The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits for Texas Families: Holding Fraternities & Universities Accountable

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You’re Not Alone—We Can Help

For families in Crandall, Kaufman County, the phone call every parent dreads might start with, “Mom, Dad, something happened at the fraternity house.” Your child—maybe attending the University of North Texas in Denton just up the road, Texas A&M in College Station, or the University of Houston—was supposed to be gaining friendships and building their future. Instead, they’ve been subjected to dangerous rituals, forced drinking, or physical abuse masked as “tradition” or “brotherhood.” The confusion, fear, and anger you feel right now are completely justified. What you do next matters.

Right now, in Harris County, we’re actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas: the $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and 13 fraternity leaders. The allegations are horrifyingly specific: a “pledge fanny pack” containing humiliating items, forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and extreme workouts leading to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure that hospitalized our client for four days. This isn’t an abstract concern—it’s happening right now at Texas universities, and families in Crandall need to know their rights.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in Crandall, Kaufman County, and throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area who are facing the nightmare of campus hazing. We’ll explain what modern hazing really looks like, your legal rights under Texas law, the patterns we see across Texas universities, and how our firm—with unique insurance insider knowledge and complex litigation experience—approaches these cases to secure accountability and compensation for families like yours.

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 evidence, coached witnesses)
Universities move quickly to control the narrative
We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like Beyond the Stereotypes

Understanding Modern Hazing: It’s More Than “Just Partying”

For families in Crandall sending children to universities throughout Texas, understanding that hazing has evolved beyond the stereotypical “frat party” is crucial. Modern hazing is systematic, often digitally coordinated, and psychologically sophisticated. It’s 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. The critical legal principle Texas families must understand: “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance.

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadliest form. It’s not just “drinking at a party”—it’s coerced consumption with serious consequences. This includes “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, “lineup” drinking games where wrong answers mean rapid consumption, and forced ingestion of unpleasant substances (like the milk and hot dogs in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case). The medical reality is stark: alcohol poisoning can cause death, while conditions like rhabdomyolysis—severe muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure—can result from extreme physical exertion combined with dehydration.

2. Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, we’re seeing dangerously creative physical abuse: forced calisthenics to the point of collapse (100+ push-ups, 500 squats as in the UH case), “smokings” or extreme workouts framed as “conditioning,” sleep deprivation through mandatory late-night meetings, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme elements (like being outside in underwear in cold weather). These aren’t “workouts”—they’re calculated physical punishment.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This includes forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” “roasted pig” positions), degrading costumes or roles, and acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic overtones. The psychological damage from this category can be as lasting as physical injuries.

4. Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, isolation from non-members, manipulation through “gaslighting” techniques, forced confessions, and public shaming in meetings or group chats. This creates an environment where victims feel trapped and unable to report what’s happening.

5. Digital/Online Hazing
This is the fastest-growing category. Group chat dares and “challenges,” pressure to create compromising TikTok or Instagram content, mandatory 24/7 response requirements to messages, location tracking via apps, and public humiliation through social media posts. Digital evidence often becomes the most critical proof in these cases.

Where Hazing Happens: Beyond Fraternity Houses

While fraternities and sororities dominate headlines, Crandall families should know hazing occurs across campus organizations:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural groups)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups (particularly at Texas A&M)
Athletic Teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer—as seen in the Northwestern University scandal)
Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs (like Texas Cowboys-type groups)
Marching Bands and Performance Groups
Some Academic, Service, and Cultural Organizations

The common threads across all these groups: social status, “tradition” justification, and enforced secrecy that keeps these practices alive despite everyone “knowing” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability Framework: What Crandall Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your Legal Foundation

Under Texas law—which governs cases for Crandall families regardless of where in Texas the hazing occurred—hazing is specifically defined and prohibited. According to Texas Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F:

§ 37.151 Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

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

Plain English Translation: If someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they meant to do it or were reckless about the risk, that’s hazing under Texas law. Key points for Crandall families:

Can happen on or off campus (location doesn’t matter)
Can be mental or physical harm
Intent: Doesn’t have to be malicious; “reckless” is enough (knew the risk and did it anyway)
“Consent” is not a defense (more on this critical point below)

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Two Tracks

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (county or district attorney)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Penalties under Texas law:
- Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
- Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes injury requiring medical treatment
- State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death
Additional criminal charges often include: furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, and in fatal cases, manslaughter

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or surviving families (like the Bermudez family we represent)
Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
Focus on:
- Negligence and gross negligence
- Wrongful death
- Negligent hiring/supervision
- Premises liability
- Intentional infliction of emotional distress

Critical Understanding for Families: These tracks can run simultaneously. A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. In fact, many hazing cases result in civil lawsuits even when criminal charges aren’t filed or are reduced through plea bargains.

Federal Law Overlay: Title IX, Clery Act, and New National Requirements

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently, strengthen prevention programs, and maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026). For Crandall families, this means potentially better access to information about which organizations have prior violations.

Title IX:
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. Universities must respond promptly and effectively, and victims have specific rights under these federal regulations.

Clery Act:
Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics. Hazing incidents often overlap with assault, alcohol, or drug crimes that must be included in these reports.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit: The Complete Picture

1. Individual Students:

Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover them up
In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, 13 individual fraternity leaders were named

2. Local Chapter/Organization:

The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if it’s a legal entity)
Chapter housing corporations (which often hold insurance)

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters:

Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters
Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents
Pi Kappa Phi national is a defendant in our UH case alongside the local chapter

4. University or Governing Board:

Schools may be sued under negligence or civil rights theories
Key questions: prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference
University of Houston and the UH System Board of Regents are defendants in our active case

5. Third Parties:

Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces
Bars or alcohol providers (under Texas dram shop theories)
Security companies or event organizers

Every case is fact-specific, but experienced hazing attorneys know how to identify all potentially liable parties—a critical step in ensuring full accountability and adequate compensation.

The “Consent Is Not a Defense” Doctrine: Critical for Texas Families

Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the hazing activity.”

For Crandall parents hearing, “But my child agreed to it,” this legal principle is crucial. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent. This applies equally in civil cases—a victim’s participation doesn’t absolve organizations of their duty to prevent harm.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Can Learn from National Tragedies

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern: Repeated National Tragedies

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):
A bid-acceptance event with forced drinking led to severe falls captured on chapter cameras. Brothers delayed calling for help for hours. The result: dozens of criminal charges, civil litigation, and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Takeaway for Texas families: Extreme intoxication combined with a culture of silence creates devastating legal exposure.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017):
A “Big/Little” event where a pledge was given a handle of liquor led to fatal alcohol poisoning. Criminal hazing charges followed, and FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life. Takeaway: Formulaic drinking “traditions” are predictable scripts for disaster—the same national fraternity (Pi Kappa Phi) is now facing our lawsuit in Texas.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):
A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking resulted in death and Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute). Takeaway: Legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of hazing patterns.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):
Pledge forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey died from alcohol poisoning. Multiple criminal convictions, and BGSU settled for nearly $3 million. Takeaway: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):
A blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a fraternity retreat caused fatal head injuries, with delayed medical help. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Takeaway for Crandall families: Off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous as parties, and national organizations face serious sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025):
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program. Multiple lawsuits led to the head coach’s firing and confidential settlements. Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life into major athletic programs with systemic abuse patterns.

What These National Cases Mean for Crandall Families

These national precedents create a legal landscape that benefits Texas families:

Pattern Evidence: When Texas chapters repeat behaviors that caused injuries or deaths elsewhere, that shows foreseeability
Settlement Benchmarks: Multi-million dollar settlements set expectations for case value
Legal Strategies: Proven arguments and evidence preservation techniques transfer to Texas cases
Deterrent Value: Publicized cases increase pressure on universities and nationals to settle responsibly

Texas University Focus: Where Crandall Families Send Their Children

Understanding Crandall’s University Connections

Families in Crandall, Kaufman County typically send students to universities throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area and across Texas:

Local/Dallas-Fort Worth Metro: University of North Texas (Denton), Texas Woman’s University (Denton), UT Dallas (Richardson), Texas A&M Commerce, and numerous community colleges
Major Texas Hubs: University of Houston, Texas A&M College Station, UT Austin, Baylor (Waco), SMU (Dallas), Texas Tech (Lubbock)
Greek Life Presence: All these universities have active fraternity and sorority systems with documented hazing incidents

The Texas Greek Organizational Landscape: Data-Driven Reality

Through our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain detailed records of Greek organizations across Texas. For Crandall families, this means we start investigations with concrete data, not guesswork.

In the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro (which includes Kaufman County):

510+ Greek-related organizations according to Cause IQ data
Examples include:
- Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, EIN 742911848, Fort Worth, TX 76244
- Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147
- Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity – Gamma Psi Chapter, Fort Worth (TCU)
- Sigma Nu Fraternity – Lambda Epsilon Chapter, Fort Worth (TCU)
- Kappa Delta Sorority – Gamma Beta Chapter, Denton (Texas Woman’s University)

Statewide Texas Data:

1,423 Greek organizations tracked across 25 Texas metros
125+ Texas-registered organizations in IRS B83 filings (fraternity/sorority tax category)
96 Texas university campuses with varying Greek life presence

This data matters because when hazing occurs, we can immediately identify all potentially liable entities—local chapters, housing corporations, alumni associations, and national headquarters—without starting from scratch.

University of Houston: Current Active Litigation Example

For Crandall families with students at UH: Our active case provides a direct window into how hazing investigations unfold.

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot:
UH is a large urban campus with active Greek life spanning IFC fraternities, Panhellenic sororities, NPHC (Divine Nine), and multicultural groups. The proximity to Houston’s urban environment means hazing often moves to off-campus houses and venues.

5.1.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting:
UH prohibits hazing on and off campus, with reporting through the Dean of Students and campus police. However, as our case shows, policies alone don’t prevent abuse.

5.1.3 The Bermudez Case – What Really Happened:
Leonel Bermudez’s fall 2025 pledge experience involved:

A “pledge fanny pack” rule carrying condoms, sex toys, and humiliating items 24/7
Forced dress codes, overnight chauffeuring duties, weekly interviews
Physical abuse including sprints, bear crawls, cold-weather exposure in underwear
Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”
Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
The November 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under threat of expulsion
Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, brown urine, 4-day hospitalization

5.1.4 Institutional Response:

November 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu chapter
November 14, 2025: Chapter votes to surrender charter; chapter closed
UH calls conduct “deeply disturbing,” promises disciplinary action and law enforcement cooperation

5.1.5 Legal Proceedings:
Our $10 million lawsuit names UH, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national, Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual members. This case demonstrates our firm’s active, serious approach to hazing litigation.

Texas A&M University: Corps and Greek Life Complexities

For Crandall families with Aggie connections: Texas A&M presents unique hazing risks in both Greek life and the Corps of Cadets.

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot:
A&M’s Greek system includes approximately 60 fraternity and sorority chapters, while the Corps of Cadets houses about 2,400 students in military-style units with deep traditions.

5.2.2 Documented Incidents:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. Pledges sued for $1 million; fraternity suspended for two years.
Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. Sought over $1 million; A&M stated it handled the matter internally.
Recent Rhabdomyolysis Cases: We’re investigating multiple cases of extreme physical hazing leading to this dangerous muscle breakdown condition.

5.2.3 A&M’s Greek Organizational Footprint:
From IRS B83 data, A&M-related entities include:

Gentlemen of Aggie Tradition, EIN 880537463, College Station, TX 77845
Beta Theta Pi – Eta Chapter House Corp., College Station
Numerous alumni and housing corporations supporting College Station chapters

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot:
UT hosts about 60 fraternity/sorority chapters with high participation rates. The university maintains one of Texas’s more transparent hazing violation databases.

5.3.2 Public Hazing Violations (Examples from UT’s Database):

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: probation and required hazing prevention education.
Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (2024): Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted at party, suffering dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. Student sued chapter for over $1 million.

5.3.3 UT’s Organizational Data:
IRS B83 listings include UT-connected entities:

Chi Omega Fraternity, EIN 740555581, Austin, TX 78705 (Chi Omega House Corporation)
Building Corporation of Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, EIN 746047117, Austin, TX 78705
Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp., Austin (UT chapter house corporation)

Southern Methodist University: Private University Challenges

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot:
SMU’s affluent student body and strong Greek presence create unique dynamics. Approximately 40% of undergraduates join fraternities or sororities.

5.4.2 Documented Incidents:

Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep. Chapter suspended until 2021.
Multiple anonymous reports through SMU’s Real Response system indicating ongoing concerns.

5.4.3 SMU’s Greek Infrastructure:
Cause IQ data shows SMU-connected entities:

Tri Delta Educational Fund of SMU, Dallas
Multiple Dallas-based alumni chapters and housing corporations

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Accountability Challenges

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Baylor’s religious identity coexists with active Greek life and recent athletic hazing incidents.

5.4.2 Documented Incidents:

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation; staggered suspensions during season.
Ongoing Greek life investigations with varying transparency.

5.4.3 Baylor’s Organizational Data:
IRS B83 includes Waco-based entities:

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 364091267, Waco, TX 76710 (Xi Chi chapter)
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority – Nu Iota Chapter, EIN 521346485, Waco, TX 76703

How a Crandall Family’s Hazing Case Proceeds: Practical Realities

Jurisdiction Considerations:

If hazing occurs at a DFW-area school (UNT, TWU, UT Dallas), cases may be filed in Denton, Dallas, or Tarrant County courts
For distant universities, venue may be where the injury occurred or where defendants are located
Our Houston-based firm handles cases statewide, with experience in multiple Texas jurisdictions

Evidence Collection Specifics:

Digital evidence from DFW-area schools often involves GroupMe, iMessage, Instagram, Snapchat
Physical evidence preservation is critical before organized cleanup occurs
Witness identification among often-reluctant peer groups

University Response Patterns:

Public universities (UH, A&M, UT) may raise sovereign immunity defenses
Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have different liability considerations
All universities initially attempt to manage incidents internally

Fraternity & Sorority National Histories: Pattern Evidence That Strengthens Cases

Why National Histories Matter for Crandall Families

When a Texas chapter repeats behaviors that caused injuries or deaths elsewhere, that’s not coincidence—it’s pattern evidence. National headquarters have thick anti-hazing manuals precisely because they’ve seen these tragedies before. When they fail to prevent repetitions, liability increases.

Organization-Specific Patterns

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ):

Stone Foltz: Bowling Green State, 2021—forced drinking death, $10M settlement
David Bogenberger: Northern Illinois, 2012—alcohol poisoning death, $14M settlement
Texas Pattern: Multiple violations at UT Austin, ongoing investigations at other Texas schools

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ):

Traumatic Brain Injury: University of Alabama, 2023—ongoing lawsuit
Chemical Burns: Texas A&M, 2021—$1M lawsuit, fraternity suspended
Assault Case: UT Austin, 2024—over $1M lawsuit
National Pattern: Multiple deaths historically; known “risk management” challenges

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

Andrew Coffey: Florida State, 2017—alcohol poisoning death
Current Texas Case: Our UH lawsuit showing similar forced consumption patterns

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

Max Gruver: LSU, 2017—”Bible study” drinking game death, Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act
Texas Chapters: Present at multiple Texas universities

How Pattern Evidence Strengthens Your Case

1. Foreseeability Arguments:
If a national organization knew certain rituals were dangerous (from prior incidents), but didn’t adequately prevent them locally, that’s negligence.

2. Punitive Damages Potential:
Reckless disregard for known risks can justify punishment beyond compensation.

3. Settlement Leverage:
Nationals facing multiple similar claims often seek global resolutions.

4. Insurance Coverage Implications:
Patterns of similar incidents affect how insurers assess risk and settlement value.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Realistic Expectations

Evidence Categories That Win Cases

Digital Communications (Most Critical):

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord messages
Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok content
Fraternity-specific apps and communication platforms
Our Approach: Immediate preservation demands before deletion; digital forensics when needed

Photos & Videos:

Content filmed during events (often shared in group chats)
Social media posts and stories
Security/doorbell camera footage
Injury documentation (immediate and progression photos)

Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals, “tradition” documents
Risk management materials from nationals
Chapter meeting minutes, emails
Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: We maintain databases of organizational structures

University Records:

Prior conduct files (obtained through discovery)
Campus police reports
Clery Act reports
Internal investigation documents

Medical & Psychological Records:

ER/hospital records (critical for injury documentation)
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety)
Ongoing treatment records
Expert medical testimony about long-term effects

Damages: What Families Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost educational costs (withdrawn semesters, transferred schools)
Lost earning capacity (if injuries affect career trajectory)
Therapy and counseling costs

Non-Economic Damages:

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life
Damage to family relationships

Wrongful Death Damages (When Applicable):

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of companionship and support
Emotional harm to parents and siblings
Lost future earnings and contributions

Punitive Damages:

When conduct is especially reckless or intentional
Designed to punish and deter future behavior
Subject to Texas statutory caps in many cases

Insurance Coverage Realities

Why Mr. Lupe Peña’s Background Matters:
As a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm, Mr. Peña knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers:

Value (and undervalue) claims
Use delay tactics and procedural arguments
Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
Negotiate settlements while minimizing payouts

Multiple Policy Sources:

Chapter insurance policies
National fraternity/sorority policies
University liability coverage
Individual homeowner’s policies (for off-campus houses)
Our strategy: Identify all potential coverage to maximize recovery

Practical Guides & FAQs for Crandall Families

For Parents: Immediate Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained injuries or repeated “accidents”
Sudden exhaustion, extreme sleep deprivation
Drastic mood changes, anxiety, withdrawal
Constant secret phone use for group chats
Fear of missing “mandatory” events
Financial requests without clear explanations
Personality changes when discussing the organization

How to Talk to Your Child:

Start with open questions: “How are things going with [organization]?”
Listen without judgment: They may feel shame or fear
Emphasize safety: “Your health matters more than any group”
Document what they share: Write down details while fresh
Involve professionals: Counselors, medical providers, attorneys

Dealing with the University:

Document every communication (emails, calls, meetings)
Ask specifically about prior incidents involving the same organization
Request written policies and procedures
Don’t accept “we’re handling it internally” as sufficient
Remember: The university’s interests may not align with your child’s

When to Contact a Lawyer:

If there are significant physical or psychological injuries
If the university or organization is minimizing what happened
If evidence is being destroyed or witnesses coached
If criminal charges are being considered
Simply for guidance on protecting your child’s rights

For Students: Safety and Rights

Is This Hazing? Decision Framework:
.Am I being forced or pressured to do something unsafe?
.Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
.Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
.Would the university approve if they knew details?
.Are older members making new members do things they don’t do themselves?

If You Need to Exit Safely:

Immediate danger: Call 911 or campus police
Safe location: Go to your dorm, a friend’s place, or public area
Formal resignation: Email chapter leadership (creates a record)
Avoid “one last meeting”: Where pressure or retaliation might occur
Report retaliation: Document any threats to campus authorities

Evidence Preservation Checklist:

Screenshot ALL group chats and messages
Photograph injuries immediately and over several days
Save physical items (clothing, objects used)
Write down names, dates, locations, witnesses
Seek medical attention and mention “hazing” specifically
Back up everything to cloud storage or email to trusted adult

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Deleting Evidence:

What families think: “We don’t want this embarrassing stuff saved”
Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction; makes case impossible
Better approach: Preserve everything; your attorney will manage sensitive material

2. Confronting the Organization Directly:

What families want: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Better approach: Document first, let your attorney handle communication

3. Signing University “Resolution” Forms:

What universities do: Pressure quick settlements with liability releases
Why it’s wrong: You may waive rights for minimal compensation
Better approach: “I need my attorney to review this before I sign anything”

4. Posting on Social Media:

What families feel: “People need to know what happened”
Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Better approach: Document privately; let your attorney control public messaging

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

What universities promise: “We’re investigating internally”
Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes run
Better approach: Preserve evidence now; consult attorney immediately

Frequently Asked Questions from Texas Families

“Can we sue a Texas university for hazing?”
Yes, under specific circumstances. Public universities (UH, A&M, UT) have sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals personally. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity hurdles. Every case requires fact-specific analysis—call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case evaluation.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report hazing.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states: “Consent is not a defense to hazing.” Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and power imbalance isn’t true voluntary consent. This applies in both criminal and civil cases.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas. However, the “discovery rule” may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately apparent, and fraudulent concealment by defendants may toll (pause) the statute. Time is critical—evidence disappears quickly.

“What if hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and foreseeability. Many major cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, unofficial house incidents) occurred off-campus with successful litigation.

“Will this be confidential?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

About The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911: Why Texas Families Choose Us for Hazing Cases

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

When your Crandall 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):
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

Value (and undervalue) hazing claims using their proprietary formulas
Use Independent Medical Exams (IMEs) to minimize injuries
Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
Deploy delay tactics to pressure families
Negotiate settlements while protecting their bottom line

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello):
Our firm was one of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar corporations with unlimited legal budgets. That experience directly translates to hazing cases where we face:

National fraternities with deep pockets and experienced defense teams
University legal departments with institutional protection priorities
Coordinated defense strategies across multiple defendants
“Blame the victim” narratives that must be systematically dismantled

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience:
We’ve recovered millions for families in complex wrongful death cases, working with economists to value lifetime losses, life care planners to project future needs, and medical experts to document permanent injuries. For hazing cases involving:

Fatal alcohol poisoning
Traumatic brain injuries (like Danny Santulli’s Phi Gamma Delta case)
Permanent organ damage (rhabdomyolysis kidney damage)
Severe psychological trauma

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:
Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand:

How criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
How to advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure
Defense strategies that may be employed in criminal cases
Plea negotiations that can affect civil recoveries

Investigative Depth & Organizational Intelligence:
Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine includes:

1,423 Greek organizations tracked across 25 Texas metros
125+ Texas-registered entity records with EINs and addresses
96 university campus profiles with Greek life presence
Cause IQ metro organization data across 15 Texas regions

When we take your case, we don’t start from scratch—we already know the organizational landscape, potential defendants, and insurance structures.

Spanish-Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, serving Hispanic families across Texas with culturally sensitive representation.

Our Approach to Hazing Cases: Empathy, Investigation, Accountability

1. Immediate Response:
When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, we provide immediate guidance on evidence preservation, medical attention, and protecting your child’s rights. Hazing evidence disappears quickly—we act fast to preserve it.

2. Thorough Investigation:
We don’t accept surface narratives. We:

Obtain deleted digital communications through forensics
Subpoena national fraternity records showing prior incidents
Uncover university files through discovery and public records requests
Identify all potentially liable parties (not just obvious ones)
Work with medical experts, psychologists, and economists

3. Strategic Litigation:
We build cases for trial, because that’s what forces serious settlement discussions. Our federal court experience, BP litigation background, and insurance insider knowledge change how defendants approach negotiations.

4. Client-Centered Representation:
We keep you informed at every stage, explain options in plain English, and respect your decisions. We handle the legal complexity so you can focus on healing.

Why Crandall Families Choose Attorney911

Local Understanding with Statewide Reach:
From our Houston, Austin, and Beaumont offices, we serve families throughout Texas, including Crandall, Kaufman County, and the entire Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. We understand Texas courts, Texas laws, and Texas university systems.

Proven Results in Complex Cases:

BP Texas City explosion litigation experience
Multi-million dollar settlements in wrongful death cases
Successful outcomes against institutional defendants
Recognition in complex personal injury litigation

No Fee Unless We Win:
We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. This aligns our interests with yours and makes quality representation accessible.

Call to Action: Contact Attorney911 for a Confidential Consultation

Your Next Steps as a Crandall Family

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your child attends a DFW-area university like UNT or TWU, or a major Texas hub like UH, A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor—you don’t have to navigate this alone.

What to Expect in Your Free, Confidential Consultation:

We Listen: We’ll hear your story without judgment, understanding this is one of the hardest things a family can face.
Evidence Review: We’ll examine any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records) and explain what else might be needed.
Legal Options Explained: We’ll outline your options: criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, both, or neither—in plain English.
Realistic Assessment: We’ll discuss realistic timelines, potential challenges, and what genuine accountability might look like.
No Pressure: Take time to decide. We provide information, not pressure.
Complete Confidentiality: Everything you share is protected by attorney-client confidentiality.

Contact Us Today

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Texas Families from Houston, Austin, and Beaumont

Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
24/7 Cell: (713) 443-4781

Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com (Ralph Manginello)
Email: lupe@atty911.com (Mr. Lupe Peña – Se habla Español)

Spanish-Language Services Available

Hablamos Español – Contacte a Lupe Peña en lupe@atty911.com para una consulta confidencial en español. Servicios legales completos disponibles para familias hispanas.

Final Message to Crandall Families

Hazing robs students of their health, their college experience, and sometimes their lives. It thrives in secrecy and shame. By stepping forward, you’re not just seeking justice for your family—you’re preventing this from happening to others. The organizations that permit or encourage hazing count on silence. Don’t give it to them.

Whether you’re in Crandall, Kaufman County, or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let us help you get answers, hold the right people accountable, and begin the process of healing and recovery.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com