Hazing at Texas Universities: A Complete Guide for Milford Families Seeking Answers and Accountability

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies in Milford, Texas

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies.
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for immediate legal guidance.
• We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™—we provide immediate help when your family needs it most.

In the first 48 hours:

• Get Medical Attention Immediately: Even if your child insists they are “fine,” symptoms of severe hazing like rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) or alcohol poisoning can be delayed and deadly.
• Preserve Evidence BEFORE It’s Deleted:
  • Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), texts, and social media DMs immediately.
  • Photograph any injuries from multiple angles.
  • Save physical items (damaged clothing, receipts for forced purchases, paddles or props).
• Write Down Everything: Record names, dates, locations, and what happened while memories are fresh.
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or university directly.
  • Sign anything from an insurance adjuster or the school.
  • Post details on public social media.
  • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced Texas hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears fast. Universities and national organizations move quickly to control the narrative. We can help preserve critical evidence and protect your family’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

A Message to Parents in Milford, Texas

As a parent in the tight-knit community of Milford, you’ve watched your child grow, celebrated their acceptance to a Texas university, and entrusted that institution with their safety. The nightmare begins with a late-night call, a trip to the emergency room, or a child who returns home withdrawn, injured, or traumatized. You learn they were subjected to brutal “traditions”—forced drinking, violent workouts, humiliating acts—all in the name of joining a group.

This is not a distant problem. It is happening right now at universities across Texas, including the schools where Milford families send their children: Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University, and others.

We know because we are fighting one of these cases right now.

Our firm, Attorney911, represents Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student who nearly died from fraternity hazing. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter, and 13 individual members. The details are horrifying: a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, forced consumption of food until vomiting, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and extreme physical workouts that led to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He was hospitalized for four days and faces lifelong health risks. The chapter has been shut down.

This case is not an anomaly. It is proof of a systemic failure. This guide is for you—the parents, families, and students in Milford and across Ellis County—to understand what hazing really is, how Texas law works, what has happened at our state’s universities, and what legal rights you have when the institutions meant to protect your child fail.

Understanding Hazing in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

Hazing is not “boys will be boys” or “harmless tradition.” Under Texas law, it is a crime. Modern hazing is a calculated abuse of power designed to create loyalty through trauma. For Milford families, recognizing the signs is the first step to intervention.

What Qualifies as Hazing?

Texas Education Code Chapter 37 defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership in any organization. Crucially, the victim’s “consent” is not a defense.

Modern Hazing Tactics Include:

• Alcohol & Substance Hazing: Forced consumption during “lineups,” “Big/Little” nights, or drinking games like “Bible study.” This remains the leading cause of hazing deaths.
• Physical Hazing: Paddling, beatings, “smokings” (extreme calisthenics), sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme elements, and forced eating or drinking until illness.
• Psychological & Digital Hazing: 24/7 control via group chats, public humiliation on social media, forced isolation, verbal abuse, and threats of expulsion from the group.
• Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, and degrading rituals designed to shame and control.

These acts occur in fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, spirit groups, marching bands, Corps of Cadets programs, and other campus organizations. The common thread is an imbalance of power and a culture of secrecy.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: A Framework for Milford Families

Texas has strong anti-hazing laws, but navigating them requires understanding both criminal and civil pathways.

Texas Criminal Hazing Statutes (Education Code Chapter 37)

• Definition: Broadly covers acts that endanger physical or mental health for purposes of initiation/affiliation, on or off campus.
• Penalties:
  • Class B Misdemeanor: Basic hazing (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine).
  • Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment.
  • State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
• Key Protections:
  • Consent is NOT a Defense: (§37.155) Even if a student “agreed,” it’s still a crime.
  • Immunity for Reporters: Those who report hazing in good faith are protected from liability.
  • Organizational Liability: Fraternities and sororities themselves can be fined up to $10,000 per violation.

Civil Liability: The Path to Accountability and Compensation

A criminal case punishes the perpetrator. A civil lawsuit holds all responsible parties accountable and helps families recover damages for the profound harm caused.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Case?

1. Individual Perpetrators: The members who planned, carried out, or covered up the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter: As an unincorporated association or legal entity.
3. The National Organization: Headquarters can be liable for negligent supervision, failure to enforce policies, and having prior knowledge of dangerous patterns.
4. The University: May be liable for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or Title IX violations (if hazing is sexualized).
5. Third Parties: Property owners, landlords of off-campus houses, or alcohol providers.

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

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to increase transparency in hazing reporting and strengthen prevention programs, with full implementation by 2026.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or assault, schools have specific investigative and response duties.
• Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes, including aggravated assault and liquor/drug law violations, which often accompany hazing.

For a Milford family, this means a hazing incident may trigger multiple, simultaneous investigations: campus police, local law enforcement (like the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office), university conduct boards, and federal compliance offices.

National Hazing Cases: The Patterns That Predict Tragedy

The hazing that happens at Texas schools follows well-documented national scripts. These are not “isolated incidents.” They are predictable, preventable patterns.

The Alcohol Poisoning Script: Fatalities at Penn State, LSU, FSU, and BGSU

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid-acceptance night of forced drinking. Brothers delayed calling 911. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, a landmark Pennsylvania anti-hazing law, and confidential civil settlements.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died from alcohol toxicity after a “Bible study” drinking game. Result: The Max Gruver Act made hazing a felony in Louisiana.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Forced to drink a bottle of liquor during a “Big/Little” event. Died from alcohol poisoning. Result: $10 million settlement ($7M from national fraternity, ~$3M from university), multiple criminal convictions.

The Physical Brutality Script: Injury and Death at Baruch and Missouri

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded, violent “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. Result: National fraternity convicted of felony charges, banned from Pennsylvania.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from alcohol poisoning during a “pledge dad reveal.” Result: Life-altering injuries requiring 24/7 care; confidential multi-million dollar settlements with 22 defendants.

What This Means for Milford Families: The national fraternities on your child’s campus have seen these tragedies unfold. They have written policies against these exact activities. When a chapter ignores those policies, the national organization can be held accountable for failing to prevent a foreseeable harm.

The Texas University Landscape: Where Milford Students Face Risk

Milford students attend a variety of Texas institutions. Understanding the specific environment and history of these campuses is critical.

For Milford Families: The University Connection

Located in Ellis County, Milford is within driving distance of several major university systems. Families commonly send students to schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex (like UT Arlington, SMU, UNT) and to the flagship state schools: Texas A&M University in College Station and the University of Texas at Austin. Baylor University in Waco is also a common destination. Hazing risks exist across this entire spectrum.

Public Records Insight: The Greek Ecosystem Serving Texas Students

Attorney911 maintains a Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine built from public IRS and organizational data. This allows us to identify every entity behind a fraternity or sorority—the house corporations, alumni chapters, and national organizations that hold insurance and liability.

A Snapshot of Texas Greek Organizations (From Public Records):

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, EIN 364091267, Waco, TX 76710 (IRS B83 filing)
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc, EIN 133048786, College Station, TX 77845 (IRS B83 filing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 filing)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 263170920, Denton, TX 76204 (IRS B83 filing – Texas Woman’s Univ. chapter)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing – related to UH chapter)
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc, EIN 475370943, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing – Theta Delta chapter)
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, EIN 746064445, Nederland, TX 77627 (IRS B83 filing – Epsilon Kappa chapter)
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 746084905, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing)

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area alone contains over 500 Greek-related organizations according to Cause IQ data. These entities form a complex web of responsibility that our firm is skilled at untangling for our clients.

Campus-Specific Risks and Realities

1. Texas A&M University & The Corps of Cadets
The Corps culture, with its emphasis on tradition and discipline, has been a repeated source of hazing allegations. In one 2023 lawsuit, a cadet alleged being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. Fraternity hazing also persists; a Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) lawsuit alleged pledges suffered severe chemical burns from being doused with industrial cleaner. For Milford families with children at A&M, understanding the dual risk in both Greek and Corps systems is vital.

2. University of Texas at Austin
UT Austin maintains a public “Hazing Violations” log, offering more transparency than most schools. Recent entries include:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. Sanction: Probation and mandatory education.
• Texas Wranglers (Spirit Group): Sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.
  This public record is a powerful tool for proving a pattern of known misconduct.

3. Baylor University
Following high-profile athletics scandals, Baylor emphasizes “zero tolerance.” Yet incidents occur, like the 2020 Baylor baseball team hazing that resulted in 14 player suspensions. The disconnect between policy and practice is a recurring theme.

4. Southern Methodist University (SMU)
As a private university with a prominent Greek system, SMU has faced serious incidents, including a 2017 Kappa Alpha Order chapter suspension for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.

5. University of Houston (UH) – Our Active Case
The ongoing litigation in Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi exposes the extreme end of the spectrum. The allegations—rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, simulated waterboarding—show how quickly “tradition” can become life-threatening torture. This case is a stark warning to every Texas university and national fraternity.

Fraternities & Sororities with Documented National Hazing Histories

The organizations on Texas campuses are chapters of national brands with long, troubling histories. This pattern evidence is crucial in civil litigation.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): Stone Foltz death (BGSU, $10M settlement); David Bogenberger death (NIU, $14M settlement).
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Multiple deaths nationwide; chemical burn lawsuit at Texas A&M; traumatic brain injury lawsuit at University of Alabama.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): Max Gruver death (LSU, led to felony hazing law).
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): Andrew Coffey death (FSU); currently defending the UH/Bermudez lawsuit we are litigating.
• Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ): Chad Meredith death (Univ. of Miami, $12.6M verdict).
• Phi Gamma Delta (ΦΓΔ – FIJI): Danny Santulli catastrophic brain injury (Univ. of Missouri).

When a Texas chapter repeats the same dangerous behaviors as chapters in other states, it demonstrates that the national headquarters failed to implement effective oversight and prevention, a key element of negligence.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

Success in a hazing case depends on moving faster and digging deeper than the opposition. For Milford families, this process often begins from a distance, making experienced, strategic counsel essential.

Critical Evidence Collection

• Digital Forensics: Deleted GroupMe, WhatsApp, and text messages can often be recovered. Social media posts, geotags, and photo metadata are vital.
• Internal Documents: Pledge manuals, chapter meeting notes, and communications with national headquarters.
• University Records: Prior conduct violations, Clery Act reports, and internal investigation files obtained through discovery.
• Medical Evidence: Comprehensive records linking injuries directly to hazing events, including psychological evaluations for PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Recoverable Damages for Victims and Families

• Economic Damages: All medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, lost educational opportunity, and diminished future earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of companionship, love, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of especially reckless or malicious conduct, courts may award damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter future behavior.

Practical Guide for Milford Parents and Students

For Parents: Warning Signs and Action Steps

Red Flags:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns.
• Extreme fatigue, sleep deprivation, or drastic weight change.
• Secrecy about organization activities; fear of their phone.
• Personality shifts: anxiety, withdrawal, depression.
• Sudden academic or financial problems.

What to Do:

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: Seek medical care immediately.
2. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot everything. Photograph injuries.
3. Document: Write down everything they tell you.
4. Seek Legal Counsel Before Reporting: An attorney can guide you on reporting to campus police, local police (e.g., Ellis County Sheriff’s Office), or the Dean of Students in a way that protects your rights and evidence.
5. Do Not confront the organization, sign university settlement offers, or post on social media.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You Have the Right to Leave. “Consent” is not a defense to hazing in Texas.
• You Have Protection for Reporting. Texas law and most university policies offer immunity for those who report in good faith or call 911 in an emergency.
• Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots, photos, and notes. Tell a trusted adult.
• You Are Not Alone. What is happening to you has happened to others. Seeking help is a sign of strength.

Why Choose Attorney911? Texas Hazing Litigation with a Milford Commitment

When your family in Milford is facing a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury firm. You need attorneys with specific expertise in fighting powerful institutions, deep knowledge of Texas law, and a data-driven approach to investigation.

Our Unique Advantages for Texas Hazing Cases:

1. We Are Litigating a Major Texas Hazing Case Right Now. We represent Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi. We are in the trenches, understanding the current tactics of university and fraternity defense teams.
2. Insurance Insider Knowledge. Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers undervalue claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. We know their playbook.
3. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants. Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by the deep pockets of national fraternities or university systems.
4. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine. We don’t start from scratch. We maintain a proprietary database of over 1,400 Greek organizations in Texas, built from public IRS, state, and campus records. We identify every potentially liable entity from day one.
5. 25+ Years of Complex Civil & Criminal Litigation. Mr. Manginello’s background includes membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), giving us unique insight when hazing cases involve concurrent criminal investigations.

We serve families across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. While we are not located in Milford, we are committed to serving Ellis County families by providing dedicated, responsive legal counsel. We make the process accessible, including offering Spanish-language services through Mr. Peña.

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation

If you suspect your child has been hazed at any Texas university, the time to act is now. Evidence vanishes, witnesses are coached, and the statute of limitations continues to run.

Contact Attorney911 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. During your consultation, we will:

• Listen compassionately to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain your family’s legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Outline the investigation process and what to expect.
• Answer your questions about costs—we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.

You don’t have to navigate this nightmare alone. Let us use our experience, resources, and determination to seek the answers, accountability, and compensation your family deserves.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). You can also visit our website at https://attorney911.com or email Ralph Manginello directly at ralph@atty911.com.

For Spanish-language assistance, please contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888Car-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | Spanish Services: lupe@atty911.com