The Complete Guide to Hazing Laws & Lawsuits for Rice, Texas Families

If Your Child Was Hurt in a Fraternity, Sorority, or Campus Group, You Are Not Alone

For parents in Rice and across Navarro County, sending a child to college is filled with pride and promise. The nightmare begins when a phone call shatters that peace—your student is in the hospital, speaking in scared fragments about forced drinking, brutal workouts, or humiliating rituals. The university calls it an “incident.” The organization calls it “tradition.” We call it what it is: illegal, abusive hazing that destroys lives and demands accountability.

Right now, we are leading one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its housing corporation, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, and 13 fraternity leaders. The complaint details how Bermudez, a transfer student, endured months of degrading hazing that culminated in rhabdomyolysis—severe skeletal muscle breakdown—and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, was hospitalized for four days, and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. The alleged conduct included enforced “pledge fanny packs” with humiliating contents, hours-long study blocks, overnight driving duties, extreme physical abuse in cold weather, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” forced consumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, and a November 3 workout of 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

This is happening in Texas right now. If your family in Rice, Ennis, Corsicana, or anywhere in Navarro County is facing a similar crisis after your child joined a fraternity, sorority, Corps program, athletic team, or spirit group, this guide is for you. We will explain what modern hazing truly looks like, the Texas laws that protect your child, the full legal landscape, and how our firm builds cases that demand accountability from every responsible entity.

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 in Texas

Hazing is no longer just about “hell week” or paddling in a basement. It has evolved into sophisticated, digitally-enabled abuse that organizations work hard to conceal. For Rice families with students at Navarro College, Texas A&M-Commerce, or major universities across the state, understanding these modern tactics is critical.

Clear Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health or safety for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization. In plain English: if someone makes your child do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they meant to do it or were reckless about the risk, that’s hazing under Texas law.

Modern Hazing Categories

Alcohol and Substance Hazing
The most common and deadly form. This includes forced or coerced drinking during “bid acceptance” nights, “big/little” reveals, or drinking games like “family tree” or “Bible study” where wrong answers mean consuming alcohol. It often involves handles of liquor, vodka, or everclear. The goal is rapid intoxication, not social drinking.

Physical Hazing
This extends beyond traditional paddling to extreme calisthenics disguised as “workouts” or “conditioning”—hundreds of push-ups, wall sits until collapse, “smokings” that push bodies beyond safe limits. It includes sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions,” food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme temperatures.

Psychological & Digital Hazing
The 24/7 digital leash: group chat monitoring where pledges must respond instantly at all hours, location-sharing demands, social media policing, and public humiliation via TikTok challenges or Instagram stories. Psychological tactics include verbal abuse, isolation from non-members, forced confessions, and threats of expulsion from the group.

Sexualized & Humiliating Hazing
Forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walk,” “roasted pig” positions), degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. These are particularly traumatic and often involve recording or photographing.

Where Hazing Happens
While fraternities and sororities dominate headlines, hazing permeates:

Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs
Athletic teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
Spirit groups and tradition clubs
Marching bands and performance groups
Some academic, service, and cultural organizations

The common thread is power imbalance, secrecy, and the exploitation of someone’s desire to belong.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability Framework: What Rice Families Need to Know

Texas has specific anti-hazing laws that provide both criminal penalties and civil liability pathways. Understanding this framework helps Rice families navigate what comes next.

Texas Education Code – Chapter 37, Subchapter F

§ 37.151 Definition: Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student that endangers mental or physical health or safety and occurs for purposes of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership.

Key Points for Rice Families:

Location doesn’t matter—on-campus, off-campus, at a retreat, or in a private home.
The harm can be mental or physical.
“Reckless” is enough—they don’t need to have intended harm, just disregarded obvious risks.
Most importantly: Consent is NOT a defense (Texas Education Code § 37.155). Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still hazing under Texas law when power imbalance and coercion exist.

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing without serious injury (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

§ 37.153 Organizational Liability: Organizations can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if they authorized or encouraged hazing, or if an officer/member acting officially knew and failed to report it.

§ 37.154 Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: Those who report hazing in good faith to university or law enforcement are immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Pathways to Accountability

Criminal Cases
Brought by the state (district attorney). Aim is punishment: jail, fines, probation. Typical hazing-related charges include hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, and in fatal cases, manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide.

Civil Cases
Brought by victims or surviving families. Aim is compensation and accountability. Focuses on negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Critical Insight: These can run simultaneously. A criminal conviction is NOT required to pursue a civil case. In fact, the civil discovery process often uncovers evidence that strengthens criminal prosecutions.

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

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024)
Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently, strengthen prevention programs, and maintain public hazing data (phased in by 2026). This increases university accountability.

Title IX
When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations trigger. Universities must investigate promptly and provide supportive measures.

Clery Act
Requires reporting certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing incidents often overlap with assaults or alcohol/drug crimes that must be reported.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

Individual Students
Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover up.

Local Chapter/Organization
The fraternity/sorority or club itself (if a legal entity). Officers and “pledge educators” often bear particular responsibility.

National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters
Sets policies, receives dues, supervises chapters. Liability hinges on what they knew or should have known from prior incidents at other chapters—this is where pattern evidence becomes crucial.

University or Governing Board
May be sued under negligence or civil rights theories. Key questions: Did they have prior warnings? Did they enforce policies? Were they deliberately indifferent?

Third Parties
Landlords/owners of houses or event spaces, bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop laws), security companies.

Every case is fact-specific. Our investigation identifies every potentially liable entity from the start.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families

These national cases establish precedents and patterns that directly inform how we handle Texas hazing litigation. They show what organizations knew, when they knew it, and how families have achieved accountability.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017)
Bid-acceptance event with extreme drinking. Severe falls captured on chapter cameras; hours delayed before medical help. Dozens of criminal charges against members; civil litigation; Pennsylvania enacted Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Takeaway for Rice families: Delay in calling 911 and culture of silence create devastating liability.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
“Bible study” drinking game; forced to drink when answering incorrectly; died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%). Multiple members charged; one convicted of negligent homicide. Louisiana enacted Max Gruver Act (felony hazing statute). Takeaway: Legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof.

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
Pledge forced to consume entire bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night; died from alcohol poisoning. Multiple convictions; family reached $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). Takeaway: Universities face significant financial consequences alongside fraternities.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
Pledge subjected to violent blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual at retreat; suffered fatal head injuries; help delayed. Multiple convictions; fraternity banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. Takeaway: Off-campus “retreats” are particularly dangerous; national organizations face severe sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within program. Multiple lawsuits; head coach fired; confidential settlements. Takeaway: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to big-money athletic programs with systemic abuse.

What These Cases Mean for Rice Families

Common threads: forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups. Multi-million-dollar settlements and reforms typically follow only after tragedy and litigation. Texas families facing hazing are not alone—they operate in a landscape shaped by these national lessons and legal precedents.

Texas University Focus: Where Rice Students Attend & What Happens There

Rice families send students to institutions across Texas. Understanding each campus’s Greek ecosystem, prior incidents, and disciplinary approach is essential.

Local & Regional Campuses for Rice Families

Navarro College (Corsicana)
Just miles from Rice, Navarro College serves many local students before transfer to four-year institutions. While community colleges typically have less traditional Greek life, clubs, athletic teams, and student organizations can still harbor hazing behaviors.

Texas A&M University-Commerce (Hunt County)
Approximately 40 miles from Rice, this regional university hosts active Greek life with Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic chapters. As part of the Texas A&M System, it operates under system-wide policies but has its own conduct history.

Tarleton State University (Stephenville)
About 80 miles west, Tarleton has growing Greek life and a Corps of Cadets program—both environments where hazing risks exist.

Major Texas Universities Rice Families Attend

University of Texas at Austin
Many top Rice students attend UT Austin. The university maintains a public Hazing Violations page listing organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions—a transparency model others should follow.

Example Incident: Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): new members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; found to be hazing; chapter placed on probation and required to implement new prevention education.

How UT cases proceed: May involve UTPD and Austin PD; civil suits often filed in Travis County courts. Prior violations on UT’s public log strongly support civil suits by showing patterns and institutional knowledge.

Texas A&M University (College Station)
The Corps of Cadets culture creates unique hazing risks alongside traditional Greek life.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (≈2021): Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin grafts; fraternity suspended; lawsuits filed.

Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound in “roasted pig” position; sought over $1 million; A&M stated it handled matter under its rules.

What A&M families should know: University may route complaints through Student Conduct and Corps regulations simultaneously. Civil cases often target both Greek life and Corps traditions.

University of Houston
As seen in our flagship Bermudez case, UH has active Greek life with multiple councils. The university states hazing is prohibited on or off campus and provides reporting through Dean of Students and campus police.

Prior UH Incident (2016 Pi Kappa Alpha): Pledges allegedly deprived of food, water, and sleep during multi-day event; one suffered lacerated spleen after being slammed onto table; chapter faced misdemeanor charges and suspension.

How UH cases proceed: May involve UHPD and/or Houston Police depending on location. Civil suits typically filed in Harris County courts. UH’s willingness to suspend chapters is noted, but gaps in public detail exist compared to UT’s transparency.

Baylor University
Baylor’s religious identity and history of scrutiny over football/Title IX issues create complex dynamics for hazing cases.

Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation; staggered suspensions.

What Baylor families should know: University’s “zero tolerance” statements contrast with recurring misconduct. Policies, religious branding, and prior scandals interact with hazing claims in unique ways.

Southern Methodist University
Private, affluent campus with strong Greek presence. SMU’s hazing prevention includes reporting forms and anonymous systems.

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended; recruiting restrictions until ≈2021.

How SMU cases differ: Private university status affects transparency. Civil suits can compel discovery even when internal reports aren’t publicly posted.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Public Records Every Rice Family Should Know

We maintain a comprehensive database of Texas Greek organizations derived from public records. This isn’t just data—it’s the map we use to identify every potentially liable entity behind the letters.

IRS B83 Backbone: Texas-Registered Greek Organizations

The IRS Business Master File shows 125+ Texas-registered organizations classified as “B83” (Student Sororities, Fraternities). These include house corporations, alumni chapters, and honor societies with EINs, legal names, and mailing addresses. For Rice families, this means:

Examples from IRS Records:

KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC (EIN: 133048786) | 3007 EARL RUDDER FWY S, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845-6681
SIGMA PHI EPSILON TEXAS ETA (EIN: 824398421) | 1305 FM 359 RD, RICHMOND, TX 77406-2017
BETA NU PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION INC (EIN: 462267515) | 10601 BIG HORN TRL, FRISCO, TX 75035-6629
TEXAS NU-PHI DELTA THETA FRATERNITY (EIN: 814123811) | 1016 FAIRVIEW AVE, COLLEGE STA, TX 77840-6175
ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC (EIN: 475370943) | 5019 CALHOUN RD, HOUSTON, TX 77204-7005 (Theta Delta chapter)
PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY (EIN: 746064445) | 1855 HIGHWAY 69 N, NEDERLAND, TX 77627-8843 (Epsilon Kappa chapter)

Why this matters: These entities often hold insurance, own property, or manage finances. They’re part of the liability chain when hazing occurs.

Cause IQ Metro Organizations: The Dallas-Fort Worth Connection

Rice sits within reach of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro, which Cause IQ reports contains 510 Greek-related organizations. These include:

DFW Metro Examples:

Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – Fort Worth, TX (12650 N Beach St)
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation – Fort Worth, TX
Delta Tau Delta Fraternity – Gamma Iota Chapter – Austin, TX
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity – Texas Rho Corp. – Austin, TX

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188 organizations including Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Houston Alumnae, and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Beta Sigma Chapter.

Cross-Validated Brands: Tracking Organizations Across Texas

When names appear in both IRS and Cause IQ data, we can trace organizations confidently:

Brand Overlap Examples:

Beta Upsilon Chi (IRS EIN: 742911848, Fort Worth) matches Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity in Cause IQ DFW data
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation (IRS EIN: 741380362, Fort Worth) matches Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation in Cause IQ
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (IRS EIN: 746064445, Nederland) matches Texas District of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity in Houston metro data

Why this matters for Rice families: It shows how national brands operate across Texas through multiple legal entities—undergrad chapters, alumni groups, housing corporations. When hazing occurs, we investigate this entire ecosystem, not just the visible chapter.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus Rosters & National Histories

Understanding which organizations operate where—and their national histories—is crucial for establishing foreseeability and pattern evidence.

University of Houston Greek Life (Current Rosters)

UH Interfraternity Council (IFC): Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Sigma Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Upsilon, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Lambda Phi Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Pi, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Theta Chi

UH Panhellenic Council: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Phi Mu, Zeta Tau Alpha

UH National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC – Divine Nine): Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Iota Phi Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho, Zeta Phi Beta

National Hazing Histories of Organizations Present at Texas Schools

Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ)

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State (2021): $10M settlement after forced drinking death
David Bogenberger – Northern Illinois (2012): $14M settlement
Pattern: “Big/Little” alcohol hazing with deadly outcomes; national had prior warnings

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ)

University of Alabama (2023): Traumatic brain injury lawsuit
Texas A&M (≈2021): Chemical burns from industrial cleaner; skin grafts required
University of Texas at Austin (2024): Exchange student assault with fractures, dislocated leg
Pattern: Physical violence, dangerous substances, repeated violations

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ)

Andrew Coffey – Florida State (2017): Pledge died during “Big Brother Night”
University of Houston (2025): Our Bermudez case – rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure
Pattern: Extreme physical hazing and forced consumption

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)

Max Gruver – LSU (2017): “Bible study” drinking game death; Louisiana felony hazing law
Pattern: Ritualized drinking games with fatal outcomes

Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ)

SMU (2017): Paddling, forced drinking, sleep deprivation; chapter suspension
Pattern: Traditional physical hazing persists despite policies

Why National Histories Matter in Your Case

When a Texas chapter repeats the same script that caused death or injury elsewhere, that shows foreseeability. National headquarters can’t claim “we didn’t know this could happen” when their own organization has paid multi-million-dollar settlements for identical conduct. This supports arguments for:

Negligent supervision
Gross negligence
Punitive damages
Insurance coverage disputes

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages for Rice Families

When you contact us about a potential hazing case, here’s how we build accountability from day one.

Evidence Collection: The Digital Crime Scene

Group Chats & Digital Communications
GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, fraternity-specific apps. We preserve these immediately—even deleted messages can often be recovered through digital forensics. These show planning, intimidation, admissions, and cover-up attempts.

Social Media Evidence
Instagram stories, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook. Even “disappearing” content gets screenshotted by participants. We look for posts showing injuries, events, locations, and boasting about hazing.

Internal Organization Documents
Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” lists, emails between officers. Nationals often have standardized materials that chapters adapt.

University Records
Prior conduct files, probation/suspension letters, incident reports. Obtained through discovery, FOIA requests, or subpoenas. These show pattern of knowledge.

Medical & Psychological Records
ER reports, hospitalization records, lab results (toxicology, kidney function), psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety. Medical evidence establishes causation between hazing and harm.

Witness Testimony
Pledges, members, roommates, RAs, coaches, bystanders. Former members who quit are often crucial witnesses who’ve wanted to come forward.

The Damages Your Family Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable)

Medical bills: ER, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment, future care
Lost earnings: Missed semesters, delayed graduation, reduced earning capacity if permanent disability
Educational costs: Lost scholarships, transfer expenses, tutoring

Non-Economic Damages

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress, trauma, humiliation
Loss of enjoyment of life
Damage to reputation and relationships

Wrongful Death Damages (When Applicable)

Funeral and burial costs
Loss of financial support
Loss of companionship, love, guidance
Family’s emotional suffering

Punitive Damages
When conduct is particularly reckless, willful, or malicious—and when defendants had prior warnings they ignored. Texas has statutory caps in many cases, but intentional conduct may exceed these.

Our Strategic Approach

Immediate Evidence Preservation
Within 24-48 hours, we help you secure digital evidence before deletion, photograph injuries, and document everything.

Identifying All Potentially Liable Parties
Using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we map the entire ecosystem: individuals, local chapter, housing corporation, alumni groups, national headquarters, university, third-party property owners.

Navigating Insurance Coverage Disputes
Fraternity and university insurers often argue hazing is excluded as “intentional conduct.” Our insider knowledge (Mr. Lupe Peña’s background as insurance defense attorney) helps counter these arguments and identify all available policies.

Parallel Criminal & Civil Strategies
We coordinate with criminal prosecutors when appropriate, but civil discovery proceeds independently—often uncovering evidence that strengthens criminal cases.

Settlement vs. Trial Readiness
Most cases settle confidentially, but preparing for trial from day one maximizes leverage. Universities and nationals know which lawyers will actually try cases.

Practical Guides & FAQs for Rice Parents, Students & Witnesses

For Rice Parents: Warning Signs & Action Steps

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries
Extreme exhaustion beyond normal college stress
Weight loss/gain from food restriction or stress
Sleep deprivation (late-night calls, 3 AM “meetings”)
Sudden secrecy about organization activities
Withdrawal from family and non-group friends
Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability
Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
Financial red flags: unexpected large expenses

If You Suspect Hazing:

Talk non-confrontationally: “How are things with [organization]? Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
Prioritize safety: If injured or intoxicated, get medical attention immediately.
Document everything: Write down what they tell you (dates, times, names); screenshot any messages they show you.
Preserve evidence: Help them save group chats, photos, physical items. Do NOT let them delete anything.
Contact us: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 before confronting the organization, signing university documents, or posting on social media.

For Students: Is This Hazing? Your Rights & Safety

Ask Yourself:

Am I being forced or pressured to do something unsafe or degrading?
Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
Is this activity hidden from the university/parents/public?
Are older members making new members do things they don’t do themselves?

If Yes, It’s Hazing – Your Rights:

You can leave at any time. Send an email/text: “I resign my membership effective immediately.”
Texas law provides immunity for good-faith reporting. You won’t get in trouble for calling 911 in a medical emergency.
“Consent” is not a defense in hazing cases. The power imbalance matters more than what you “agreed” to.
You can request no-contact orders through the university if facing retaliation.

Evidence Collection for Students:

Screenshot group chats with timestamps and sender names visible
Photograph injuries immediately and over several days
Record conversations (Texas is one-party consent)
Save everything digital—don’t delete even if embarrassed
Tell medical providers you were hazed so it’s in records

For Former Members/Witnesses: Coming Forward

We understand the guilt and fear. Your testimony can:

Prevent future harm to others
Bring accountability where it’s deserved
Help victims heal

We can help navigate:

Your potential criminal exposure (if any)
Witness protection concerns
How to provide evidence without self-incrimination
The emotional process of coming forward

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Letting your child delete messages – Looks like cover-up; destroys crucial evidence
Confronting the organization directly – They lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Signing university “resolution” forms – May waive your right to sue; settlements are often lowball
Posting details on social media – Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Letting your child go to “one last meeting” – They’ll pressure, intimidate, extract damaging statements
Waiting “to see how the university handles it” – Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs
Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer – Recorded statements are used against you; settlements are lowball

FAQ for Rice Families

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals personally. Every case is fact-specific—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Default is Class B misdemeanor, but becomes state jail felony if causing serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report.

“My child ‘agreed’ to it—do we have a case?”
Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense. Courts recognize “consent” under peer pressure and power imbalance isn’t voluntary.

“How long do we have to file?”
Generally 2 years from date of injury or death, but the discovery rule may extend this if harm/cause wasn’t immediately known. In cover-up cases, statute may be tolled. Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

“What if it happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability.

“Will this be confidential?”
Most cases settle confidentially before trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

Why Attorney911 for Rice Hazing Cases: Texas-Based, Nationally Relevant

When your family faces a hazing case, 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
Mr. Lupe 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, their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions
Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas firms involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation. We’ve faced billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. We’re not intimidated by national fraternities or universities. We’ve taken on corporations that make universities look small.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Experience
We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, working with economists to value lifetime care needs and lost earning capacity. We don’t settle cheap—we build cases that force real accountability.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise
Ralph’s membership in Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure.

Investigative Depth & Resources

Digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages
Medical experts (rhabdomyolysis specialists, toxicologists, psychiatrists)
Greek life culture experts
Economists for damage modeling
Life-care planners for catastrophic injuries

Spanish-Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish—serving Hispanic families throughout Texas who might otherwise face language barriers in seeking justice.

The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Your Investigative Advantage

While other firms start from scratch, we begin with:

1,423 Greek organizations tracked across 25 Texas metros
125+ IRS-registered entities with EINs and addresses
Campus-specific rosters for UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
National hazing incident database (2013-2025)
Brand overlap analysis showing national networks

This means we already know the organizational landscape before we take your case. We identify every potentially liable entity—not just the obvious ones.

Our Commitment to Rice Families

From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Rice, Corsicana, Ennis, and all of Navarro County. We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families right here in our community.

We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our job is to:

Get you answers about what really happened
Hold every responsible entity accountable
Secure compensation for medical care, trauma, and loss
Help prevent this from happening to another family

This isn’t about bravado or quick settlements. It’s about thorough investigation, strategic litigation, and real accountability.

Call to Action: Confidential Consultation for Rice Families

If your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether Navarro College, Texas A&M-Commerce, UT Austin, Texas A&M, UH, Baylor, SMU, or any other institution—we want to hear from you.

Families in Rice and throughout Navarro County have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation:

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com

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

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:

We listen to your story without judgment
Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records)
Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
Answer questions about costs (contingency fee—we don’t get paid unless we win)
No pressure to hire us on the spot—take time to decide
Everything you tell us is confidential

Whether you’re in Rice or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. The call is free. The consultation is free. The time to act is now.

Call 1tw-ATTY-911 today.

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