Understanding Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Briscoe County Families

A chilly night blankets the college campus. Across town, at an off-campus house where a fraternity banner hangs discreetly, new initiates are gathered. They’re exhausted, sleep-deprived, and nervous. Tonight is “family night,” a long-standing tradition. The “pledge master” barks orders, pushing bottles of cheap liquor onto a table. One by one, students are forced to chug, answer degrading personal questions, or perform humiliating acts, all while their “brothers” or “sisters” record on their phones, chanting. The air is thick with pressure, alcohol, and the unspoken threat of exclusion. When one student collapses, vomiting, a sudden silence falls. Nobody wants to call for help, afraid of “getting the chapter shut down” or “getting in trouble.” The student, desperate to belong, feels trapped between loyalty to the group and sheer terror for their own safety.

This scenario, tragically common, could unfold at any major university in Texas – the very institutions where Briscoe County families send their children to pursue their dreams. It highlights a dangerous reality: hazing is not a relic of the past, nor is it a harmless prank. It is a pervasive, often violent, issue that endangers students across our state.

This guide is for you, families in Briscoe County, and across Texas, who need to understand the complex world of hazing. We will explore:

• What hazing truly looks like in 2025, far beyond old stereotypes.
• The critical laws—both Texas and federal—that aim to prevent hazing and hold perpetrators accountable.
• Insights from major national hazing cases and how their lessons apply to students enrolled at prestigious Texas institutions like the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, and Baylor University.
• Specific details about hazing incidents and policies at these prominent Texas universities.
• The historical patterns of hazing within specific fraternities and sororities, and why these histories matter for legal accountability.
• Your legal options if your child has been a victim, focusing on how experienced attorneys build a powerful case.

This article offers comprehensive general information and is not a substitute for specific legal advice. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, known as Attorney911, serves families throughout Texas, including Briscoe County and all over the Texas Panhandle. We are here to help you navigate these challenging waters.

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.” Your child’s health is the absolute priority.
  • Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
    • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately.
    • Photograph injuries from multiple angles and over several days to show progression.
    • Save physical items like damaged clothing, receipts for forced purchases, or any objects used in the hazing.
  • Write down everything while memory is fresh: who was involved, what exactly happened, when, and where.
  • Do NOT:
    • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or organization directly.
    • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company without legal review.
    • Post details on public social media before consulting with a lawyer.
    • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” any potential evidence.

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

  • Crucial evidence disappears fast, such as deleted group chats, destroyed objects, and coached witnesses.
  • Universities often move quickly to control the narrative and their internal investigation process.
  • Our team can help preserve vital evidence and protect your child’s rights from the very beginning.
  • Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For many Briscoe County families, the image of hazing might be based on Hollywood movies or old college stories. However, the reality of hazing in 2025 is far more insidious, dangerous, and technologically enabled than most imagine. It’s not just about “a little roughhousing” or “earning your stripes”; it’s about control, coercion, and often, severe physical and psychological harm.

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, committed by one person or a group, against a student, for the purpose of pledging, initiation, or maintaining membership in any organization. This act must endanger the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or cause discomfort, embarrassment, or ridicule. Importantly, an individual’s “agreement” or “consent” to participate does not make the activity legal or safe when there is underlying peer pressure and a significant power imbalance.

Main Categories of Modern Hazing

Today’s hazing often falls into several categories, evolving with technology while retaining its core elements of abuse:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the most common and deadliest form of hazing. Students are often coerced or forced into consuming dangerous amounts of alcohol through “chugging challenges,” “lineups,” or “games” that require rapid, excessive consumption. The pressure to consume unknown or illicit substances is also a growing concern. The goal is often to incapacitate pledges or new members, making them more vulnerable and compliant.
• Physical Hazing: This includes direct physical abuse like paddling, beatings, or forced calisthenics (known as “workouts” or “smokings”) that far exceed normal athletic conditioning. Victims may be subjected to extreme sleep, food, or water deprivation, or exposed to dangerous environments, such as freezing temperatures or intense heat, often with inadequate clothing.
• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This deeply disturbing form of hazing involves forced nudity, partial nudity, or simulated sexual acts (e.g., “roasted pig” positions, “elephant walks”). It also includes degrading rituals, often with racial, homophobic, or sexist undertones, using slurs or forcing participation in offensive role-plays. The aim is to break down an individual’s self-esteem and enforce submission.
• Psychological Hazing: While less visible, psychological hazing can inflict lasting trauma. It involves verbal abuse, constant threats, intimidation, and social isolation. Pledges might be subjected to forced confessions, emotional manipulation, or public shaming, often orchestrated on social media or in group meetings. This constant mental pressure preys on a student’s desire for acceptance and belonging.
• Digital/Online Hazing: With the rise of smartphones and social media, hazing has moved into the digital realm. This can include group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation via Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, or private messaging apps. Students may be pressured to create or share compromising images or videos of themselves or others, or be subject to 24/7 digital monitoring and instant response requirements, leading to severe sleep deprivation and anxiety.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

Hazing is not confined to one type of organization or a specific stereotype. It affects a wide array of student groups, both on and off campus:

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes those under the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and various multicultural Greek councils. While many chapters strive for positive experiences, the legacy of hazing persists.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: These organizations, steeped in tradition and discipline, can sometimes cross the line from rigorous training into illegal hazing, as seen in incidents at Texas A&M and other institutions.
• Spirit Squads, Tradition Clubs, and Student Organizations: Groups like college cheerleading squads, dance teams, and university spirit groups (e.g., Texas Cowboys-type groups at UT Austin) have faced hazing allegations.
• Athletic Teams: From football and baseball to basketball, swim teams, and cheerleading squads, hazing in sports remains a significant problem, often justified as “team building” or “toughening up” new members.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even highly disciplined artistic groups have experienced hazing, where rituals designed to demonstrate commitment can turn abusive.
• Some Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations: The desire to feel part of a selective group can lead to hazing in unexpected places, as members seek to prove their dedication.

Ultimately, hazing thrives where there are dynamics of power, tradition, desire for belonging, and secrecy. Unfortunately, despite decades of efforts, these practices persist, often hidden from institutional oversight, leaving students in Briscoe County and across Texas vulnerable.

Law & Liability Framework: Texas and Federal Regulations

Understanding the legal landscape surrounding hazing in Texas is crucial for families in Briscoe County and anywhere else in our state. Both Texas and federal laws provide mechanisms for prevention, reporting, and accountability, creating avenues for victims to seek justice.

Texas Hazing Law Basics: Education Code Provisions

Texas has adopted specific anti-hazing provisions within its Education Code to address the prevalence and dangers of hazing. These laws aim to provide a clear definition, establish criminal penalties, and ensure that institutions take proactive steps.

Under Texas Education Code Section 37.151, hazing is defined as: “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student, that: (1) endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student; or (2) involves any production or consumption of food, alcoholic beverage, or other substance, or any other activity, which subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or degradation, for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members are or include students enrolled at an educational institution.”

In plain terms, if someone pressures a student to do something dangerous, harmful, humiliating, or degrading as a condition for joining or remaining in a student group, and they did so intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly with regards to the student’s well-being, that constitutes hazing under Texas law.

Key aspects of Texas hazing law:

• On or Off-Campus: The location of the hazing activity does not matter. Acts occurring at off-campus houses, private retreats, or even online are covered.
• Mental or Physical Harm: Hazing is not limited to physical injury. Acts that severely impact a student’s mental health or cause extreme humiliation or emotional distress also fall under the definition.
• Intent: The law applies even if the perpetrators did not maliciously intend to harm the victim. Reckless disregard for a student’s safety or health is sufficient for a hazing charge.
• “Consent” is not a defense: As explicitly stated in Texas Education Code § 37.155, the fact that a person may have “agreed” or “consented” to the hazing activity is not a legal defense. This crucial provision recognizes the immense pressure and power imbalances inherent in hazing situations, making “consent” often meaningless.

Criminal Penalties (Texas Education Code § 37.152):

• Class B Misdemeanor: This is the default classification for hazing that does not result in serious injury, carrying up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine up to $2,000.
• Class A Misdemeanor: If the hazing causes bodily injury requiring medical treatment.
• State Jail Felony: If the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Such a charge carries a potential prison sentence and significant financial penalties.
• Failure to Report: Individuals, including officers or members, who know about hazing and fail to report it can also face misdemeanor charges.
• Retaliation: Retaliating against someone who reports hazing is also a misdemeanor.

Organizational Liability (Texas Education Code § 37.153):

Student organizations themselves can be held criminally responsible for hazing if they “authorized or encouraged” the activity, or if an officer or member acting in their official capacity knew about the hazing and failed to report it. Penalties for organizations can include fines up to $10,000 per violation and university-imposed sanctions, such as revocation of recognition and a ban from campus.

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (Texas Education Code § 37.154):

A critical provision encourages reporting by offering immunity from civil or criminal liability to individuals who, in good faith, report a hazing incident to university authorities or law enforcement. Additionally, Texas law, and many university policies, provide “amnesty” in medical emergencies, protecting students who call 911 for help, even if underage drinking or hazing was involved.

Reporting by Educational Institutions (Texas Education Code § 37.156):

Texas universities and colleges are mandated to provide hazing prevention education, publish clear anti-hazing policies, and maintain public annual reports of hazing violations and disciplinary actions. This transparency, as seen at institutions like the University of Texas at Austin, creates a public record that can be invaluable in civil cases by demonstrating patterns and institutional knowledge.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Differences

It’s important for Briscoe County families to understand the two distinct legal pathways for hazing cases:

• Criminal Cases: These are initiated by the state (prosecutors) against individuals or organizations suspected of violating criminal statutes. The goal is to punish the wrongdoers, often through incarceration, fines, or probation. Common criminal charges related to hazing in Texas can include hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, and, in tragic cases, manslaughter. A criminal conviction requires proof “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
• Civil Cases: These are brought by victims or their surviving family members (plaintiffs) against individuals, organizations, or institutions responsible for the harm caused by hazing. The objective is to obtain monetary compensation for damages and hold the responsible parties accountable. Civil hazing lawsuits often involve claims of negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, and premises liability. Civil cases have a lower burden of proof, requiring a “preponderance of the evidence.”

Crucially, these two types of cases can proceed independently. A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil lawsuit. Many civil cases result in significant settlements or verdicts even when criminal charges are reduced or dismissed.

Federal Overlay: Strengthening Accountability

Beyond Texas state law, federal regulations also play a role in promoting campus safety and addressing hazing:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This recent federal legislation requires colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid to publicly report all hazing incidents, strengthen hazing education and prevention programs, and maintain transparent, accessible hazing data. These provisions, which are being phased in by 2026, aim to provide greater transparency and accountability for institutions like the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor.
• Title IX / Clery Act: When hazing involves sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, or assault, Title IX obligations—which prohibit sex discrimination in education—may be triggered. This can compel universities to investigate and respond to such incidents. The Clery Act also requires colleges to report campus crime statistics, and certain types of hazing incidents (e.g., those involving assault or alcohol/drug crimes) often overlap with these reporting requirements, providing another layer of institutional oversight.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Civil hazing lawsuits can involve multiple defendants, as responsibility often extends beyond the immediate perpetrators:

• Individual Students: Those who directly planned, carried out, or significantly contributed to the hazing acts, or who failed to intervene or call for help when a medical emergency arose.
• Local Chapter/Organization: The specific fraternity, sorority, club, or team as a legal entity can be sued. Key individuals within the chapter, such as officers or “pledge educators,” may also be targeted.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: The national headquarters or overarching organization the local chapter belongs to often holds significant liability. Their responsibility can depend on their knowledge of prior hazing, their enforcement (or lack thereof) of anti-hazing policies, and their supervisory role over local chapters.
• University or Governing Board: The educational institution itself, or its governing board, may be held liable under theories of negligence, negligent supervision, or for failing to address known hazing patterns. This is particularly relevant for public universities (like UH, Texas A&M, UT) and private institutions (SMU, Baylor).
• Third Parties: Other entities may also share liability, including landlords or owners of properties where hazing occurred, bars or alcohol providers (under “dram shop” laws if they served intoxicated minors), or security companies.

Every hazing case is unique, and the specific defendants will depend on the facts and circumstances uncovered during a thorough investigation. Our firm’s role is to identify all potentially liable parties and pursue every avenue for accountability for families in Briscoe County.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families

While hazing incidents at Texas universities often capture local headlines, they are part of a broader, tragic national pattern. These major cases, often involving multi-million dollar settlements and significant legal reform, serve as anchor stories that illustrate the profound consequences of hazing and set precedents that affect how hazing cases, including those in Briscoe County, are litigated across the country.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death: A Recurring Tragedy

The most frequent and fatal pattern in hazing involves extreme alcohol consumption. These cases demonstrate a chilling uniformity:

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Timothy, a 19-year-old pledge, died from traumatic brain injuries after a “bid acceptance” night where he was forced into extreme alcohol consumption. Horrifying surveillance footage showed him falling repeatedly, only to have fraternity brothers delay calling for help for hours. Eighteen members faced over a thousand criminal charges initially, including involuntary manslaughter. The case led to a landmark Pennsylvania anti-hazing law, the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, and confidential civil settlements with the fraternity and individuals. The immediate takeaway for Briscoe County families is that extreme intoxication, deliberate delay in seeking emergency medical assistance, and an entrenched culture of silence can lead to devastating legal and human consequences.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): During a “Big Brother Night,” Coffey, a pledge, was coerced into drinking an entire handle of hard liquor. He died from acute alcohol poisoning. Multiple members were prosecuted for misdemeanor hazing. The incident led to a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU and fueled a state-wide anti-hazing movement in Florida. This case underscores how allegedly “traditional” drinking nights are often a deadly script for disaster, predictable and preventable.
• Max Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max, an 18-year-old pledge, died from alcohol toxicity after a “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers to questions resulted in forced drinking. His blood alcohol content was 0.495%. The profound public outrage and legal action led to the passage of Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute. This case is a stark reminder that legislative change often follows the clearest demonstrations of hazing’s lethal nature, providing enhanced legal tools for accountability.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): During a “Big/Little” night, 20-year-old pledge Stone Foltz was forced to consume a full bottle of whiskey. He died of alcohol poisoning. The tragic incident resulted in multiple criminal convictions for fraternity members. The Foltz family reached a $10 million settlement in 2023, with approximately $7 million from the national Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University. This case demonstrates that universities, especially public ones, face significant financial and reputational consequences, alongside the fraternities themselves, when systemic hazing occurs on their watch.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing: Beyond Alcohol

Hazing extends beyond alcohol to encompass brutally violent and degrading rituals:

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael, a pledge, died from a traumatic brain injury during a fraternity retreat in Pennsylvania. He was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a ritual known as the “glass ceiling.” Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for hours. Multiple members were convicted, and the national fraternity was found municipally liable, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years, and issued a significant fine. This case starkly illustrates that off-campus or “secret” rituals, often held far from university oversight, can be just as dangerous—or even more so—than on-campus events, and national organizations can be held directly responsible.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse: A Broader Problem

Hazing is not exclusive to Greek letter organizations; it infiltrates other prominent campus groups:

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): Multiple former football players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the highly acclaimed program over several years. The scandal led to the firing of a celebrated head coach, Pat Fitzgerald, who later confidentially settled a wrongful-termination lawsuit. Numerous other former players filed lawsuits against the university and staff. This case served as a high-profile example that hazing extends far beyond Greek life into major, high-revenue athletic programs, questioning systemic institutional oversight.

What These Cases Mean for Briscoe County Families

These national, life-altering hazing incidents, though they occurred outside of Texas, carry critical lessons for Briscoe County families whose children attend universities across our state. The common threads are undeniable: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, and, often, a horrifying delay in seeking medical care or an outright attempt at cover-up. While tragic, these cases demonstrate that:

• Accountability is possible: Survivors and their families can successfully pursue legal action and secure significant settlements or verdicts against individuals, local chapters, national organizations, and universities.
• Systemic issues persist: Despite anti-hazing policies and national attention, these patterns repeat because underlying cultures often go unaddressed.
• Legal precedent exists: The legal frameworks developed from these cases strengthen arguments for foreseeability, negligence, and gross negligence in Texas courts, offering hope for justice for future victims.

Families across Texas, including those in and around Briscoe County, who are confronted with the reality of hazing at a Texas university, are not alone. They operate within a legal landscape shaped by these national lessons, where justice, though hard-won, is achievable with determined and experienced legal counsel.

Texas Focus: University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor

For Briscoe County families concerned about hazing, understanding the specific environments and histories of Texas’s major universities is critical. While Briscoe County itself is a tight-knit community in the Texas Panhandle, many of its young residents travel south to attend these prominent institutions. Although Briscoe County is geographically distant from these major universities, the legal precedents established and the firm’s reach across Texas ensure that our team can provide dedicated support to any family facing these issues, regardless of their child’s campus location.

We protect families across Texas, from the Brazos Valley to the Gulf Coast, and from the Panhandle regions like Briscoe County to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Here, we provide a focused overview of hazing policies and notable incidents at five of Texas’s largest universities.

5.1 University of Houston (UH)

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

The University of Houston, the third-largest public university in Texas, is a dynamic urban campus situated in the heart of Houston. It serves a diverse student body, including many from communities like Briscoe County who move closer to the metropolitan center for their education. UH boasts a vibrant Greek life, encompassing dozens of fraternities and sororities, alongside numerous other student organizations, cultural groups, and athletic clubs. Its commuter and residential mix means that student life, including social activities, extends both on and off campus. This diverse and active student environment, while enriching, also presents unique challenges for monitoring and enforcing anti-hazing policies.

5.1.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

The University of Houston maintains a strict anti-hazing policy, explicitly prohibiting any form of hazing, whether it occurs on or off campus, against any student. The policy’s scope covers acts that endanger physical health or safety (such as forced alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment) and those that impact mental health (including mental distress and humiliation) as part of initiation or affiliation with any recognized or unrecognized student organization.

UH provides multiple channels for students and families to report hazing:

• Dean of Students Office: Responsible for student conduct and welfare.
• Office of Student Conduct: Handles investigations into alleged policy violations.
• University of Houston Police Department (UHPD): For criminal acts of hazing.
• Online Reporting Forms: Anonymous reporting options are typically available through student affairs websites.

These channels are intended to facilitate reporting, but families may find working with the university independently challenging.

5.1.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

While UH’s hazing incident reports are not as publicly detailed as, for instance, UT Austin’s, recurring patterns and serious incidents have emerged:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) Case (2016): In a deeply concerning incident, pledges of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity chapter at UH were allegedly deprived of adequate food, water, and sleep over several days during an off-campus event. One student sustained a lacerated spleen after reportedly being slammed onto a table or similar surface during the hazing. The chapter faced misdemeanor hazing charges filed by the Harris County District Attorney’s office and was subsequently suspended by the university.
• Ongoing Disciplinary Actions: While specific details may be less publicized, UH’s records and student conduct reports consistently show disciplinary measures taken against various fraternities and sororities for hazing-related violations. These frequently involve alcohol misuse, forced activities “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” and other behaviors that violate the university’s anti-hazing policies, leading to suspensions, probations, and loss of recognition.

These incidents highlight the university’s stated commitment to addressing hazing, but also reveal the persistent challenges in completely eradicating such behaviors.

5.1.4 How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

For a hazing case originating at the University of Houston, Briscoe County families should understand the potential legal pathways:

• Involved Agencies: Depending on the location and nature of the hazing, investigations might involve UHPD for on-campus incidents, or the Houston Police Department and/or the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for off-campus events in the greater Houston area.
• Jurisdiction: Civil lawsuits would likely be filed in courts within Harris County (the county in which Houston is located), given that this is where the incident occurred and key evidence or witnesses would be located.
• Potential Defendants: A thorough legal investigation would consider individual students directly involved, the local chapter of the fraternity or sorority, the national organization (e.g., Pi Kappa Alpha’s national headquarters given past incidents), and potentially the University of Houston itself. Property owners where off-campus hazing took place could also be included.

5.1.5 What UH Students & Parents Should Do

If you are a Briscoe County family with a child attending UH, or you are a student at UH, and you suspect hazing:

• Document Everything: Keep meticulous records of all communications, events, and injuries. This includes screenshots of group chats, photos of any physical harm, and contemporaneous notes of events. Refer to our firm’s video on using your cellphone to document a legal case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs.
• Prioritize Medical Care: If there is any injury or severe intoxication, seek immediate medical attention. Be explicit with medical staff about the cause of injury to ensure it is accurately documented.
• Understand UH’s Reporting: Familiarize yourself with UH’s official reporting channels, including the Dean of Students and anonymous online reporting. However, contact an attorney before making a formal report to ensure evidence is secured and your rights are protected.
• Legal Consultation: Contact an experienced hazing attorney in Texas who understands the complexities of these cases, especially those with connections to Houston. Our firm knows how to uncover prior disciplinary actions and internal records that can strengthen your case.

Briscoe County families sending students to UH should know that while a geographic distance separates home and campus, experienced legal counsel can bridges that gap, offering support and legal representation.

5.2 Texas A&M University (TAMU)

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M University, located in College Station, is deeply rooted in tradition, particularly through its iconic Corps of Cadets, the largest uniformed body of students outside military academies. This strong tradition and sense of belonging often translate into an intense campus culture, which can unfortunately provide fertile ground for hazing, both within Greek organizations and the Corps. Many Briscoe County students, drawn to A&M’s rich heritage and academic excellence, become part of this unique environment. The blend of military-style discipline and a traditional college experience makes A&M a unique setting for examining hazing dynamics.

5.2.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Texas A&M strictly prohibits hazing across all student organizations, including the Corps of Cadets and all Greek chapters. Its policy mirrors the Texas Education Code, defining hazing as any act that endangers mental or physical health for the purpose of affiliation. A&M emphasizes that consent is not a defense.

Reporting channels at A&M include:

• Student Conduct Office: Manages all reports of student misconduct, including hazing.
• University Police Department (UPD): For criminal hazing incidents.
• Aggie Honor System Office: Can handle academic honesty aspects related to hazing.
• Online reporting forms and a hazing hotline.

5.2.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Texas A&M has faced significant scrutiny over hazing in both its Greek life and the Corps of Cadets:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Lawsuit (Circa 2021): In a disturbing incident, two pledges of the SAE fraternity chapter at Texas A&M alleged they were subjected to brutal hazing. They claimed they were forced into strenuous physical activity while being covered in a cocktail of substances, including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit. This ordeal resulted in severe chemical burns requiring multiple skin graft surgeries. The pledges subsequently filed a $1 million lawsuit against the fraternity, which was suspended by the university for two years.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A former cadet filed a lawsuit alleging degrading hazing within the Corps. The allegations included simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million in damages, drawing national attention to hazing practices within military-style collegiate organizations. A&M stated it addressed the matter through its internal processes, but the civil action brought serious allegations of ongoing institutional issues.
• Kappa Sigma (KS) Lawsuits (2023, ongoing): Recent allegations involving the Kappa Sigma chapter at Texas A&M include hazing that resulted in severe injuries, specifically rhabdomyolysis—a serious condition involving severe muscle breakdown due to extreme physical exertion. This case is currently ongoing, requiring specialized legal representation focused on this type of injury and institutional negligence.

5.2.4 How a TAMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

For hazing incidents at Texas A&M, the legal process for Briscoe County families would involve specific considerations:

• Jurisdiction: Criminal charges could be handled by the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office or the College Station Police Department. Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in Brazos County courts.
• Defendants: Cases could target individual cadets or fraternity members, the local chapter, the national organization (e.g., SAE National), and the university itself. Given A&M’s status as a public university, sovereign immunity issues may arise, but exceptions for gross negligence or willful misconduct, and claims against individuals, are often pursued.
• Corps vs. Greek: Legal strategy would need to carefully differentiate between hazing within a Greek organization versus hazing within the Corps, as each involves distinct layers of institutional oversight and tradition.

5.2.5 What TAMU Students & Parents Should Do

Briscoe County families whose children attend Texas A&M should be particularly vigilant:

• Understand Dual Systems: Be aware that hazing can occur within both Greek life and the Corps of Cadets, each with unique hierarchies and pressures.
• Document Everything: Record dates, times, specific acts, and names of individuals involved. Screenshot group chats, emails, and any photos or videos.
• Seek Medical Help: For any injury or signs of distress, seek immediate medical attention and clearly state that hazing was the cause.
• Contact Legal Counsel Early: The complex traditions at A&M, particularly within the Corps, can lead to highly contested hazing claims. Consulting with an attorney experienced in these unique dynamics is critical to protecting your child’s rights and ensuring accountability.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)

5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

The University of Texas at Austin, a flagship institution, is known for its vibrant academic and social scene. Thousands of students from across Texas, including from communities like Briscoe County, matriculate here each year. UT Austin has one of the largest Greek systems in the nation, alongside numerous highly active spirit organizations and clubs. Its large, decentralized campus and strong student traditions can, at times, foster environments where hazing practices take root, both on and off the iconic “Forty Acres,” but especially in the West Campus area where many fraternities and sororities have housing.

5.3.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

UT Austin has a strict and clearly articulated anti-hazing policy, emphasizing that hazing is defined by the Texas Education Code and is prohibited in all university-related activities. Notably, UT is one of the most transparent universities in Texas regarding hazing violations.

Reporting channels at UT include:

• Dean of Students Hazing Prevention and Education: Provides resources and reporting options.
• Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity: Investigates allegations.
• University of Texas Police Department (UTPD): For criminal incidents.
• Online forms and a public hazing violations page.

5.3.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

UT Austin actively publishes details of hazing violations, offering valuable insights into common patterns and institutional responses:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) (2023): This chapter was found responsible for hazing after new members were subjected to forced consumption of milk and strenuous calisthenics. The university placed the chapter on probation and mandated additional hazing-prevention education. This incident echoes the national pattern of PKA hazing involving forced consumption and physical exertion.
• Texas Cowboys (2022): Even non-Greek organizations engage in hazing. The Texas Cowboys, a prominent spirit organization with a long history at UT, faced disciplinary action for hazing that included alcohol misuse, sleep deprivation, and degrading activities.
• Texas Wranglers (Ongoing): This spirit organization has also faced multiple disciplinary actions for hazing, often involving forced workouts and humiliating acts, demonstrating a pattern of challenging institutional rules. This kind of documented history on UT’s public log becomes powerful evidence in civil suits, showing repeated warnings and institutional knowledge.

These public records are invaluable for understanding specific chapters’ histories and for legal cases, as they clearly document “prior notice” to the university.

5.3.4 How a UT Hazing Case Might Proceed

For a hazing case at UT Austin, whether for Briscoe County families or others, the legal process often involves:

• Jurisdiction: Criminal investigations could be conducted by UTPD or the Austin Police Department. Civil lawsuits would typically be filed within Travis County courts.
• Defendants: Potential defendants include individual students, the local chapter, the national organization (where applicable), and the University of Texas at Austin. As a public university, UT Austin may assert sovereign immunity, though exceptions, such as those related to gross negligence or Title IX, can be pursued.
• Public Record: UT’s publicly available hazing violations log can serve as crucial evidence in civil lawsuits, demonstrating a pattern of misconduct by specific organizations and the university’s prior knowledge of these issues.

5.3.5 What UT Students & Parents Should Do

Briscoe County families whose children are attending UT Austin should:

• Review UT’s Hazing Violations Page: Regularly check https://hazing.utexas.edu/ for ongoing disciplinary actions against student organizations. This is a critical resource for understanding risks.
• Document and Report: Preserve all evidence (texts, photos, communication) and familiarize yourself with UT’s comprehensive reporting mechanisms.
• Consult Legal Expertise: Given the complexity of cases against public universities and well-resourced fraternities, it is essential to consult with an attorney experienced in Texas hazing law who understands the unique aspects of litigating against a major state institution.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Southern Methodist University, nestled in a prestigious area of Dallas, is a private institution known for its strong Greek life and often affluent student body. Many students from across Texas, including those from Briscoe County, are drawn to SMU’s academic programs and vibrant social scene. The university’s Greek system plays a dominant role in campus social life, which, like other universities, can create environments susceptible to hazing despite institutional prohibitions. The close-knit, often insulated nature of certain social circles at private institutions can present unique challenges for hazing prevention and reporting.

5.4.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

SMU strictly prohibits hazing, in line with Texas state law and its own code of conduct. The university emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy for activities that risk mental or physical harm, humiliation, or degradation.

SMU’s reporting channels include:

• Office of the Dean of Students: Oversees student conduct and Greek life.
• SMU Police Department (SMU PD): For criminal incidents.
• Online Ethics and Compliance Hotline/Reporting: Offers anonymous reporting options.

SMU, as a private institution, has different disclosure requirements than public universities, which can affect the public availability of detailed disciplinary records.

5.4.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

SMU’s Greek system has faced several hazing allegations and disciplinary actions:

• Kappa Alpha Order (KA) Incident (2017): The Kappa Alpha Order chapter at SMU was suspended after allegations of severe hazing activities, including pledges being paddled, forced to consume excessive amounts of alcohol, and deprived of sleep. The national organization also suspended the chapter, leading to significant restrictions on their recruitment and operations for several years.
• Recurring Alcohol and Conduct Violations: While specific hazing incidents are not always as publicly detailed as at public universities, SMU’s records indicate recurring issues with alcohol-related misconduct and policy violations within its Greek system, which often go hand-in-hand with hazing practices. The university consistently takes disciplinary action, ranging from probation to chapter suspension, underlining the ongoing struggle to prevent these behaviors.

5.4.4 How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

For hazing claims at SMU affecting Briscoe County families, the legal process will have some distinct characteristics:

• Jurisdiction: Criminal investigations could involve the Dallas Police Department or SMU PD. Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in Dallas County courts.
• Private Institution Status: As a private university, SMU does not have the same sovereign immunity protections as public universities. This can sometimes make the institution itself a more direct target in civil litigation for negligence or negligent supervision. However, private universities often have robust legal teams and insurance policies.
• Discovery: While SMU’s disciplinary records may not always be public, civil litigation allows for extensive discovery, compelling the university and involved organizations to provide internal documents, communications, and incident reports that can reveal prior patterns and institutional knowledge.

5.4.5 What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

Briscoe County families with ties to SMU should:

• Be Proactive: Engage with SMU’s Greek Life office and student affairs to understand their specific hazing prevention programs and reporting mechanisms.
• Document and Report Confidentially: Save all pertinent evidence. If concerns arise, consider confidential reporting avenues but always consult legal counsel before making a formal report to understand implications.
• Seek Legal Advice Early: Given SMU’s private status and the resources of national fraternities, securing legal counsel experienced in complex hazing cases is paramount to navigating the legal landscape effectively.

5.5 Baylor University

5.5.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor University, a private Baptist university in Waco, McLennan County, is known for its strong religious identity, academic rigor, and formidable athletic programs. Students from Briscoe County and across Texas are drawn to its unique blend of faith-based education and vibrant campus life. While fostering a close-knit community, this environment—especially combined with high-pressure athletics and active Greek life—can create conditions where hazing, even if officially prohibited, can occur under the guise of “tradition” or “bonding.” Baylor has faced significant scrutiny in past years over its handling of student welfare, particularly concerning sexual assault, which has heightened awareness of institutional responsibilities.

5.5.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Baylor University maintains a clear and comprehensive anti-hazing policy, explicitly defining and prohibiting hazing in accordance with Texas law. The policy underscores that hazing, whether physical, mental, or involving substances, is never acceptable and that consent cannot justify hazing behavior.

Reporting channels at Baylor include:

• Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards: Responsible for investigations and disciplinary actions related to hazing.
• Baylor University Police Department (BUPD): For criminal hazing incidents.
• Ethics Point Hotline: An anonymous reporting system available to students, faculty, and staff.

5.5.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Baylor University’s history includes instances of hazing, particularly within its athletic programs, which have drawn considerable attention:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): Following an extensive investigation into allegations of hazing within the baseball program, Baylor suspended 14 players. These suspensions were staggered across the early season to mitigate impact on team competition, but they highlighted that hazing activities, often linked to physical and emotional abuse, persist even in top-tier athletic programs.
• Recurring Disciplinary Issues in Greek Life: While detailed specific incidents may not always be publicly disclosed by Baylor, the university consistently addresses varying levels of misconduct, including alcohol violations and behavioral issues within its Greek organizations that sometimes escalate to hazing.

These incidents, particularly the baseball scandal, illustrate Baylor’s ongoing challenges in enforcing its anti-hazing policies and a broader cultural context that has previously raised concerns about institutional oversight concerning student welfare.

5.5.4 How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed

For Briscoe County families pursuing a hazing claim at Baylor University, the legal process typically involves:

• Jurisdiction: Criminal investigations might involve the Waco Police Department or BUPD. Civil lawsuits would generally be filed in McLennan County courts.
• Private University Status: Similar to SMU, Baylor, as a private institution, is not shielded by sovereign immunity. This means the university can be a direct defendant in negligence and other civil claims related to hazing.
• Institutional Context: Any legal action would need to consider Baylor’s unique institutional history, including prior controversies related to student safety and how those may have impacted or revealed systemic issues within the university’s oversight mechanisms. Thorough discovery would be used to uncover internal records regarding hazing prevention, reporting, and disciplinary actions.

5.4.5 What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do

Families from Briscoe County or elsewhere with students at Baylor should:

• Understand Baylor’s Stance and Policies: Familiarize yourself completely with the university’s explicit anti-hazing policies and its reporting structure.
• Document and Act: Keep precise records of any suspected hazing behavior, including digital evidence and eyewitness accounts. Given Baylor’s institutional context, prompt and well-documented action is crucial.
• Consult Legal Counsel: If hazing occurs, contacting an attorney with experience in hazing litigation against private universities is vital. Our legal team can help ensure that Baylor’s policies are scrutinized for meaningful enforcement and that all responsible parties are held accountable.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific Histories + National Histories

When hazing occurs at a Texas university, it is rarely an isolated incident confined to a single chapter. Many local fraternities and sororities at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor are part of vast national organizations. These national entities often have extensive—and sometimes tragic—hazing histories of their own. Understanding these interwoven histories is critical for families in Briscoe County because they can be powerful tools in establishing legal liability.

Why National Histories Matter

National fraternities and sororities implement anti-hazing policies, risk management guidelines, and conduct prevention training precisely because they have a documented history of severe injuries, deaths, and extensive lawsuits stemming from hazing at their chapters across the country. These national headquarters are well aware of the types of activities—like forced drinking, paddling, or degrading rituals—that can be dangerous and illegal.

When a local chapter in Texas, say at the University of Houston, engages in the exact type of hazing that caused a death or serious injury at another chapter of the same national organization in another state, it creates a powerful legal argument: foreseeability. It demonstrates that the national organization had prior notice of the danger, knew the patterns, and arguably failed to adequately supervise or enforce its own rules. This can significantly strengthen claims of negligence, gross negligence, and even arguments for punitive damages against the national entity.

Organization Mapping: Local Chapters and National Patterns

While every chapter is unique, certain national organizations have unfortunately accumulated a more extensive public hazing record than others. Below, we synthesize some of the major fraternities and sororities present at Texas universities commonly attended by Briscoe County students, highlighting recurring national patterns where they exist.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike):
  • Description: A large national fraternity with chapters at many Texas universities, including UH and UT Austin.
  • National Hazing History: Pike has an alarming national history of hazing incidents, particularly involving dangerous levels of forced alcohol consumption. The Stone Foltz case at Bowling Green State University (2021), where a pledge died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink a copious amount of whiskey during a “Big/Little” night, resulted in criminal convictions and a $10 million settlement against the national fraternity and university. Earlier, David Bogenberger died in 2012 at Northern Illinois University under similar circumstances, leading to a $14 million settlement. These cases demonstrate Pike’s recurring, deadly pattern of alcohol-related hazing.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE):
  • Description: Another prominent national fraternity, active at schools like UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin.
  • National Hazing History: SAE has faced numerous hazing controversies and deaths nationally. In 2014, in response to a pattern of fatalities, SAE national briefly eliminated pledging. Recent serious allegations include:
    • An ongoing lawsuit against the University of Alabama chapter (2023) for a pledge allegedly suffering a traumatic brain injury during hazing.
    • A $1 million lawsuit against the Texas A&M chapter (2021) for pledges who sustained severe chemical burns from industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit during forced activities.
    • A $1 million lawsuit against the UT Austin chapter (January 2024) by an Australian exchange student who alleged severe assault and injuries during a party, while the chapter was already under suspension for prior hazing. This pattern shows a consistent disregard for safety.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):
  • Description: Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor.
  • National Hazing History: The death of Max Gruver at Louisiana State University (2017) from alcohol poisoning during a “Bible study” drinking game is a stark example. The case led to criminal convictions and Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing law. This tragic outcome, and subsequent civil settlements, signify the profound risks associated with coerced drinking rituals.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):
  • Description: Another widely represented national fraternity in Texas, including at UH and Texas A&M.
  • National Hazing History: The death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University (2017) from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” involving excessive liquor consumption led to criminal proceedings and a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU. This incident highlights the dangers embedded in traditional “pledge” events.
• Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ):
  • Description: Chapters exist at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and SMU.
  • National Hazing History: The widely publicized death of Timothy Piazza at Penn State (2017), where pledges were pressured to drink dangerously, and members failed to call for help for hours, is a landmark case. It resulted in numerous criminal charges and Pennsylvania’s stringent Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
• Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ):
  • Description: Present at UH, Texas A&M, and Baylor.
  • National Hazing History: The death of Chad Meredith at the University of Miami (2001) from drowning after being coerced to swim while intoxicated resulted in a $12.6 million jury verdict against the fraternity and led to Florida’s hazing criminalization law. More recently, allegations at Texas A&M (2023) included hazing causing rhabdomyolysis from extreme physical abuse, underscoring ongoing concerns.
• Phi Gamma Delta (ΦΓΔ / FIJI):
  • Description: A national fraternity with chapters at Texas A&M, among others.
  • National Hazing History: The 2021 case of Danny Santulli at the University of Missouri, where a pledge suffered severe, permanent brain damage due to forced excessive alcohol consumption, is a powerful example of catastrophic non-fatal hazing. His family settled lawsuits with 22 defendants for multi-million-dollar amounts, highlighting the severe long-term consequences and broad liability.
• Sigma Chi (ΣΧ):
  • Description: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Baylor.
  • National Hazing History: A 2024 case at the College of Charleston resulted in a family receiving more than $10 million in damages after a pledge alleged physical beatings, forced consumption of drugs/alcohol, and psychological torment. This is one of the largest known hazing settlements, reflecting strong jury condemnation.
• Omega Psi Phi (ΩΨΦ):
  • Description: Part of the “Divine Nine” historically Black Greek letter fraternities, with chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor.
  • National Hazing History: While NPHC organizations officially prohibit hazing, instances do occur. In 2023, a former student at the University of Southern Mississippi alleged severe hazing, including repeated beatings with a wooden paddle, leading to emergency surgery and months of rehabilitation. A federal lawsuit was filed, highlighting that physical hazing, often utilizing traditional objects like paddles, still occurs despite national prohibitions.

Tie Back to Legal Strategy for Briscoe County Families

These recurring patterns across states and campuses are highly significant in hazing litigation. For Briscoe County families whose children have been victimized at a Texas university:

• Such patterns of abuse against an organization show that the national entity had repeated warnings about the dangers associated with its chapters’ conduct.
• It allows courts to examine whether national organizations meaningfully enforced their anti-hazing policies, rather than just having them on paper.
• It influences decisions on whether the national organization responded to prior incidents aggressively enough, or if they tolerated a culture where such abuses were allowed to persist.

This evidence can profoundly impact settlement leverage, support arguments against insurance coverage denials (by showing foreseeability), and potentially allow for punitive damages, holding organizations accountable both financially and morally.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

For families in Briscoe County facing the aftermath of a hazing incident, the idea of legal action can feel overwhelming. However, building a strong hazing case involves a meticulous process of gathering evidence, understanding the full scope of damages, and implementing a strategic legal approach. The Manginello Law Firm is adept at navigating these complexities.

Critical Evidence in Hazing Cases

Modern hazing cases are often won or lost based on the quality and volume of evidence collected. This is why immediate action, as outlined in our 48-hour checklist, is so vital.

• Digital Communications: This is the single most important category of evidence.
  • Group Chats and Direct Messages: Messages exchanged on platforms like GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Signal, Discord, Slack, and even fraternity-specific apps are invaluable. They often contain explicit instructions, threats, plans for hazing events, photos/videos of hazing, and communications about covering up incidents or delaying help. Full conversations, with timestamps and participant names clearly visible, are crucial.
  • Social Media: Posts, stories, comments, and direct messages on Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) can provide critical information. This includes publicly shared content, even if it appears to be “jokes” about hazing, or private messages where hazing is planned or discussed.
• Photos & Videos: Beyond screenshots of messages, actual photos or videos of the hazing events themselves, or of physical injuries sustained, are powerful. Any footage from security cameras, doorbell cameras, or even bystanders at nearby properties can also be instrumental.
• Internal Organization Documents: This can include pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” lists, rules of conduct, and any emails or texts from officers or “pledge educators” discussing new members. The national organization’s anti-hazing policies and training materials are also crucial, allowing us to compare policy promises with actual behavior.
• University Records: Accessing the university’s internal records is vital. This includes prior conduct files related to the specific chapter involved, records of probation, suspensions, or warning letters, and any incident reports filed with campus police or student conduct offices. Publicly available documents like Clery Act reports or hazing violation logs (as seen at UT Austin) are also key.
• Medical and Psychological Records: Thorough documentation of injuries is paramount. This includes emergency room reports, hospital records, toxicology reports (for alcohol/drug-related hazing), and any records of ongoing treatment, therapy, or rehabilitation. Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation are crucial for documenting mental health damages.
• Witness Testimony: Eyewitness accounts from other pledges, current or former members, roommates, Resident Advisors (RAs), coaches, trainers, or any bystanders are invaluable. Even individuals who were initially reluctant to come forward often do so once a formal legal process begins. Our firm can facilitate confidential conversations and advise potential witnesses on their rights.

Understanding Damages: What Families Can Recover

When Briscoe County families sue individuals, organizations, or institutions for hazing, the legal system aims to provide compensation for the full range of harm suffered. These “damages” can be categorized as:

• Economic Damages (Quantifiable Financial Losses):
  • Medical Expenses: This includes all past and future medical bills, from emergency room care and ambulance transport to surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and any specialized equipment (e.g., wheelchairs, adaptive devices). For catastrophic injuries like brain damage or organ failure, it includes comprehensive “life care plans” for lifelong support.
  • Lost Income & Earning Capacity: Compensation for wages lost due to injuries or inability to work. Importantly, if hazing causes permanent disability or impacts a student’s ability to complete their education or enter their chosen profession, economists assess “diminished future earning capacity” over their lifetime.
  • Lost Educational Opportunities: This can cover tuition and fees for semesters missed, lost scholarships (academic, athletic, or Greek-based), and the financial impact of delayed graduation.
• Non-Economic Damages (Subjective, Legally Compensable Losses):
  • Physical Pain & Suffering: This covers the actual pain experienced from injuries, as well as ongoing, chronic pain or discomfort.
  • Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm: This is a significant component in hazing cases and includes compensation for diagnosed conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, panic attacks, or even suicidal ideation. It also accounts for the profound humiliation, shame, loss of dignity, fear, and lasting trauma.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This category compensates for the inability to participate in activities once enjoyed (sports, hobbies, social life), withdrawal from the college experience, and damaged relationships.
• Wrongful Death Damages (For Families): In the most tragic cases, when hazing results in a student’s death, eligible Texas family members (parents, spouse, children) can pursue compensation for:
  • Funeral and burial costs.
  • Loss of financial support the deceased would have provided.
  • Loss of companionship, love, and emotional support.
  • The family’s own grief and emotional suffering.
  • Costs for grief counseling or psychological support for surviving family members.
• Punitive Damages: These are not always available but can be powerful. Punitive damages are awarded to punish defendants for particularly reckless, malicious, or grossly negligent conduct, and to deter similar acts in the future. In Texas, punitive damages may be capped, but their availability signals severe fault and can significantly increase the value of a case.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing litigation often involves navigating a complex web of defendants and insurance policies.

• Insurance Coverage: National fraternities, universities, and sometimes even local chapters and individuals, carry liability insurance policies. These policies are designed to protect them from financial loss due to lawsuits. However, insurers frequently attempt to deny coverage for hazing claims, arguing that “intentional acts” or “criminal conduct” are excluded from their policies.
• Skilled Legal Strategy: An experienced hazing attorney meticulously identifies all potential sources of insurance coverage. Our firm, with Lupe Peña’s insider knowledge as a former insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/), understands exactly how insurers operate. We anticipate their tactics, challenge improper denials of coverage, and fight to ensure policies pay out to compensate victims. We argue that even if the hazing was intentional, the failure to supervise by an organization or university was negligent, which is covered by insurance.
• Multiple Defendants: Pursuing multiple defendants—individual students, the local chapter, the national organization, and the university—often maximizes the potential for a comprehensive recovery, as each may contribute to the overall liability.

Building a hazing case is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires deep legal knowledge, relentless investigation, and a compassionate understanding of the victim’s experience. Our firm is dedicated to providing just that for families in Briscoe County and throughout Texas.

Practical Guides & FAQs

When hazing strikes, families in Briscoe County, students at major Texas universities, and even former members involved in these events often find themselves in uncharted, frightening territory. Knowing what steps to take, the common pitfalls to avoid, and where to find answers can make all the difference.

8.1 For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

As a parent, your intuition is your most powerful tool. Look for these subtle, and not-so-subtle, warning signs:

Warning Signs of Hazing in Your Child:

• Physical Signs: Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or injuries that don’t quite make sense. Extreme fatigue, constant exhaustion, or significant changes in appetite leading to unexplained weight loss or gain. Signs of sleep deprivation (like frequently falling asleep in class). If your child comes home with chemical burns or unusual rashes, this is a serious red flag.
• Behavioral & Emotional Changes: A sudden increase in secrecy, especially about their organization’s activities (“I can’t talk about it,” or “It’s a secret”). Withdrawal from old friends, family, or activities they once enjoyed. Noticeable changes in personality, such as increased anxiety, depression, irritability, or anger. They might become unusually defensive when asked about their new group.
• Academic Decline: A sudden drop in grades, missing classes, or falling asleep during lectures due to late-night “mandatory” activities.
• Digital Behavior: Constant checking of their phone for group chat notifications, often with a visible sense of anxiety. Deleting messages, clearing browser history, or being evasive about phone activity. They might be tracked via location-sharing apps.

How to Talk to Your Child (Non-Confrontationally):

• Initiate conversations with open-ended questions like, “How are things going with your new group? Are you enjoying it?”
• Emphasize their safety and well-being above all else. Let them know you will support them unequivocally, no matter what.
• Ask specific questions: “Are they respectful of your academic commitments or your need for sleep?” “Is there anything you’ve been asked to do that makes you uncomfortable?”
• If your child opens up, listen without judgment. If they shut down, don’t force it, but continue to monitor closely and keep lines of communication open.

If Your Child is Hurt or You Suspect Hazing:

• Prioritize Safety: If your child is in immediate danger (severely intoxicated, seriously injured, or threatened), call 911 or campus police immediately. Your child’s health and safety must always come first, even if they fear repercussions.
• Document Everything: Write down everything your child tells you, including dates, times, names, and specific events. Take photos of any injuries. If they show you texts, group chats, or photos, screenshot them immediately or ask permission to photograph their phone.
• Deal with the University Carefully: If you contact the university, document every conversation, email, and meeting. Ask clarifying questions about prior incidents involving the same organization and what punitive actions were taken. However, do NOT sign anything from the university without legal review.
• Contact a Lawyer: If your child has sustained significant physical or psychological harm, or if you feel the university or organization is minimizing the incident, contact an experienced hazing lawyer early. Our firm can help preserve crucial evidence that might otherwise disappear, navigate university processes, and advise on criminal versus civil options.

8.2 For Students / Pledges: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

If you’re a student in Briscoe County attending a Texas university, or any student anywhere who is questioning your “new member” experience, ask yourself these questions:

Is This Hazing or Just Tradition?

• Am I being forced or pressured to do something I genuinely don’t want to do?
• Would I choose to do this if there were no social consequences or fear of being “cut” from the group?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, humiliating, or illegal?
• Would my university officials or parents approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
• Are older members making new members do things that they don’t have to do themselves?
• Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide these activities from outsiders?

If you answered “YES” to any of these questions, you are likely experiencing hazing, regardless of how it’s framed.

Why “Consent” Isn’t the End of the Story:

You might feel like you “agreed” to participate, but under Texas law, consent is not a defense to hazing. The law recognizes the immense power imbalance, intense peer pressure, and psychological manipulation you’re under. Your “agreement” often comes from a place of fear, not free will.

Exiting and Reporting Safely:

• Immediate Danger: If you are in immediate physical danger, call 911 immediately. Most schools and Texas law have good-faith reporter protections, meaning you will not get in trouble for seeking help in a medical emergency, even if underage drinking was involved.
• Leaving the Group: You have the legal right to leave the organization at any time. If you fear retaliation, inform someone outside the group first (parent, RA, trusted friend). Send an official email or text to the chapter president stating your resignation. Avoid going to “one last meeting” where you might be pressured or intimidated.
• Reporting: You can report privately or anonymously through campus hotlines, online forms, or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE). If criminal acts occurred, you can contact your campus police or local police.

8.3 For Former Members / Witnesses

If you were once a part of a hazing incident, or witnessed one, and carry guilt or fear, know this: your testimony and evidence can be pivotal in preventing future harm and saving lives.

• Your Role Matters: Your willingness to come forward can provide crucial insights into the organization’s culture, specific hazing acts, and who was involved. This information is often critical for accountability.
• Legal Protections: You may be concerned about legal exposure, but attorneys can explain your rights and advise you on the protections available for witnesses, including immunity clauses for good-faith reporting.
• Seeking Counsel: It’s advisable to seek your own legal advice to understand your position and options. However, cooperating with investigations can be a powerful step towards achieving justice for victims and preventing others from suffering.

8.4 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

For Briscoe County families navigating a hazing incident, protecting the integrity of a legal case is paramount. Avoid these common, often innocent, mistakes that can severely damage a potential claim:

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages or “Clean Up” Evidence:
   • The Thought: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble, or for this embarrassing material to get out.”
   • The Reality: Deleting messages, photos, or videos looks like a cover-up, can be considered obstruction of justice, and makes proving your case exponentially harder. Defense attorneys will assume you deleted something incriminating.
   • What To Do Instead: Preserve everything immediately, even if it feels embarrassing or negative. Screenshot group chats, DMs, social media posts. Back them up to multiple secure locations (cloud, email). Our firm’s video, “Use Your Cellphone to Document a Legal Case” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs), explains exactly how.
2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly:
   • The Thought: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind and demand answers.”
   • The Reality: This warns them. They will immediately “lawyer up,” destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare defenses, making your subsequent legal action far more challenging.
   • What To Do Instead: Document everything first. Then, call a lawyer before any direct confrontation. Let your legal team handle communications.
3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms Without Legal Review:
   • The Thought: “The university says this will resolve the issue quickly and keep my child safe/in school.”
   • The Reality: These forms often include waivers that relinquish your right to sue the university, the individuals involved, or the organization. The “settlement” offered is typically far below the true value of the harm.
   • What To Do Instead: Do NOT sign anything from the university or any student organization without an attorney reviewing it first.
4. Posting Details on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer:
   • The Thought: “I want the world to know what happened to my child to prevent it from happening again.”
   • The Reality: Anything you post can be screenshot by defense attorneys. Inconsistencies between your posts and later testimony can severely damage credibility. Public posts can also inadvertently waive legal privileges.
   • What To Do Instead: Document privately and share only with your legal team. Your lawyer can advise on the timing and strategy of public messaging.
5. Letting Your Child Go Back to “One Last Meeting”:
   • The Thought: “The organization wants to talk, maybe they’ll apologize or offer a solution.”
   • The Reality: They often use these meetings to pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that can be twisted and used against your child in later legal proceedings.
   • What To Do Instead: If you are considering legal action, all communication should go through your lawyer.
6. Waiting “To See How the University Handles It”:
   • The Thought: “The university has an investigation. I trust them to resolve this internally.”
   • The Reality: University investigations are primarily for internal conduct violations, not for securing legal accountability or compensation for your family. Evidence disappears rapidly, witnesses graduate, and organizations work to control the narrative. The statute of limitations in Texas generally runs 2-years from the date of injury or death. Our video “Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c) details why acting quickly is crucial.
   • What To Do Instead: Preserve evidence NOW and consult a lawyer immediately. The university process is separate from pursuing civil justice.
7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer:
   • The Thought: “They just need my statement to process the claim quickly.”
   • The Reality: Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Their goal is to minimize payouts. Your recorded statements can be used against you, and early settlement offers are typically lowball.
   • What To Do Instead: Politely decline to speak with them and state, “My attorney will contact you.“

8.5 Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  Yes, under specific circumstances. Public universities like the University of Houston, Texas A&M, and UT Austin have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individual employees in their personal capacity. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on its unique facts, so contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis.

• “Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
  It certainly can be. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default. However, it escalates to a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals, including officers of the organization, can also face misdemeanor charges for knowingly failing to report hazing.

• “Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
  Absolutely. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “agreement” under significant peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of social exclusion is not true voluntary consent.

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit in Texas?”
  Generally, in Texas, you have two years from the date of injury or death to file most hazard-related personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. However, the “discovery rule” may extend this period if the harm or its cause was not immediately apparent. In cases involving cover-ups or fraud, the statute of limitations may be “tolled,” or paused. Time is critical in hazing cases because evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and organizations destroy records. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to discuss your specific timeline.

• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or in a private house?”
  The location of the hazing does not eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities/sororities can still be held liable based on their sponsorship, control over the organization, prior knowledge of hazing, and whether the hazing was a foreseeable risk. Many major, high-value hazing cases, such as the Pi Delta Psi retreat death or the Sigma Pi unofficial house death, occurred entirely off-campus but resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments against responsible parties.

• “Will this process be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  We understand the deep concern for privacy. Most hazing cases settle confidentially before they ever reach a public trial. In many situations, it’s possible to request sealed court records and negotiate confidential settlement terms. Our priority is to achieve justice and accountability while protecting your family’s privacy interests to the fullest extent possible.

About The Manginello Law Firm: Your Legal Emergency Lawyers™

When your family faces a hazing incident, especially one that has caused significant injury or loss, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions—like major universities and national fraternities—fight back, and how to win anyway. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, known as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, is uniquely positioned to handle these complex and sensitive cases for Briscoe County families and victims across Texas.

From our main office in Houston, and with additional offices in Austin and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Briscoe County and all over the Texas Panhandle. We understand that hazing at Texas universities impacts families across our entire state, regardless of geographical distance from the university campus.

Our firm brings together a powerful combination of skills and experience that are critical for hazing litigation:

• Insurance Insider Advantage with Lupe Peña: Our Associate Attorney, Lupe Peña, brings invaluable insider knowledge. As a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm, she knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and often undervalue) hazing claims. She understands their delay tactics, their arguments for coverage exclusions, and their settlement strategies. “We know their playbook because we used to run it.” This insight is indispensable when battling well-funded defense teams. You can learn more about Lupe Peña’s background at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions with Ralph Manginello: Our Managing Partner, Ralph P. Manginello, has extensive experience taking on and winning against massive defendants. He was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the historic BP Texas City explosion litigation, where he successfully represented victims and families against a billion-dollar corporation. His federal court experience means he is not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their formidable defense teams. “We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We know how to fight powerful defendants that operate across state lines.” You can review Ralph Manginello’s credentials at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: We have a proven track record in obtaining significant recoveries for families in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. This includes working with economists to value loss of life and accounting for the lifetime care needs of victims with brain injuries or permanent disabilities. “We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force genuine accountability and secure maximum compensation for our clients.” Learn more about our wrongful death practice at https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/.
• Dual Civil and Criminal Hazing Expertise: Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) provides a deep understanding of how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. This dual perspective is crucial for advising witnesses, former members, and victims who may have parallel criminal exposure while pursuing a civil claim for damages. Our criminal defense expertise can be found at https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/.
• Unrivaled Investigative Depth: We deploy a network of experts, including medical professionals, digital forensics specialists, economists, and psychologists. Our experience in complex investigations means we excel at obtaining hidden evidence—from deleted group chats and social media data to subpoenaing national fraternity records and uncovering internal university files through aggressive discovery and public records requests. “We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because for many families, it does.”

We understand how fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, and athletic departments operate behind closed doors. We know what makes hazing cases different: the powerful institutional defendants, the insurance coverage fights, and the delicate balance between victim privacy and public accountability. Most importantly, we understand the Greek culture, its traditions, and how to prove coercion.

At Attorney911, we approach every hazing case with profound empathy. We know this is one of the hardest things a Briscoe County family can face. Our job is to get you answers, hold the right people accountable, help prevent this from happening to another family, and secure the justice and compensation your family deserves. It’s not about bravado or quick settlements; it’s about thorough investigation, unwavering advocacy, and achieving real accountability.

Call to Action for Briscoe County Families

If you or your child has experienced hazing at any Texas campus – be it the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any other institution – we want to hear from you. Families in Briscoe County, and throughout the surrounding Texas Panhandle region, have the absolute right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to what happened without judgment, explain your legal options clearly, and help you decide on the best path forward for you and your family.

What to expect in your free consultation:

• We will attentively listen to your story, offering compassion and understanding.
• We’ll review any evidence you’ve already collected, such as photos, texts, or medical records.
• We will explain your legal options transparently, discussing whether a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, both, or neither, is the most appropriate course of action.
• We’ll provide realistic expectations about timelines and what the legal process might entail.
• We will answer all your questions, including those concerning costs. We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Watch our video explaining contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.
• There’s no pressure to hire us on the spot. We want you to feel empowered and confident in your decision.
• Everything you share with us is held in strict confidence.

Whether you’re in Briscoe County, or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone.

Call us today.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781 (24/7 for legal emergencies)
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com

Hablamos Español – Contact Lupe Peña directly for consultation in Spanish at lupe@atty911.com. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

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