The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits for Lockhart Families: Protecting Your Student at Texas Universities

If you’re a parent in Lockhart, your child’s safety at college might feel distant until a late-night call shatters your peace. That call often starts with hesitation: “Mom, Dad… something happened at the fraternity,” or “I don’t feel right after the team initiation.” For families in Caldwell County, the dream of your student thriving at Texas State University just down the road in San Marcos, or at flagship schools like UT Austin or Texas A&M, can collide with the hidden world of campus hazing. Right now, our firm is fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history—the Leonel Bermudez $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi—and what we’re uncovering reveals systemic dangers that affect students from Lockhart to Lubbock.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for Lockhart parents and families whose children have been hazed, abused, or injured in connection with fraternities, sororities, Corps of Cadets programs, athletics, spirit groups, or other campus organizations at any Texas university. We’ll explain what modern hazing really looks like, how Texas law protects your child, what’s happening on campuses your Lockhart student likely attends, and your family’s legal options for accountability and recovery.

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

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Lockhart Students

For Lockhart families accustomed to community values and Texas hospitality, the reality of modern campus hazing can be shocking. Hazing isn’t just “rough housing” or “boys being boys”—it’s systematic abuse designed to test loyalty through degradation and danger. From Texas State University in nearby San Marcos to campuses across Texas where Lockhart students enroll, these practices follow predictable patterns.

Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

Hazing means 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 for Lockhart families: “I agreed to it” does not make it legal or safe when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense.

Main Categories of Hazing Affecting Texas Students

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the deadliest form, responsible for most hazing fatalities nationwide. For Lockhart students, this might mean:

• “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given entire bottles of liquor
• “Lineup” drinking games where incorrect answers mandate drinking
• Forced consumption of unknown mixed substances
• Pressure to keep drinking after showing signs of intoxication

Physical Hazing
Beyond traditional paddling, today’s physical hazing includes:

• Extreme “smokings” or calisthenics until collapse (like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in the UH Pi Kappa Phi case)
• Sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions” or 3 AM wake-up calls
• Food/water restriction or forced consumption of disgusting quantities (milk, hot dogs, raw eggs)
• Exposure to extreme weather in minimal clothing

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
Some of the most psychologically damaging practices include:

• Forced nudity or partial nudity during initiations
• Simulated sexual acts or degrading positions
• “Roasts” involving explicit verbal abuse
• Acts with racial, homophobic, or sexist overtones

Psychological Hazing
This subtle but damaging category includes:

• Social isolation from non-members and family
• Constant criticism and verbal degradation
• Manipulation through fear of exclusion
• Forced confessions of personal information

Digital/Online Hazing
The newest frontier that particularly traps tech-savvy students:

• Group chat dares and challenges on GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord
• Public humiliation via Instagram stories, TikTok videos, Snapchat
• Geo-tracking demands through Find My Friends or Life360
• Coerced creation of compromising content

Where Hazing Actually Happens in Texas

Lockhart families should understand hazing extends far beyond stereotypical “frat parties”:

Fraternities and Sororities
This includes IFC fraternities, Panhellenic sororities, NPHC Divine Nine organizations, and multicultural Greek groups. At Texas State University—where many Lockhart students enroll—over 40 Greek organizations operate alongside similar numbers at UT Austin, Texas A&M, and other campuses.

Corps of Cadets & ROTC Programs
Texas A&M’s Corps has faced repeated hazing allegations, including the 2023 “roasted pig” case where a cadet was allegedly bound between beds with an apple in his mouth. Similar patterns exist in other military-style programs.

Athletic Teams
From football and basketball to cheerleading and swim teams, athletic hazing often hides behind “team bonding” rhetoric. Northwestern University’s $75+ million athletic hazing scandal shows how pervasive this can be.

Spirit Squads & Tradition Organizations
Groups like Texas Cowboys, Singing Cadets, and other campus institutions have faced hazing allegations at UT Austin and other schools.

Marching Bands & Performance Groups
The 2011 Florida A&M marching band death of Robert Champion demonstrated hazing’s reach into performing arts.

Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations
Even groups with noble missions aren’t immune to dangerous initiation practices.

Texas Hazing Law: What Lockhart Families Need to Know

Understanding the legal framework is crucial for Lockhart families considering accountability. Texas has specific anti-hazing laws that apply whether your child is at Texas State University 15 minutes away or at a campus hours from Caldwell County.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F (Hazing)

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

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

Key Points for Lockhart Families:

• Can happen on or off campus (location doesn’t matter)
• Can be mental or physical harm
• Intent: Doesn’t have to be malicious; “reckless” is enough (knew the risk and did it anyway)
• “Consent” is not a defense: Even if your child agreed, it’s still hazing if it meets the definition

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties

• Class B Misdemeanor (default): Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
• Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes injury that requires medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death

Also criminal:

• Failing to report hazing (if you’re a member or officer and you knew about it): misdemeanor
• Retaliating against someone who reports hazing: misdemeanor

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability
Organizations (fraternities, sororities, clubs, teams) can be criminally prosecuted for hazing if:

• The org authorized or encouraged the hazing, OR
• An officer or member acting in official capacity knew about hazing and failed to report it

Penalties for orgs:

• Fine up to $10,000 per violation
• University can revoke recognition and ban the org from campus

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting
A person who in good faith reports a hazing incident to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the report.

Also:

• In medical emergencies, Texas law and many university policies provide amnesty for students who call 911, even if they were drinking underage or involved in the hazing themselves.

§ 37.155 Consent Not a Defense
It is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the hazing activity.

§ 37.156 Reporting by Educational Institutions
Texas colleges and universities must:

• Provide hazing prevention education to students
• Publish hazing policies
• Maintain and publish annual reports of hazing violations and disciplinary actions

Why This Matters for Lockhart Families:

• Creates public record of which orgs have been cited for hazing
• UT Austin already does this (hazing.utexas.edu); other schools are following
• Families can use these reports to:
  • See if their child’s org has prior violations
  • Show pattern evidence in civil suits

Criminal vs Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (prosecutor)
• Aim: punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical hazing-related criminal charges can include:
  • Hazing offenses
  • Furnishing alcohol to minors
  • Assault, battery, or even manslaughter in fatal cases

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: monetary compensation and accountability
• Focus on:
  • Negligence and gross negligence
  • Wrongful death
  • Negligent hiring/supervision
  • Premises liability
  • Emotional distress

Both types can run side-by-side, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many Lockhart families pursue civil cases to recover medical expenses, therapy costs, and compensation for their child’s suffering when criminal cases don’t provide financial recovery.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)

• Requires colleges that receive federal aid to:
  • Report hazing incidents more transparently
  • Strengthen hazing education and prevention
  • Maintain public hazing data (phased in by around 2026)

Title IX / Clery

• When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations can be triggered
• Clery requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing incidents often overlap with those categories when there are assaults or alcohol/drug crimes

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Individual Students
The ones who planned, supplied the alcohol, carried out the acts, or helped cover them up.

Local Chapter / Organization
The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if it’s a legal entity). Individuals acting as officers or “pledge educators” can be key.

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

University or Governing Board
The school or regents may be sued under certain negligence or civil-rights theories. Key questions: prior warnings, policy enforcement, deliberate indifference.

Third Parties

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

Every case is fact-specific; not every party is liable in every situation. Our investigation identifies all potentially responsible entities.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Lockhart Families

The tragedies that have unfolded at campuses nationwide provide both warning and precedent for Texas families. These cases show patterns that repeat across states and organizations—patterns we see in Texas cases today.

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 against fraternity members; civil litigation; new Pennsylvania anti-hazing law named after him
• Takeaway for Lockhart families: Extreme intoxication, delay in calling 911, and a culture of silence can be legally devastating

Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)

• Big/little event; pledge given a handle of liquor; drank to dangerous levels; died
• Criminal hazing charges against members; FSU temporarily suspended Greek life and overhauled policies
• Takeaway: Formulaic “tradition” drinking nights are a repeating script for disaster

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

• “Bible study” drinking game; forced to drink when answering questions incorrectly
• Death led to felony hazing law in Louisiana (Max Gruver Act)
• Takeaway: Legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of hazing

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

• Pledge night; forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey; died from alcohol poisoning
• Multiple criminal convictions; BGSU agreed to nearly $3 million settlement with the family; other settlements with fraternity/individuals
• Takeaway for Lockhart parents: Universities can face significant financial and reputational consequences along with fraternities

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

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

• Pledge at a fraternity retreat subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual
• Suffered fatal head injuries; help was delayed
• Multiple members convicted; fraternity banned from Pennsylvania
• Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous or worse than parties, and national orgs can face serious sanctions

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University football (2023–2025)

• Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program
• Multiple lawsuits against the university, staff; head coach Pat Fitzgerald fired and later settled a wrongful-termination suit confidentially
• Takeaway: Hazing is not limited to Greek life; big-money athletic programs can harbor systemic abuse

What These Cases Mean for Lockhart Families

Common threads: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed or denied medical care, cover-ups. Reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements often follow only after tragedy and litigation. Lockhart families facing hazing at Texas State, UT Austin, Texas A&M, or other Texas campuses are not alone and are operating in a landscape shaped by these national lessons.

Texas Focus: Where Lockhart Students Face Hazing Risks

Lockhart families typically send students to Texas State University in nearby San Marcos, as well as to flagship institutions across Texas. Understanding what’s happening at these campuses—and how cases proceed through Texas courts—is crucial for Caldwell County families seeking accountability.

Texas State University (San Marcos)

Just 15 miles from Lockhart, Texas State represents the most immediate hazing concern for Caldwell County families. With over 40 fraternities and sororities and numerous other student organizations, the campus has seen repeated hazing incidents.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• 38,000+ students, growing Greek life presence
• Strong tradition of student organizations beyond Greek life
• Proximity to Lockhart makes it a natural choice for local students

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels
Texas State prohibits hazing under University Policy 04.01.20 and Student Code of Conduct Section 4.2. Reporting channels include:

• Dean of Students Office
• University Police Department
• Online reporting forms
• Student Conduct and Community Standards office

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses
While Texas State doesn’t maintain a public hazing log like UT Austin, incidents have included:

• 2019: Multiple fraternities suspended for hazing violations involving alcohol
• 2021: Sorority disciplined for “mental hazing” and sleep deprivation
• 2023: Athletic team investigation for initiation rituals

How a Texas State Hazing Case Might Proceed for Lockhart Families

• Jurisdiction: Hays County courts, though cases can be filed where defendants are located
• Local investigation: Texas State University Police often work with San Marcos PD
• Practical consideration: Lockhart’s proximity (15-20 minutes) means families can easily meet with investigators and attend court proceedings

What Texas State Students & Lockhart Parents Should Do

• Report immediately to Texas State Dean of Students: (512) 245-2124
• Document all communication with university officials
• Understand that as a public university, Texas State may assert sovereign immunity—experienced counsel is essential
• Preservation of digital evidence is critical before university confiscates phones

University of Texas at Austin

Many Lockhart high achievers attend UT Austin, approximately 35 miles away. UT maintains one of Texas’ most transparent hazing reporting systems.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• 50,000+ students, 60+ fraternities and sororities
• Public hazing violations log at hazing.utexas.edu
• Strong tradition of spirit groups and student organizations

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels
UT’s detailed policy prohibits hazing and requires reporting. Their public log shows:

• Organization names
• Violation dates
• Conduct description

Sanctions imposed

Selected Documented Incidents from UT’s Public Log

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; found to be hazing; chapter placed on probation
• Texas Wranglers (2022): Spirit organization sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
• Multiple organizations: Repeated violations show ongoing issues despite transparency

How a UT Hazing Case Might Proceed

• Jurisdiction: Travis County courts
• Investigation: UTPD and Austin PD coordinate
• Evidence advantage: UT’s public log provides ready-made pattern evidence for civil cases

Texas A&M University

With its Corps of Cadets and strong Greek life, Texas A&M presents unique hazing risks that Lockhart families should understand.

Campus & Culture Snapshot

• 70,000+ students, strong Corps tradition
• Active Greek life with historical hazing issues
• Unique military-style culture in Corps programs

Documented Incidents & Responses

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon lawsuit (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts; fraternity suspended; lawsuit filed
• Corps of Cadets lawsuit (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in “roasted pig” pose; sought over $1 million
• Multiple Greek organization suspensions for alcohol hazing and physical abuse

How Texas A&M Cases Differ

• Corps jurisdiction: Military-style justice system alongside civilian courts
• University response: Often handles internally before public disclosure
• Sovereign immunity: As a public university, complex immunity arguments may arise

University of Houston: The Flagship Case Example

Currently, we’re leading the Leonel Bermudez $10 million hazing lawsuit against UH and Pi Kappa Phi—one of the most serious active hazing cases in Texas. This case demonstrates exactly what Lockhart families might face.

The Bermudez Case Facts:

• Victim: Leonel Bermudez, UH transfer student and Pi Kappa Phi pledge
• Hazing methods: “Pledge fanny pack” humiliation, forced physical workouts, hose spraying “like waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk/hot dogs/peppercorns until vomiting
• Medical outcome: Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, brown urine, 4-day hospitalization
• Legal response: $10M lawsuit against UH, Pi Kappa Phi national, housing corporation, 13 individual members
• Institutional response: Chapter suspended Nov 6, 2025; charter surrendered Nov 14, 2025; UH called conduct “deeply disturbing”

Why This Matters for Lockhart Families:

• Shows national fraternities operating in Texas engage in extreme hazing
• Demonstrates universities may know about dangerous patterns
• Illustrates the medical catastrophe hazing can cause
• Provides precedent for holding multiple entities accountable

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

While farther from Lockhart, these private universities attract Texas students and have faced hazing issues.

SMU Considerations:

• Private university status affects transparency
• Kappa Alpha Order incident (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended
• Lower public reporting requirements than public universities

Baylor Considerations:

• Religious identity intersects with hazing response
• Baseball hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following investigation
• History of institutional response challenges in other abuse contexts

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories That Affect Lockhart Students

The national organizations behind campus chapters have histories that matter for Texas cases. When a Texas State or UT chapter repeats patterns seen nationally, that history becomes evidence.

Why National Histories Matter in Texas Courtrooms

Many fraternities/sororities on Texas campuses (e.g., Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi, Kappa Alpha Order) are part of national organizations with documented hazing patterns.

National HQs often:

• Have thick anti-hazing manuals because they’ve seen deaths and catastrophic injuries
• Know the patterns: forced drinking nights, paddling traditions, humiliating rituals
• Should be implementing meaningful prevention based on past tragedies

Legal significance: When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that got another chapter shut down or sued in another state, that shows foreseeability and supports negligence arguments against national entities.

Organization Mapping: National Patterns Affecting Texas Students

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike)

• National pattern: Alcohol hazing deaths including Stone Foltz (BGSU, $10M settlement)
• Texas presence: Chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas State, others
• Legal relevance: National knew forced drinking during “Big/Little” nights was deadly yet pattern continues

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE)

• National pattern: Multiple hazing deaths leading to 2014 elimination of pledge program
• Texas incidents: Chemical burns case at Texas A&M (2021), assault case at UT Austin (2024)
• Legal relevance: National’s “Leadership School” and prior knowledge of dangerous practices

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

• National pattern: Max Gruver death at LSU led to felony hazing law
• Texas presence: Multiple campus chapters
• Legal relevance: National knew “Bible study” drinking games could kill

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

• National pattern: Andrew Coffey death at Florida State
• Texas current case: Our active Bermudez lawsuit against UH chapter
• Legal relevance: National received hazing reports Nov 6, 2025 but patterns existed for years

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)

• National pattern: Paddling and alcohol hazing suspensions nationwide
• Texas incidents: SMU chapter suspension (2017)
• Legal relevance: Known physical hazing traditions despite policies

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Data That Drives Accountability

Our firm maintains a proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine that tracks 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. This isn’t theoretical—it’s concrete data we use to build cases for families like yours.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Lockhart Families

If you’re a Lockhart parent, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. Below are actual Texas-registered entities recorded in public filings:

Central Texas Region (Relevant to Lockhart/Texas State):

• Sigma Phi Lambda Inc – Corinth, TX 76210 (IRS B83 filing)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Texas State University chapter, Austin, TX 78723 (IRS B83 filing)
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – Texas State University chapter, San Marcos, TX 78666 (IRS B83 filing)
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa alumni, San Marcos area (Cause IQ metro listing)

Austin-Round Rock Metro (74 Greek organizations):

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp., Austin, TX (UT chapter house corporation)
• Delta Tau Delta – Gamma Iota Chapter, Austin, TX (UT chapter house)
• Alpha Delta Pi Building Corporation, Austin, TX (UT chapter property)

San Antonio Metro (86 Greek organizations):

• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – San Antonio Alumnae, San Antonio, TX
• Kappa Alpha Psi – San Antonio Alumni, San Antonio, TX

Statewide Snapshot:

• 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations in IRS B83 filings
• 96 Texas university campuses with Greek life presence
• 1,423 total fraternities/sororities across 25 Texas metros per Cause IQ data

Why This Directory Matters for Your Case:
When hazing occurs, we already know the legal names, EINs, and mailing addresses of the organizations that may hold insurance and responsibility. We don’t start from zero—we start with data.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

For Lockhart families considering legal action, understanding how cases are built is crucial. This isn’t about revenge—it’s about accountability, recovery for your child, and preventing future harm to others.

Evidence: The Digital Crime Scene

Modern hazing leaves digital footprints. Preserving these quickly is critical.

Digital Communications

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord: Screenshot entire threads with timestamps
• Instagram DMs, Snapchat, TikTok: Capture before messages disappear
• Fraternity-specific apps: Preserve announcements and communications
• Recovery: Digital forensics can often recover deleted messages

Photos & Videos

• Content filmed by members during events
• Footage shared in group chats or social media
• Security camera or doorbell footage at houses
• Critical: Photograph injuries immediately and over several days

Internal Organization Documents

• Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” documents
• 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 disclosures

Medical & Psychological Records

• Emergency room and hospitalization records
• Toxicology reports (blood alcohol levels)
• Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety

Witness Testimony

• Other pledges, members, roommates, RAs
• Former members who quit or were expelled
• Bystanders and witnesses

Damages: What Lockhart Families Can Recover

Hazing causes tangible harm that Texas law recognizes through multiple damage categories.

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

• Medical bills: ER, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment
• Future medical care: Physical therapy, psychological counseling, medications
• Lost educational opportunities: Withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships
• Diminished earning capacity: If injuries affect future work ability
• Property damage: Destroyed clothing, phones, other items

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective Harm)

• Physical pain and suffering: From injuries and recovery
• Emotional distress: PTSD, anxiety, depression, humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Can’t participate in activities they loved
• Reputational harm: Social stigma and embarrassment

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families)

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship, love, and guidance
• Emotional suffering of family members

Punitive Damages (When Appropriate)

• Punish especially reckless or malicious conduct
• Deter future hazing
• Available in Texas for gross negligence or intentional acts

Strategic Considerations for Texas Cases

Insurance Coverage Fights
Fraternity and university insurers often argue:

• Hazing is “intentional act” excluded from coverage
• Policy doesn’t apply to certain defendants
• Claims exceed policy limits

Our insider knowledge from Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as an insurance defense attorney is invaluable here. We know how insurers value claims, use IMEs (Independent Medical Exams) to reduce settlements, and deploy delay tactics.

Multiple Defendant Coordination
A typical hazing case might involve:

• 10-20 individual members
• Local chapter corporation
• National fraternity/sorority
• University and board of regents
• Property owners/landlords
• Alcohol providers

Coordinating discovery, scheduling, and strategy across these parties requires experience with complex litigation.

Statute of Limitations
Generally 2 years from injury or death in Texas, but:

• “Discovery rule” may extend if harm wasn’t immediately known
• Tolling possible for minors or if fraud/concealment occurred
• Time is critical: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate

Practical Guides & FAQs for Lockhart Families

For Parents: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

Physical signs:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries
• Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
• Weight loss or gain from food restriction/stress
• Sleep deprivation (late-night calls, 3 AM activities)
• Injuries to hands, back, legs from paddling or exercise
• Chemical burns, rashes, or skin damage
• Signs of alcohol poisoning or drug use

Behavioral & emotional changes:

• Sudden secrecy about organization activities
• Withdrawal from family, old friends, non-group activities
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
• Defensive when asked about the organization
• Fear of “getting in trouble” or “letting the chapter down”
• Obsession with pleasing older members

Academic red flags:

• Grades dropping suddenly
• Missing classes or falling asleep in class
• Skipping exams for “mandatory” events
• Losing scholarships or academic standing

Digital/social behavior:

• Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
• Anxiety when phone buzzes
• Deleting messages or clearing history obsessively
• Calls/texts at all hours demanding immediate response
• Social media posts showing concerning activities

Questions to Ask (Non-Confrontationally)

1. “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
2. “Have they been respectful of your time for classes and sleep?”
3. “What do they ask you to do as a new member?”
4. “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
5. “Have you seen anyone get hurt, or have you been hurt?”
6. “Do you feel like you can leave if you want to?”
7. “Are they asking you to keep secrets from me or the university?”

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing

1. Immediate safety: If your child is in danger, call 911
2. Medical attention: Get care even if they insist they’re “fine”
3. Document everything: Write down dates, times, what they tell you
4. Preserve evidence: Screenshot texts, photograph injuries
5. Reporting:
   • Campus authorities: Dean of Students, Student Conduct
   • Local police if crimes occurred
   • University hazing hotlines
   • National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE
6. Legal consultation: Contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 early

What NOT to do:

• Don’t confront the organization directly
• Don’t sign anything from university/insurance without legal advice
• Don’t post details on public social media
• Don’t let university convince you “this is being handled internally”

For Students: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide
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?
• Are older members making new members do things they don’t have to do themselves?
• Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this?

If you answered YES to any, it’s likely hazing.

How to Exit Safely

• If in immediate danger: Call 911 or campus police
• Get to safety: Your dorm, friend’s place, public area
• You won’t get in trouble for calling for help in medical emergency
• To quit: Send email/text to chapter president: “I am resigning effective immediately”
• Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where they might pressure you
• If fear retaliation: Report to Dean of Students and campus police

Evidence Collection While It’s Happening

1. Screenshots of group chats: Capture full conversations with timestamps
2. Voice memos/recordings: Texas is one-party consent state
3. Photos/videos: Injuries, locations, objects used
4. Save everything digital: Don’t delete even if embarrassed
5. Medical documentation: Tell providers you were hazed
6. Witness information: Names and contacts of others who saw what happened

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

MISTAKE #1: Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

• 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
• What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately

MISTAKE #2: Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly

• What parents think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
• Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
• What to do instead: Document everything, call a lawyer first

MISTAKE #3: Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms

• What universities do: Pressure families to sign waivers
• Why it’s wrong: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often lowball
• What to do instead: Do NOT sign without attorney review

MISTAKE #4: Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer

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

MISTAKE #5: Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”

• What fraternities say: “Come talk to us before you do anything drastic”
• Why it’s wrong: They pressure, intimidate, extract damaging statements
• What to do instead: Once considering legal action, all communication through lawyer

MISTAKE #6: Waiting “to see how the university handles it”

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

MISTAKE #7: Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer

• What adjusters say: “We just need your statement to process the claim”
• Why it’s wrong: Recorded statements are used against you
• What to do instead: “My attorney will contact you”

Frequently Asked Questions for Lockhart Families

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

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

“Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize “consent” under peer pressure isn’t true voluntary consent.

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

“What if the hazing happened off-campus or at private house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge. Many major cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, unofficial houses) occurred off-campus.

“Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in news?”
Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. You can request sealed court records. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action for Lockhart Families

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

Why Attorney911 for Texas Hazing Cases

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 IMEs (Independent Medical Exams) to reduce settlements
• “We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

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

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury Experience
We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability. Our experience includes:

• Brain injury cases requiring lifetime care planning
• Economist collaboration for lost earning capacity
• Wrongful death cases with eight-figure valuations

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

• How criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
• Advising witnesses and former members with dual exposure
• Constitutional challenges to unlawful searches

Investigative Depth
Our network includes:

• Digital forensics experts for deleted message recovery
• Medical experts for rhabdomyolysis, TBI, PTSD
• Greek life culture and institutional policy experts
• Economists and life-care planners
  We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine
Our proprietary database tracks 1,423 Greek organizations across Texas. We don’t start from zero—we start with data on:

• 125+ Texas-registered Greek entities
• 96 campus locations
• National brand overlaps and patterns

Our Promise to Lockhart Families

We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our job is to:

1. Get you answers about what really happened
2. Hold the right people accountable—not just symbols but decision-makers
3. Help prevent this from happening to another family
4. Secure recovery for your child’s medical needs, therapy, and future

This isn’t about bravado or quick settlements. It’s about thorough investigation and real accountability.

Call to Action: Your Next Step as a Lockhart Family

If you or your child experienced hazing at Texas State University, UT Austin, Texas A&M, or any Texas campus, we want to hear from you. Families in Lockhart and throughout Caldwell County 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 (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Mr. Lupe Peña)

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 Lockhart or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The institutions behind these abuses have legal teams and insurance companies protecting them. Your family deserves the same level of representation.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s discuss how we can help your family find answers, accountability, and a path forward.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

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

• Click2Houston report on UH Pi Kappa Phi hazing case: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 coverage of Leonel Bermudez’s UH hazing lawsuit: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational YouTube Videos:

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

Attorney911 Main Website & Practice Areas:

• Main website & contact: https://attorney911.com
• Wrongful death practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/
• Criminal defense practice: https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/
• Ralph Manginello background: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/
• Lupe Peña background: https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/

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 specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many 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