The Definitive Guide for Town of Mullin Families: Hazing Law, Fraternity Accountability, and Protecting Texas Students

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

The phone rings at 2:17 AM. Your child, a freshman at a Texas university hours from your home in Mills County, is slurring their words. Between cries, you hear mentions of “pledge night,” “big brother,” and “having to finish the bottle.” You hear other voices in the background chanting. Your child vomits, the call drops, and you’re left staring at your phone in the quiet of your Mullin home, terrified and unsure what to do next.

This isn’t a hypothetical. Right now, in Texas, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in the country. Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student, nearly died from hazing-induced kidney failure after Pi Kappa Phi fraternity members forced him through brutal workouts, sprayed him in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and made him consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited, then forced sprints immediately after. His urine turned brown from rhabdomyolysis—severe muscle breakdown—and he spent four days in the hospital with acute kidney failure. We filed a $10 million lawsuit that made headlines across Texas, forcing the fraternity chapter to surrender its charter.

If you’re a parent in the Town of Mullin—where Texas values of community, faith, and looking out for neighbors run deep—learning that your child has been hazed at college feels like a profound betrayal. You trusted the university. You trusted the organization’s national reputation. Now your child is injured, traumatized, or worse, and powerful institutions seem more concerned with protecting their image than protecting students.

This comprehensive guide exists for you. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects (and sometimes fails) victims, what’s happening at universities where Mullin students attend, and what legal options your family has for accountability and healing.

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 Mullin, where community reputation matters and people look out for one another, the modern reality of campus hazing can be difficult to recognize until it’s too late. What many parents remember as “harmless initiation pranks” has evolved into systematic patterns of abuse that national fraternities have documented for decades but failed to eliminate.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing – The “Gateway” Behaviors
These are the behaviors organizations dismiss as “tradition” or “bonding” but create the power imbalance that enables worse abuse:

24/7 Digital Control: Pledges required to respond to GroupMe messages within minutes, day or night. Missed messages mean punishment.
Servitude Requirements: Acting as personal drivers for members, cleaning houses, running errands during exam weeks.
Social Isolation: Being told they cannot socialize with non-members, high school friends, or even family during pledge periods.
Geolocation Tracking: Forced to share iPhone locations or use tracking apps so members know where they are at all times.

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing – Crossing into Abuse
These behaviors cause measurable physical or psychological harm:

Sleep Deprivation: “Midnight meetings” that last until 4 AM, then 6 AM wake-up calls for workouts.
Food/Water Manipulation: Being denied meals, then forced to consume massive quantities of bland food (gallons of milk, dozens of hot dogs) or painful substances (hot sauce, raw eggs).
Public Humiliation: Forced to wear embarrassing costumes around campus, perform degrading acts in public, or endure “roasting” sessions where members tear down their appearance, intelligence, or background.
“Optional” Extreme Exercise: Being told workouts are “voluntary” but facing social exclusion or expulsion from the pledge class if they don’t participate in sessions involving hundreds of push-ups, wall-sits until collapse, or runs until vomiting.

Tier 3: Violent Hazing – Criminal Conduct
These are the activities that lead to hospitalizations, lifelong injuries, and deaths:

Forced Alcohol Consumption: The most common fatal hazing method. “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, “family tree” drinking games where wrong answers mean shots, or “lineups” where pledges must chug until they pass out.
Physical Beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking – still occurring despite national policies against it.
Sexualized Hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, “elephant walks,” or coerced sexual activity.
Dangerous “Tests”: Blindfolded tackles (“glass ceiling” rituals), forced fights, being left in extreme weather, or being restrained for hours.

Why Hazing Persists: The Digital Transformation

Modern hazing has adapted to technology and increased scrutiny:

The Off-Campus Shift: After universities cracked down on campus hazing, organizations moved activities to off-campus houses, Airbnbs, and rural properties outside university jurisdiction. The Leonel Bermudez case involved hazing at a Culmore Drive residence owned by a former member and at Yellowstone Boulevard Park – not just at the UH chapter house.

Digital Evidence Destruction: Members now use disappearing message apps (Snapchat, Instagram vanish mode) and coach each other to delete GroupMe histories after hazing events. They know digital evidence is what wins cases.

The “Consent” Defense: Organizations pressure pledges to say everything was “voluntary” or “just partying” to create legal cover. They exploit the fact that many students, especially those from close-knit communities like Mullin, want to fit in and will initially defend their abusers.

Social Media Warfare: When cases do become public, organizations mobilize alumni and members to attack victims on social media, question their credibility, and protect the chapter’s reputation.

Texas Hazing Law: What Mullin Families Need to Know

Texas has some of the nation’s strongest anti-hazing statutes, but understanding how they actually work in practice is crucial for families seeking accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Foundation

§ 37.151 Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students, that:

Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student

Key Points for Mullin Families:

Location Doesn’t Matter: Hazing at off-campus houses, parks, or retreat centers is still illegal.
“Reckless” is Enough: They don’t need to have intended harm – just ignored obvious risks.
Mental Health Counts: Psychological trauma from humiliation, threats, or isolation qualifies.

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:
. Default: Class B Misdemeanor (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
. With Injury Requiring Medical Treatment: Class A Misdemeanor
. Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Death: STATE JAIL FELONY

§ 37.155 Critical Protection: “Consent is Not a Defense”
This provision specifically exists because lawmakers understood that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t real consent. When fraternities tell your child “you agreed to this,” Texas law says that doesn’t matter.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding Both Paths

Criminal Cases (The State’s Case):
. Filed by: District Attorney’s office
. Goal: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
. Burden: Beyond a reasonable doubt
. Your role: Victim/witness, not in control
. Common charges: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter in deaths

Civil Cases (Your Family’s Case):
. Filed by: Your family with attorneys like us
. Goal: Compensation and accountability
. Burden: Preponderance of evidence (more likely than not)
. Your control: You decide whether to settle, for how much, what terms
. What you can recover: Medical bills, future care, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, punitive damages in extreme cases

Why Most Families Need Both: Criminal cases punish individuals but don’t compensate your family for medical bills, therapy costs, or lost educational opportunities. Civil cases can also reach deeper pockets – national fraternity headquarters, university insurers, housing corporations – that criminal cases often don’t touch.

The Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act & Title IX

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

Requires universities receiving federal funds to publicly report hazing incidents
Mandates hazing prevention education
Phased implementation through 2026
Creates national database of hazing incidents

Title IX Implications:
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, universities have additional obligations to investigate and protect victims. Many hazing rituals involving forced nudity, simulated sex acts, or gender-based humiliation trigger Title IX requirements.

Clery Act Reporting:
Universities must report certain crimes occurring on or near campus. Hazing incidents involving assault, alcohol poisoning, or sexual misconduct often fall under Clery reporting requirements, creating paper trails that can be crucial evidence.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Keep Repeating at Texas Schools

The heartbreaking reality is that fraternities and universities have seen these tragedies before. The same patterns that killed students at Penn State, LSU, and Bowling Green are happening at Texas schools right now. Here’s what every Mullin family should know about these precedent-setting cases.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Fatal “Traditions”

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

What Happened: Bid acceptance night with a “gauntlet” drinking station. Piazza consumed dangerous amounts of alcohol in minutes, fell down stairs multiple times, and brothers delayed calling 911 for 12 hours while he died from traumatic brain injuries.
Legal Outcome: 18 members charged with over 1,000 crimes total. Beta Theta Pi chapter permanently banned. Pennsylvania passed Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
Texas Connection: Beta Theta Pi has chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, and other Texas schools. The same “bid night” drinking ritual exists in Texas chapters.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)

What Happened: “Bible study” drinking game where pledges answered questions about fraternity history; wrong answers meant taking pulls of hard liquor. Gruver’s blood alcohol concentration reached 0.495% – six times the legal limit.
Legal Outcome: Multiple criminal convictions. Louisiana passed Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony. Multi-million dollar civil settlement.
Texas Connection: Phi Delta Theta has chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, SMU, and Baylor. Drinking games disguised as “education” are common in Texas chapters.

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

What Happened: “Big/Little” night where Foltz was told to drink an entire bottle of liquor. He died from alcohol poisoning. Chapter president was later ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.
Legal Outcome: $10 million total settlement ($7M from national Pike, $3M from university). Multiple criminal convictions.
Texas Connection: Pi Kappa Alpha has chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor. “Big/Little” nights with forced drinking are documented at Texas chapters.

Physical Hazing Pattern: Brutality Disguised as “Challenge”

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

What Happened: Retreat in Pennsylvania Poconos. Deng was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during “glass ceiling” ritual. Brothers delayed calling 911 while he suffered fatal brain injuries.
Legal Outcome: National fraternity convicted of manslaughter and assault. Banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Multiple members served jail time.
Texas Connection: While Pi Delta Psi isn’t at major Texas schools, the pattern – moving hazing to remote locations to avoid detection – is common in Texas. Our UH Pi Kappa Phi case involved hazing at Yellowstone Park.

Athletic Hazing Pattern: Not Just Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025)

What Happened: Systemic sexualized and racist hazing in football program over years. Players alleged forced nudity, sexualized acts, and racial humiliation.
Legal Outcome: Head coach fired, multiple lawsuits, confidential settlements. Program reputation devastated.
Texas Connection: Texas football programs at A&M, UT, Baylor have faced hazing allegations. The culture of “team bonding” through humiliation exists in Texas athletics.

What These Cases Mean for Mullin Families

Pattern Evidence Matters: When we show that the same fraternity had the same hazing ritual cause death at another school, it proves they knew the risks and did nothing.
National Headquarters Are Liable: Courts increasingly hold national organizations responsible when they profit from chapters but fail to control dangerous traditions.
Universities Can’t Claim Ignorance: When hazing deaths make national news, universities can’t say “we didn’t know this could happen.”
Timing is Critical: In almost every fatal case, delaying medical care made injuries worse. Texas law protects those who call for help.

Texas Universities: Where Mullin Students Attend and What’s Happening

Mullin families send students throughout Texas, but certain universities have particular relevance. Here’s what’s happening at campuses where Mills County students most commonly attend.

For Mullin Families: Your Local University Connections

Tarleton State University (Stephenville, TX – 90 miles from Mullin)
Many Mullin students choose Tarleton for its proximity and strong agricultural programs. With active Greek life on campus, hazing incidents have occurred:

Campus Culture: Growing Greek system with traditional Texas values
Recent History: Periodic hazing investigations resulting in chapter suspensions
Reporting Structure: Reports go through Dean of Students Office and campus police
Mullin Connection: Close enough for frequent family visits, meaning parents may notice behavioral changes more quickly

Baylor University (Waco, TX – 75 miles from Mullin)
As Texas’ oldest continuously operating university, Baylor attracts Mullin students with its Christian mission and academic reputation.

Greek Life at Baylor:

30+ fraternity and sorority chapters
Strong Panhellenic and IFC presence
Historical issues with alcohol-free campus policies and off-campus hazing

Documented Incidents:

2020 Baseball Hazing: 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
Ongoing Greek Life Scrutiny: Regular conduct violations for alcohol and hazing
Cultural Challenge: Balancing Christian values with Greek tradition

What Mullin Families Should Know:

Hazing often occurs in off-campus houses around Waco
Baylor’s disciplinary process can be influenced by donor relationships
Religious context sometimes delays reporting (“pray about it” vs. immediate action)

Texas A&M University (College Station, TX – 150 miles from Mullin)
Many Mullin students with agricultural backgrounds choose A&M. The Corps of Cadets and Greek system both have documented hazing issues.

Corps of Cadets Culture:

Military-style tradition and discipline
Documented lawsuits alleging degrading hazing including “roasted pig” positioning
2023 lawsuit alleged cadet was bound between beds with apple in mouth

Greek Life Incidents:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges allegedly doused with industrial cleaner causing severe burns requiring skin grafts
Regular Chapter Suspensions: Multiple fraternities suspended annually for hazing violations
Off-Campus Houses: Much hazing occurs in “unofficial” houses outside university control

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX – 180 miles from Mullin)
West Texas’ major university attracts Mullin students with strong engineering and agricultural programs.

Documented Issues:

Multiple fraternity suspensions for alcohol hazing
Challenges with large off-campus Greek housing
ROTC program hazing investigations

University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX – 120 miles from Mullin)
UT’s prestige attracts top Mullin students, but its Greek system has serious documented hazing patterns.

UT’s Public Hazing Log (Most Transparent in Texas):

Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members forced to consume milk and perform extreme calisthenics
Texas Wranglers (Multiple years): Spirit group sanctions for forced workouts and alcohol hazing
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): Ongoing investigation after Australian exchange student alleged assault

What Makes UT Different:

Public violation log creates evidence trail for lawsuits
Large off-campus Greek housing complicates enforcement
High-profile nature means more media scrutiny

University of Houston (Houston, TX – 200+ miles from Mullin)
While farther from Mullin, UH matters because our active $10 million case sets precedent for all Texas hazing litigation.

Our Active Case: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi

What Happened: Systematic hazing including “pledge fanny pack” humiliation, forced consumption until vomiting, hose spraying “like waterboarding,” and extreme workouts causing kidney failure
Medical Outcome: Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, 4-day hospitalization, lifelong kidney risk
Defendants: UH, UH Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national, housing corporation, 13 individual members
Status: Active litigation, chapter closed, national media coverage

Why This Matters for ALL Texas Families:

Sets precedent for holding universities and nationals simultaneously liable
Demonstrates how digital evidence (GroupMe chats) proves systematic hazing
Shows universities will claim “we didn’t know” even with clear patterns

The Common Threads Across Texas Campuses

Off-Campus Migration: Universities cracked down on campus hazing, so it moved to private houses where they claim no jurisdiction.
Digital Coordination: GroupMe, WhatsApp, and Instagram coordinate hazing and then destroy evidence.
Medical Danger Normalization: Students now view alcohol poisoning and extreme exercise injuries as “normal” initiation.
Institutional Protection: Universities often prioritize protecting Greek systems (and their donors) over individual students.
Delayed Accountability: It often takes a lawsuit, not internal discipline, to create real change.

Fraternities and Sororities: National Patterns in Your Backyard

The same national organizations causing deaths in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana have chapters at Texas universities where Mullin students attend. Here’s what every family should know about these organizations’ documented histories.

Organizations with Documented Fatal Hazing Incidents

Pi Kappa Alpha (“Pike”)

National History: Stone Foltz death (Bowling Green), multiple other alcohol hazing deaths
Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor
Pattern: “Big/Little” nights with forced alcohol consumption
Our Investigation: Internal Pike documents show national knew about drinking rituals for decades

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (“SAE”)

National History: Multiple hazing deaths nationally; eliminated pledging in 2014 due to pattern
Texas Presence: Chapters at all major Texas universities
Texas Incidents: Chemical burns case at A&M, assault investigation at UT
Pattern: Physical abuse combined with alcohol hazing

Phi Delta Theta

National History: Max Gruver death (LSU), multiple other incidents
Texas Presence: UT Austin, Texas A&M, SMU, Baylor
Pattern: “Education” drinking games, forced consumption rituals

Pi Kappa Phi

National History: Andrew Coffey death (Florida State)
Texas Presence: Our active UH case shows chapter operating with same dangerous patterns
Pattern: Extreme physical hazing combined with humiliation rituals

Beta Theta Pi

National History: Timothy Piazza death (Penn State)
Texas Presence: UT Austin, Texas A&M
Pattern: Bid night drinking gauntlets, delayed medical care

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Why Data Matters

We maintain what no other Texas law firm has: a comprehensive database of every Greek organization in Texas. This isn’t theoretical – it’s practical intelligence we use to build cases.

Our Texas Greek Organization Database Includes:

125+ IRS-Registered Texas Greek Entities (from IRS B83 filings):

Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – EIN 46-2267515 – Frisco, TX 75035
This is the housing corporation for the UH chapter in our active case.
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc – EIN 47-5370943 – Houston, TX 77204
Theta Delta chapter house corporation.
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – EIN 74-1380362 – Fort Worth, TX 76147
Kappa Sigma housing foundation serving multiple Texas chapters.
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – EIN 74-6064445 – Nederland, TX 77627
Epsilon Kappa chapter alumni association.
Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter – EIN 74-6084905 – Houston, TX 77204
University of Houston chapter entity.

1,423 Total Greek Organizations Across 25 Texas Metros:

510 in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro
188 in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro
154 in Austin-Round Rock metro
86 in San Antonio metro
59 in Lubbock metro
27 in Waco metro (where Baylor is located)

Why This Database Wins Cases:

Identifies All Liable Entities: Not just the chapter, but housing corporations, alumni associations, educational foundations
Tracks Insurance Coverage: Different entities have different insurance policies
Shows Pattern Evidence: When same national has multiple Texas entities, it shows systematic presence
Proves Institutional Knowledge: National headquarters can’t claim “we didn’t know about Texas chapters”

National Organizations’ Playbook: What They’re Hiding

Through litigation, we’ve seen how national fraternities operate:

The Policy vs. Practice Gap:

Thick anti-hazing manuals for show
Minimal enforcement until someone dies
“Risk management” that’s really about avoiding liability, not preventing harm

The Insurance Strategy:

Multiple layers of insurance (chapter, housing corp, national)
Intentional act exclusions they’ll try to invoke
Lowball early settlement offers before families hire lawyers

The Alumni Protection Network:

Wealthy alumni pressure universities to go easy
Alumni pay for top defense lawyers
Alumni coordinate PR campaigns to protect “the brotherhood”

The Digital Cover-Up Protocol:
(Standard instructions found in internal documents)

Delete GroupMe history after events
Use Snapchat for sensitive communications
Never put hazing details in email
Coach pledges on what to tell police
Claim everything was “voluntary social drinking”

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Recovery

When your family decides to pursue accountability, here’s what the process actually looks like and what we do differently.

Evidence Collection: The Digital Crime Scene

Immediate Preservation (First 48 Hours):

Group Chat Screenshots: Full threads with timestamps and sender names
Social Media Archives: Instagram stories, Snapchat memories (before they disappear)
Location Data: Google Maps timeline, Find My Friends history
Venue Photos: House exterior/interior, any physical evidence

Forensic Recovery (What We Do):

Deleted Message Recovery: Even “deleted” GroupMe and WhatsApp messages often recoverable
Metadata Analysis: When messages were sent, from what locations
Financial Records: Venmo payments for alcohol, receipts from liquor stores
University Records: Prior conduct violations via public records requests

Medical Documentation:

ER Records: Specifically tell doctors “this was hazing”
Toxicology Reports: Blood alcohol content, drug panels
Psychological Evaluation: PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnosis
Future Care Assessments: Life care plans for permanent injuries

Our Investigative Advantage: Why Experience Matters

Lupe Peña’s Insurance Insider Knowledge:
As a former insurance defense attorney for national firms, Mr. Peña knows exactly how fraternity and university insurers will fight your claim:

Their Valuation Formulas: How they calculate “reserves” (money set aside for claims)
IME Tricks: “Independent” medical exams designed to minimize injuries
Delay Tactics: Dragging cases out hoping families give up
Coverage Arguments: Why they’ll claim “intentional act exclusions”

Ralph Manginello’s Complex Litigation Experience:
Our BP Texas City explosion litigation experience means we’re not intimidated by:

Billion-Dollar Defendants: Universities and nationals with unlimited legal budgets
Expert Battles: Hiring the right medical, economic, and Greek life experts
Federal Court Procedures: Where many institutional cases end up
Multi-Defendant Coordination: Suing 10+ entities simultaneously

Damages: What Recovery Actually Looks Like

Economic Damages (Calculable Losses):

Medical Bills: Past and future (including lifelong care for permanent injuries)
Lost Earnings: Current and future earning capacity reduction
Educational Costs: Tuition for semesters missed, transfer expenses
Therapy Costs: Psychological care for PTSD, depression, anxiety

Non-Economic Damages (Quality of Life):

Pain and Suffering: Physical pain from injuries
Emotional Distress: Humiliation, trauma, loss of enjoyment of life
Reputational Harm: Social stigma, difficulty transferring schools

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families):

Funeral/Burial Costs: Immediate expenses
Loss of Companionship: For parents, siblings, spouses
Financial Support Loss: If deceased would have supported family
Parental Grief: Recognized suffering of losing a child

Punitive Damages (When Conduct is Egregious):

Purpose: Punish defendants and deter future conduct
When Awarded: Especially reckless conduct, cover-ups, prior knowledge
Texas Caps: Generally limited but exceptions for gross negligence

Settlement vs. Trial: Realistic Expectations

Most Cases Settle (Confidentially):

Timeline: 12-24 months typically
Amounts: Vary widely based on injury severity, evidence strength, defendant resources
Terms: Often include non-disclosure agreements, chapter reforms, policy changes

When Cases Go to Trial:

Why: Defendants won’t offer reasonable settlement
Advantages: Public accountability, no confidentiality restrictions
Risks: Uncertainty, emotional toll of testifying
Our Readiness: We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial

Practical Guides for Mullin Families: What to Do Right Now

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding

Warning Signs Your Mullin Student May Be Being Hazed:

Physical Signs (When They Come Home):

Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Sudden weight loss or gain
Injuries to hands/back/buttocks from paddling
Chemical burns or rashes

Behavioral Changes (On Phone or Home Visits):

New secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and old friends
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
Defensive when asked about the group
Constant phone checking for group messages
Fear of “getting in trouble” or “letting brothers/sisters down”

Academic Red Flags:

Grades dropping suddenly
Missing classes or falling asleep during visits home
Skipping family events for “mandatory” organization events

How to Talk to Your Child (Without Pushing Them Away):

Open Questions: “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
Safety Focused: “Have you ever felt unsafe or pressured to do things you didn’t want to do?”
Non-Judgmental: “I’m here to help, not to get anyone in trouble.”
Medical Concern: “If you’re injured, we need to see a doctor first, then figure everything else out.”

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

Is This Hazing? Quick Self-Check:

Would I do this if there were no social consequences?
Would my parents/university approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
Am I being told to keep secrets or lie?
Are only new members doing this, not older members?
Does this involve alcohol, pain, or humiliation?

If You’re in Immediate Danger:

Call 911 First: Medical emergencies come before everything
Texas Good Samaritan Law: You won’t get in trouble for underage drinking if calling for help
Get to Safety: Your dorm, a friend’s place, anywhere away from the situation
Document Immediately: Photos, texts, names – before evidence disappears

Exiting Safely:

You Can Leave Anytime: No matter what they told you about “commitment”
Email Resignation: “I resign my membership effective immediately” – creates paper trail
Inform University: Dean of Students can provide protection from retaliation
Preserve Evidence: Don’t delete anything before consulting a lawyer

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

MISTAKE #1: Letting Your Child Delete Messages

What Happens: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
Why It’s Wrong: Looks like cover-up, destroys strongest evidence
What to Do Instead: Screenshot everything immediately

MISTAKE #2: Confronting the Organization Directly

What Happens: “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 us first

MISTAKE #3: Signing University “Resolution” Forms

What Happens: University pressures you to sign “internal resolution”
Why It’s Wrong: You may waive right to sue, settlements are lowball
What to Do Instead: “I need to have my attorney review this first”

MISTAKE #4: Posting on Social Media

What Happens: “I want people to know what happened”
Why It’s Wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything, inconsistencies hurt credibility
What to Do Instead: Document privately, let your lawyer control messaging

MISTAKE #5: Waiting for University Investigation

What Happens: “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

Frequently Asked Questions from Mullin Families

“Can we sue a Texas public university for hazing?”
Yes, but with complexities. Universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT have sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in their personal capacity. Private universities like Baylor and SMU have fewer immunity protections. Every case is fact-specific – call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case analysis.

“My child ‘agreed’ to everything – do we have a case?”
YES. Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states “consent is not a defense” to hazing. Courts understand that “consent” under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion isn’t real consent. This is why the law exists.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving cover-ups or fraud, the statute may be tolled (paused). TIME IS CRITICAL – evidence disappears fast.

“What if everything happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Our UH Pi Kappa Phi case involved off-campus houses and parks – still resulted in lawsuit.

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

“How much will this cost us?”
We work on contingency – we don’t get paid unless we win. No upfront costs. We cover case expenses initially, then recover them from settlement/judgment. This makes justice accessible to all families.

Why Attorney911 for Mullin Hazing Cases

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

Our Unique Qualifications for Texas Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña):
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney for national firms. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies:

Value (and undervalue) hazing claims
Use delay tactics to pressure families
Fight coverage under “intentional act” exclusions
Coordinate between multiple insurance layers
“We know their playbook because we used to run it.”

Complex Institutional Experience (Ralph Manginello):
Our BP Texas City explosion litigation experience means we’re not intimidated by:

Billion-dollar university systems
National fraternities with unlimited legal budgets
Teams of defense lawyers from national firms
Complex multi-defendant litigation
“We’ve taken on the biggest corporations and won. Universities don’t scare us.”

Texas-Specific Hazing Intelligence:
Our proprietary Texas Greek organization database includes:

1,423 Greek entities across 25 Texas metros
IRS records for 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations
Chapter-house corporation mappings
Insurance coverage intelligence
“We don’t start from zero – we already know who’s behind the letters.”

Dual Civil/Criminal Capability:
Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand:

How criminal hazing charges interact with civil cases
How to advise witnesses facing criminal exposure
Defense strategies used in hazing prosecutions
“We see the whole board, not just one side.”

Our Investigative Process: What Actually Happens

Phase 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation (Days 1-7)

Digital forensics to recover deleted messages
Medical record collection and expert review
Witness interviews before memories fade
Preservation letters to prevent evidence destruction

Phase 2: Institutional Discovery (Months 1-6)

Subpoena national fraternity records nationwide
Public records requests to university
Identify all liable entities (housing corps, alumni associations)
Insurance coverage mapping

Phase 3: Case Development (Months 6-12)

Expert retention: medical, economic, Greek life experts
Settlement demand package
Mediation preparation
Trial readiness development

Phase 4: Resolution (Months 12-24)

Settlement negotiations
Mediation
Trial if necessary
Post-settlement monitoring of compliance

What Makes Us Different for Mullin Families

We Understand Texas Values:

Community reputation matters
Family comes first
Accountability means making things right
Standing up for what’s right, even against powerful interests

We’re Not Intimidated by “The System”:

Universities protecting their rankings
National fraternities with century-old reputations
Insurance companies with endless resources
Political connections and donor networks

We Fight for More Than Money:

Policy changes to protect future students
Chapter closures when warranted
Public accountability when appropriate
Healing and closure for families

Your Next Steps: Confidential Consultation

If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to navigate this alone. We’re here to help Mullin families understand their options and make informed decisions.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

When You Call 1-888-ATTY-911:

Immediate Connection: You’ll speak directly with our team, not a call center
Confidential Discussion: Everything you tell us is protected
Initial Assessment: We’ll listen to what happened and explain possible legal paths
Evidence Guidance: We’ll tell you what to preserve immediately
No Pressure: Take time to decide – we never pressure immediate retention

What We’ll Need to Understand Your Case:

What organization was involved
When and where incidents occurred
Nature of injuries or harms
Any evidence already preserved
Communications with university
Your family’s primary concerns

Questions We’ll Help You Answer:

Do we have a viable legal case?
What would litigation realistically look like?
What are alternative paths to accountability?
How can we protect our child’s privacy?
What’s the timeline and process?

Our Commitment to Mullin Families

Ethical Representation:

No false promises or guaranteed outcomes
Realistic assessment of strengths and challenges
Transparent communication about costs and process
We only take cases we believe in

Family-Centered Approach:

We work around your schedule
Spanish-language services available (Lupe Peña habla Español)
Regular updates every 2-3 weeks
We’re available when you need us

Contingency Fee Structure:

No upfront costs
We cover case expenses initially
We only get paid if we recover compensation
Makes justice accessible to all families

Call Us Today: You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

Hazing leaves families feeling isolated, betrayed, and powerless against institutions that seem more concerned with reputation than student safety. But you have rights, and there is a path to accountability.

If your child has been hazed at any Texas university:

Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911
Direct: (713) 528-9070
24/7 Availability

Or Contact:

Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
Lupe Peña (Habla Español): lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com

Serving Mullin Families Throughout Texas:

Offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont
Statewide reach for Texas university cases
Experience with all major Texas universities
Deep understanding of Texas law and culture

Don’t let powerful institutions silence your family. Don’t let tradition excuse abuse. Don’t let your child suffer alone.

Call us today for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you understand your rights, explore your options, and decide on the best path forward for your family.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

Attorney911 Main Website:
https://attorney911.com

Educational YouTube Videos:

Using Your Phone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
Client Mistakes That Ruin Cases: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

News Coverage of Our Active UH Case:

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