The Complete Texas Hazing Guide for Freer Families: Rights, Recovery, and Accountability

If This Just Happened: Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

For families in Freer, Duval County, and across South Texas, discovering your child has been hazed creates immediate panic and confusion. Your first instincts are to protect them, but knowing exactly what to do in those critical first hours can mean the difference between a covered-up incident and real accountability.

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 This Guide Covers for Freer Families

This comprehensive guide addresses what hazing really looks like in 2025, explains Texas law and liability, examines major national cases and how they apply to Texas families, details what’s happening at Texas universities including UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor, and outlines the legal options available to victims and families in Freer and throughout South Texas.

Whether your child attends Texas A&M Kingsville just an hour from Freer, the University of Houston a few hours northeast, or any other Texas campus, the legal principles and patterns we discuss here apply. Hazing doesn’t respect county lines or distance—when a student from Freer is harmed at a Texas university, their family has rights under Texas law that we can help enforce from our Houston-based offices.

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

For parents in Freer who may not have experienced modern Greek life themselves, understanding what hazing actually looks like today is crucial. The old stereotypes of harmless pranks have been replaced by sophisticated, often digitally-coordinated abuse that leaves lasting physical and psychological damage.

A Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing in Texas means 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 purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization. The key understanding for Freer families is this: if your child feels forced, coerced, or strongly pressured into dangerous, humiliating, or degrading behavior to join or stay in a group, it’s likely hazing under Texas law. Critically, “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance.

Main Categories of Hazing in 2025

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common and deadliest form. It includes forced “power hours” of drinking, “family tree” drinking games where wrong answers mean consumption, “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, and coerced consumption of unknown substances. What Freer parents might not realize is that these aren’t spontaneous parties—they’re often carefully planned “traditions” passed down through pledge classes.

Physical Hazing Beyond “Workouts”
This includes paddling and beatings (still occurring despite national prohibitions), extreme calisthenics called “smokings” that continue until collapse, sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions,” food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme temperatures. At Texas A&M, we’ve seen cases where pledges were locked in freezing rooms or left outside in cold weather as “conditioning.”

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This involves forced nudity or partial undressing, simulated sexual acts like “elephant walks,” degrading costumes or positions, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. These are particularly damaging psychologically and often create the deepest shame that prevents reporting.

Psychological and Digital Hazing
The newest frontier includes 24/7 group chat monitoring where pledges must respond immediately at all hours, social media humiliation through forced TikTok challenges, geo-tracking via apps like Find My Friends, and public shaming in group messages. For Freer students who may be first-generation college attendees, the psychological pressure to conform can be overwhelming.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

While fraternities and sororities receive most attention, hazing occurs across campus organizations:

Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC at Texas A&M and other military-style programs
Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs like Texas Cowboys at UT
Athletic Teams from football to cheerleading
Marching Bands and Performance Groups
Some Academic and Service Organizations

The common thread is social status, tradition, and secrecy—the very elements that make these groups attractive also enable abuse to continue behind closed doors.

Texas Law & Liability Framework: What Freer Families Need to Know

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code Chapter 37)

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in the Education Code that apply whether your child attends school near Freer or anywhere in the state. Hazing is broadly defined as intentional, knowing, or reckless acts, directed at a student, for initiation/affiliation purposes, that either:

Endanger physical health or safety (beating, forced exercise, forced consumption)
Substantially affect mental health or safety (extreme humiliation, intimidation)

Key provisions for Freer families:

Criminal Penalties (§37.152):

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

Organizational Liability (§37.153):
Fraternities, sororities, clubs, and teams can be criminally prosecuted if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report it. Organizations can face fines up to $10,000 per violation and university bans.

Consent is NOT a Defense (§37.155):
Texas law explicitly states that victim “consent” is not a defense to hazing charges. This is crucial for Freer families to understand—even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law recognizes that peer pressure and power imbalances make true consent impossible.

Good-Faith Reporting Protections (§37.154):
Those who report hazing in good faith receive immunity from civil or criminal liability. Many Texas universities extend this to medical amnesty—students won’t face underage drinking charges if they call 911 for a medical emergency.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

Brought by the state (DA’s office)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Common hazing-related charges: hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
Burden of proof: Beyond a reasonable doubt

Civil Cases:

Brought by victims or families
Aim: Compensation and accountability
Focus: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress
Burden of proof: Preponderance of evidence (more likely than not)

For Freer families, this distinction matters because:

A criminal conviction isn’t required to pursue civil justice
Civil cases can proceed even if prosecutors decline to file charges
Civil cases can uncover evidence through discovery that criminal investigations might miss
Both can run simultaneously, but serve different purposes

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing transparently, strengthen prevention, and maintain public hazing data (phasing in through 2026). This means Freer families will eventually have better access to information about which organizations have violations.

Title IX:
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. Universities must investigate and take appropriate action. For Freer students, this can provide additional pathways for accountability when hazing has sexualized components.

Clery Act:
Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics. Hazing incidents often overlap with reportable crimes like assault, making universities potentially liable for underreporting.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

Individual Students:
Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up. Even “following orders” isn’t a defense.

Local Chapter/Organization:
The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if incorporated). Chapter officers often bear particular responsibility.

National Fraternity/Sorority:
Headquarters that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents at other chapters.

University or Governing Board:
Schools may be sued under negligence or civil-rights theories. Key questions include prior warnings, policy enforcement, and deliberate indifference. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections but exceptions exist.

Third Parties:
Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces, bars/alcohol providers (under dram shop laws), security companies.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Can Learn

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
The bid-acceptance event involved extreme drinking leading to fatal falls captured on chapter cameras. The hours-long delay in calling 911 resulted in one of the largest hazing prosecutions in U.S. history, with dozens of criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. For Texas families, this case demonstrates how security cameras intended to protect property can become evidence of criminal negligence.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
A “Big Brother” night where pledges were given handles of liquor resulted in alcohol poisoning death. The criminal convictions and FSU’s temporary Greek life suspension show how formulaic drinking traditions become scripts for disaster. Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters faces similar allegations in Texas at UH.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking led to a 0.495% BAC death. The resulting Max Gruver Act made hazing a felony in Louisiana. For Freer families, this demonstrates how state legislatures respond to public outrage with stronger laws.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
A pledge forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey died from alcohol poisoning. The $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU) and criminal convictions show the financial and legal consequences institutions face. Particularly relevant for Texas: the chapter president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally, showing individual officers can face massive liability.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
A retreat “glass ceiling” ritual involving blindfolded tackling caused fatal head injuries with delayed medical care. The national fraternity was criminally convicted and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. For Texas families, this demonstrates that off-campus “retreats” can be particularly dangerous and that national organizations face serious sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Allegations of sexualized, racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, coach firings, and confidential settlements. This proves hazing extends beyond Greek life into major athletic programs with systemic abuse and institutional knowledge questions.

What These Cases Mean for Freer Families

Common threads emerge: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, and cover-ups. Multi-million-dollar settlements and legislative reforms typically follow only after tragedy and litigation. Texas families facing hazing are operating in a landscape shaped by these national lessons, with precedents that support strong civil claims when similar patterns appear at Texas schools.

Texas University Focus: Where Freer Students Attend

Texas A&M University-Kingsville (Proximity to Freer)

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Located just over an hour from Freer in neighboring Kleberg County, Texas A&M-Kingsville serves many South Texas families. With Greek life, athletic programs, and campus organizations, students from Freer often choose Kingsville for its proximity and agricultural/science programs.

Documented Incidents & Response:
While smaller than flagship campuses, A&M-Kingsville has faced hazing allegations in athletic programs and Greek organizations. The university’s disciplinary records show periodic sanctions for alcohol-related hazing and physical misconduct.

How a Case Might Proceed:
Jurisdiction would involve Kleberg County courts, potentially the university’s internal conduct process, and possibly coordination with Texas A&M System offices. The closer proximity to Freer means families can more easily participate in legal proceedings and investigations.

University of Houston (Major Destination for South Texas Students)

The Leonel Bermudez Case: A Watershed Moment
Right now, we’re actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas at the University of Houston. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against UH, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 fraternity leaders.

What Happened:
Bermudez, a transfer student pledging Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter, endured months of systematic abuse including:

“Pledge fanny pack” humiliation carrying condoms, sex toys, and nicotine devices
Forced dress codes and overnight chauffeuring duties
Extreme physical hazing: sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, “save-your-brother” drills
Cold-weather exposure in underwear, lying in vomit-soaked grass
Simulated waterboarding with hose spraying in face
Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting, then immediate sprints
The November 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats under threat of expulsion

Medical Catastrophe:
Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, couldn’t stand without help, and was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels. He faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Institutional Response:

November 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu chapter
November 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender charter
UH statement: Conduct “deeply disturbing,” promises disciplinary measures up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement

Why This Matters for Freer Families:
This active litigation proves that severe hazing happens at Texas universities right now. The case demonstrates our firm’s capability to take on major institutions and national fraternities. When families in Freer face similar situations, they need attorneys who have current experience with Texas hazing litigation, not just historical knowledge.

Texas A&M University (College Station)

Corps of Cadets Culture:
The military-style environment has documented hazing incidents including the 2023 lawsuit where a cadet alleged being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth, seeking over $1 million. A&M stated it handled the matter under its rules.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):
Two pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million, and the fraternity received a two-year suspension.

How A&M Handles Hazing:
Through Student Conduct and Corps regulations, with public transparency variations. Civil cases often focus on both Greek life and Corps traditions, requiring attorneys familiar with both cultures.

University of Texas at Austin

Transparency Advantage:
UT’s public Hazing Violations page lists organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions—more transparent than many peers.

Documented Examples:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation with required hazing-prevention education
Texas Wranglers and Spirit Organizations: Sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, punishment-based practices
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Australian exchange student alleged assault resulting in dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, broken nose; sued for over $1 million

For Freer Families:
UT’s transparency means prior violations are publicly documented, strengthening civil suits by showing patterns and institutional knowledge. Cases may involve UTPD and Austin PD jurisdiction.

Southern Methodist University

Private University Dynamics:
As a private institution, SMU has different transparency obligations but still faces hazing issues.

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017):
New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended with recruiting restrictions until approximately 2021.

Reporting Systems:
SMU utilizes anonymous reporting through systems like Real Response, but civil suits may be necessary to compel discovery of internal reports not publicly posted.

Baylor University

Context of Prior Scandals:
Following the football sexual assault scandal, Baylor faces particular scrutiny around institutional response to misconduct.

Baseball Hazing (2020):
14 players suspended following hazing investigation with staggered season suspensions.

Religious Identity Considerations:
Baylor’s faith-based branding interacts with hazing claims in unique ways, potentially affecting settlement dynamics and public relations considerations.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

Why National Histories Matter for Texas Cases

When a Texas chapter repeats behavior that caused deaths or injuries at other chapters nationwide, that pattern shows foreseeability—the national organization knew or should have known the risks. This strengthens negligence claims and can support punitive damages.

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: The Data Behind the Letters

At Attorney911, we maintain what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a comprehensive database of Greek organizations across Texas compiled from IRS records, university rosters, and public filings. For Freer families, this means we don’t start from zero when investigating your case.

IRS B83 Texas Organizations – 125+ Registered Entities:
Our database includes every tax-exempt organization the IRS classifies as B83 (Student Sororities, Fraternities) with Texas addresses. Examples from our public records directory include:

Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN: 133048786) – 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845-6681 – IRS B83 filing
Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation (EIN: 371768785) – 4102 Eastshore St, Missouri City, TX 77459-1820 – IRS B83 filing
Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN: 462267515) – 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035-6629 – IRS B83 filing
Sigma Phi Epsilon New York Chi Alumni Association Inc (EIN: 262710856) – 618 Rutland St, Houston, TX 77007-2415 – IRS B83 filing
Texas Rho Chapter of The Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity (EIN: 741942292) – 3217 S 3rd St, Waco, TX 76706-4115 – IRS B83 filing

Cause IQ Metro Organizations – 1,423 Entities Statewide:
Across 25 Texas metros, we track fraternity and sorority presence. In the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro alone: 188 Greek-related organizations. In Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington: 510 organizations. This metro-level tracking helps identify all potentially liable entities.

University Rosters – Campus-Specific Presence:
We maintain current rosters for Texas universities. For example, at University of Houston alone:

Interfraternity Council: 17 fraternities including Alpha Sigma Phi, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Panhellenic Council: 6 sororities
Multicultural Greek Council: Multiple fraternities and sororities
National Pan-Hellenic Council: All Divine Nine organizations

Organization Mapping: National Patterns Meet Texas Chapters

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ):

National History: Stone Foltz death (BGSU, $10M settlement), David Bogenberger death (NIU, $14M settlement)
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol hazing traditions known to nationals

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ):

National History: Multiple hazing deaths nationwide, traumatic brain injury lawsuit (Alabama), chemical burns case (Texas A&M)
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU
Pattern: Physical abuse and alcohol hazing across multiple Texas campuses

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):

National History: Andrew Coffey death (FSU)
Texas Presence: Chapter at UH (Beta Nu – currently suspended/litigated), other Texas campuses
Pattern: Active litigation at UH demonstrates current risks

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):

National History: Max Gruver death (LSU, Max Gruver Act)
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, SMU, Baylor
Pattern: Drinking game hazing with fatal outcomes

How These Histories Build Stronger Cases

When we represent Freer families, we don’t just look at the isolated incident. We investigate:

Prior incidents at the same chapter (university disciplinary records)
Prior incidents at other chapters of same national (national headquarters files)
National’s knowledge and response (risk management communications)
Pattern evidence (similar methods used elsewhere)

This comprehensive approach often reveals that what happened to your child wasn’t an “isolated incident” but part of a pattern the national organization knew about but failed to address adequately.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Evidence Collection: What Matters in 2025

Digital Communications (Most Critical):

GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack messages
Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok communications
Fraternity-specific apps and communication platforms
Even deleted messages recoverable through digital forensics

Photos & Videos:

Content filmed during events by participants
Security/doorbell camera footage at houses and venues
Social media posts and stories documenting activities

Internal Organization Documents:

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” documents
Chapter meeting minutes, officer communications
National policies, training materials, risk management guidelines

University Records:

Prior conduct files, probation/suspension records
Campus police incident reports
Clery Act reports and similar disclosures
Internal emails about the organization

Medical & Psychological Records:

Emergency room and hospitalization records
Toxicology reports showing alcohol/drug levels
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses)
Long-term treatment plans for permanent injuries

Witness Testimony:

Other pledges and members
Roommates, RAs, bystanders
Former members who quit or were expelled
Medical personnel who treated injuries

Types of Damages in Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

Past and future medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, therapy)
Lost earnings and diminished earning capacity
Educational costs (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
Property damage and other out-of-pocket expenses

Non-Economic Damages:

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

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of financial support and companionship
Emotional suffering of family members
Loss of guidance for younger siblings

Punitive Damages (when applicable):

To punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
To deter future hazing
Available when defendants show conscious indifference or intentional misconduct

Insurance Coverage Complexities

Fraternities, sororities, and universities typically have insurance policies, but insurers often argue:

Hazing constitutes “intentional acts” excluded from coverage
Criminal conduct isn’t covered
Certain defendants aren’t insured parties

Our experience as former insurance defense attorneys (Mr. Lupe Peña spent years at a national defense firm) gives us unique insight into these arguments. We know how to:

Identify all potential coverage sources (national policies, chapter policies, university umbrella coverage)
Navigate exclusion arguments
Pursue bad faith claims when insurers wrongfully deny coverage
Maximize recovery within available policy limits

Practical Guides & FAQs for Freer Families

For Parents: Warning Signs and Response

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries with inconsistent explanations
Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation beyond normal college stress
Sudden secrecy about organization activities (“I can’t talk about it”)
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal
Constant phone monitoring for group chat messages
Financial requests for unexplained “dues” or purchases
Academic performance decline

How to Talk to Your Child:

Use open questions: “How are things going with [organization]?”
Express concern without judgment: “I’ve noticed you seem exhausted lately”
Emphasize safety over status: “Your health matters more than any group”
Listen without immediately problem-solving

If Your Child is Hurt:

Medical care first – even if they resist
Document everything – photos, notes, screenshots
Preserve evidence – don’t wash clothing, save physical items
Contact an attorney before talking to university or insurance

For Students: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would the university approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
Am I being told to keep secrets or lie?

Safe Exit Strategies:

Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, trusted adult)
Send written resignation: “I am resigning effective immediately”
Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where pressure might occur
Document any retaliation or threats

Evidence Preservation for Students:

Screenshot group chats with timestamps visible
Photograph injuries immediately and over several days
Save all digital communications (don’t delete anything)
Write down details while memory is fresh

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Evidence Be Destroyed
What happens: Messages get deleted, photos disappear, witnesses get coached
Why it’s wrong: Evidence is everything in hazing cases
What to do: Preserve everything immediately; use our video guide on evidence preservation

2. Confronting the Organization Directly
What happens: They lawyer up, destroy evidence, prepare defenses
Why it’s wrong: Loses element of surprise, enables cover-up
What to do: Document quietly, let your attorney handle communication

3. Signing University “Resolution” Agreements
What happens: You waive rights for minimal compensation
Why it’s wrong: Early settlements are typically lowball offers
What to do: Never sign anything without attorney review

4. Posting on Social Media
What happens: Defense attorneys screenshot everything for inconsistencies
Why it’s wrong: Can waive privacy protections, hurt credibility
What to do: Keep details private until case resolves

5. Waiting for University “Internal Process”
What happens: Statute runs, evidence disappears, narrative gets controlled
Why it’s wrong: University interests often conflict with victim interests
What to do: Preserve rights immediately with legal counsel

Frequently Asked Questions

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

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas Education Code §37.152 makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor by default, but it becomes a state jail felony if 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 voluntary. This is crucial for Freer families to understand—your child’s participation doesn’t eliminate liability.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from injury or death in Texas, but the discovery rule may extend this if harm wasn’t immediately known. In cover-up situations, the statute may be tolled. Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to preserve rights.

“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 outcomes.

“Will this be public or confidential?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize family privacy while pursuing accountability through sealed records and confidential settlement terms when possible.

Why Attorney911 for Freer Hazing Cases

Our Unique Qualifications for Texas Hazing Litigation

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

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña):
Mr. Peña spent years as a defense attorney at a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
Use delay tactics to pressure families
Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
Set reserves and negotiate settlements

As Mr. Peña says: “We know their playbook because we used to run it.” This insider knowledge is invaluable when negotiating with insurers who assume families don’t understand their tactics.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello):
Our involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation—one of the few Texas firms selected for this massive case—proves our capability against billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. When we face national fraternities and university systems, we’re not intimidated by their resources or reputation.

Current Texas Hazing Litigation:
Right now, we’re actively litigating the Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case—a $10 million lawsuit involving rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, and systematic abuse. This isn’t historical knowledge; it’s current experience navigating Texas hazing law against major institutions.

HCCLA Criminal Defense Capability:
Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association signals elite criminal defense expertise. This matters because hazing cases often involve:

Criminal charges against perpetrators
Witnesses with potential criminal exposure
Coordination between civil and criminal proceedings
Understanding of constitutional rights during investigations

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:
Our proprietary database of 1,423 Greek organizations across Texas means we don’t start from zero. We already know:

IRS-registered entities and their EINs
University chapter rosters
Metro-level organization presence
National brand patterns across Texas

When Freer families come to us, we immediately know how to identify all potentially liable parties—not just the obvious individuals.

Spanish-Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish and can serve Hispanic families throughout South Texas without language barriers. For Freer’s diverse community, this accessibility matters.

What to Expect When You Contact Us

Your Free Consultation:

We listen to your story without judgment or interruption
Review any evidence you’ve preserved (photos, messages, medical records)
Explain your legal options clearly and honestly
Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless you recover)
No pressure to hire us immediately—take time to decide

Our Investigation Process:

Immediate evidence preservation (digital forensics, witness interviews)
Comprehensive party identification (individuals, chapters, nationals, universities)
Pattern discovery (prior incidents, national knowledge)
Damage quantification (medical, economic, non-economic)
Strategic planning (criminal reporting, civil litigation, settlement negotiation)

Why Freer Families Choose Us:

Current Texas hazing experience with active UH litigation
Insider insurance knowledge from defense-side background
Complex institutional capability from BP explosion litigation
Comprehensive data resources with Texas Greek organization intelligence
Spanish-language accessibility for diverse South Texas families
Proven multi-million dollar results in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases

Call to Action for Freer Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether nearby at Texas A&M Kingsville, at major universities like UH or Texas A&M, or anywhere in between—we want to help.

Families in Freer, Duval County, and throughout South Texas have the right to answers and accountability. You don’t have to navigate this alone against powerful institutions with unlimited legal resources.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation:

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Spanish Services: lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com

We serve families throughout Texas from our Houston, Austin, and Beaumont offices. Distance doesn’t limit our ability to help Freer families seek justice.

What happens next:

We listen to your story and review your evidence
We explain all legal options clearly
We handle the investigation and litigation so you can focus on healing
We fight for maximum accountability and compensation
We work to prevent this from happening to another family

Don’t let time run out on your rights. Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, memories fade. Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

Attorney911 Main Website & Contact:
https://attorney911.com

Ralph Manginello Attorney Profile:
https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/

Lupe Peña Attorney Profile (Spanish Services):
https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

Wrongful Death Practice Area:
https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/

Criminal Defense Practice Area:
https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/

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

UH Pi Kappa Phi Case Media Coverage:
Click2Houston Investigation: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
ABC13 Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
Hoodline Summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

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
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