The Complete Guide to Hazing Lawsuits & Fraternity Accountability for City of New London Families

If Your Child Was Hazed in Texas, You Are Not Alone

For parents in City of New London, the phone call every family dreads might come at any hour. Your son or daughter—maybe attending the University of Houston, Texas A&M, or another Texas campus—has been hospitalized. The story is confusing: a “pledge event,” a “team-building exercise,” or a “tradition” that went wrong. You hear about forced drinking, extreme workouts, humiliating rituals. Your child has kidney failure, alcohol poisoning, or traumatic injuries. The fraternity or sorority is circling the wagons. The university seems more concerned about its reputation than your child’s health.

Right now, families across Texas are living this nightmare. In Harris County, we’re actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in the country: Leonel Bermudez’s $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. Bermudez, a UH student, suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after alleged hazing that included forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion, and being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.” His urine turned brown, he was hospitalized for four days, and he faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter has been shut down, but the legal fight for accountability continues.

This is what hazing litigation looks like in 2025—complex, high-stakes, and fought against powerful institutions with deep pockets. If you’re a parent in City of New London, Rusk County, or anywhere in East Texas, this guide explains what you need to know about hazing, Texas law, and how experienced legal counsel can help your family seek justice.

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

Many City of New London families still picture hazing as harmless pranks or “boys will be boys” behavior. The reality in 2025 is far more dangerous, sophisticated, and often digitally coordinated. Hazing today isn’t just about excessive drinking—it’s a spectrum of abuse designed to test loyalty through suffering.

Modern Hazing Takes Multiple Forms:

Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the most common and deadly form. It’s not just “partying”—it’s coerced consumption. At the University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi case, pledges were forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediately forced to do sprints. Nationally, we’ve seen “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given entire bottles of liquor, “lineup” drinking games where wrong answers mean forced shots, and “family tree” events where consumption is mandatory for acceptance.

Physical Hazing: Beyond traditional paddling, today’s physical hazing includes extreme calisthenics designed to cause injury. In the UH case, Leonel Bermudez was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in a single session—a workout so extreme it caused rhabdomyolysis, a potentially fatal condition where muscle tissue breaks down and floods the kidneys. Other methods include “smokings” (prolonged exercise until collapse), sleep deprivation spanning days, exposure to extreme temperatures, and forced ingestion of harmful substances.

Psychological and Digital Hazing: This is where hazing has evolved most dramatically. Pledges are subjected to 24/7 digital control through GroupMe, WhatsApp, or Discord groups where they must respond instantly to demands at all hours. Social media humiliation is common—forced TikTok challenges, Instagram story dares, or compromising photos shared in private groups. Psychological tactics include isolation from non-members, forced confessions of fabricated “violations,” and systematic degradation designed to break down identity.

Sexualized Hazing: Particularly in athletic programs and some fraternities, hazing takes sexually violent forms. The Northwestern University football scandal revealed alleged sexualized hazing that included forced nudity and simulated sexual acts. These aren’t “pranks”—they’re sexual assaults framed as tradition.

What Makes Modern Hazing Different:

1. Digital Footprints: While smartphones capture evidence, they also enable rapid evidence destruction. Messages can be deleted in seconds, and apps like Snapchat are designed to make content disappear.

2. Off-Campus Evasion: Organizations increasingly move hazing to Airbnbs, remote cabins, or private residences to avoid campus security cameras and jurisdiction claims.

3. “Wellness” Disguises: Dangerous activities are framed as “fitness challenges,” “team bonding,” or “character building” to create plausible deniability.

4. Sophisticated Secrecy: Members are coached on what to say if questioned, with explicit instructions to never use the word “hazing” in written communication.

For City of New London parents, understanding these modern tactics is crucial. What might sound like “just a tough workout” could be life-threatening abuse. What looks like “typical college drinking” could be coerced alcohol poisoning.

Texas Hazing Law: What City of New London Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws addressing hazing, but many families don’t understand how they work or what rights they provide. Under the Texas Education Code, hazing is broadly defined and carries serious consequences.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37 – The Hazing Statute:

The law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. The act must endanger the student’s mental or physical health or safety. Key provisions include:

• Location Doesn’t Matter: The law applies whether hazing occurs on or off campus, at a university-sanctioned event, or a private retreat.

• Consent Is Not a Defense: Texas law explicitly states that a victim’s “consent” to hazing is not a defense. Courts recognize that true consent cannot exist when there’s peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion.

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing can be a Class B misdemeanor, but escalates to a Class A misdemeanor if it causes injury requiring medical attention. If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a state jail felony.

• Organizational Liability: Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if officers knew about it and failed to report.

• Good-Faith Reporting Protection: Individuals who report hazing in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the report.

How Texas Law Compares: While Texas has strong hazing laws, other states have enacted even tougher measures following high-profile deaths. Louisiana passed the Max Gruver Act creating felony hazing statutes after a LSU student died. Ohio enacted Collin’s Law making hazing a felony when drugs or alcohol cause physical harm. Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law came after the Penn State tragedy. These laws show a national trend toward stronger accountability.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases – Understanding the Difference:

Many City of New London families are confused about the distinction between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits:

• Criminal Cases: Prosecuted by the state (district attorney’s office). Focus on punishment – jail time, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, and in fatal cases, manslaughter or negligent homicide. The victim’s family has little control over these proceedings.

• Civil Lawsuits: Filed by victims or their families. Focus on compensation and accountability. These cases address medical bills, future care costs, pain and suffering, lost educational opportunities, and in wrongful death cases, funeral expenses and loss of companionship. Civil cases can proceed even if no criminal charges are filed.

The two processes can run parallel. A fraternity member might face criminal charges from the state while also being sued civilly by the victim’s family. The outcomes are separate – someone can be found not guilty criminally but still liable in civil court (where the burden of proof is lower).

Federal Laws That Overlay Texas Cases:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents transparently and maintain public hazing data. This will eventually make patterns more visible to families.

• Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations apply. Universities must investigate and address these complaints properly.

• Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain crimes on campus; hazing incidents that involve assault, alcohol crimes, or sexual violence may trigger Clery reporting requirements.

National Hazing Cases: Patterns That Repeat at Texas Schools

The hazing incidents at Texas universities don’t happen in a vacuum. They follow predictable patterns that have played out tragically across the country. Understanding these national cases helps City of New London families recognize that what happened to their child isn’t an isolated incident – it’s part of a dangerous script that organizations have failed to stop despite repeated warnings.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern:

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): A bid-acceptance night with forced drinking led to Piazza falling multiple times, suffering traumatic brain injuries. Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for hours while he lay dying. Security cameras captured the entire tragedy. Result: Dozens of criminal charges, multi-million-dollar civil settlements, and Pennsylvania’s anti-hazing law reform.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A “Big/Little” night where Foltz was forced to drink nearly a full bottle of whiskey. He died from alcohol poisoning. Result: Multiple criminal convictions, the chapter president personally ordered to pay $6.5 million, and BGSU settling for nearly $3 million.

• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): A “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. Gruver’s blood alcohol level reached 0.495%. Result: Felony hazing convictions and Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act.

These cases show a clear pattern: ritualized drinking events, delayed medical response, and catastrophic outcomes. The same organizations involved in these deaths – Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta – have chapters at Texas universities.

Physical and Ritualized Hazing Patterns:

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): A blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote retreat involved repeated tackling. Deng suffered fatal head injuries while members delayed calling 911. Result: The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter – a rare instance of organizational criminal liability.

• Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): A “pledge dad reveal” night with forced drinking left Santulli with permanent brain damage – he cannot walk, talk, or see and requires 24/7 care. Result: Settlements with 22 defendants and criminal charges against multiple members.

What These Patterns Mean for Texas Families:

When your child is hazed by a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at a Texas school, you’re dealing with an organization that knew about the dangers of “Big/Little” drinking events from the Stone Foltz case. When Sigma Alpha Epsilon is involved, their national headquarters had already eliminated the traditional pledge system in 2014 due to multiple deaths – meaning they knew the risks. These national histories create what lawyers call “foreseeability” – the organization should have known this could happen and taken steps to prevent it.

Texas Universities: Where City of New London Families Send Their Children

City of New London families often have children scattered across Texas campuses. While Rusk County doesn’t host major universities, local students frequently attend schools throughout East Texas and at the state’s flagship institutions. Understanding the hazing landscape at these schools is crucial for prevention and response.

University of Houston: Current Ground Zero for Texas Hazing Litigation

For City of New London families with students at UH: The University of Houston is currently the site of our firm’s active $10 million hazing lawsuit, making it a critical case study for what serious hazing looks like and how institutions respond.

The Leonel Bermudez Case – What Happened:

In fall 2025, transfer student Leonel Bermudez pledged the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH. According to the lawsuit filed in Harris County, he was subjected to systematic abuse including:

• Humiliating Requirements: A “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms, a sex toy, nicotine devices, and other degrading items that had to be carried 24/7
• Forced Labor: Overnight driving duties, hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interviews under threat of expulsion
• Physical Abuse: Sprints, bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, “save-your-brother” drills at Yellowstone Boulevard Park
• Extreme Workouts: The November 3 session that included 100+ push-ups and 500 squats while reciting the creed under expulsion threats
• Dangerous Rituals: Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Medical Catastrophe: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passing brown urine and requiring four days of hospitalization with critically high creatine kinase levels

Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters suspended the chapter on November 6, 2025. Chapter members voted to surrender their charter on November 14. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised disciplinary measures up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement.

Why This Matters for City of New London Families: This case shows that even at an urban commuter school like UH, severe hazing occurs. It demonstrates how quickly medical emergencies can develop from seemingly “traditional” activities. Most importantly, it proves that universities and national fraternities can be held accountable through determined legal action.

UH’s Greek Life Landscape: With approximately 50 fraternity and sorority chapters, UH has active Greek life across multiple councils (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural). Recent years have seen disciplinary actions against various chapters for alcohol violations and hazing-related conduct.

Texas A&M University: Tradition, Corps Culture, and Recurring Issues

For City of New London families with Aggie connections: Texas A&M’s unique Corps of Cadets culture and strong Greek life create distinct hazing risks that differ from other campuses.

Recent Texas A&M Hazing Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Two pledges alleged they were covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. They sued for $1 million. The chapter was suspended by the university.

• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, highlighting that hazing extends beyond Greek life into military-style programs.

• Corps “Crossing the Line” Investigation (2025): Reports of physical abuse and humiliation during initiation rituals led to administrative review and disciplinary actions.

The Aggie Context: Texas A&M’s culture of tradition and loyalty can sometimes enable hazing by framing it as “character building” or “earning your place.” The Corps’ military structure creates clear power hierarchies that can be abused. Greek life at A&M is among the largest in the nation, with significant social influence.

What City of New London Parents Should Know: If your child is in the Corps or joins a fraternity/sorority at A&M, be particularly alert to activities framed as “training,” “conditioning,” or “tradition.” Physical exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and humiliation are common themes in A&M hazing cases.

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency Through Public Records

For City of New London families with Longhorns: UT Austin maintains one of the most transparent hazing discipline systems in Texas, providing a public window into ongoing problems.

UT’s Public Hazing Violations Log: Available at hazing.utexas.edu, this database shows:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter placed on probation with mandatory hazing prevention education
• Texas Wranglers (multiple years): Spirit organization sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing
• Various fraternities and sororities: Probation, suspension, or educational sanctions for activities ranging from alcohol coercion to physical endangerment

Recent UT Hazing Lawsuits:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (2024): An Australian exchange student allegedly assaulted at a party suffered a dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. He sued for over $1 million, noting the chapter was already under suspension for prior violations.

UT’s Greek Life Scale: With approximately 60 fraternity and sorority chapters and one of the largest Greek systems in the country, UT faces significant hazing prevention challenges despite its transparency efforts.

Why This Matters: UT’s public database can be a valuable resource for City of New London families. Before your child joins an organization, you can check its disciplinary history. If hazing occurs, prior violations on this log can strengthen your case by showing pattern and notice.

Southern Methodist University: Private University Challenges

For City of New London families at SMU: As a private university, SMU has different reporting requirements and often less transparency than public institutions, but hazing risks remain significant.

SMU Hazing History:

• Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, and deprived of sleep. The chapter was suspended with recruiting restrictions until approximately 2021.
• Multiple Greek Life Suspensions: Various fraternities and sororities have faced disciplinary action for alcohol-related hazing and physical misconduct.

Private vs. Public University Differences: SMU isn’t subject to the same public records laws as UT or Texas A&M, making information harder to obtain. However, civil discovery in lawsuits can uncover internal documents and incident reports that would be public at state schools.

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Athletic Program Scrutiny

For City of New London families at Baylor: Following major athletic program scandals, Baylor faces particular scrutiny around institutional accountability.

Recent Baylor Hazing Issues:

• Baseball Team Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation, with staggered suspensions affecting the early season.
• Greek Life Disciplinary Actions: Various fraternities and sororities have faced sanctions for alcohol-related hazing and policy violations.

The Baylor Context: The university’s religious identity and recent history of institutional failure to address sexual assault create a complex environment for hazing accountability. There’s often tension between preserving institutional reputation and addressing misconduct.

Fraternities and Sororities: National Patterns That Predict Local Danger

When a City of New London student is hazed at a Texas university, they’re often experiencing a national script that has played out tragically elsewhere. Understanding an organization’s national history isn’t just background information—it’s critical evidence that shows the organization knew the risks and failed to prevent harm.

Organizations with Documented National Hazing Histories:

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike):

• National Pattern: Multiple alcohol poisoning deaths including Stone Foltz (BGSU) and David Bogenberger (NIU)
• Texas Presence: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, Baylor
• Legal Significance: National headquarters had been warned repeatedly about “Big/Little” drinking rituals before Foltz’s death. This creates “foreseeability” – they knew this could happen.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE):

• National Pattern: Once called “the deadliest fraternity” by Bloomberg for multiple hazing deaths
• Texas Presence: Chapters at all five major Texas universities
• Recent Texas Cases: Chemical burns lawsuit at Texas A&M, assault lawsuit at UT Austin
• Legal Significance: SAE eliminated the traditional pledge system nationally in 2014 due to hazing deaths – meaning they acknowledged the danger but some chapters continued dangerous practices

Pi Kappa Phi:

• National Pattern: Andrew Coffey death at Florida State (2017)
• Texas Presence: Chapter at UH (now closed due to Bermudez case)
• Legal Significance: National headquarters knew about alcohol hazing risks from the Coffey case, yet similar patterns allegedly continued at UH

Phi Delta Theta:

• National Pattern: Max Gruver death at LSU (2017)
• Texas Presence: Chapters at multiple Texas universities
• Legal Significance: The Gruver case led to felony hazing legislation in Louisiana, showing clear recognition of the danger

Why National Histories Matter Legally:

In civil litigation, we use these national patterns to establish:

• Foreseeability: The organization knew or should have known this could happen
• Notice: Prior incidents put them on notice of dangerous practices
• Inadequate Response: If prior incidents resulted in minimal punishment (like brief probation), that shows the organization wasn’t taking the risk seriously
• Pattern and Practice: Repeated similar incidents across chapters show this isn’t “rogue individuals” but organizational culture

For City of New London families, this means if your child was hazed by an organization with a national history of similar incidents, your case may be stronger. The organization can’t plausibly claim “we had no idea this could happen” when it’s happened repeatedly at their other chapters.

Public Records: Texas Fraternity and Sorority Organizations

As part of our hazing litigation practice, we maintain detailed intelligence on Texas Greek organizations through public records. This directory shows the scope of Greek life in Texas and helps families understand the entities that may bear responsibility in hazing cases.

Texas-Registered Greek Organizations (IRS B83 Records):

The IRS maintains records of tax-exempt organizations classified as “Student Sororities, Fraternities” (NTEE code B83). These include house corporations, alumni chapters, and related entities. Examples relevant to Texas universities include:

• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC – EIN: 133048786 – 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845 (IRS B83 filing)
• GAMMA PHI BETA SORORITY INC – EIN: 161675890 – 115 Wild Wick Way, The Woodlands, TX 77382 (IRS B83 filing)
• PI KAPPA PHI DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER BUILDING CORPORATION – EIN: 371768785 – 4102 Eastshore St, Missouri City, TX 77459 (IRS B83 filing)
• BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC – EIN: 462267515 – 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing)
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC – EIN: 475370943 – 5019 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing)
• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY – EIN: 740555581 – 2711 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705 (IRS B83 filing)
• PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY – EIN: 746064445 – 1855 Highway 69 N, Nederland, TX 77627 (IRS B83 filing)
• SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER – EIN: 746084905 – 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204 (IRS B83 filing)

Metro Area Concentrations (Cause IQ Data):

Greek organizations cluster in Texas metropolitan areas:

• Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metro: 510 total Greek organizations
• Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land Metro: 188 total Greek organizations
• Austin–Round Rock Metro: 154 total Greek organizations
• San Antonio Metro: 86 total Greek organizations

Why This Directory Matters for City of New London Families:

When hazing occurs, multiple entities may share liability:

• The local chapter
• The housing corporation that owns the chapter house
• The alumni association that advises and funds the chapter
• The national headquarters that sets policies and collects dues
• The university that recognizes and regulates the organization

Our public records research means we don’t start from zero when investigating hazing cases. We already know the legal names, EINs, and addresses of the organizations behind the Greek letters. This allows us to move quickly in identifying all potentially liable parties and their insurance coverage.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Damages

For City of New London families facing a hazing incident, understanding how cases are built can demystify the legal process and highlight why immediate action is critical.

Critical Evidence That Wins Hazing Cases:

Digital Evidence (Most Important):

• Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage threads showing planning, coordination, and admissions
• Social Media: Instagram stories, Snapchat snaps, TikTok videos of events (even those “disappearing” apps can sometimes be recovered)
• Text Messages: Direct messages between members discussing events
• Deleted Content: Digital forensics can often recover “deleted” messages and photos

Medical Documentation:

• ER Records: Immediate documentation of injuries and intoxication levels
• Hospital Records: Treatment plans, lab results (like creatine kinase levels in rhabdomyolysis cases)
• Specialist Evaluations: Follow-up care showing ongoing effects
• Psychological Records: PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses related to the trauma

Physical Evidence:

• Injury Photographs: Taken immediately and over several days to show progression
• Clothing: Stained or damaged items from the event
• Objects: Paddles, alcohol bottles, props used in hazing
• Receipts: For forced purchases or event supplies

Institutional Records (Obtained via Discovery):

• University Disciplinary Files: Prior incidents involving the same organization
• National Fraternity Records: Risk management reports, prior violation notices
• Campus Police Reports: Incident documentation
• Email Correspondence: Between university administrators about the organization

Witness Testimony:

• Other Pledges: Often the most valuable witnesses once they feel safe to talk
• Former Members: Those who quit or were expelled may be willing to testify
• Roommates/RAs: Who observed changes in behavior or physical condition
• Medical Providers: Who treated injuries and can testify to severity

Damages in Hazing Cases:

Economic Damages (Calculable Losses):

• Medical Expenses: Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment
• Future Medical Needs: Long-term therapy, medications, life care for permanent injuries
• Lost Educational Opportunities: Withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships, delayed graduation
• Lost Earning Capacity: If injuries prevent intended career paths

Non-Economic Damages (Human Losses):

• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain from injuries
• Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation
• Loss of Enjoyment: Inability to participate in college life, sports, activities
• Reputational Harm: Social stigma and privacy invasion

Wrongful Death Damages (When Applicable):

• Funeral and Burial Costs
• Loss of Financial Support: If the deceased would have contributed to family
• Loss of Companionship: For parents, siblings, spouses
• Emotional Suffering of Family

Punitive Damages (When Available):
Designed to punish particularly reckless or intentional conduct and deter future hazing. More likely when organizations had prior warnings and failed to act.

The Legal Strategy Against Institutional Defendants:

Hazing cases often involve “deep pocket” defendants—national fraternities with insurance coverage and universities with significant resources. Our strategy includes:

1. Identifying All Potentially Liable Parties: Not just the individual members, but the chapter, housing corporation, alumni association, national headquarters, and university.

2. Preserving Evidence Immediately: Before group chats are deleted, witnesses are coached, and physical evidence is destroyed.

3. Navigating Insurance Coverage Disputes: Insurance companies often argue hazing is excluded as “intentional conduct.” We counter that negligent supervision claims may still be covered.

4. Using Prior Incidents as Leverage: Documenting how the organization knew about similar risks from other chapters.

5. Considering Both Civil and Criminal Avenues: While we handle civil litigation, we coordinate with criminal authorities when appropriate and advise clients on both tracks.

Practical Guide for City of New London Parents and Students

For Parents: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Physical Signs: Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries; extreme exhaustion; weight changes; sleep deprivation; chemical burns or rashes
• Behavioral Changes: Sudden secrecy about activities; withdrawal from family and non-Greek friends; personality changes (anxiety, depression, irritability); defensiveness about the organization
• Academic Red Flags: Grades dropping suddenly; missing classes; skipping assignments for “mandatory” events
• Digital Behavior: Constant phone monitoring of group chats; anxiety about missing messages; deleting messages obsessively; social media showing concerning activities

How to Talk to Your Child About Hazing:

1. Ask open questions: “How are things going with [organization]? Are you enjoying it?”
2. Express concern without judgment: “I’m worried about how tired you seem.”
3. Emphasize safety: “Nothing is worth risking your health or life.”
4. Make clear your support: “If anything feels wrong, I will help you get out, no questions asked.”

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Prioritize Safety: If your child is in immediate danger, call 911.
2. Document Everything: Write down what your child tells you with dates and details.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages and photograph injuries.
4. Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, get professional evaluation.
5. Consult an Attorney: Before reporting to the university or confronting the organization.

For Students: Protecting Yourself and Seeking Help

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

• Am I being forced or pressured to do something dangerous or degrading?
• Would I do this if I could say no without consequences?
• Am I being told to keep secrets from family, friends, or the university?
• Are older members making me do things they don’t have to do?

How to Exit Safely:

1. In Immediate Danger: Call 911 or campus police.
2. Tell Someone Trusted: A parent, RA, or friend outside the organization.
3. Formal Resignation: Send an email to chapter leadership: “I resign my membership effective immediately.”
4. Avoid “One Last Meeting”: Don’t attend meetings where you might be pressured or threatened.
5. Document Retaliation: If harassed after leaving, report it to campus authorities.

Your Rights in Texas:

• You cannot be punished for calling 911 in a medical emergency (good-faith reporter protection).
• “Consent” is not a legal defense to hazing charges.
• You can request no-contact orders through the university if harassed.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Mistake #1: Deleting Evidence

• What happens: Your child deletes group chats “to avoid more trouble.”
• Why it’s devastating: Looks like a cover-up; recovers poorly; almost impossible to prove case.
• Better approach: Preserve everything. Screenshot entire conversations with timestamps visible.

Mistake #2: Confronting the Organization

• What happens: Parents angrily call the fraternity president.
• Why it’s devastating: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses.
• Better approach: Document everything, then call an attorney. Let professionals handle communication.

Mistake #3: Signing University “Resolution” Forms

• What happens: University offers quick “internal resolution” with confidentiality clause.
• Why it’s devastating: You may waive right to sue; settlements are typically minimal.
• Better approach: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review.

Mistake #4: Posting on Social Media

• What happens: Family vents on Facebook about what happened.
• Why it’s devastating: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility.
• Better approach: Keep details private. Let your attorney control public messaging.

Mistake #5: Waiting “to See What the University Does”

• What happens: Family trusts university’s “thorough investigation.”
• Why it’s devastating: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute of limitations runs.
• Better approach: Preserve evidence immediately. University process ≠ real accountability.

Why Attorney911 for Texas 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.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation:

Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña):
Mr. Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims. He understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. When we say “we know their playbook,” we mean it literally—Mr. Peña used to run it.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello):
Our firm was one of the few in Texas involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We’ve faced billion-dollar corporations with unlimited legal budgets and won. National fraternities and universities don’t intimidate us—we know how to investigate root causes, trace institutional knowledge, and hold powerful defendants accountable.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience:
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases involving economist collaboration and lifetime care calculations. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force real accountability. Our experience includes brain injury, permanent disability, and catastrophic injury cases where we’ve secured substantial recoveries for families.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:
Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) gives us unique insight into how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure and understand the strategic considerations of parallel proceedings.

Investigative Depth and Resources:
We maintain a network of experts specifically for hazing cases:

• Medical experts (rhabdomyolysis, TBI, alcohol poisoning)
• Digital forensics specialists (recovering deleted messages)
• Greek life culture experts
• Economists and life care planners
• Psychologists (PTSD, trauma evaluation)

We know how to obtain evidence that organizations try to hide: deleted group chats, internal chapter records, national fraternity risk management files, and university disciplinary histories.

Texas-Specific Geographical Mastery:
While based in Houston, we serve families throughout Texas, including City of New London and Rusk County. We understand Texas hazing laws, Texas procedural rules, and how cases proceed in Texas courts. Our familiarity with Texas universities’ internal processes gives us strategic advantage.

Spanish-Language Services:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring Hispanic families in Texas receive clear communication and culturally sensitive representation.

Your Next Steps: Free Consultation with Attorney911

If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The path forward begins with a confidential conversation.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

1. We Listen Without Judgment: Tell us what happened in your own words. We understand this is difficult.

2. Evidence Review: We’ll look at any evidence you’ve preserved—photos, messages, medical records.

3. Legal Options Explained: We’ll outline your possible paths: criminal reporting, civil lawsuit, both, or neither.

4. Realistic Assessment: We’ll give you our honest evaluation of your case’s strengths and challenges.

5. Cost Discussion: We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.

6. No Pressure: Take time to decide what’s right for your family. We won’t pressure you to hire us immediately.

Contact Attorney911 Today:

• 24/7 Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Office: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com (Ralph Manginello), lupe@atty911.com (Lupe Peña)

Hablamos Español: Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish.

For City of New London Families: Whether your child attends UH, Texas A&M, UT, or any Texas campus, we can help. Distance doesn’t matter—we serve families throughout Texas and have handled cases across the state.

The window for preserving evidence and protecting your rights is narrow. Group chats get deleted, witnesses get coached, and organizations circle their wagons. But with immediate action and experienced counsel, accountability is possible.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let’s discuss how we can help your family seek justice and prevent this from happening to anyone else.

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