The Complete Guide to Fraternity & Sorority Hazing in Texas: What Kirbyville Families Need to Know

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Need Answers and Accountability

The phone rings. It’s your son or daughter, a student at a Texas university. Their voice is shaky as they tell you about “pledge activities” that went too far. They mention extreme workouts, forced drinking, humiliation, or worse—they’re injured, hospitalized, or traumatized. You’re a parent in Kirbyville, Jasper County, or anywhere in East Texas, and now you’re facing every family’s worst nightmare: your child has been hurt in the name of “tradition” or “brotherhood.”

Right now, in Harris County, less than two hours from Kirbyville, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston transfer student, suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after allegedly being hazed by the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. According to a $10 million lawsuit filed in late 2025, his pledge period in fall 2025 included being forced to carry a degrading “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms and sex toys, enduring hours of physical abuse at locations including Yellowstone Boulevard Park, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and consuming dangerous quantities of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting. After a November 3 workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats, he passed brown urine, couldn’t stand without help, and was hospitalized for four days with critically elevated creatine kinase levels confirming severe muscle breakdown.

The Pi Kappa Phi chapter was suspended on November 6 and voted to surrender its charter on November 14. The University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

This isn’t an isolated incident. It’s part of a pattern we see across Texas campuses—at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, and schools throughout the state. As parents in Kirbyville and across Jasper County, your children may attend these universities or others with active Greek life. You deserve to understand what’s really happening, what your legal rights are, and how to protect your child.

What This Guide Offers Kirbyville Families

This comprehensive guide provides everything parents in Kirbyville, Buna, Jasper, and throughout East Texas need to know about:

What modern hazing actually looks like in 2025—beyond the stereotypes
Texas hazing laws and your legal rights as a Texas family
Real cases and patterns at major Texas universities where Kirbyville students attend
The national fraternity and sorority histories behind local chapters
Practical steps to take if your child has been hazed
How experienced Texas hazing attorneys investigate and build cases against powerful institutions

We serve families throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. If you’re facing a hazing crisis with your child at any Texas university, we’re here to help.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

Call 911 for medical emergencies
Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
We provide immediate help—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
- Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
- Photograph injuries from multiple angles
- Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
Do NOT:
- Confront the fraternity/sorority
- Sign anything from the university or insurance company
- Post details on public social media
- Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

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

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

For Kirbyville families who may be unfamiliar with modern Greek life, hazing has evolved far beyond simple pranks. It’s now a sophisticated, often hidden system of coercion that can cause catastrophic physical and psychological harm.

The Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Crucially, “I agreed to it” or “I wanted to fit in” does not make it safe or legal under Texas law when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance.

Main Categories of Hazing Today

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the most common—and most deadly—form. It includes forced or coerced drinking during “Big/Little” nights, bid acceptance parties, or drinking games like “Bible study” where wrong answers mean consumption. The recent UH Pi Kappa Phi case allegedly involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.

Physical Hazing
This includes paddling, beatings, and extreme calisthenics (“smokings”) far beyond normal conditioning. The alleged “Nov 3 workout” in the UH case—100+ push-ups and 500 squats—is a classic example. Sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme environments also fall here.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
This involves forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (like “elephant walk” or “roasted pig” positions), degrading costumes, or acts with racial/sexist overtones. The “pledge fanny pack” rule in the UH case, requiring humiliation items be carried, fits this category.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, social isolation, manipulation, forced confessions, and public shaming in meetings or on social media.

Digital/Online Hazing
A rapidly growing category. This includes group chat dares, “challenges” shared on Instagram or TikTok, pressure to create compromising content, and 24/7 digital monitoring where pledges must respond instantly to messages at all hours.

Where Hazing Happens in Texas

While fraternities get most attention, hazing occurs in many groups:

Fraternities and Sororities (Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council, multicultural groups)
Corps of Cadets / ROTC at Texas A&M and other schools
Athletic Teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
Spirit Squads and Tradition Clubs (like Texas Cowboys at UT)
Marching Bands and Performance Groups
Some Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations

The common threads are social status, tradition, and secrecy—the very elements that keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What Kirbyville Families Need to Know

Under Texas law—which governs cases involving Kirbyville families—hazing is specifically defined and carries serious consequences. Understanding this framework is crucial for any family considering legal action.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

Texas has some of the nation’s clearest anti-hazing provisions in the Education Code. Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that:

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

Key points for parents:

Location doesn’t matter—on or off campus activities count
Harm can be mental or physical
“Reckless” is enough—they don’t need malicious intent
Most importantly: “Consent is not a defense.” Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing under Texas law (§37.155)

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases

Brought by the state (county or district attorney)
Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Possible charges: Hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases

Brought by victims or surviving families
Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
Focus on: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress

Both can proceed simultaneously, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many families find civil cases provide more complete accountability and compensation for medical bills, trauma, and other damages.

Federal Laws That Overlay Texas Cases

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)

Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthens hazing education and prevention
Maintains public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)

Title IX & Clery Act

When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger
Clery requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics

Who Can Be Liable in a Texas Hazing Lawsuit?

Multiple parties often share responsibility:

Individual Students
Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover them up

Local Chapter/Organization
The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if incorporated), plus officers and “pledge educators”

National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters
Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Their knowledge of prior incidents elsewhere is crucial

University or Governing Board
Schools may be liable for negligence, deliberate indifference, or civil rights violations

Third Parties
Landlords of event spaces, bars/alcohol providers (under dram shop laws), security companies

Every case is fact-specific. Experienced hazing attorneys investigate to identify all potentially liable parties.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What They Mean for Texas Families

The national cases below set precedents that Kirbyville families can rely on in Texas courts. They show common patterns: forced drinking, humiliation, cover-ups, and delayed medical care.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)

Bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking
Severe falls captured on chapter cameras; hours delayed before medical help
Dozens of criminal charges; civil litigation; Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law”
Takeaway for Texas families: Extreme intoxication + delay in calling 911 + culture of silence = devastating legal consequences

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

“Bible study” drinking game; forced to drink when answering incorrectly
Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%)
Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute)
Takeaway: Legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)

Pledge night; forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey; died from alcohol poisoning
Multiple criminal convictions; $10 million total settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU)
Takeaway: Universities face significant financial and reputational consequences alongside fraternities

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)

Pledge subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat
Suffered fatal head injuries; help was delayed
Multiple members convicted; national fraternity criminally convicted; banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous as parties; national orgs face serious sanctions

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)

Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within program
Multiple lawsuits; head coach fired and later settled wrongful-termination suit
Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life; big-money athletic programs can harbor systemic abuse

What These Cases Mean for Kirbyville Families

The common threads—forced drinking, delayed medical care, cover-ups—appear in Texas cases too. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements often follow only after tragedy and litigation. Texas families facing hazing are not alone; they’re operating in a landscape shaped by these national lessons.

Texas University Focus: Where Kirbyville Students Attend

Many Kirbyville and Jasper County families send their children to universities within driving distance or to major state schools. Understanding the hazing landscape at these institutions is crucial.

Lamar University: The Closest Major Campus to Kirbyville

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Located in Beaumont (Jefferson County), just 30 miles from Kirbyville, Lamar University serves many East Texas students. While smaller than state flagship schools, it has active Greek life and student organizations in the Beaumont-Port Arthur metro area.

Greek Life & Organizations
Lamar hosts fraternities and sororities including Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Gamma Rho, and others. The Beaumont-Port Arthur metro shows 22 Greek-related organizations in Cause IQ data, including:

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Mu Epsilon Chapter (Beaumont, undergrad chapter at Lamar)
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Alumni (Beaumont, alumni association)
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Lambda Lambda Chapter (Beaumont, undergrad chapter founded 2018)
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Lamar University chapter

Documented Incidents & Response
While major public incidents may be less frequent than at larger schools, hazing risks exist wherever Greek life operates. The proximity to Kirbyville means any Lamar case would involve familiar local courts and hospitals.

How a Lamar Hazing Case Might Proceed

Jurisdiction: Jefferson County courts, Beaumont Police Department, Lamar University PD
Medical care likely at Beaumont hospitals
Potentially quicker access for Kirbyville families compared to schools hours away

What Lamar Students & Kirbyville Parents Should Do

Report to: Lamar Dean of Students, University Police, Jefferson County authorities if needed
Document evidence immediately (Beaumont hospital records are critical)
Contact Texas hazing attorneys who understand East Texas courts and communities

Stephen F. Austin State University: Nacogdoches Option

Campus & Culture
Located in Nacogdoches (about 70 miles from Kirbyville), SFA serves many East Texas students with active Greek life. IRS B83 records show multiple Greek organizations based in Nacogdoches:

Alpha Tau Omega Housing Corporation of Eta Iota Chapter (EIN 300517788, Nacogdoches, TX 75965)
Phi Kappa Psi Texas Epsilon Chapter (EIN 452729519, Nacogdoches, TX 75965)
Chi Omega Fraternity – Epsilon Zeta (EIN 756041410, Nacogdoches, TX 75965)
Epsilon Tau Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity (EIN 756053083, Nacogdoches, TX 75961)

Practical Considerations for Kirbyville Families

Nacogdoches is within reasonable driving distance for family support
SFA’s smaller size may affect investigation dynamics
Local legal counsel familiar with East Texas is essential

Sam Houston State University: Huntsville Option

Campus & Culture
Located in Huntsville (about 90 miles from Kirbyville), SHSU attracts many East Texas students. IRS records show Greek organizational presence in the region.

Geographic Considerations

Further distance may complicate immediate family response
Still within Texas legal framework and our service area
Montgomery/Walker County courts have jurisdiction

Texas A&M University: The Major State School for Many

Campus & Culture
Many Kirbyville families choose Texas A&M in College Station. With massive Greek life and the Corps of Cadets, it presents particular hazing risks.

Corps of Cadets Culture

Tradition-heavy, military-style environment with reported discipline issues
2023 lawsuit: Cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose with apple in mouth
Sought over $1 million; A&M stated it handled matter under its rules

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)

Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner
Caused severe chemical burns requiring emergency skin grafts
Fraternity suspended for two years; pledges sued for $1 million

How A&M Cases Might Affect Kirbyville Families

College Station is 3+ hours from Kirbyville—distance complicates immediate response
Brazos County courts have jurisdiction
A&M’s size and resources mean aggressive defense

What A&M Parents from Kirbyville Should Know

A&M handles hazing via Student Conduct and Corps regulations
Civil cases may focus on both Greek life and Corps traditions
Early legal intervention is critical against such a large institution

University of Houston: The Urban Option

Campus & Culture
UH in Houston attracts many Southeast Texas students. With our active Leonel Bermudez/Pi Kappa Phi case, we have particular insight into UH’s Greek life.

Current Active Case – Leonel Bermudez

We represent Leonel in his $10 million lawsuit against UH, Pi Kappa Phi national, and 13 individuals
Allegations include: “pledge fanny pack” humiliation, forced consumption leading to vomiting, hose spraying “like waterboarding,” extreme workouts causing rhabdomyolysis
Chapter suspended November 6, 2025; charter surrendered November 14, 2025
UH called conduct “deeply disturbing”

Previous UH Incidents

2016 Pi Kappa Alpha case: Pledge suffered lacerated spleen after being slammed on table during multi-day event with food/water/sleep deprivation
Chapter faced misdemeanor charges and suspension

UH’s Approach

Willingness to suspend chapters
Less public transparency than UT Austin
Harris County courts have jurisdiction

For Kirbyville Families with Students at UH

Houston is about 2 hours from Kirbyville—closer than College Station
Harris County courts are familiar with complex litigation
Early evidence preservation is critical (group chats, medical records)

University of Texas at Austin: The Flagship Option

Campus & Culture
UT Austin attracts top students from across Texas, including some from Kirbyville. Its public Hazing Violations page provides unusual transparency.

Documented Violations (Examples)

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation with required hazing-prevention education
Texas Wranglers & Spirit Groups: Multiple sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, punishment-based practices

UT’s Transparency Advantage

Public log shows patterns and organizational knowledge
Prior violations strongly support civil suits by showing foreseeability
Austin/Travis County courts have extensive complex litigation experience

Considerations for Kirbyville Families

Austin is 4+ hours from Kirbyville—significant distance
UT’s size means aggressive institutional defense
Public violation records can be valuable evidence

Other Texas Universities Kirbyville Students Attend

Beaumont-Port Arthur Area Schools

Lamar Institute of Technology
Texas A&M University-Texarkana (for some East Texas students)

State Schools Further Away

Texas State University (San Marcos)
University of Texas at Tyler
Texas Tech University (Lubbock)

Community Colleges

Angelina College (Lufkin)
Beaumont-based community colleges

The Greek Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter

When Kirbyville families see Greek letters, they often don’t realize they’re looking at national organizations with decades of hazing history. This history matters legally because it shows foreseeability—the national headquarters knew or should have known the risks.

Why National Histories Matter in Texas Lawsuits

Many fraternities/sororities at Texas campuses are chapters of national organizations with:

Thick anti-hazing manuals because they’ve seen deaths before
Knowledge of patterns: forced drinking nights, paddling traditions, humiliating rituals
Legal departments that specialize in minimizing liability

When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that got another chapter shut down in Ohio or Louisiana, that shows the national organization had notice and failed to prevent it. This supports negligence claims and can affect punitive damages.

Major National Organizations at Texas Schools

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ)

National History: Stone Foltz death (BGSU, 2021, $10M settlement); multiple other alcohol deaths
Texas Presence: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, Lamar
Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol nights, forced consumption

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ)

National History: Multiple hazing deaths nationwide; traumatic brain injury lawsuit at Alabama; chemical burns case at Texas A&M
Texas Presence: UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, others
Pattern: Physical abuse, chemical substances, excessive drinking

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

National History: Andrew Coffey death (FSU, 2017); our active UH case with Leonel Bermudez
Texas Presence: UH (now closed), other Texas campuses
Pattern: Physical hazing, forced consumption, humiliation rituals

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

National History: Max Gruver death (LSU, 2017, led to Louisiana felony statute)
Texas Presence: Multiple campuses
Pattern: Drinking games disguised as “education”

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)

National History: Multiple hazing suspensions including SMU chapter (2017)
Texas Presence: SMU, Texas Tech, others
Pattern: Paddling, alcohol hazing, tradition-based abuse

How National Headquarters Try to Avoid Liability

Nationals often argue: “We have policies against hazing” or “This was a rogue chapter.” Experienced attorneys counter by showing:

Policies weren’t enforced
Prior incidents were ignored or minimally punished
Nationals continued collecting dues and maintaining relationships despite knowing risks

In the Pi Kappa Phi/UH case, we’re pursuing the national organization precisely because they should have known these patterns and prevented them.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy for Texas Families

When Kirbyville families face a hazing crisis, understanding the legal process can reduce fear and uncertainty. Here’s how experienced Texas hazing attorneys build cases.

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

Digital Communications (The #1 Evidence Source)

Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, fraternity apps
Social Media: Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook messages
Recovered Data: Digital forensics can often retrieve deleted messages
Example: In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, group chat evidence likely shows planning and coordination

Photos & Videos

Content filmed during events by participants
Security/doorbell camera footage at houses
Social media posts showing activities

Internal Organization Documents

Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” lists
Emails/texts from officers about activities
National policies and training materials

University Records

Prior conduct files, probation/suspension letters
Incident reports to campus police
Clery Act reports and similar disclosures

Medical & Psychological Records

Emergency room and hospitalization records
Surgery/rehabilitation notes
Toxicology reports
Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses)

Witness Testimony

Other pledges, members, roommates, RAs
Former members who quit or were expelled
Coaches, trainers, bystanders

Types of Damages in Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Calculable Losses)

Medical Bills: ER, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment, medications
Future Care: Long-term therapy, life care plans for permanent injuries
Lost Earnings: Missed semesters, delayed career entry, reduced earning capacity if permanently disabled
Educational Impact: Lost tuition, forfeited scholarships, transfer costs

Non-Economic Damages

Physical Pain & Suffering: From injuries and recovery
Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation, trauma
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Can’t participate in activities they loved
Loss of Educational Experience: What they came to college for

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of companionship, love, and support
Grief and emotional suffering of family members
Loss of guidance for younger siblings

Punitive Damages (When Available)

Purpose: Punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
Available when defendants had prior warnings and ignored them
In Texas, caps apply except in certain intentional tort cases

The Role of Insurance in Hazing Cases

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

Hazing or intentional acts are excluded
The policy doesn’t cover certain defendants
They didn’t receive timely notice

Our insurance insider knowledge (from Mr. Lupe Peña’s defense background) helps navigate these disputes. We identify all potential coverage sources and fight exclusion arguments.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Kirbyville Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Response Guide

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Hazed

Physical: Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts; extreme fatigue; weight changes; sleep deprivation; injuries to hands/back from paddling
Behavioral: Sudden secrecy about activities; withdrawal from family/friends; personality changes (anxiety, depression, irritability); defensiveness about the organization
Academic: Grades dropping; missing classes; losing scholarships
Digital: Constant phone use for group chats; anxiety when phone buzzes; deleting messages obsessively; geolocation tracking demands

How to Talk to Your Child

“How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
“Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
“What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
“Do you feel like you can leave if you want to?”

If Your Child Opens Up About Hazing

Listen without judgment
Prioritize safety: If injured/intoxicated, get medical help immediately
Document everything: Write down what they say; screenshot messages; photograph injuries
Do not confront the organization directly
Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours

For Students: Is This Hazing? What to Do

Ask Yourself:

Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do?
Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
Would my parents or university approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this?

If You Answer YES to Any: It’s likely hazing.

Exiting Safely:

Immediate danger: Call 911 or campus police
Wanting to quit: Tell someone outside the org first; send email/text to chapter president: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where they might pressure you

Evidence Collection While It’s Happening:

Screenshots of group chats with timestamps visible
Photos of injuries (use coin/ruler for scale)
Voice memos if safe (Texas is one-party consent state)
Save everything—don’t delete even if embarrassed
Medical care: Tell providers “I was hazed” so it’s documented

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages

What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction of justice; makes case nearly impossible
Do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly

What parents think: “I’ll give them a piece of my mind”
Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Do instead: Document everything, call a lawyer before any confrontation

3. Signing University “Release” Forms

What universities do: Pressure families to sign waivers or “internal resolution” agreements
Why it’s wrong: You may waive your right to sue; settlements are often far below case value
Do instead: Do NOT sign anything without an attorney reviewing

4. Posting Details on Social Media

What families think: “I want people to know what happened”
Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Do instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

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

What universities promise: “We’re investigating; let us handle this internally”
Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute of limitations runs
Do instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

Frequently Asked Questions from Texas Families

“Can we sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case is fact-specific.

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

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states: “Consent is not a defense” to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion isn’t true voluntary consent.

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

“What if hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major cases occurred off-campus and still resulted in judgments.

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

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases: Our Kirbyville Commitment

When your family faces a hazing case, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families throughout Texas, including Kirbyville, Jasper County, and all of East Texas.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

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

Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
Use delay tactics and coverage exclusion arguments
Deploy settlement strategies against families
“We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions
Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar corporations and winning. We’re not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their defense teams. We’ve faced the toughest institutional defendants and prevailed.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, working with economists to value lifetime care needs for brain injuries and permanent disabilities. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force real accountability.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise
Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure, and we understand the full legal landscape.

Investigative Depth
We maintain a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine with data on 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. Our network includes medical experts, digital forensics specialists, economists, and psychologists. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

Our Commitment to Kirbyville and East Texas Families

We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families throughout our region. Whether your child attends Lamar in Beaumont, Texas A&M in College Station, UH in Houston, or any other Texas campus, we’re here to help.

We Know This Is Hard
This is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our job is to get you answers, hold the right people accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family. We approach every case with empathy, thorough investigation, and commitment to real justice—not quick settlements.

Contact Us for a Confidential Consultation

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether it’s Lamar University, Texas A&M, UH, or any other school—we want to hear from you. Families in Kirbyville, Jasper County, and throughout East Texas have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

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

Contact Information:

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

Spanish-Language Services:

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

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

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.

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