What you remember from movies or stories is outdated. Today’s hazing is more secretive, more digital, and often disguised as “team building” or “bonding.”

Hazing in 2025 means 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. Crucially: “I agreed to it” does not make it legal or safe when peer pressure and power imbalance are present.

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common—and most deadly—form. It includes forced chugging challenges, “lineup” drinking games, “big/little” nights with handles of liquor, and pressure to consume unknown substances. The Leonel Bermudez case at UH involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.

Physical Hazing
This includes paddling, beatings, extreme calisthenics (“smokings” with hundreds of push-ups), sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme temperatures. In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, pledges were sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding” and threatened with actual waterboarding.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“roasted pig” positions), degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. At Texas A&M, a Corps of Cadets lawsuit alleged a cadet was bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming. This includes “grilling” sessions where pledges are verbally torn down for hours.

Digital/Online Hazing
Group chat dares, social media humiliation, pressure to create compromising content, and 24/7 digital monitoring. Pledges are often required to respond instantly to messages at all hours, with failure resulting in punishment.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

While Greek organizations account for many cases, Nash families should know hazing occurs in:

Fraternities and sororities (all councils: IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
Corps of Cadets/ROTC/military-style groups
Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
Spirit squads and tradition clubs
Marching bands and performance groups
Some academic, service, and cultural organizations

The common thread is social status, tradition, and secrecy that keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law: What Nash Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your Legal Foundation

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions that protect students from Bowie County to the Rio Grande. Under Texas law, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

Endangers mental or physical health or safety, AND
Occurs for pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership

Key Points for Nash Families:

Location doesn’t matter—on-campus, off-campus, at retreats
Can be mental OR physical harm
“Reckless” is enough—they don’t need malicious intent
Consent is NOT a defense (Texas Education Code § 37.155)

Criminal Penalties: Serious Consequences

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing without serious injury (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

Additional crimes: failing to report hazing (if you’re a member/officer who knew) and retaliating against reporters are also misdemeanors.

Organizational Liability: Holding Groups Accountable

Organizations (fraternities, sororities, clubs, teams) can be criminally prosecuted if:

The organization authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
An officer/member acting officially knew and failed to report

Penalties include fines up to $10,000 per violation and university revocation of recognition.

Reporter Protections: Encouraging Help-Seeking

Texas law provides immunity for good-faith reporting to universities or law enforcement. Many Texas campuses also offer medical amnesty—students won’t face university discipline for underage drinking if they’re calling 911 for a medical emergency.

How Texas Law Compares

Texas has stronger protections than some states but trails others:

Pennsylvania (Piazza Law): Enhanced felonies, named after Timothy Piazza
Louisiana (Max Gruver Act): Felony hazing with serious prison time
Ohio (Collin’s Law): Felony when drugs/alcohol cause physical harm
Florida (Chad Meredith Law): Criminalized hazing after drowning death

Texas falls mid-pack—good criminal statutes but room for stronger reforms.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns Every Nash Family Should Recognize

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Repeated Tragedy

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
Bid-acceptance night with extreme drinking. Piazza suffered fatal falls captured on chapter cameras. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, civil litigation, Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.” Takeaway for Nash families: Delay in medical care and culture of silence can be deadly.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
“Big brother” night where pledge was given a handle of liquor. Died from alcohol poisoning. Result: Criminal charges, FSU suspended all Greek life temporarily. Takeaway: Formulaic drinking “traditions” are predictably dangerous.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
“Bible study” drinking game—wrong answers meant forced drinking. Died with 0.495% BAC. Result: Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute). Takeaway: Legislative change often follows public outrage.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Pledge forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey. Died from alcohol poisoning. Result: $10 million total settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). Takeaway: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing: Violence Disguised as Tradition

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Pledge at fraternity retreat subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual. Suffered fatal head injuries; help was delayed. Result: Multiple convictions, fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Takeaway: Off-campus retreats are particularly dangerous, and national organizations face severe sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing: Beyond Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program. Result: Multiple lawsuits, head coach fired, confidential settlement. Takeaway: Hazing isn’t limited to Greek life; big-money athletic programs can harbor systemic abuse.

What These Cases Mean for Nash Families

These national cases establish patterns that repeat at Texas schools:

Forced drinking scripts (“big/little,” “bid acceptance,” “family tree” games)
Delayed medical care due to fear of consequences
Institutional cover-ups and defensiveness
Multi-million dollar settlements becoming common
Legislative reforms following tragedy

When your child at a Texas university faces similar conduct, these precedents matter in court.

Texas Universities: What’s Happening Where Nash Students Attend

Understanding Nash’s Educational Landscape

Nash families typically have students at:

Local/Regional Campuses: Texas A&M University-Texarkana (in Bowie County), Texarkana College, University of Arkansas (just across state line)
Major Texas Hubs: Texas A&M College Station, University of Houston, UT Austin, Texas Tech, University of North Texas
Private Universities: Baylor, SMU, TCU, Rice

We maintain detailed data on Greek organizations serving all these campuses. For example, from IRS public filings:

Texas-Based Greek Organizations (Sample from Public Records):

Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 462267515 – Frisco, TX 75035
Sigma Phi Epsilon New York Chi Alumni Association Inc – EIN 262710856 – Houston, TX 77007
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 741380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – EIN 746064445 – Nederland, TX 77627
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – EIN 900293166 – College Station, TX 77843
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – EIN 475381060 – San Marcos, TX 78666
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – EIN 237279532 – Prairie View, TX 77446

These are just 7 of 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations we track through IRS B83 filings. When your child is hazed, we already know how to find the entities behind the letters.

University of Houston: The Current Front Line

Campus Context for Nash Families
UH serves many East Texas students, including those from Bowie County. Its urban Houston campus hosts active Greek life with multiple councils.

The Bermudez Case: A $10 Million Watershed
In November 2025, UH transfer student Leonel Bermudez sued after his Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu pledge period left him with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. Specific hazing included:

“Pledge fanny pack” rule with condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices
Forced 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under expulsion threats
Hose spraying “similar to waterboarding”
Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting
Hospitalization with brown urine, critically high creatine kinase levels

The chapter was suspended November 6, 2025, then members voted to surrender their charter November 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.” Attorney911 represents Bermudez in this ongoing litigation.

UH’s Hazing Policy & Reality
UH prohibits hazing on or off campus, including forced consumption, sleep deprivation, and physical mistreatment. Reporting channels exist through Dean of Students and campus police. Yet the Bermudez case shows policies alone don’t prevent harm.

For Nash Families with UH Students

Document everything immediately (group chats often use GroupMe)
Know that Houston Police Department may have jurisdiction for off-campus incidents
Understand that prior incidents exist—we can subpoena UH’s conduct files
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 if your UH student was harmed

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life

Nash Connection
Many Bowie County students attend A&M, drawn by its reputation and relative proximity. The Corps of Cadets and Greek system both have documented hazing issues.

Documented Incidents

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts. Fraternity suspended; lawsuit filed.
Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound in “roasted pig” position. Sought over $1 million.
Ongoing Issues: Public records show consistent hazing violations across multiple organizations.

Unique A&M Challenges
The Corps culture emphasizes tradition and discipline, which can mask abuse. Greek life at A&M is massive, with oversight challenges.

For Nash Families with A&M Students

Corps hazing often occurs in dormitory settings—document room conditions
College Station police and university police share jurisdiction
Medical attention is crucial—rhabdomyolysis from extreme exercise is common
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for A&M-specific case evaluation

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Patterns

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Page
UT maintains one of Texas’s most transparent databases at hazing.utexas.edu. Recent entries show patterns:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: probation, mandatory education.
Texas Wranglers: Multiple violations for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing.
Various fraternities and sororities with repeated offenses.

What This Means for Nash Families
UT’s transparency is commendable but reveals systemic issues. When your child is hazed at UT, prior violations on this public log strengthen your case by showing patterns and institutional knowledge.

UT-Specific Considerations

Austin Police Department often handles off-campus incidents
UT’s size means oversight challenges despite policies
Digital evidence is critical—GroupMe, Instagram, Snapchat

Southern Methodist University: Private Campus Challenges

SMU’s Greek Dominance
SMU’s affluent, Greek-dominated culture presents unique risks. As a private university, SMU has different transparency obligations than public schools.

Documented Issues

Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep. Chapter suspended until approximately 2021.
Ongoing investigations typically handled internally with limited public disclosure.

For Nash Families at SMU

Private university status means different discovery processes
SMU uses anonymous reporting systems like Real Response
Don’t assume confidentiality—internal processes may not protect your child
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for SMU case strategy

Baylor University: After the Scandals

Baylor’s Complicated History
Following major Title IX scandals, Baylor has pledged reform. Yet hazing persists:

Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following investigation.
Ongoing issues in various organizations despite “zero tolerance” policies.

Religious Context Considerations
Baylor’s religious identity can complicate reporting—students may fear contradicting “Christian community” expectations.

For Nash Families at Baylor

Understand Baylor’s unique cultural dynamics
Document everything—internal processes may prioritize institution over individual
Legal action may be necessary despite “internal resolution” promises
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for Baylor-specific counsel

Fraternities & Sororities: National Patterns Hit Texas Campuses

Why National Histories Matter for Nash Families

When your child is hazed by a Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH, that national organization’s history matters. National fraternities and sororities have thick anti-hazing manuals because they’ve seen deaths and catastrophic injuries.

Pattern Recognition: The Key to Liability
When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that got a chapter shut down in another state, that shows foreseeability—the national organization should have known this would happen. This strengthens negligence claims and supports punitive damages.

Major Organizations with Documented Histories

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

Stone Foltz: BGSU death, $10 million settlement
David Bogenberger: NIU death, $14 million settlement
Pattern: “Big/little” alcohol hazing, delayed medical care
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, Texas Tech, many others

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

Multiple deaths nationwide: Repeated alcohol hazing incidents
Texas Incidents: Chemical burns case at Texas A&M, assault case at UT
Pattern: Physical abuse combined with alcohol
Texas Presence: Nearly every major Texas campus

Phi Delta Theta

Max Gruver: LSU death, Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act
Pattern: “Bible study” drinking games
Texas Presence: Multiple Texas chapters

Pi Kappa Phi

Andrew Coffey: FSU death, chapter closures
Leonel Bermudez: UH rhabdomyolysis case (current Attorney911 representation)
Pattern: Physical endurance hazing combined with humiliation
Texas Presence: Including the now-closed UH Beta Nu chapter

Kappa Alpha Order

Multiple suspensions: Including SMU chapter 2017-2021
Pattern: Paddling, forced drinking traditions
Texas Presence: Multiple Texas campuses

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: Data-Driven Insight

Through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we track:

125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations (IRS B83 filings)
1,423 fraternities/sororities across 25 Texas metros (Cause IQ data)
96 Texas university campuses with Greek life presence
Brand overlaps showing same nationals operating across Texas

Example: Pi Kappa Phi’s Texas Footprint
From public records, we see Pi Kappa Phi entities across Texas:

Beta Nu housing corporation in Frisco
Alumni associations in Houston
Chapters at multiple universities

When hazing occurs, we know how to trace liability through this organizational web.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Recovery

Critical Evidence: What Wins Cases

Digital Communications (MOST IMPORTANT)

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity apps
Instagram DMs, Snapchat (screenshot immediately—messages disappear)
Preservation tip: Don’t let your child delete anything, even if embarrassing

Photos & Videos

Content filmed during events (often shared in group chats)
Security/doorbell camera footage
Injury documentation: photograph immediately, then daily to show progression

Internal Organization Documents

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts
Emails/texts planning events
National policies showing they knew risks

University Records

Prior conduct files (obtainable through discovery)
Incident reports
Clery Act reports

Medical Evidence

ER/hospital records (crucial for rhabdomyolysis cases like Bermudez’s)
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
Future care needs assessments

Witness Testimony

Other pledges (often afraid but may cooperate as case progresses)
Former members who quit
Roommates, RAs, bystanders

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable)

Medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy)
Future medical care (lifetime costs for catastrophic injuries)
Lost earnings/educational impact (missed semesters, delayed career)
Other expenses (relocation, tutoring, etc.)

Non-Economic Damages

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages (When Tragedy Strikes)

Funeral/burial costs
Loss of companionship, guidance, support
Family’s emotional suffering

Punitive Damages (In Egregious Cases)

To punish particularly reckless or malicious conduct
Available when defendants knew risks and acted anyway

Case Strategy: Why Experience Matters

Insurance Coverage Battles
Fraternity and university insurers often argue:

“Hazing is intentional—coverage excluded”
“That defendant isn’t covered under our policy”
“Your damages aren’t that high”

Our insurance insider knowledge (Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney) is crucial here. We know how insurers value claims, use IMEs to reduce settlements, and deploy delay tactics.

Multiple Defendant Coordination
A typical hazing case might involve:

Individual students
Local chapter
National headquarters
University
Property owners
Alcohol providers

Coordinating claims against all potentially liable parties requires experience.

Settlement vs. Trial Strategy
Most cases settle, but trial readiness drives better settlements. Our BP Texas City explosion litigation experience proves we can handle complex institutional cases against deep-pocketed defendants.

Practical Guides: What Nash Families Should Do Now

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding

Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed

Unexplained injuries, bruises, burns
Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
Weight changes from food/water restriction
Sleep deprivation (calls at 3 AM, all-night “meetings”)
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
Grades dropping unexpectedly
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Deleting messages or clearing history obsessively

How to Talk to Your Child

Ask open questions: “How are things with [organization]?”
Listen without judgment: “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
Emphasize safety: “Your health matters more than any group.”
Document what they share (dates, times, details)

If Your Child Is Hurt

Medical attention FIRST—even if they resist
Preserve evidence—screenshot everything before deletion
Write everything down—memory fades fast
Contact Attorney911—1-888-ATTY-911 within 24-48 hours

Dealing with Universities

Document all communications
Ask specifically: “What prior incidents involve this organization?”
Don’t sign anything without legal review
Remember: University interests ≠ Your family’s interests

For Students: Safety and Rights

Is This Hazing?
If you answer YES to any:

Are you being pressured to do something unsafe?
Would you do this if you had a real choice?
Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would your parents/university approve if they knew?
Are you told to keep secrets?

Exiting Safely

You have the legal right to leave any time
Tell someone outside the organization first
Email chapter leadership: “I resign effective immediately”
Don’t go to “one last meeting”—that’s where pressure happens
If fearing retaliation, report to Dean of Students AND campus police

Evidence Collection

Screenshots: Full conversations with timestamps
Photos: Injuries (with coin for scale), locations, objects
Medical records: Tell providers “I was hazed” for documentation
Witness info: Names and contacts of others who saw

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence
“What parents think”: “I don’t want them in more trouble.”
“Why it’s wrong”: Looks like cover-up, makes case nearly impossible.
Instead: Preserve everything—even embarrassing content.

2. Confronting the Organization
“What parents think”: “I’ll give them a piece of my mind.”
“Why it’s wrong”: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses.
Instead: Document everything, call attorney first.

3. Signing University Forms
“What universities do”: Pressure families to sign “internal resolution” agreements.
“Why it’s wrong”: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often lowball.
Instead: Do NOT sign without attorney review.

4. Social Media Posts
“What families think”: “I want people to know what happened.”
“Why it’s wrong”: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility.
Instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control messaging.

5. Waiting “To See How University Handles It”
“What universities promise**: “We’re investigating internally.”
“Why it’s wrong**: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs.
Instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately.

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters
“What adjusters say**: “We just need your statement.”
“Why it’s wrong**: Recorded statements are used against you.
Instead: “My attorney will contact you.”

About The Manginello Law Firm: Why Nash Families Choose Us

Texas Hazing Specialists with Proven Experience

When your Nash family faces a hazing case, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña)

Former insurance defense attorney at a national firm
Knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers value (and undervalue) claims
Understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies
“We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Institutional Litigation (Ralph Manginello)

One of few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation
Federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
Not intimidated by national fraternities or university defense teams
“We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations. We know how to fight powerful defendants.”

Multi-Million Dollar Results

Proven wrongful death and catastrophic injury experience
Economist collaboration for lifetime care valuation
“We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.”

Criminal + Civil Dual Expertise

Ralph’s HCCLA membership (elite criminal defense credential)
Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure

Investigative Depth

Network of experts: medical, digital forensics, economists, psychologists
Experience obtaining hidden evidence (group chats, chapter records, university files)
“We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.”

Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine

While other lawyers start from zero, we begin with data:

125+ Texas Greek organizations tracked through IRS filings
1,423 fraternities/sororities across 25 Texas metros in our database
96 campus profiles with documented hazing patterns
National incident database showing repeating scripts

When we take your case, we already know:

The national organization’s history
Prior incidents at that chapter
University response patterns
Insurance carriers involved

Why Nash Families Trust Us

We serve families throughout Texas, including Nash and Bowie County. Whether your student is at Texas A&M-Texarkana down the road or UT Austin hours away, we understand:

The unique dynamics of Texas universities
How to navigate both public and private school systems
The cultural factors that keep hazing hidden
What it takes to get justice against well-funded opponents

Your Next Step: Confidential Consultation

If Hazing Has Harmed Your Child, We Want to Help

Families in Nash and across Texas have the right to answers and accountability. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

We listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
No pressure to hire us—take time to decide
Everything you tell us is confidential

Contact Us Today:

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-Speaking Services:

Hablamos Español—Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com
Servicios legales en español disponibles

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Every case is fact-specific—call 1-888-ATTY-911 for analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Default is Class B misdemeanor, but becomes state jail felony if causing serious bodily injury or death.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to it?”
Texas law (§ 37.155) explicitly states consent is not a defense. Courts recognize “consent” under peer pressure isn’t voluntary.

“How long do we have to sue?”
Generally 2 years from injury or death, but the discovery rule may extend this. Time is critical—evidence disappears fast.

“Will this be confidential?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

Attorney911 Main Contact:

Website: https://attorney911.com
Wrongful Death Practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
Criminal Defense Practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/
Ralph Manginello Profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
Lupe Peña Profile: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

UH Pi Kappa Phi Case Coverage:

Educational Videos:

Evidence Preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Statute of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client Mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
Contingency Fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

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 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