The Complete Guide to Hazing in Texas: A Resource for Town of Loraine Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You Are Not Alone

Imagine receiving a phone call in the middle of the night from your child at college. Their voice is shaky, confused. They’re calling from a hospital in Houston, Austin, or College Station, trying to explain through tears and shame that what started as “normal pledging” turned into something much darker. For parents in Town of Loraine and across Mitchell County, this nightmare scenario is unfolding right now at Texas universities. Your child, who you sent to pursue education and opportunity, is instead facing physical abuse, psychological trauma, and institutional cover-ups from organizations that promised brotherhood, sisterhood, and community.

This is not hypothetical. Right now, in Harris County, we are representing Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The details are harrowing: forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under expulsion threats, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and carrying a degrading “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms and sex toys. The physical result? Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—a life-threatening condition that required four days of hospitalization and continues to risk permanent organ damage.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for families in Town of Loraine, Mitchell County, and throughout West Texas who need to understand what hazing looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, and what legal options exist when universities and fraternities fail in their duty to keep students safe. Whether your child attends Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Angelo State University in San Angelo, or any of the major universities hours away in Houston, Austin, or College Station, the principles of accountability remain the same.

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 Beyond the Stereotypes

For families in Town of Loraine, where community values and neighborly trust run deep, understanding modern hazing requires moving beyond outdated stereotypes of “boys will be boys” or “harmless initiation.” Today’s hazing is sophisticated, often digitally documented, and intentionally hidden from public view.

A Clear, 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. For Texas parents, the crucial legal point is this: “My child agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and power imbalance. Texas law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing charges.

The Main Categories of Hazing in Today’s Greek Life

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the deadliest form. It’s not just “college drinking”—it’s organized, forced consumption. At the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi chapter, Leonel Bermudez was forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediately required to do sprints. This pattern repeats across Texas campuses, where “Big/Little” nights, “family tree” drinking games, and lineups with handles of liquor create predictable, preventable medical emergencies.

Physical Hazing
Beyond the stereotypical paddling, today’s physical hazing includes extreme calisthenics disguised as “workouts.” In our UH case, the November 3rd “workout” involved 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, and creed recitation under threat of expulsion—a direct path to rhabdomyolysis. Other methods include cold-weather exposure in underwear, sleep deprivation through mandatory 3 AM meetings, and food/water restriction as punishment.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
The “pledge fanny pack” in the UH case contained condoms and sex toys—items designed specifically for humiliation. Other documented cases involve forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“roasted pig” positions documented at Texas A&M), degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. These aren’t pranks; they’re calculated psychological abuse.

Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, threats, social isolation, and manipulation create environments where students feel trapped. When combined with constant group chat monitoring and geo-tracking demands, today’s pledges experience 24/7 psychological pressure that extends far beyond chapter house walls.

Digital/Online Hazing
This is where hazing has evolved most dramatically. Group chat dares on GroupMe, public humiliation via Instagram Stories, TikTok challenges that go viral, Discord servers with degrading content—all create permanent digital records while making escape feel impossible. For Town of Loraine families whose children might be hours from home, this digital leash can be particularly isolating.

Where Hazing Actually Happens on Texas Campuses

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

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

The common thread isn’t the type of organization but three factors: social status sought, tradition invoked as justification, and secrecy maintained to avoid consequences.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability Framework: What Town of Loraine Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws addressing hazing, but understanding how they apply requires looking at both state statutes and federal requirements.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37: The Foundation of Hazing Law

§ 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 mental or physical health or safety and occurs for purposes of initiation or affiliation.

For Town of Loraine parents, the key points are:

Location doesn’t matter—off-campus houses, retreats, and Airbnbs are all covered
Mental or physical harm both qualify
“Reckless” is enough—they don’t need to have intended harm
Consent is not a defense (Texas Education Code § 37.155)

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties

Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability
This is crucial for holding fraternities accountable. Organizations can be prosecuted if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew and failed to report it. Penalties include up to $10,000 fines per violation and university expulsion.

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting
Students who report hazing in good faith are protected from liability. This is especially important for bystanders who might fear repercussions for calling 911 during alcohol emergencies.

Criminal vs Civil Cases: Understanding the Two-Track System

Criminal Cases (brought by the state)

Purpose: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
Typical charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
Prosecutors decide whether to file based on evidence

Civil Cases (brought by victims/families)

Purpose: Compensation and accountability
Claims: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
No criminal conviction required to pursue civil case

For Town of Loraine families, this means you can seek justice through civil courts even if local prosecutors decline to file criminal charges. The standards of proof differ, and the goals are complementary—criminal cases punish wrongdoing, while civil cases compensate victims and force institutional change.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
This new federal law requires colleges receiving federal aid to:

Report hazing incidents more transparently
Strengthen hazing education and prevention
Maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026)

Title IX
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger additional reporting requirements and potential federal claims.

Clery Act
Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics. Hazing incidents often overlap with assault and alcohol crimes that must be publicly reported.

For families with students at Texas Tech, Angelo State, or other federally-funded institutions, these laws provide additional leverage for transparency and accountability.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Our approach in the Leonel Bermudez case demonstrates the comprehensive liability analysis required:

Individual Students
The ones who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up. In the UH case, we named 13 individual members including chapter president, pledgemaster, and risk manager.

Local Chapter/Organization
The fraternity/sorority itself as a legal entity, including housing corporations like the “Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc” (EIN 462267515) with its Frisco, Texas address.

National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters
Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters in Charlotte, NC faces claims that they knew or should have known about dangerous patterns. Their suspension of the chapter on November 6, 2025, demonstrates their involvement and responsibility.

University and Governing Board
The University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents are defendants based on their ownership/control of chapter housing and alleged failure to intervene despite knowledge of hazing.

Third Parties
Property owners (like the Culmore Drive residence owner in our UH case), bars providing alcohol, security companies—anyone whose negligence contributed to harm.

For Town of Loraine families pursuing claims, this multi-defendant approach maximizes potential recovery and ensures all responsible parties are held accountable.

National Hazing Case Patterns: What Texas Can Learn from Tragedy

The hazing incidents affecting Town of Loraine students don’t occur in a vacuum. National patterns provide both warning signs and legal precedents.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
Bid-acceptance event with heavy drinking led to fatal falls captured on chapter cameras. The hours-delayed 911 call resulted in 18 members facing over 1,000 criminal counts and Pennsylvania’s “Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.”

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
“Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant forced drinking. Max’s 0.495% BAC death led to Louisiana’s felony hazing statute (Max Gruver Act) and a $6.1 million verdict for his family.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Forced to drink nearly a bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night. The $10 million settlement ($7M from national Pi Kappa Alpha, ~$3M from BGSU) demonstrates the significant financial exposure universities and nationals face.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
“Big Brother Night” with handles of liquor led to acute alcohol poisoning death. This case is particularly relevant as it involves the same national organization currently facing our UH lawsuit.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Blindfolded, weighted “glass ceiling” ritual at a Pennsylvania retreat caused fatal head injuries. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter—a rare instance of organizational criminal liability.

Athletic Program Hazing

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Sexualized, racist hazing allegations led to head coach termination, multiple lawsuits, and confidential settlements. This demonstrates hazing extends beyond Greek life into major athletic programs with significant resources for cover-up.

What These Cases Mean for Town of Loraine Families

Common threads across all these cases:

Forced consumption patterns repeat despite national “awareness”
Delayed medical care consistently worsens outcomes
Cover-up attempts (deleted messages, coached witnesses) increase liability
Multi-million dollar settlements are becoming standard for serious injury/death
Legislative change often follows only after tragedy and litigation

For your family’s potential case, these national precedents establish patterns that support negligence claims and provide settlement benchmarks.

Texas Focus: Universities Relevant to Town of Loraine Families

While our firm handles cases statewide, certain universities have particular relevance to Mitchell County families based on geographic proximity and enrollment patterns.

Regional Universities Serving West Texas Families

Texas Tech University (Lubbock)
As the closest major research university to Town of Loraine (approximately 150 miles northeast), Texas Tech serves many Mitchell County students. Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine tracks 59 Greek organizations in the Lubbock metro area, including:

Texas Tech Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Housing (Lubbock)
Kappa Alpha Order – Texas Tech (Gamma Chi Chapter)
Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Lubbock chapter
Alpha Phi Omega – TTU Chapter

Texas Tech’s Greek life includes approximately 40 fraternities and sororities, with historical incidents involving alcohol hazing and physical abuse. The university’s public reporting shows periodic sanctions, but like many institutions, public transparency has limits.

Angelo State University (San Angelo)
At approximately 90 miles southwest of Town of Loraine, Angelo State represents a common choice for regional students. While smaller than Texas Tech, its Greek community still presents hazing risks that families should monitor.

West Texas A&M University (Canyon)
Serving the Panhandle region, WTAMU’s Greek organizations include those recorded in IRS filings, such as the “Frank Heflin Foundation” (EIN 203507402) in Canyon—a Phi Delta Theta alumni fund showing the financial infrastructure supporting Greek life even in smaller communities.

Major Statewide Universities Where Town of Loraine Students Attend

Many Mitchell County families send students to flagship institutions hours from home. These schools have documented hazing histories that every Texas parent should understand.

University of Houston – Current Ground Zero for Texas Hazing Litigation

Our active representation of Leonel Bermudez gives us unparalleled insight into UH’s Greek system. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter’s conduct—from the “pledge fanny pack” humiliation to the life-threatening rhabdomyolysis—exemplifies systemic failure.

UH’s Greek community includes 50+ organizations across four councils:

Interfraternity Council (17 fraternities including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon)
Houston Panhellenic Council (6 sororities)
Multicultural Greek Council (6 fraternities, 6 sororities)
National Pan-Hellenic Council (9 Divine Nine organizations)

The university’s response to our lawsuit—calling conduct “deeply disturbing” while noting the chapter’s November 14, 2025 charter surrender—demonstrates the reactive rather than preventive approach common in higher education.

Texas A&M University – Corps Culture and Greek Life Intersection

For Town of Loraine families with children in the Corps of Cadets or Greek life at A&M, two recent cases are particularly relevant:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021)
Pledges allegedly had industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The resulting $1 million lawsuit and two-year suspension shows the extreme physical risks.

Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023)
A cadet alleged being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth—degrading hazing seeking over $1 million in damages. Texas A&M’s statement that they “handled the matter under its rules” exemplifies institutional minimization.

University of Texas at Austin – Transparency with Limits

UT Austin maintains a public “Hazing Violations” page—a transparency effort exceeding many peers. Recent entries include:

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, resulting in probation and mandatory hazing-prevention education
Texas Wranglers and other spirit organizations sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing

While commendable for transparency, the repeated violations demonstrate that public shaming alone doesn’t eliminate hazing culture.

Southern Methodist University – Affluent Greek Life Environment

SMU’s private university status and affluent student body create unique dynamics. The 2017 Kappa Alpha Order incident involving paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation led to multi-year suspension—a pattern repeating at campuses nationwide despite national policies against such conduct.

Baylor University – Religious Identity and Athletic Hazing

Following Baylor’s Title IX sexual assault scandal, the 2020 baseball hazing incident involving 14 suspended players demonstrates that even religious-affiliated institutions struggle with abusive team cultures.

How Town of Loraine Families Should Approach University-Specific Risks

Research Before Enrollment: Check university hazing violation logs (like UT Austin’s public page)
Understand Jurisdiction: Know which police department (campus vs. local) has authority
Document Communication: Save all emails and notes from university administrators
Recognize Patterns: The same national fraternities/sororities repeat the same behaviors across campuses

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Uncovering the Organizations Behind the Letters

One of our firm’s distinctive advantages is what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a comprehensive database built from public records that allows us to identify every entity with potential liability in a hazing case.

IRS B83 Backbone: The Financial Infrastructure of Texas Greek Life

The IRS maintains records of tax-exempt organizations, including those classified as “B83” (Student Sororities, Fraternities). Our analysis of 125 Texas-registered B83 entities reveals the financial infrastructure supporting Greek life:

Examples from Public Records:

Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN 462267515)
10601 Big Horn Trail, Frisco, TX 75035-6629
This is the housing corporation for the same UH chapter involved in our active lawsuit
Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN 133048786)
3007 Earl Rudder Freeway South, College Station, TX 77845-6681
Texas A&M chapter housing corporation
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – Theta Delta Chapter (EIN 475370943)
5019 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204-7005
UH chapter
Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter (EIN 746084905)
4300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Houston, TX 77204-3067
Texas Southern University chapter

These entities—often separate legal corporations—hold insurance policies, own property, and manage finances. Identifying them is step one in building compensation for victims.

Cause IQ Metro Analysis: The Scope of Greek Life in Texas

Our cross-referencing with Cause IQ data reveals the astonishing scale of Greek organizations across Texas metros:

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510 Greek organizations
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188 organizations
Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154 organizations
Lubbock Metro: 59 organizations (relevant to Texas Tech families)
College Station-Bryan Metro: 42 organizations
Statewide Total: 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros

For Town of Loraine families, this data demonstrates that the organizations your children encounter aren’t isolated clubs but part of a massive, interconnected network with substantial financial resources.

Brand Overlap Analysis: Tracking Nationals Across Texas

When the same national organization appears in both IRS and Cause IQ data, we can track their Texas footprint comprehensively. For example:

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority

IRS Listing (EIN 364091267): 1101 Melrose Drive, Waco, TX 76710
Cause IQ Listing: Beta Sigma Chapter in Houston
Cause IQ Listing: Mu Epsilon Chapter in Beaumont (Lamar University)

This tracking capability is crucial when a national organization claims “we didn’t know what our chapter was doing.” We can demonstrate their established monitoring and financial relationships across multiple Texas campuses.

Why This Intelligence Matters for Your Case

Insurance Identification: Housing corporations and alumni associations carry insurance policies that can provide compensation
Pattern Evidence: Multiple chapters of the same national repeating similar conduct demonstrates foreseeability
Asset Recovery: Corporations hold assets that can satisfy judgments when individuals are judgment-proof
Negotiation Leverage: Comprehensive organizational mapping shows defendants we understand their structure better than they do

For families in Town of Loraine, this means we don’t start from zero when investigating your child’s case. We already know the organizational landscape and how to navigate it.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories That Predict Local Conduct

National fraternity and sorority headquarters often claim local chapters act as “rogue” outliers. Our case database demonstrates otherwise—the same patterns repeat because the same organizational cultures enable them.

High-Risk National Organizations with Texas Chapters

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike)

National History: Stone Foltz alcohol poisoning death (BGSU, 2021) – $10M settlement
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, Texas Tech, Baylor
Pattern: “Big/Little” drinking nights, forced alcohol consumption

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE)

National History: Multiple alcohol-related deaths nationwide; 2014 elimination of pledging (largely reversed)
Texas Presence: Chapters at all major Texas universities
Texas Incident: Chemical burns case at Texas A&M (2021) – $1M lawsuit
Pattern: Physical abuse disguised as “team building”

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

National History: Andrew Coffey alcohol poisoning death (FSU, 2017)
Texas Presence: UH (Beta Nu – now closed), Texas A&M, UT Austin
Current Case: Our Leonel Bermudez lawsuit alleging rhabdomyolysis from forced exercise
Pattern: Extreme physical hazing leading to medical emergencies

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

National History: Max Gruver death (LSU, 2017) – $6.1M verdict
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, Texas Tech
Pattern: “Bible study” drinking games and forced consumption

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)

National History: Multiple paddling and physical abuse incidents
Texas Presence: SMU (suspended 2017-2021), Texas A&M, Texas Tech
Pattern: Physical beatings under tradition justifications

Sorority Hazing: Not Just a Fraternity Problem

While less publicized, sorority hazing presents similar risks:

Documented Sorority Hazing Incidents

Forced alcohol consumption during “big/little” events
Sleep deprivation through mandatory late-night activities
Psychological abuse through social isolation and humiliation
Financial exploitation through mandatory purchases

The power dynamics in sororities—where social status is deeply tied to membership—can create particularly coercive environments for new members.

The Corporate Structure of Greek Life: Why Nationals Can’t Claim Ignorance

Modern national fraternities and sororities operate as sophisticated corporations:

Annual Revenue: Millions from dues, housing fees, merchandise
Staff: Full-time risk management personnel, attorneys, accountants
Insurance: Multi-million dollar liability policies
Compliance Systems: Electronic reporting, chapter monitoring software

When these organizations claim “we didn’t know,” we demonstrate through discovery:

Their financial transactions with the chapter
Their risk management communications
Their prior incident reports from other chapters
Their training materials that acknowledge the very risks that materialized

For Town of Loraine families, understanding this corporate reality is crucial. You’re not dealing with a local club but a national corporation with substantial resources for both prevention and defense.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

When hazing causes injury or death, building a successful case requires systematic evidence collection, comprehensive damages analysis, and strategic litigation decisions.

Critical Evidence Categories in Modern Hazing Cases

Digital Communications (The Most Important Evidence)

Group Messaging: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord screenshots
Social Media: Instagram Stories, TikTok videos, Facebook posts
Deleted Recovery: Forensic recovery of “disappearing” messages
Metadata: Timestamps, location data, participant identification

In our UH case, GroupMe conversations documented the planning and execution of hazing events. Without immediate screenshot preservation, this evidence would have been lost.

Photographic and Video Evidence

Injury Documentation: Timeline photos showing bruise progression
Event Footage: Party videos, initiation recordings
Location Evidence: House interiors, alcohol setups
Object Preservation: Paddles, costumes, “pledge packets”

Internal Organization Documents

Pledge Manuals: Often contain prohibited activities students are forced to do
National Communications: Emails between chapter and headquarters
Financial Records: Dues payments, alcohol purchases
Risk Management Reports: Prior incident documentation

University Records

Prior Conduct Files: Previous hazing violations
Campus Police Reports: Incident documentation
Clery Act Reports: Annual crime statistics
Administrative Emails: Internal discussions about the organization

Medical and Psychological Records

Emergency Care: ER reports, ambulance records
Specialist Evaluations: Orthopedic, renal, psychological assessments
Therapy Notes: PTSD, depression, anxiety treatment records
Life Care Plans: Catastrophic injury future needs assessment

Witness Testimony

Other Pledges: Often afraid to come forward initially
Former Members: Those who quit or were expelled
Roommates/RAs: Observed behavioral changes
Medical Providers: Treatment observations

Damages: What Families Can Recover in Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Financial Losses)

Medical Expenses: Past and future treatment, surgeries, medications
Lost Income/Earning Capacity: Missed work, reduced future earnings
Educational Costs: Tuition for withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships
Life Care Costs: 24/7 care for catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injury

Non-Economic Damages (Compensation for Suffering)

Physical Pain: From injuries and recovery
Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
Loss of Enjoyment: Inability to participate in college life, activities
Reputational Harm: Social stigma, digital footprint damage

Wrongful Death Damages (When Hazing Proves Fatal)

Funeral/Burial Costs
Loss of Financial Support: Deceased’s expected lifetime contributions
Loss of Companionship: Parents’ and siblings’ emotional harm
Grief and Mental Anguish: Family therapy, psychiatric care

Punitive Damages (When Conduct Is Especially Reckless)

Purpose: Punish defendants and deter future conduct
When Awarded: Willful disregard for safety, cover-up attempts, prior warnings ignored
Texas Caps: Generally limited, but exceptions apply for gross negligence

Insurance Coverage: The Financial Reality Behind Greek Life

National fraternities and universities carry substantial insurance policies, but coverage fights are complex:

Common Insurance Defense Tactics

“Intentional Act” exclusions for hazing
“Criminal Act” exclusions
“Owned Property” limitations for university coverage
“Notice” requirements and late reporting arguments

Our Insurance Insider Advantage
Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney gives us unique insight into how carriers evaluate and defend hazing claims. We understand:

Reserve-setting formulas and valuation methods
IME (Independent Medical Exam) strategies to minimize claims
Delay tactics and settlement timing
Coverage litigation strategies

For Town of Loraine families, this means we negotiate from understanding rather than speculation when dealing with fraternity and university insurers.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Town of Loraine Families

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed

Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns
Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
Personality changes: anxiety, withdrawal, defensiveness
Secretive phone use, fear of missing messages
Sudden financial needs without clear explanation
Academic decline, missed classes, dropping grades

How to Talk to Your Child (Without Confrontation)

“How are things going with [organization]? Are they respecting your time?”
“What kinds of activities do they have new members do?”
“Is there anything that’s made you uncomfortable or that you wish you didn’t have to do?”
“Have you or anyone else gotten hurt during these activities?”
“Do you feel like you could leave if you wanted to, or would there be consequences?”

48-Hour Action Plan for Parents

Hour 1-6: Medical attention, evidence preservation, attorney contact
Hour 6-24: Document everything, screenshot digital evidence, secure physical items
Hour 24-48: Strategic decisions on reporting, university communication, legal representation
Week 1: Medical follow-up, formal evidence collection, witness interviews

For Students: Self-Assessment and Safety Planning

Is This Hazing? Decision Guide
Answer “yes” to any of these means it’s likely hazing:

Am I being forced or pressured to do something unsafe?
Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
Would my parents/university approve if they knew details?
Are older members making new members do things they don’t do themselves?
Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about activities?

How to Exit Safely

Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
Send written resignation to chapter leadership (email/text for documentation)
Do NOT attend “one last meeting” where pressure or retaliation might occur
Report any retaliation to campus police and Dean of Students
Seek mental health support through campus counseling

Evidence Collection for Students

Screenshots: Full conversation threads with timestamps
Photos: Injuries (with ruler for scale), locations, objects used
Medical Records: Request copies of all treatment documentation
Witness List: Names and contact information for others who saw what happened
Personal Notes: Written account while memory is fresh

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

MISTAKE #1: Letting Your Child Delete Messages

Why Wrong: Looks like cover-up, can be obstruction of justice
Right Approach: Preserve everything, even embarrassing content

MISTAKE #2: Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly

Why Wrong: Triggers evidence destruction, witness coaching, legal preparation
Right Approach: Document everything, consult attorney first

MISTAKE #3: Signing University “Resolution” Forms

Why Wrong: Often includes liability waivers, lowball settlements
Right Approach: “I need to have my attorney review this first”

MISTAKE #4: Posting Details on Social Media

Why Wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything, inconsistencies hurt credibility
Right Approach: Private documentation only, let attorney control messaging

MISTAKE #5: Waiting “To See How the University Handles It”

Why Wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statutes run
Right Approach: Simultaneous preservation and consultation

Frequently Asked Questions for Texas Families

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

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law makes hazing a Class B misdemeanor by default, but elevates it to a state jail felony if serious bodily injury or death occurs. Individual officers can also face misdemeanor charges for failing to report known 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 “consent” under peer pressure and power imbalance isn’t truly voluntary.

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

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

“Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name 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.

About The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911: Why Texas Families Choose Us for Hazing Cases

When your 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. From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Town of Loraine and Mitchell County, bringing specialized hazing litigation experience few firms can match.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña’s Defense Background)
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm, learning firsthand how large insurance companies value claims, negotiate settlements, and defend cases. For hazing claims against fraternities and universities, this insider knowledge is invaluable. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello’s Experience)
Our involvement in the BP Texas City explosion litigation—one of the few Texas firms selected—demonstrates our capability against billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. National fraternities and major universities employ similar defense tactics: delay, deny, defend. We’ve faced these strategies before and know how to overcome them.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience
From logging accidents causing traumatic brain injury to maritime cases requiring lifetime care planning, we have the economist collaboration and damages expertise necessary for serious hazing injuries. When hazing causes rhabdomyolysis (as in our UH case), traumatic brain injury, or death, proper valuation requires understanding both immediate costs and lifetime impacts.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise
Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) provides dual perspective when hazing involves criminal charges. We understand how criminal investigations interact with civil discovery, how to advise witnesses with potential exposure, and how to navigate parallel proceedings.

Investigative Depth and Expert Network
Our work with digital forensics experts, medical specialists, Greek life culture experts, and economists means we build cases that withstand defense challenges. When fraternities delete GroupMe chats, we know forensic recovery methods. When universities claim “we didn’t know,” we subpoena prior incident reports they hoped would remain hidden.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Our Investigative Advantage

What truly distinguishes our firm is the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a proprietary database built from:

IRS B83 Records: 125 Texas-registered Greek organization entities with EINs, addresses, and corporate structures
University Rosters: Verified chapter listings at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor, Texas Tech, and others
Cause IQ Metro Analysis: 1,423 Greek organizations tracked across 25 Texas metros
National Incident Database: Comprehensive history of hazing cases by organization

For Town of Loraine families, this means we don’t start from scratch. When you call about a Pi Kappa Phi incident, we already know about their national history (Andrew Coffey death at FSU), their Texas corporate entities (Beta Nu housing corporation in Frisco), and their pattern of conduct across chapters.

Our Approach to Hazing Cases: Empathy Meets Aggressive Advocacy

We understand that hazing cases involve more than legal claims—they involve trauma, family disruption, and shattered trust. Our approach balances:

Victim-Centered Representation

We listen without judgment to your family’s experience
We explain options clearly, without pressure
We prioritize your child’s recovery and privacy
We handle communications so you can focus on healing

Thorough Investigation

Immediate evidence preservation before deletion
Comprehensive defendant identification (individuals, chapters, nationals, universities)
Pattern evidence development from prior incidents
Expert collaboration for medical and damages analysis

Strategic Litigation

Insurance coverage analysis from day one
Settlement valuation based on actual trial outcomes, not arbitrary formulas
Trial readiness that forces serious settlement discussions
Appellate planning for complex legal issues

Accountability Focus

We seek compensation that acknowledges real harm
We push for institutional changes to prevent future incidents
We use litigation to uncover hidden truths and documents
We measure success by both financial recovery and safety improvements

Call to Action: If Hazing Has Impacted Your Town of Loraine Family

If you or your child experienced hazing at Texas Tech University, Angelo State University, or any Texas campus—whether recently or years ago—we want to hear from you. Families in Town of Loraine, Mitchell County, and throughout West Texas have the right to answers, accountability, and compensation when universities and Greek organizations fail in their most basic duty: keeping students safe.

What to Expect in Your Free, Confidential Consultation

When you contact The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911:

We Listen Without Judgment

Tell us what happened in your own words
Share what evidence you’ve preserved (photos, messages, medical records)
Ask any questions—no matter how basic or complex

We Explain Your Legal Options

Criminal reporting possibilities
Civil lawsuit viability and potential defendants
University disciplinary process navigation
Realistic timelines and expectations

We Review Evidence Preservation

Immediate steps to secure digital evidence before deletion
Medical documentation requirements
Witness interview timing and approach
University communication strategies

We Discuss Practical Considerations

Contingency fee structure (no cost unless we recover)
Privacy protection and confidentiality options
Family support during the process
Communication preferences and updates

No Pressure to Hire

Take our information and think about it
Consult with other attorneys if you wish
We’re here when you’re ready

Contact The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911 Today

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

Email:
Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
Lupe Peña: lupe@atty911.com

Spanish-Language Services Available
Hablamos Español – Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish

Office Locations:
Houston, Texas | Austin, Texas | Beaumont, Texas
Serving families throughout Texas, including Town of Loraine and Mitchell County

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