City of Hallsburg Hazing Lawyer: Guide for Central Texas Families of Fraternity & Sorority Hazing Victims

If Your Child Was Hazed at Baylor or Any Texas Campus, We Can Help

For families in City of Hallsburg, Bruceville, Eddy, and across McLennan County, the phone call every parent dreads can start with a simple text: “Mom, I don’t feel right after last night.” Or it begins with complete silence—your normally communicative college student at Baylor University or another Texas campus suddenly withdrawing, exhausted, injured, or worse, hospitalized. Hazing in 2025 isn’t about harmless pranks. It’s a calculated system of coercion, humiliation, and danger that thrives in secrecy, enabled by powerful institutions more concerned with reputation than student safety.

Right now, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. In late 2025, our firm filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston transfer student who nearly lost his life during his Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter pledge period. The hazing included forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” extreme physical workouts, and carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack” 24/7. The result? Rhabdomyolysis—severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure that required four days of hospitalization and leaves him at risk of permanent organ damage. The chapter has been shut down, but the fight for accountability continues.

This comprehensive guide exists because families in City of Hallsburg and throughout Central Texas deserve to know the truth about hazing: what it really looks like, who’s liable under Texas law, and how experienced legal counsel can protect your child’s future. Whether your student attends Baylor University right here in Waco, commutes to Texas A&M, or studies at any Texas campus, the patterns of institutional neglect and fraternity misconduct are disturbingly similar.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
.)

In the first 48 hours:
.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:
.

What Hazing Really Looks Like in Central Texas in 2025

Beyond the Stereotypes: Modern Coercion Methods

For parents in City of Hallsburg who didn’t experience modern Greek life, today’s hazing bears little resemblance to movie depictions. The evolution is toward psychological control, digital monitoring, and activities disguised as “team building” or “tradition.”

Alcohol and Substance Hazing Remain Deadly Common: The forced drinking that killed Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University in 2021 follows the same script we see in Texas: “Big/Little” nights with handles of liquor, “family tree” drinking games where wrong answers mean shots, and lineups where pledges must chug beyond their limits. At Baylor and other Texas campuses, these rituals often move to off-campus houses or Airbnb rentals to avoid university detection.

Physical Abuse Under the Guise of “Conditioning”: What universities call “extreme workouts” and what courts recognize as hazing often overlap. In our UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Leonel Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion—what the fraternity called “conditioning” but what medical records showed caused life-threatening muscle breakdown. Other Texas cases reveal paddling, “smokings” (prolonged calisthenics), exposure to extreme temperatures, and food/water deprivation.

Psychological and Digital Control Systems: Today’s pledges in Waco, College Station, Austin, and Houston aren’t just controlled during events—they’re monitored 24/7 through GroupMe chats, required location sharing on Snapchat Maps, and instant response expectations. Social media humiliation, forced TikTok challenges, and digital “roasts” create trauma that doesn’t leave visible bruises but causes lasting psychological harm.

Sexualized and Degrading Rituals: From the “roasted pig” binding reported in Texas A&M Corps cases to simulated sexual acts and forced nudity, these violations represent some of the most traumatizing hazing experiences. They’re often documented on members’ phones and shared in private groups, extending the humiliation indefinitely.

Where Hazing Happens in the Texas Educational Landscape

While fraternities and sororities dominate hazing headlines, McLennan County families should understand the full scope:

• Fraternities and Sororities (All Councils): Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC “Divine Nine”), and multicultural Greek organizations at Baylor, UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and SMU.
• Corps of Cadets and ROTC Programs: Texas A&M’s Corps has faced multiple high-profile hazing lawsuits, but similar military-style programs exist across Texas campuses.
• Athletic Teams: From Northwestern University’s football scandal to Baylor’s own baseball team suspensions, athletic hazing often operates under the guise of “team bonding.”
• Spirit and Tradition Organizations: Groups like the Texas Cowboys at UT Austin and similar organizations at other schools have faced hazing allegations.
• Academic and Performance Groups: Marching bands, theater troupes, and even academic honor societies have documented hazing incidents.

The common thread? Secrecy, power imbalance, and institutional reluctance to intervene until tragedy forces their hand.

Texas Hazing Law: What City of Hallsburg Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Foundation

Texas has specific anti-hazing statutes in the Education Code that apply to all educational institutions in the state, from Baylor University here in McLennan County to community colleges and high schools.

§ 37.151 Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for purposes of initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization if the act:

1. Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student, AND
2. Includes but isn’t limited to: forced consumption of food/alcohol/drugs, physical brutality, physical activity that adversely affects health, sleep deprivation, and forced exclusion from social contact.

Critical Distinction: The law applies on or off campus. That Airbnb in Robinson where Baylor pledges might be taken? That remote property near College Station for Texas A&M “retreats”? Both fall under Texas hazing jurisdiction.

§ 37.155 Consent is NOT a Defense: This is perhaps the most important protection for Texas families. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, even if they signed a waiver, even if they went along with “tradition”—none of that matters in court. Texas law recognizes that power dynamics, social pressure, and fear of exclusion negate true voluntary consent.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Different Paths to Accountability

Criminal Hazing Prosecutions: Brought by the State of Texas through local district attorneys (like McLennan County DA’s Office for Baylor incidents or Harris County for UH cases). Penalties escalate based on harm:

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause 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

Civil Lawsuits for Damages: Brought by victims and families seeking compensation and accountability. These cases can proceed regardless of criminal prosecution and often uncover evidence that criminal investigations miss. Civil claims can include:

• Negligence and gross negligence
• Wrongful death (when hazing proves fatal)
• Negligent supervision against universities and national organizations
• Premises liability against property owners
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress
• Assault and battery

The Leonel Bermudez case against University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi exemplifies this dual approach: while criminal investigations proceed, our civil lawsuit seeks $10 million for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and to force institutional change.

Federal Overlay: Title IX, Clery Act, and New National Standards

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This federal legislation requires colleges receiving federal aid (virtually all Texas universities) to publicly report hazing incidents beginning around 2026. For City of Hallsburg families, this means increased transparency about what’s happening at Baylor and other campuses where your children enroll.

Title IX Implications: When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger additional university responsibilities. Baylor’s history with Title IX issues following the football scandal demonstrates how federal oversight can force institutional change.

Clery Act Reporting: Campus security authorities must report certain crimes, and hazing incidents that involve assault, alcohol offenses, or other Clery-reportable categories create paper trails that skilled attorneys can trace.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

Alcohol Poisoning Deaths: The Most Preventable Tragedy

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University (2021): The Pi Kappa Alpha “Big/Little” night that ended in 20-year-old Stone Foltz consuming a fatal amount of alcohol mirrors rituals we investigate at Texas chapters. The $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, $3M from BGSU) established a new benchmark for institutional accountability.

Max Gruver – LSU (2017): The Phi Delta Theta “Bible study” drinking game that killed Max Gruver with a 0.495% BAC has direct parallels to Texas fraternity practices. The resulting Max Gruver Act made hazing a felony in Louisiana and demonstrated how family advocacy drives legislative change.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State University (2017): Another Pi Kappa Phi tragedy, this “Big Brother Night” death led to FSU suspending all Greek life and national scrutiny that continues today.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing: Beyond Alcohol

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College (2013): The Pi Delta Psi “glass ceiling” ritual that involved blindfolded tackling during a Pennsylvania retreat shows how hazing moves off-campus to avoid detection—a pattern we see with Texas fraternities using properties in rural areas surrounding Waco, College Station, and Austin.

Texas A&M Corps “Roasted Pig” Case (2023): A civil lawsuit alleging cadets were bound between beds in humiliating positions demonstrates that even military-style programs aren’t immune to degrading hazing traditions.

Athletic Program Hazing: Not Just Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): The sexualized and racist hazing allegations that led to head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s firing and confidential settlements show that multi-million dollar athletic programs can harbor systemic abuse. For Central Texas families with athletes at Baylor, Texas A&M, or UT, this precedent matters.

What These National Cases Mean for McLennan County Families

Every national hazing death or serious injury follows a predictable pattern: forced consumption, delayed medical care, institutional knowledge or willful blindness, and eventual accountability through litigation. Texas isn’t immune—these same scripts play out in Waco, College Station, Austin, Houston, and Dallas. The difference is whether families have legal counsel experienced enough to trace institutional liability and secure evidence before it disappears.

Texas University Focus: Where City of Hallsburg Students Attend

Baylor University: McLennan County’s Premier Institution

For City of Hallsburg and McLennan County families, Baylor isn’t just another Texas university—it’s where our community’s students pursue education, often while living at home or in local apartments.

Campus Culture and Greek Life: Baylor’s 20+ fraternities and sororities operate under the university’s Christian mission, but history shows this doesn’t prevent hazing. The Baylor Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council oversee recognized groups, but unofficial “underground” organizations present additional risks.

Documented Incidents and Institutional Response:

• 2020 Baseball Team Hazing: 14 players suspended following hazing investigation, with staggered suspensions affecting team performance. The university handled this internally, limiting public transparency.
• Ongoing Greek Life Monitoring: Baylor’s Student Activities office maintains conduct records, but unlike UT Austin’s public hazing log, Baylor’s disciplinary actions typically remain confidential unless litigation forces disclosure.

How a Baylor Hazing Case Proceeds: Incidents may involve Waco Police Department for off-campus locations or Baylor Department of Public Safety for on-campus events. Civil lawsuits typically file in McLennan County courts, potentially naming Baylor University as a defendant alongside national fraternities and individual members. Our firm’s experience with Baylor’s institutional culture and local court procedures gives City of Hallsburg families a distinct advantage.

What Baylor Students and Parents Should Do Immediately:

1. Report to Baylor’s Student Conduct Administration and Title IX Office if sexualized hazing occurred
2. Document everything with timestamps—Baylor’s academic calendar and event schedules help establish timing
3. Preserve digital evidence from Baylor-specific group chats and apps
4. Seek medical care at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center or other facilities where documentation creates medical records

University of Houston: Site of Our Current Landmark Case

Though hours from Hallsburg, UH attracts Central Texas students, and our active litigation there demonstrates our statewide capability.

The Leonel Bermudez/UH/Pi Kappa Phi Case Details: Our client’s fall 2025 pledge experience included:

• Mandatory “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms, sex toys, nicotine devices
• Forced consumption rituals at multiple Houston locations (Pi Kappa Phi house, Culmore Drive residence, Yellowstone Boulevard Park)
• Physical abuse including sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, cold-weather exposure
• The November 3 workout: 100+ push-ups, 500 squats leading to rhabdomyolysis
• Four-day hospitalization with critically elevated creatine kinase levels confirming acute kidney injury

Institutional Response: UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing,” Pi Kappa Phi national suspended then closed the chapter, but only litigation drives true accountability. Our lawsuit names 13 individual defendants plus UH, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national, and the Beta Nu housing corporation.

Why This Matters for Hallsburg Families: The same national fraternities at UH have chapters at Baylor and other Texas schools. The same insurance companies defend them. The same institutional playbooks for minimizing liability apply statewide. Our active federal court experience in Houston translates directly to cases originating in McLennan County.

Texas A&M University: Tradition and Risk in the Corps

Many Central Texas students choose A&M, bringing hazing risks back to Hallsburg families during breaks and after incidents.

Corps of Cadets Culture: The military-style discipline creates unique hazing risks, as demonstrated in the 2023 lawsuit alleging cadets were bound in “roasted pig” positions with apples in their mouths. Texas A&M’s insistence on handling such matters “internally” often prevents public accountability without litigation.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Two pledges allegedly suffered severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts after substances including industrial-strength cleaner were poured on them. The $1 million lawsuit and two-year fraternity suspension show the serious physical harm possible.

Practical Guidance for A&M Families: College Station’s jurisdictional complexity—campus police, College Station PD, Brazos County Sheriff—requires legal counsel familiar with navigating multiple agencies. Evidence from off-campus “retreats” in rural Brazos County often proves crucial.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency with Limits

UT’s public hazing violations database provides unique insight but doesn’t prevent recurring issues.

Public Hazing Log Examples:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, resulting in probation and mandatory education
• Various Spirit Groups: Repeated sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and punishment-based practices

What UT’s Transparency Means for Litigation: Unlike Baylor’s confidential processes, UT’s public record provides pre-existing evidence of patterns and institutional knowledge. This strengthens negligence claims when similar conduct recurs.

Southern Methodist University: Private Institution Challenges

SMU’s affluent demographic and strong Greek life create unique dynamics, but liability follows similar patterns.

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017): Paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation led to chapter suspension and multi-year recruiting restrictions. SMU’s private status means less public disclosure unless lawsuits compel transparency.

Fraternity and Sorority National Histories: Patterns That Predict Risk

Why National Organizations’ Track Records Matter

When a Baylor chapter repeats the same forced drinking ritual that killed a pledge at another university, that’s not coincidence—it’s institutional knowledge and foreseeability. Texas courts increasingly recognize that national headquarters with documented hazing histories across their network cannot claim ignorance when local chapters replicate dangerous traditions.

High-Risk Organizations with Texas Presence

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): With chapters at Baylor, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and throughout Texas, Pike’s national history includes the Stone Foltz death ($10M settlement), David Bogenberger death ($14M settlement), and multiple Texas incidents. Their “Big/Little” drinking tradition has proven fatal repeatedly.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Operating at all major Texas campuses, SAE’s national pattern includes alcohol deaths, the Texas A&M chemical burns case, and a traumatic brain injury lawsuit at University of Alabama. Their elimination of the pledge process nationally acknowledged systemic issues.

Pi Kappa Phi: Our UH case defendant has national history including Andrew Coffey’s death at Florida State University. Their chapters at Baylor and other Texas schools follow similar ritual structures.

Phi Delta Theta: The fraternity responsible for Max Gruver’s death at LSU has Texas chapters that employ similar “education” themed drinking games.

Kappa Alpha Order: SMU’s paddling incident reflects national patterns of physical hazing disguised as tradition.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: How We Track Organizational Networks

For City of Hallsburg families, understanding that fraternities and sororities exist as complex legal networks is crucial. A Baylor chapter isn’t just students—it’s connected to:

National Headquarters: Like Pi Kappa Phi’s Charlotte, NC office that sets policies, collects dues, and maintains insurance.

Housing Corporations: Separate legal entities that own chapter houses, like the Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc. (EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX).

Alumni Associations and Foundations: Fundraising and oversight bodies that maintain continuity beyond undergraduate membership.

Insurance Carriers: National policies that may cover multiple chapters, with exclusions that require strategic navigation.

Our firm maintains what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a comprehensive database of these entities compiled from IRS records, state filings, and organizational documents. When we take a case involving a Baylor fraternity, we already know how to identify every potentially liable entity in the network.

Sample Texas Greek Organization Entities from Public Records:

Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, EIN 742911848, Fort Worth, TX 76244 (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc., EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 364091267, Waco, TX 76710 (Xi Chi chapter)
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 263170920, Denton, TX 76204 (Texas Woman’s University chapter)
Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation, EIN 371768785, Missouri City, TX 77459

This organizational mapping matters because liability and insurance coverage extend through these networks. A judgment against undergraduate members alone often proves uncollectible, while claims against national organizations and their insurance carriers can provide meaningful compensation and force systemic change.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

Critical Evidence Categories for Central Texas Cases

Digital Communications: The Modern Paper Trail

• GroupMe and WhatsApp Chats: Baylor fraternities use these for pledge instructions, event planning, and post-incident coordination. Screenshots must capture timestamps and participant names.
• Location Data: Snapchat Maps, Find My Friends, and Google Location History place students at off-campus hazing venues.
• Deleted Message Recovery: Digital forensics can often recover “disappearing” messages from Snapchat, Instagram, and even deleted GroupMe conversations.
• Social Media Evidence: TikTok challenges, Instagram stories, and Facebook posts documenting hazing activities before participants realize legal implications.

Medical Documentation Protocol

• Immediate Care: ER visits at Baylor Scott & White or other facilities should specifically note “hazing” as cause of injury to create clear medical record linkage.
• Specialist Follow-up: Nephrologists for kidney issues (like rhabdomyolysis), orthopedic specialists for injuries, psychiatrists for PTSD diagnosis.
• Long-term Documentation: Ongoing therapy records establish emotional harm duration and severity.

Institutional Records via Legal Process

• Baylor Student Conduct Files: Subpoenas can obtain prior complaints against the same organization.
• National Fraternity Risk Management Reports: Documentation of prior incidents at other chapters establishes foreseeability.
• Insurance Policies: Identifying all potential coverage sources across the organizational network.
• University Police Reports: Often more detailed than publicly released summaries.

Physical Evidence Preservation

• “Pledge Packets” and Manuals: Baylor-specific materials outlining requirements and “traditions.”
• Injury Documentation: Photographs with scale references, saved clothing with stains or damage.
• Location Evidence: Photos of houses, rooms, or outdoor areas where hazing occurred.

Damages Recovery: What Texas Law Allows

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

• Medical Expenses: Current and future, including potential lifelong care for conditions like kidney damage from rhabdomyolysis.
• Lost Educational Opportunity: Tuition for semesters missed, lost scholarship value, delayed graduation income impact.
• Earning Capacity Reduction: For permanent injuries affecting career trajectory.

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective but Real Harm)

• Physical Pain and Suffering: From immediate injury through recovery.
• Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation—diagnosed by mental health professionals.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in college experiences, activities, or relationships.

Wrongful Death Elements (When Tragedy Strikes)

• Funeral and Burial Costs
• Loss of Companionship and Support: For parents and siblings
• Pain and Suffering of Deceased: Between injury and death

Punitive Damages (When Conduct Warrants Punishment)
Available when defendants show gross negligence, malice, or conscious indifference—common when organizations ignore prior warnings or actively cover up hazing.

Strategic Considerations for McLennan County Cases

Jurisdictional Advantages: Filing in Texas state courts versus federal courts, choosing between McLennan County (for Baylor incidents) or other venues based on defendant locations.

Insurance Coverage Navigation: Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney proves invaluable here. Fraternity and university insurers employ the same denial strategies he used to defend—now he uses that knowledge to overcome them.

Multi-Defendant Coordination: Suing individuals, local chapters, national organizations, housing corporations, and universities creates both challenges and opportunities for settlement leverage.

Statute of Limitations Awareness: Generally two years from injury date in Texas, but complexities like the “discovery rule” (when harm wasn’t immediately apparent) and tolling for minors require careful analysis.

Practical Guides: For City of Hallsburg Parents, Students, and Witnesses

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding

Warning Signs Your Baylor Student May Be Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries with inconsistent “accident” stories
• Extreme fatigue or sleep patterns disruption
• Sudden withdrawal from family communication
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, defensiveness about organization
• Financial irregularities: unexpected charges, requests for money for “fines” or “requirements”
• Constant phone monitoring for group chat demands
• Academic performance decline coinciding with pledge periods

Conversation Starters That Work:

• “How are the older members treating new people in your organization?”
• “Have you ever felt pressured to do something that made you uncomfortable to fit in?”
• “What happens if someone says no to an activity?”
• “Are there things you’re not allowed to tell me about the process?”

Immediate Response Protocol:

1. Medical Safety First: Transport to Baylor Scott & White ER if injured or intoxicated
2. Evidence Preservation: Photograph injuries, screenshot messages, save clothing
3. Document Everything: Write down details while fresh, including names, dates, locations
4. University Notification: Contact Baylor Student Conduct but understand their interests may conflict with yours
5. Legal Consultation Within 48 Hours: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before evidence disappears

For Baylor Students: Safety and Rights

Is This Hazing? Assessment Questions:

• Would I do this if there were no social consequences for refusing?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Are only new members required to do this while older members watch or participate?
• Am I being told to keep this secret from university officials or my family?

Safe Exit Strategies:

• Immediate Danger: Call 911, then campus police (254-710-2222 for Baylor DPS)
• Leaving the Organization: Email resignation to chapter president and Baylor Greek Life office simultaneously for documentation
• Retaliation Concerns: Report threats to Baylor DPS and seek no-contact orders through university conduct office

Evidence Collection While Protecting Yourself:

• Texas is a one-party consent state—you can record conversations you participate in
• Screenshot group chats daily during pledge periods
• Use cloud backup for photos and messages
• Tell healthcare providers explicitly about hazing context

For Witnesses and Former Members: Navigating Complex Roles

If You Participated and Now Regret It:

• Your testimony could prevent future injuries
• Consult your own attorney about potential liability
• Consider coming forward through legal channels that protect you
• Document what you witnessed with as much detail as possible

If You Witnessed But Weren’t Directly Involved:

• Your account provides crucial corroboration
• Texas law protects good-faith reporters in many circumstances
• Anonymous reporting to Baylor or national hotlines (1-888-NOT-HAZE) remains an option
• Preservation of any evidence you have helps establish truth

Critical Mistakes That Destroy Hazing Cases

1. Deleting Digital Evidence
What Families Think: “I don’t want embarrassing messages getting out.”
Reality: Looks like cover-up, destroys case viability, may constitute obstruction.
Better Approach: Preserve everything, let attorneys determine relevance.

2. Confronting the Fraternity Directly
What Families Think: “I’ll make them admit what they did.”
Reality: Triggers immediate legal defense preparation, evidence destruction, witness coaching.
Better Approach: Document quietly, consult attorney, let legal process compel testimony.

3. Signing University “Resolution” Agreements
What Baylor Might Offer: Quick settlement with confidentiality requirements.
Reality: Often pennies compared to case value, waives future claims, protects university.
Better Approach: “I need my attorney to review this before I sign anything.”

4. Social Media Disclosure Before Consultation
What Families Feel: “Everyone should know what happened.”
Reality: Defense attorneys screenshot everything, inconsistencies hurt credibility, may waive privileges.
Better Approach: Private documentation only, let legal strategy guide public messaging.

5. Waiting for “Internal Investigation” Results
What Universities Promise: “We’re handling this through proper channels.”
Reality: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute of limitations runs.
Better Approach: Parallel evidence preservation and legal consultation while university process proceeds.

6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Unrepresented
What Adjusters Say: “We just need a quick statement to process.”
Reality: Recorded statements used to minimize value, early lowball settlements offered.
Better Approach: “Please direct all communication to my attorney.”

7. Letting Your Child Attend “One Last Meeting”
What Fraternities Request: “Come talk this through like adults.”
Reality: Intimidation, pressure to recant, extraction of damaging statements.
Better Approach: Once legal action considered, all communication through counsel.

About The Manginello Law Firm: Why City of Hallsburg Families Choose Us

Our Texas Hazing Litigation Credentials

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how national fraternities, universities, and their insurance companies coordinate defense strategies—and how to win despite their resources.

Insurance Insider Advantage: Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm, defending the very insurance companies that now cover fraternities and universities. He knows their valuation formulas, delay tactics, coverage arguments, and settlement strategies. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience: Ralph Manginello’s involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation—one of the few Texas firms selected for that massive case—demonstrates our capability against billion-dollar defendants. National fraternities and major universities have deep pockets and experienced defense teams. We’re not intimidated because we’ve faced bigger opponents and prevailed.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Results: Our proven track record in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases means we know how to work with economists, life care planners, and medical experts to build compelling damage models. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force accountability.

Dual Criminal-Civil Capability: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)—an elite criminal defense organization—means we understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise families navigating both tracks or represent witnesses needing counsel about their own potential exposure.

Texas-Wide Investigation Network: From our Houston headquarters, we serve families throughout Texas, including City of Hallsburg and all of McLennan County. Our investigative resources include digital forensics experts who recover deleted messages, medical specialists who document hazing injuries, and researchers who track organizational networks through public records.

The Baylor and Central Texas Connection

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we regularly represent Central Texas families in cases originating at Baylor University and throughout the region. We understand:

• McLennan County court procedures and local counsel relationships
• Baylor’s unique institutional culture and history
• The network of fraternity houses and off-campus venues in Waco
• Medical facilities and expert witnesses familiar with hazing injuries

Our Approach to Hazing Cases

Compassionate But Strategic: We know this is one of the most traumatic experiences a family can face. We listen without judgment, then build a strategic plan tailored to your goals—whether that’s maximum compensation, institutional reform, privacy protection, or all three.

Evidence-Driven Investigation: Before discussing settlement possibilities, we conduct thorough investigation: preserving digital evidence, obtaining medical records, identifying all potentially liable parties, and researching organizational histories.

Transparent Communication: We explain Texas hazing law in plain English, outline your options clearly, provide regular case updates, and ensure you understand every decision point. You control the strategy; we provide the expertise.

No Fee Unless We Win: Like all our personal injury cases, we work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront, and we only receive a fee if we recover compensation for you. This removes financial barriers for families facing medical bills and other expenses.

Call to Action: Contact Us Today for a Free, Confidential Consultation

For City of Hallsburg and McLennan County Families

If hazing has impacted your family—whether your student attends Baylor University here in Waco, commutes to another Texas campus, or lives elsewhere—we offer experienced, compassionate legal guidance.

Your Free Consultation Includes:

• Confidential case evaluation with attorneys who handle hazing cases daily
• Review of any evidence you’ve preserved (messages, photos, medical records)
• Explanation of Texas hazing law and your legal options
• Discussion of realistic timelines and potential outcomes
• Answers about costs (contingency fee means no upfront payment)
• No pressure to hire us—take time to make the right decision for your family

Contact Information:

• 24/7 Hazing Case Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Office: (713) 528-9070
• Cell/Text: (713) 443-4781
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com

Spanish Language Services Available:
Hablamos Español. Contacte a Lupe Peña directamente a lupe@atty911.com para una consulta confidencial en español.

Common Questions We Address in Consultations

“Can we sue Baylor University for hazing?”
Yes, under specific circumstances. As a private university, Baylor has fewer immunity protections than public institutions. Liability depends on what Baylor knew, when they knew it, and how they responded.

“What if the hazing happened at an off-campus house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Baylor may still have responsibility based on organization recognition, prior knowledge, or control. Property owners may also face premises liability claims.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally two years from the injury date in Texas, but numerous factors can affect this timeline. The safest approach: consult an attorney immediately to protect all options.

“Will our name be public if we sue?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. We can often negotiate sealed court records and private settlement terms to protect your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to participate?”
Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that power dynamics and social pressure negate true voluntary consent.

Take the First Step Today

Hazing thrives in silence and secrecy. Breaking that cycle requires courageous families and experienced legal counsel. Whether you’re certain about legal action or just seeking information, we’re here to help.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now for immediate guidance. If it’s after hours, leave a message—we return emergency calls 24/7.

For City of Hallsburg families and all Texans affected by hazing: You don’t have to face this alone. We’ve helped families across the state find answers, secure compensation, and force accountability. Let us help you do the same.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of Leonel Bermudez UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit:

• Click2Houston report: 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/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Using cellphone to document evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas statutes of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client mistakes that ruin injury cases: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Main Website:

• https://attorney911.com

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