The Ultimate Guide to Fraternity & Sorority Hazing Lawsuits for Orange County, Texas Families

If Your Child Was Hazed in Orange County or at Any Texas Campus, You’re Not Alone

Picture this: A student from Vidor, Bridge City, or Mauriceville leaves home for Lamar University in nearby Beaumont, eager to join a fraternity or sorority for friendship and opportunity. What begins as exciting “pledge activities” quickly escalates. There are late-night “study sessions” that involve being screamed at. Mandatory workouts at the university recreation center push physical limits to dangerous extremes. A “family tree” drinking game turns into coerced consumption of copious alcohol. The student returns home to Orange County on the weekend with unexplained bruises, profound exhaustion, and a new secretiveness. When concerned parents ask what’s wrong, they’re met with vague answers: “It’s just part of the process.” “Everyone does it.” “I can’t talk about it.”

This scenario isn’t hypothetical. It’s the modern reality of hazing, and it’s happening right now at universities across Texas, including those where Orange County families send their children. The consequences can be catastrophic—permanent injury, psychological trauma, and in the worst cases, death.

Right now, our firm is actively litigating one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas: the $10 million lawsuit filed on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston (UH), the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual members. The allegations are stomach-turning: a “pledge fanny pack” filled with humiliating items, forced consumption of food until vomiting, extreme physical workouts, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and another pledge being hog-tied face-down on a table for over an hour. Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure, passing brown urine and requiring four days of hospitalization. The Pi Kappa Phi chapter has been shut down, but the fight for accountability is just beginning.

This guide exists for you—parents and families in Orange County, Vidor, Bridge City, Mauriceville, and across the Golden Triangle region. If you suspect your child is being hazed at Lamar University, Texas A&M, the University of Texas, or any other campus, you need facts, not fear. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, Texas hazing law, the national patterns that predict local danger, and the legal pathways to accountability and recovery. We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, and we are Texas hazing litigation specialists.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR A HAZING CRISIS:

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• 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:

1. Get Medical Attention: Even if your child insists they’re “fine,” seek evaluation. Injuries like rhabdomyolysis or internal trauma may not be immediately obvious.
2. Preserve Evidence BEFORE It’s Deleted:
   • Screenshot all relevant group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), texts, and social media DMs.
   • Photograph any visible injuries from multiple angles.
   • Save any physical items (clothing, paddles, receipts).
3. Document Everything: Write down who, what, when, and where while memories are fresh.
4. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or its members directly.
   • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence vanishes quickly. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like in Texas

Hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypical “prank.” It is a systematic pattern of abuse that uses power imbalance, psychological coercion, and secrecy to control new members. For Orange County families, understanding these modern tactics is the first step in recognizing danger.

A Modern, Texas-Ready Definition

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—on or off campus—directed against a student for the purpose of joining, maintaining membership in, or gaining status within a group, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student.

The critical legal point for Texas families: Under Texas law, the victim’s “consent” is not a defense. The power dynamics in fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, and athletic teams mean that what looks like agreement is often coercion under threat of social exclusion or failure.

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing

• Forced or Coerced Drinking: “Lineups,” “family tree” games, “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor.
• Consumption Games: Drinking as punishment for incorrect answers in trivia, or as a requirement to enter a room.
• Coerced Drug Use: Being pressured to consume marijuana, pills, or unknown substances as part of initiation.

2. Physical Hazing

• Paddling and Beatings: Still prevalent, especially in certain traditions.
• Extreme Calisthenics: “Smokings” involving hundreds of push-ups, squats, or wall sits until collapse.
• Sleep & Deprivation: Mandatory all-night sessions, 3 AM wake-up calls for “meetings.”
• Environmental Exposure: Being locked in cold rooms, left outside in extreme weather, or denied bathroom access.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

• Forced Nudity or Partial Nudity.
• Simulated Sexual Acts: “Elephant walks,” “roasted pig” positions.
• Degrading Costumes and Role-Play.
• Acts with Racist, Sexist, or Homophobic Overtones.

4. Psychological Hazing

• Verbal Abuse and Berating: Yelling, screaming, constant insults.
• Isolation: Cutting off contact with family and non-member friends.
• Threats and Intimidation: Threats of physical harm or expulsion from the group.
• Forced Confessions and Manipulation.

5. Digital Hazing (The New Frontier)

• 24/7 Group Chat Control: Pledges required to respond instantly to messages at all hours.
• Social Media Humiliation: Forced to post embarrassing content on TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat.
• Location Tracking: Required to share live location via apps.
• Cyberstalking and Harassment for non-compliance.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just “Frats”

While fraternities and sororities are often in the news, hazing permeates many campus organizations:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural councils).
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups (especially relevant to Texas A&M).
• Athletic Teams (from football and basketball to cheer and swim teams).
• Spirit and Tradition Organizations (like Texas Cowboys or Aggie Bonfire crew).
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups.
• Academic Clubs, Honor Societies, and Service Organizations.

The common thread is a dynamic where established members hold power over new members, couched in the language of “tradition,” “bonding,” and “earning your place.”

Texas Law & Federal Frameworks: The Rules That Govern Hazing

For Orange County families, understanding the legal landscape is crucial. Hazing isn’t just a violation of university policy; it’s a crime and a civil wrong under Texas law.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37: The Anti-Hazing Statute

Texas has one of the nation’s clearer anti-hazing laws. Key provisions include:

§ 37.151 – Definition: Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with an organization.

§ 37.152 – Criminal Penalties:

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that does not cause serious injury (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.

§ 37.155 – Consent is NOT a Defense: This is critical. Even if your child “went along with it,” the law recognizes the coercive environment. This provision dismantles the most common defense.

§ 37.153 – Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation.

§ 37.154 – Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Individuals who report hazing or call for emergency help in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability that might stem from their own involvement. This is designed to encourage saving lives.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA’s office). Aim is punishment—jail time, fines, probation. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, and in fatal cases, manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: Brought by the victim or their family. Aim is compensation for harm and accountability. This is where we help families recover damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost education, and wrongful death.

These cases can proceed simultaneously. A lack of criminal charges does not prevent a civil lawsuit, and a civil case has a lower burden of proof (“preponderance of the evidence” vs. “beyond a reasonable doubt”).

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

• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, federal Title IX obligations are triggered, requiring a specific university response.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain crimes, including aggravated assault and alcohol/drug violations that often accompany hazing.
• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): A new federal law requiring colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and strengthen prevention programs. Public hazing data reporting will be phased in by 2026.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A thorough investigation seeks accountability from every responsible party:

1. Individual Students: Those who planned, carried out, or facilitated the hazing.
2. Local Chapter Officers: The president, pledgemaster, risk manager who knew or should have known.
3. The Local Chapter / Housing Corporation: As a legal entity, it can be sued directly.
4. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters: For failing to supervise, enforce policies, or for having prior knowledge of dangerous patterns.
5. The University or College: For negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to known risks, or failure to enforce their own policies. Public universities (like UH, Texas A&M, UT) have sovereign immunity limitations, but exceptions exist for gross negligence.
6. Third Parties: Landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol (under Texas dram shop law), security companies.

National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Repeat in Texas

The tragic cases that make national headlines are not random. They follow predictable patterns, and the same scripts are being used in Texas chapters today. Understanding these patterns shows why institutions are often legally liable—they should have seen it coming.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: “Big/Little” & Initiation Nights

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): A 20-year-old pledge died after being forced to drink an entire bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event. The chapter was expelled, members convicted, and the family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU).
• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Died from alcohol poisoning (BAC 0.495%) after a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant drinking. This led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute. His family later won a $6.1 million verdict.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Died after a “Big Brother” night where pledges were given handles of liquor. The chapter was closed, and FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life.

Texas Connection: The “Big/Little” or “bid acceptance” party is a universal fraternity script. When a Texas chapter uses this script, the national organization cannot claim the resulting alcohol poisoning was unforeseeable.

The Physical & Ritualized Brutality Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Pledge died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded, violent “glass ceiling” ritual at a retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted of manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
• Danny Santulli – University of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta (2021): An 18-year-old pledge suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage from extreme alcohol consumption during a “pledge dad reveal.” His family settled with 22 defendants, highlighting the web of liability.

Texas Connection: The use of off-campus retreats or “unofficial” houses to hide violent rituals is common. Texas courts can hold nationals liable for these off-campus actions if they exercised control or benefited from the chapter.

The Athletic & Institutional Hazing Pattern

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): A widespread scandal involving alleged sexualized and racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements. It proved hazing is endemic in high-profile sports.
• Robert Champion – Florida A&M Marching Band (2011): A drum major died from brutal beatings during a “Crossing Bus C” hazing ritual. FAMU was held fully liable, settling for $1 million, showing liability extends far beyond Greek life.

Texas Connection: From the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets to athletic programs at UT and Baylor, the dynamics of power, tradition, and silence in non-Greek organizations are identical.

What This Means for Orange County Families: These aren’t distant stories. They are legal blueprints. When the same national organization, the same type of event, or the same institutional failures appear in a Texas case, it establishes “foreseeability”—a core element of negligence. We use these national patterns to prove that what happened to your child was not an isolated accident, but a predictable and preventable outcome of known dangerous traditions.

Texas University Spotlight: Where Orange County Students Go

Orange County families have deep ties to Texas higher education. Many students attend Lamar University in nearby Beaumont, while others head to flagship schools like Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Houston, Baylor University, or Southern Methodist University. Each campus has its own Greek life ecosystem and hazing history.

Lamar University & The Golden Triangle Connection

For many Orange County students, higher education begins close to home.

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
Lamar University in Beaumont is a public university with an active Greek life community and a strong commuter population from surrounding counties like Orange, Jefferson, and Hardin. Its proximity makes it a common choice for Orange County families.

Documented Incidents & Context:
While specific public reports may be limited, Lamar’s Greek system is not immune to the national hazing patterns. The university falls under the same Texas hazing laws and is part of the same national fraternity and sorority networks with documented histories of abuse. The Beaumont-Port Arthur metro area, per our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, is home to over 20 Greek-related organizations, including chapters of Sigma Gamma Rho, Kappa Alpha Psi, and Pi Kappa Alpha, all of which have faced serious hazing allegations nationally.

What Orange County Parents Should Know:

• Jurisdiction: A hazing incident at Lamar could involve the Lamar University Police Department, Beaumont Police, and Jefferson County courts.
• Legal Strategy: An investigation would trace connections to national organizations and their insurers, many of which are based in Texas. Our Beaumont office allows us to directly serve Golden Triangle families.

Texas A&M University: Tradition, Corps, and Greek Life

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
A university defined by tradition, with a massive Greek system and the storied Corps of Cadets. The culture of “earning your stripes” can, in its worst forms, cross into abuse.

Documented Incidents:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges alleged they were forced to endure strenuous activity and had substances including industrial-strength cleaner poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The pledges sued for $1 million, and the chapter was suspended.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, highlighting systemic issues within the Corps.
• Public Hazing Violations: Texas A&M’s student conduct records reveal periodic sanctions against fraternities for alcohol hazing, physical abuse, and endangerment.

For Orange County Families with Aggies:
The combination of a powerful Greek system and the intense Corps culture requires particular vigilance. Hazing here is often defended as “hard training” or “tradition.”

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Persistent Problems

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
A massive Greek life scene alongside premier athletics. UT has been more transparent than most schools, publishing an annual hazing violations log.

Documented Incidents (From UT’s Public Log):

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume excessive milk and perform strenuous calisthenics as part of initiation. Sanction: probation and mandatory hazing prevention education.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): A lawsuit alleges an Australian exchange student was assaulted by members at a party, suffering a dislocated leg, broken nose, and fractured tibia. The chapter was already under suspension for prior violations.
• Various Spirit & Service Groups: The UT hazing log shows sanctions against groups like the Texas Wranglers for forced workouts, sleep deprivation, and alcohol-related hazing.

The Transparency Advantage:
UT’s public log is a powerful tool for families. It can be used to prove a pattern of prior incidents, showing the university or national organization had knowledge of recurring problems.

University of Houston: The Active Litigation Frontline

Campus & Culture Snapshot:
A large, diverse commuter and residential campus with active IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and Multicultural Greek councils.

The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi:
This is not a historical case; it is active, ongoing litigation that our firm is leading. The details, as reported by Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline, are critical:

• The Hazing: “Pledge fanny pack” humiliation, forced dress codes and interviews, overnight driving duties, extreme workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park, being sprayed with a hose, forced consumption of milk/hot dogs/peppercorns until vomiting, and a November 3rd workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats.
• The Injury: Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, was hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.
• The Defendants: UH, UH Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.
• The Aftermath: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended the chapter on November 6, 2025. Members voted to surrender their charter on November 14, 2025, shutting it down. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

Why This Matters for All Texas Families:
This case demonstrates the severity of hazing that occurs right now in Texas. It shows our firm’s depth in taking on a major university and a national fraternity simultaneously. It is the living proof of our commitment to hazing litigation.

Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

SMU Snapshot: A private university with a prominent Greek life culture. Past incidents include the Kappa Alpha Order chapter suspension in 2017 for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.

Baylor Snapshot: A private Christian university with a history of institutional scrutiny. Incidents include a baseball team hazing suspension in 2020, showing the problem extends beyond Greek life.

For both private schools, the legal strategies differ from public universities regarding sovereign immunity, but the core investigation into national organization liability remains paramount.

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

As Texas hazing litigation specialists, we don’t start from scratch. We maintain a proprietary data engine built from public records to identify every entity with potential liability. This is how we build leverage for Orange County families from day one.

The Public Records Directory: A Snapshot for Orange County

This is not an accusation but a demonstration of the complex organizational web behind campus Greek life. The following are real Texas-registered entities from IRS and other public filings. Knowing this network exists is the first step in holding it accountable.

Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Connected to Texas Campuses:

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity – Beta Nu Housing Corporation Inc.
  EIN: 46-2267515 | Frisco, TX 75035
  (Data Source: IRS B83 Filing) This is the housing corporation for the UH chapter involved in the Bermudez lawsuit.

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority
  EIN: 36-4091267 | Waco, TX 76710 | EIN: 75-2609909 | Commerce, TX 75428
  (Data Source: IRS B83 Filing) This national sorority has chapters listed in both the Waco and Beaumont metros.

• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
  EIN: 23-7279532 | Prairie View, TX 77446 | EIN: 52-1278573 | Dallas, TX 75241
  (Data Source: IRS B83 Filing) These filings show alumni and graduate chapter activity in Texas.

• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
  EIN: 26-3170920 | Denton, TX 76204 | EIN: 90-0293166 | College Station, TX 77843
  (Data Source: IRS B83 Filing) Academic honor society with chapters at nearly every major Texas university.

• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Inc.
  EIN: 47-5370943 | Houston, TX 77204 (Theta Delta Chapter) | EIN: 47-5381060 | San Marcos, TX 78666 (Theta Iota Chapter)
  (Data Source: IRS B83 Filing) Examples of chapter-specific housing or alumni entities.

• Sigma Phi Lambda Inc.
  EIN: 20-1237505 | Corinth, TX 76210 (Beta Chapter) | EIN: 83-3053639 | Corinth, TX 76210 (Alpha Tau Chapter)
  (Data Source: IRS B83 Filing) A Christian sorority with multiple Texas chapter filings.

• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc.
  EIN: 74-1380362 | Fort Worth, TX 76147
  (Data Source: IRS B83 Filing) An example of a fraternity foundation holding assets.

• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Alumni
  Located in: Beaumont, TX (Per Cause IQ Metro Data)
  (Data Source: Cause IQ Beaumont-Port Arthur Metro Records) An alumni association for a Lamar University chapter.

What This Means for Your Case:
When we take a case, we already know how to find the housing corporations, alumni associations, and national headquarters that may hold insurance policies and ultimate responsibility. We don’t just sue the students; we investigate the entire organizational structure that enabled the abuse.

National Histories Matter: Proving “Foreseeability”

A core legal strategy is connecting a local incident to a national pattern. If a national fraternity has a death or severe injury in Ohio, and the same thing happens in Texas, the national can’t claim it was an unforeseeable “rogue chapter.” We compile these histories from the National Hazing Incident Reference Database. For example:

• Pi Kappa Alpha: Stone Foltz death (BGSU, 2021), David Bogenberger death (NIU, 2012).
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon: Numerous deaths and injuries nationwide; lawsuits at Texas A&M and UT.
• Phi Delta Theta: Max Gruver death (LSU, 2017).
• Pi Kappa Phi: Andrew Coffey death (FSU, 2017).

This pattern evidence is crucial for overcoming defense arguments and securing meaningful settlements that force systemic change.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy

Pursuing justice in a hazing case is a complex, multi-front investigation. Here’s how we approach it for Orange County families.

The Evidence Pyramid: What Wins Cases in 2025

1. Digital Communications (The Most Critical):
   • Group Chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, iMessage screenshots showing planning, coercion, and bragging.
   • Social Media: Instagram stories, TikTok videos, Snapchat memories depicting hazing events.
   • Recovered Data: Digital forensics can often retrieve deleted messages.
2. Photographic & Video Evidence:
   • Pictures of injuries (with timestamps).
   • Videos taken by members during hazing events.
   • Security footage from houses or neighboring properties.
3. Medical & Psychological Records:
   • ER reports, hospitalization records, lab results (e.g., high creatine kinase for rhabdomyolysis).
   • Diagnoses of PTSD, depression, or anxiety from mental health professionals.
4. Internal Organization Documents:
   • Pledge manuals, “tradition” binders, meeting minutes.
   • Emails between chapter officers and national advisors.
5. University Records:
   • Prior conduct violations for the same chapter (obtained via discovery or public records requests).
   • Clery Act reports, Title IX files.
6. Witness Testimony:
   • Other pledges, former members, roommates, RAs.

Categories of Damages: What Can Be Recovered

• Economic Damages:
  • All past and future medical expenses (ER, surgery, therapy, lifelong care for catastrophic injuries).
  • Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity.
  • Educational costs (lost tuition, missed scholarships).
• Non-Economic Damages:
  • Physical pain and suffering.
  • Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families):
  • Funeral and burial costs.
  • Loss of companionship, love, and financial support.
  • Emotional suffering of parents and siblings.
• Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, to punish the defendant and deter future conduct.

Navigating Insurance and Institutional Defenses

Fraternities and universities have sophisticated insurance defense lawyers. Common defenses we defeat include:

• “The Pledge Consented”: Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We use national pattern evidence to show foreseeability.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: Liability is based on control and benefit, not just property lines.
• “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”: We prove they were window-dressing, not enforced.
• “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts”: We argue negligent supervision by nationals/universities is covered.

Our advantage: Mr. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows their playbook, their valuation tactics, and how to counter their strategies from the inside.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Orange County Families

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, limping).
• Extreme physical or mental exhaustion.
• Secretive behavior, sudden isolation from old friends.
• Anxiety around phone notifications (group chat demands).
• Personality changes: anger, depression, withdrawal.
• Requests for large sums of money with vague explanations.

If You Suspect Hazing:

1. Talk Calmly: Ask open-ended questions. “I’m worried about you. Is anything happening that makes you feel unsafe or humiliated?”
2. Prioritize Safety: If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
3. Preserve Evidence: Help your child screenshot messages and photograph injuries.
4. Seek Medical Care: Get a professional evaluation to document harm.
5. Consult a Lawyer Before Reporting: Once you report to a university, their legal team takes over. We can help you navigate that process strategically to protect your child’s rights and evidence.
6. Document Everything: Create a timeline of what you know.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

• Am I being pressured or threatened if I say no?
• Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would I do this if I truly had a free choice?
• Am I being told to keep it a secret?

How to Exit Safely:

• Your safety comes first. You have the legal right to leave any organization at any time.
• If you fear retaliation, do not go to a “final meeting.” Send a text or email resigning.
• Tell someone you trust outside the organization (parent, RA, counselor) immediately.
• Report threats to campus police.

Evidence Preservation for Students:

• DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING. Screenshot group chats, DMs, and social media posts.
• Take photos of injuries and locations.
• In Texas, you can legally record conversations you are a part of (one-party consent).

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin a Hazing Case

1. Deleting Digital Evidence: This looks like a cover-up and destroys your case.
2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly: This triggers their legal defense and evidence destruction.
3. Signing University “Resolution” Papers: These often contain waivers of your right to sue.
4. Posting on Social Media: Defense lawyers scour social media for inconsistencies.
5. Waiting for the University to “Handle It”: Universities often prioritize their reputation. Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and statutes of limitation run out.
6. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Alone: They are trained to get statements that minimize value.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Can we sue the university in Texas?”
Yes, depending on the facts. Public universities have some sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer protections. More importantly, the university is often just one of several defendants, including deep-pocketed national fraternities.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally, two years from the date of injury or death in Texas. However, the clock can be paused in cases of fraud or cover-up. Do not wait—evidence is perishable.

“Will this be public? I don’t want my child’s name in the news.”
Most civil cases settle confidentially before trial. We can often negotiate sealed court records and private settlements to protect your family’s privacy.

“We can’t afford a lawyer.”
We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and wrongful death cases. This means you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery.

Why Attorney911 Is the Right Firm for Orange County Hazing Cases

When your family is facing the trauma of hazing, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the institutional battlefield. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) was built for complex fights against powerful opponents.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Litigation

1. Insurance Insider Knowledge – Mr. Lupe Peña’s Defense Background:
Mr. Peña (he/him) spent years as an attorney at a national insurance defense firm. He learned firsthand how large insurance companies—exactly like those that insure fraternities and universities—value claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. He knows their playbook because he used to run it. This insider knowledge is invaluable in maximizing recovery for our clients.

2. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience – Ralph Manginello’s Credentials:
Managing Partner Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas plaintiff’s attorneys who was involved in the BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation, taking on a billion-dollar corporation. He has federal court experience and is a member of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA). We are not intimidated by national fraternities or university legal teams; we’ve faced bigger adversaries.

3. A Proven Track Record in Wrongful Death & Catastrophic Injury:
We have recovered multi-million dollars for clients in wrongful death and severe injury cases. We know how to work with economists, life-care planners, and medical experts to build a compelling case for full and fair compensation.

4. Data-Driven Investigation – The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:
As shown in this guide, we don’t start investigations from zero. We maintain detailed data on Texas Greek organizations. We know how to find the housing corporations, alumni associations, and insurance policies that others miss.

5. Bilingual Services & Texas Roots:
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish, ensuring we can serve all Texas families. Our attorneys have deep roots in the state—Ralph grew up in Houston, and Lupe is a third-generation Texan from Sugar Land. We understand Texas communities, Texas courts, and Texas values.

Our Commitment to Orange County

While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas, including all of Orange County—from Orange to Vidor, Bridge City to Mauriceville. We understand the close-knit nature of Golden Triangle communities and the profound impact campus hazing has on families here.

Take the Next Step: Confidential Consultation

If you are reading this because you fear your child has been hazed, trust your instincts. The window to preserve evidence and protect rights is short.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) today for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.

What to expect when you call 1-888-ATTY-911:

• We will listen to your story with compassion and without judgment.
• We will review any evidence you have gathered.
• We will explain your legal options in clear, straightforward terms.
• We will discuss how we investigate hazing cases and our track record.
• We will answer your questions about the process, timeline, and costs.
• There is no pressure to hire us on the spot. Take the information, discuss it as a family, and decide what’s best for you.

You are not alone in this fight. Hazing thrives on silence and shame. Breaking that silence is the first step toward accountability, recovery, and preventing this from happening to another family.

Call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Hablamos Español: Contact Mr. Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.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: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | lupe@atty911.com (Spanish)