The Ultimate Guide to Hazing Lawsuits & Accountability for Savoy, Texas Families

When the Dream of Brotherhood Becomes a Nightmare: A Message to Savoy Parents

It starts with excitement—your child heading off to a Texas university, eager to make friends, find community, and build lifelong connections. For many families in Savoy, Bonham, and across Fannin County, this means watching their students join the vibrant Greek Life at schools like Texas A&M University-Commerce, just down the road, or at major hubs like the University of Texas at Austin or Texas A&M in College Station. The promise of brotherhood or sisterhood feels like a natural part of the college experience.

Then the phone call comes. Or maybe it’s the silence—the unreturned texts, the vague excuses, the sudden withdrawal. Your child is injured, hospitalized, or worse. They’ve been subjected to what the organization calls “tradition,” but what you recognize as abuse: forced drinking until they vomit, extreme physical exertion, psychological torment, humiliating acts captured on cell phones. The university says they’re “investigating.” The fraternity or sorority national headquarters issues a statement about “zero tolerance.” But your child is the one facing permanent kidney damage from rhabdomyolysis, or recovering from alcohol poisoning, or living with the trauma of public humiliation.

Right now, in Houston, we’re fighting exactly this kind of case. We represent Leonel Bermudez in a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. The allegations are severe: a “pledge fanny pack” containing humiliating items, forced overconsumption of milk and hot dogs until vomiting, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and extreme workouts that led to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—conditions that hospitalized him for four days and risk permanent damage. The chapter has been shut down, but the physical and psychological harm remains.

If you’re a parent in Savoy, Leonard, or anywhere in Fannin County, this guide is for you. We’ll explain what hazing really looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects (and sometimes fails) victims, what’s happening on campuses where your children study, and—most importantly—what legal options exist for accountability and recovery. You are not alone in this fight.

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

Beyond the Stereotypes: Modern Hazing Tactics

For families in Savoy and across rural Texas, hazing might conjure images of outdated paddle-wielding rituals. The reality in 2025 is more sophisticated, more digital, and often more dangerous. Hazing today is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, keeping membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. Crucially, “I agreed to it” does not make it safe or legal when there’s peer pressure and power imbalance.

The Five Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing
This remains the deadliest form. At Texas schools, this includes “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor, “family tree” drinking games where wrong answers mean shots, and lineups where chugging contests are framed as tests of loyalty. The Pi Kappa Phi case at UH involved forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting.

2. Physical Hazing
This includes paddling (still occurring despite national bans), “smokings” or extreme calisthenics (like the 100+ push-ups and 500 squats in the UH case), sleep deprivation through all-night “study sessions,” and exposure to elements like being left outside in cold weather in underwear.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing
Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts (“elephant walks,” “roasted pig” positions), wearing degrading costumes, and acts with racial or sexist overtones. The Pi Kappa Phi “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms and sex toys is a textbook example of humiliation hazing.

4. Psychological Hazing
Verbal abuse, isolation from non-members, “roasting” sessions where pledges are verbally torn down, forced confessions, and threats of expulsion from the group for minor infractions.

5. Digital/Online Hazing
The newest frontier: group chat dares on GroupMe or Discord, TikTok challenges that humiliate, pressure to share compromising images, and 24/7 availability demands where pledges must respond to messages immediately at all hours. Geo-tracking via apps like Find My Friends is increasingly common.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just Fraternities

While Greek organizations dominate headlines, hazing occurs in:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural)
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC at Texas A&M and other military-style programs
• Athletic Teams (football, basketball, baseball, cheer)
• Spirit Squads & Tradition Groups like the Texas Cowboys at UT
• Marching Bands & Performance Groups
• Some Academic, Service, and Cultural Organizations

For Savoy families with students at Texas A&M Commerce or other regional campuses, understanding that hazing crosses organizational boundaries is crucial. The common threads are social status, tradition, and secrecy that keep these practices alive even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal.

Texas Hazing Law: What Savoy Families Need to Know

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Criminal Framework

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions in the Education Code that apply whether your child is at a campus in Commerce, Austin, or College Station. Here’s what Savoy parents should understand:

Definition (Section 37.151):
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 the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
• Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

Plain English Translation:
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. Location doesn’t matter—off-campus houses, retreats, or Savoy-area locations all count.

Criminal Penalties (Section 37.152):

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000)
• Class A Misdemeanor: If hazing causes injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death

Additional Criminal Provisions:

• Failing to report hazing by members/officers: misdemeanor
• Retaliating against someone who reports: misdemeanor
• Organizational liability: Fraternities/sororities can be fined up to $10,000 per violation

Most Important Protection (Section 37.154):
A person who in good faith reports a hazing incident to university or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability. Many Texas universities have medical amnesty policies that protect callers to 911, even if underage drinking was involved.

The Critical Rule (Section 37.155):
Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” or “wanted to fit in,” it’s still hazing under Texas law. Courts recognize that consent under peer pressure isn’t truly voluntary.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Understanding the Difference

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (district attorney)
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical charges: hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases

1. Example: Fraternity members charged with felony hazing after a pledge death

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: Monetary compensation and accountability
• Focus on: negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
• Example: The Bermudez family’s $10M lawsuit against UH and Pi Kappa Phi

Key Point: Both can run simultaneously, and a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. Many families in Texas pursue civil cases even when prosecutors decline to file criminal charges.

Federal Law Overlay: Additional Protections

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):
Requires colleges receiving federal aid (all public Texas universities) to report hazing incidents more transparently, strengthen prevention, and maintain public hazing data by 2026.

Title IX:
When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered, creating additional liability for universities.

Clery Act:
Requires reporting of certain crimes and maintaining safety statistics; hazing incidents often overlap with reportable crimes like assault or alcohol offenses.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

1. Individual Students
Those who planned, supplied alcohol, carried out acts, or helped cover them up. In the UH case, 13 individual members are named.

2. Local Chapter / Organization
The fraternity/sorority or club itself if it’s a legal entity. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu housing corporation is a defendant.

3. National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters
Organizations that set policies, receive dues, and supervise chapters. Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters is being sued.

4. University or Governing Board
Schools may be liable under negligence or civil-rights theories. The University of Houston and UH System Board of Regents are defendants.

5. Third Parties
Landlords of off-campus houses, bars that overserved alcohol, security companies, or retreat venue owners.

Every case is fact-specific, but Savoy families should understand that multiple entities often share liability when hazing causes harm.

National Hazing Case Patterns: Lessons for Texas Families

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Repeated Tragedies

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021)
The 20-year-old pledge was forced to consume nearly a full bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” event. He died from alcohol poisoning. The family reached a $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from BGSU). Multiple members were convicted. Lesson for Texas: The same fraternity (Pi Kappa Alpha) operates chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and other Texas schools.

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017)
The pledge died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%) after a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers meant forced drinking. Louisiana enacted the Max Gruver Act making hazing a felony. The family received a $6.1 million verdict. Lesson for Texas: Phi Delta Theta has chapters at UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and SMU.

Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017)
The pledge died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night.” Pi Kappa Phi—the same national organization involved in the UH case—faced criminal charges and civil litigation. FSU temporarily suspended all Greek life. Lesson for Texas: National patterns matter. Pi Kappa Phi’s history at FSU is relevant to their Texas chapters.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing: Violence Disguised as Tradition

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013)
The pledge was blindfolded, weighted with a backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a Pennsylvania retreat. He died from traumatic brain injury; members delayed calling 911. The national fraternity was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years, and fined over $110,000. Lesson for Texas: Off-campus retreats are high-risk environments, and national organizations can face criminal prosecution.

Athletic Program Hazing: Beyond Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023–2025)
Former players alleged sexualized, racist hazing within the football program over multiple years. Multiple lawsuits were filed; head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired and later settled a wrongful-termination suit confidentially. Lesson for Texas: Hazing occurs in major athletic programs with the same patterns of abuse and cover-up.

What These Cases Mean for Savoy Families

Common threads in these national cases—forced drinking, humiliation, violence, delayed medical care, cover-ups—mirror what we see in Texas. The multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts show that courts take hazing seriously. Most importantly, these cases demonstrate that organizations repeatedly ignore warnings until tragedy strikes litigation forces change. Texas families at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor are operating in a legal landscape shaped by these national lessons.

Texas University Focus: Where Savoy Students Study

Savoy families send their children to universities across Texas, from nearby Texas A&M University-Commerce in Hunt County to major hubs hours away. Understanding each campus’s Greek ecosystem, hazing history, and response patterns is crucial for Fannin County parents.

Texas A&M University-Commerce: The Local Campus for Many Savoy Students

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Located just 40 miles from Savoy in Hunt County, Texas A&M University-Commerce serves as a regional education hub for Fannin County families. With growing Greek life and student organizations, it represents the first college experience for many local students. The campus culture blends commuter and residential elements, with Greek organizations playing a significant social role.

Hazing Policy & Reporting
As part of the Texas A&M University System, A&M Commerce follows system-wide anti-hazing policies prohibiting forced consumption of alcohol/drugs, physical mistreatment, and psychological coercion. Reporting channels include the Dean of Students Office, Student Conduct, and University Police Department.

Documented Incidents & Response
While smaller than flagship campuses, A&M Commerce has faced hazing concerns within Greek organizations and athletic teams. The university’s disciplinary records (available through public information requests) show periodic sanctions for alcohol-related hazing and policy violations. Like many regional campuses, transparency varies, and families often need legal assistance to obtain full incident histories.

How a Hazing Case at A&M Commerce Might Proceed
Jurisdiction typically involves:

• Texas A&M University-Commerce Police Department for on-campus incidents
• Commerce Police Department for off-campus locations
• Hunt County courts for civil litigation
• Texas A&M University System attorneys representing institutional interests

What Savoy Students & Parents Should Know

1. Proximity matters: Being close to home doesn’t eliminate hazing risk
2. Document everything: Keep records of all communications with university officials
3. Know the channels: Report to both campus police AND the Dean of Students Office
4. Preserve evidence: Screenshot group chats involving A&M Commerce organizations immediately
5. Seek local legal counsel with Texas reach: While Savoy doesn’t have hazing specialists, Houston-based firms like ours serve families statewide

University of Houston: Where History is Being Made Right Now

Campus & Culture Snapshot
UH’s large urban campus hosts active Greek life with multiple councils: Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, Multicultural Greek Council, United Greek Council, and National Pan-Hellenic Council (Divine Nine). The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter was among 17 IFC fraternities before its November 2025 closure.

Hazing Policy & Reporting
UH prohibits hazing on and off campus, with reporting through the Dean of Students and Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life. The university maintains hazing education programs but, as the Pi Kappa Phi case shows, policies alone don’t prevent abuse.

The Pi Kappa Phi Case: A Watersmoment
Our client Leonel Bermudez’s experience represents the severe end of the hazing spectrum:

• Hazing Methods: “Pledge fanny pack” humiliation, forced overeating until vomiting, hose spraying “like waterboarding,” extreme workouts at Yellowstone Boulevard Park
• Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney failure, brown urine, four-day hospitalization
• Institutional Response: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspended the chapter November 6, 2025; members voted to surrender their charter November 14, 2025; UH called conduct “deeply disturbing”
• Legal Action: $10M lawsuit against UH, UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi national, housing corporation, and 13 individual members
• Media Coverage: Featured in Click2Houston, ABC13, and Hoodline

How UH Hazing Cases Proceed

• UHPD and/or Houston Police Department criminal investigations
• Harris County courts for civil litigation
• Texas Southern District federal court for potential Title IX claims
• Multiple insurance carriers (university, national fraternity, housing corporation)

What Savoy Families with UH Students Should Do

1. Understand the geography: Savoy to Houston is 250+ miles; evidence preservation must begin immediately
2. Know the players: UH’s Greek ecosystem includes 60+ organizations across 5 councils
3. Document systematically: Follow our evidence preservation guide at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
4. Act quickly: Statutes of limitations apply—learn more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c

Texas A&M University: Corps Culture and Greek Life Intersection

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Texas A&M’s unique blend of Corps of Cadets tradition and robust Greek life creates distinct hazing risks. With one of the nation’s largest Greek systems, the College Station campus sees hazing in both military-style and social organizations.

Documented Incidents

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021): Pledges allegedly covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The fraternity was suspended for two years.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Case (2023): Cadet alleged degrading hazing including being bound between beds in simulated sexual positions with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million.
• Multiple Greek Organization Sanctions: Regular disciplinary actions for alcohol hazing, physical abuse, and policy violations.

How A&M Handles Hazing
Through Student Conduct Office and Corps regulations. The university maintains anti-hazing policies but, as with many large institutions, enforcement can be inconsistent.

What Savoy Families at A&M Should Know

1. Dual systems: Understand both Greek life AND Corps hazing risks
2. Geographic consideration: Savoy to College Station is 230+ miles; immediate local support may be needed
3. Documentation priority: A&M’s size means evidence can get lost in bureaucracy

University of Texas at Austin: Transparency and Repeated Violations

Campus & Culture Snapshot
UT Austin’s ~60 Greek chapters operate in a high-profile environment with significant public scrutiny. The university’s relative transparency about hacing violations provides valuable information for families.

Public Hazing Violations Page
UT maintains one of Texas’ most transparent hacing databases at hazing.utexas.edu. Recent entries include:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics; chapter probation and mandatory education
• Texas Wranglers (2022): Spirit organization sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing
• Multiple organizations: Regular sanctions for alcohol hazing, physical punishment, and policy violations

How UT Cases Proceed

• UTPD and/or Austin Police Department involvement
• Travis County courts for civil litigation
• Public records advantage: UT’s transparency helps establish pattern evidence

What Savoy Families at UT Should Do

1. Check the database: Review hazing.utexas.edu before your child joins any organization
2. Pattern recognition: Organizations with prior violations are higher risk
3. Document everything: UT’s size requires meticulous evidence preservation

Southern Methodist University: Private Campus Challenges

Campus & Culture Snapshot
SMU’s affluent private campus hosts active Greek life with less public transparency than state schools. The university’s reputation management can affect hazing response.

Documented Incidents

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): New members reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, deprived of sleep; chapter suspended until 2021
• Regular disciplinary actions: SMU conducts internal investigations with limited public disclosure

Private University Dynamics
SMU’s status affects:

• Transparency: Fewer public records than state schools
• Legal strategies: Different sovereign immunity issues
• Settlement patterns: Often prefer confidential resolutions

What Savoy Families at SMU Should Know

1. Information access: Private universities disclose less publicly; legal discovery may be necessary
2. Confidentiality norms: SMU often seeks confidential settlements
3. Documentation critical: Without public records, your evidence is even more important

Baylor University: Religious Identity and Scandal History

Campus & Culture Snapshot
Baylor’s religious identity intersects with its history of athletic scandals and Greek life challenges. The university has faced national scrutiny over institutional responses to misconduct.

Documented Incidents

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): 14 players suspended following hazing investigation
• Greek life sanctions: Periodic disciplinary actions for alcohol and policy violations

Institutional Context
Baylor’s history affects:

• Public relations pressure: Strong incentive to manage scandals
• Legal approaches: Experience with high-profile litigation
• Settlement strategies: Often include confidentiality clauses

What Savoy Families at Baylor Should Know

1. Scandal context: Understand Baylor’s institutional history with misconduct cases
2. Document meticulously: Baylor’s response may focus on reputation management
3. Legal experience matters: Baylor has experienced defense counsel; you need equivalent representation

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: Public Records Every Savoy Family Should Know

As part of our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain detailed data on Greek organizations across the state. This information helps Savoy families understand the landscape their children are entering.

IRS B83 Backbone: Texas-Registered Greek Organizations

The IRS maintains records of 125+ Texas-registered Greek organizations (house corporations, alumni chapters, honor societies) with Employer Identification Numbers (EINs). These entities often hold insurance policies and assets that can be crucial in hazing litigation. Examples relevant to Savoy students include:

North Texas Region Organizations:

• Beta Upsilon Chi, EIN 742911848, Fort Worth, TX 76244 (Christian fraternity)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc, EIN 741380362, Fort Worth, TX 76147
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Arlington-Grand Prairie Alumni Chapter, EIN 232452759, Grand Prairie, TX 75054
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority – Phi Psi Zeta Chapter, EIN 611562040, Lewisville, TX 75029

Statewide Honor Societies:

• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 263170920, Denton, TX 76204 (Texas Woman’s University)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 383742830, El Paso, TX 79968 (UT El Paso)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 463831593, Austin, TX 78723 (Texas State University)

Fraternity Housing Corporations:

• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc, EIN 462267515, Frisco, TX 75035
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity – Epsilon Kappa Chapter, EIN 746064445, Nederland, TX 77627
• Sigma Chi Fraternity – Epsilon Xi Chapter, EIN 746084905, Houston, TX 77204

Cause IQ Metro Analysis: Greek Density Across Texas

Our analysis of 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metros shows where Savoy students are most likely to encounter Greek life:

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro: 510 organizations
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro: 188 organizations
Austin-Round Rock Metro: 154 organizations
San Antonio Metro: 86 organizations
College Station-Bryan Metro: 42 organizations
Waco Metro: 27 organizations

For Savoy families, this means students attending schools in these metros are entering dense Greek ecosystems with complex organizational structures.

Campus-Specific Rosters: Where National Organizations Operate

University of Houston Greek Organizations Include:

• Fraternities: Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Sigma Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Upsilon, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Phi Mu, Zeta Tau Alpha
• Multicultural: Lambda Phi Epsilon, Omega Delta Phi, Sigma Lambda Beta, Kappa Delta Chi, Lambda Theta Alpha
• NPHC (Divine Nine): Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Sigma Gamma Rho, Zeta Phi Beta

Texas A&M University Greek Organizations Include:

• Fraternities: Alpha Sigma Phi, Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu
• Sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, Zeta Tau Alpha

Pattern Recognition: The same national organizations appear across multiple Texas campuses, meaning their national hazing histories are relevant wherever they operate.

Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories Matter for Savoy Families

Why National Patterns Predict Local Risk

When a Texas chapter repeats hazing methods that caused deaths or injuries at other universities, that shows foreseeability—the national organization knew or should have known the risks. This legal concept is crucial for Savoy families seeking accountability.

High-Risk National Organizations with Texas Presence

Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)

• National History: Stone Foltz death (BGSU, $10M settlement), David Bogenberger death (NIU, $14M settlement)
• Texas Chapters: UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Texas State, UTSA, others
• Pattern: Big/Little alcohol hazing, forced consumption rituals

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)

• National History: Multiple hazing deaths, traumatic brain injury lawsuit (Alabama), chemical burns case (Texas A&M)
• Texas Chapters: UT Austin, Texas A&M, SMU, Baylor, Texas Tech, others
• Pattern: Alcohol hazing, physical abuse, chemical endangerment

Phi Delta Theta

• National History: Max Gruver death (LSU, $6.1M verdict), felony hazing law named after victim
• Texas Chapters: UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, SMU, Baylor
• Pattern: Drinking game hazing, delayed medical response

Pi Kappa Phi

• National History: Andrew Coffey death (FSU), currently involved in UH $10M lawsuit we’re litigating
• Texas Chapters: UH (chapter closed), UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech
• Pattern: Alcohol hazing, physical endurance tests, humiliation rituals

Kappa Alpha Order

• National History: Multiple hazing suspensions including SMU chapter (2017)
• Texas Chapters: Texas A&M, SMU, Texas Tech, others
• Pattern: Physical hazing, alcohol coercion

The Legal Significance of National Histories

1. Foreseeability Evidence: Prior incidents show national organizations knew the risks
2. Negligence Standards: Failure to prevent known harm patterns establishes negligence
3. Punitive Damages: Knowledge of risks but inadequate prevention can support punitive claims
4. Insurance Coverage: National policies may provide additional recovery sources

For Savoy parents, checking an organization’s national history is as important as checking its campus reputation.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy, and Recovery

Evidence Collection: The Digital Battlefield

In 2025, hazing cases are won or lost on digital evidence. Savoy families must act quickly to preserve:

Group Messaging Evidence:

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage threads: Capture full conversations with timestamps
• Screen recording: If messages are disappearing (Snapchat, Instagram vanish mode)
• Cloud backups: iCloud or Google Drive may contain deleted messages
• Metadata: Phone records show communication patterns even if content is deleted

Social Media Documentation:

• Instagram/Snapchat stories: Screenshot immediately—they disappear in 24 hours
• TikTok/YouTube videos: Download originals, not just links
• Facebook events: Capture invitations and planning discussions
• Hashtags and location tags: Show organizational involvement and geography

Physical Evidence:

• Injury photographs: Multiple angles with scale reference (coin, ruler)
• Progression documentation: Daily photos showing bruising/ swelling development
• Location photos: Houses, rooms, venues where hazing occurred
• Object preservation: Paddles, alcohol bottles, costumes, “pledge packs”

Medical Documentation:

• ER/hospital records: Specifically mention “hazing” to clinicians
• Lab results: Blood alcohol levels, kidney function tests (creatine kinase for rhabdomyolysis)
• Psychological evaluations: PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses
• Future care plans: For permanent injuries like kidney damage or TBI

Institutional Records:

• University disciplinary files: Prior violations by same organization
• National fraternity records: Incident reports, risk management files
• Insurance policies: Multiple layers (national, housing corp, university)
• Public records requests: Campus police reports, Clery Act data

Watch our evidence preservation guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

Damages Recovery: What Savoy Families Can Seek

Economic Damages (Quantifiable):

• Medical expenses: Past and future care, including lifelong needs for permanent injuries
• Lost income/earning capacity: Missed semesters, delayed career entry, reduced lifetime earnings
• Educational costs: Lost scholarships, transfer expenses, tutoring
• Property damage: Destroyed phones, clothing, personal items

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective but Real):

• Physical pain and suffering: From injuries, hospitalizations, surgeries
• Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation, fear
• Loss of enjoyment: Can’t participate in sports, social life, normal college experience
• Reputational harm: Social stigma, digital footprint consequences

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

• Funeral/burial expenses
• Loss of financial support: Deceased’s potential lifetime earnings
• Loss of companionship: For parents, siblings, partners
• Emotional suffering: Grief, trauma of sudden loss

Punitive Damages (When Appropriate):

• Purpose: Punish reckless conduct, deter future hazing
• When awarded: Defendant knew risks, ignored warnings, showed callous indifference
• Texas caps: Generally limited but can be significant in extreme cases

Legal Strategy: Overcoming Institutional Defenses

Defense #1: “The Pledge Consented”
Our Response: Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense. Power imbalance, peer pressure, and fear of exclusion invalidate “consent.”

Defense #2: “Rogue Chapter, National Didn’t Know”
Our Response: National patterns show foreseeability. We subpoena national records showing prior incidents, complaints, and inadequate responses.

Defense #3: “Happened Off-Campus, Not Our Responsibility”
Our Response: Location doesn’t eliminate duty. Nationals collect dues, set policies, and exercise control regardless of venue.

Defense #4: “We Have Anti-Hazing Policies”
Our Response: Paper policies without enforcement are meaningless. We show prior violations were ignored or minimally punished.

Defense #5: “University Sovereign Immunity”
Our Response: Exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and individual capacity suits. Public universities like UH and Texas A&M have settled multi-million dollar hazing cases.

Defense #6: “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Intentional Acts”
Our Response: Negligent supervision claims may be covered even if hazing was intentional. Multiple insurance layers (national, housing corp, university) provide recovery opportunities.

Practical Guides for Savoy Families & Students

For Savoy Parents: Warning Signs and Response

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Being Hazed:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or burns with inconsistent explanations
• Extreme exhaustion beyond normal academic stress
• Sudden mood changes: anxiety, depression, withdrawal, irritability
• Secretive phone use, fear of missing group chat messages
• Financial strain from unexpected “fines,” purchases, or alcohol costs
• Academic decline: missed classes, dropping grades, lost scholarships
• Personality shift: excessive focus on pleasing older members, defensive about organization

How to Talk to Your Child:

1. Choose the right time: Private, calm, non-confrontational setting
2. Ask open questions: “How are things with your fraternity/sorority?” not “Are they hazing you?”
3. Listen without judgment: Your child may feel shame or fear retaliation
4. Emphasize safety: “Your health matters more than any organization”
5. Offer unconditional support: “We’ll help you through this no matter what”

If Your Child Is Injured:

1. Medical care first: ER evaluation even if they insist they’re “fine”
2. Document immediately: Photos of injuries, screenshots of messages
3. Preserve physical evidence: Don’t wash clothing, keep “pledge” items
4. Write contemporaneous notes: Who, what, when, where, while memory is fresh
5. Contact an attorney before reporting: We can guide you through preserving rights

Dealing with the University:

• Document all communications: Emails, calls, meetings with administrators
• Ask specific questions: “What prior incidents involve this organization?” “What prevention measures were in place?”
• Avoid signing anything: Universities may offer quick “resolutions” that waive legal rights
• Understand their incentives: Universities often prioritize reputation management over victim protection

For Savoy Students: Recognizing and Escaping Hazing

Is This Hazing? Ask Yourself:

• Would I do this if I had a real choice (no social consequences)?
• Is this dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
• Would my parents/university approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
• Are only new members doing this while older members watch or direct?
• Am I being told to keep secrets or lie about activities?

If You’re in Immediate Danger:

1. Call 911: Medical emergencies come first
2. Get to safety: Your dorm, a friend’s place, public area
3. You won’t get in trouble for calling for help: Texas law protects good-faith reporters

How to Exit Safely:

1. Tell someone outside the organization first: Parent, RA, trusted friend
2. Send written resignation: Email/text to chapter president: “I resign my membership effective immediately”
3. Do NOT attend “one last meeting”: This is often a pressure/retaliation opportunity
4. Document any retaliation: Threats, harassment, property damage
5. Report retaliation: Campus police, Dean of Students, Title IX office

Evidence Preservation for Students:

1. Screenshots: Full conversations with timestamps and sender names
2. Photos: Injuries from multiple angles with date stamps
3. Voice memos: Texas is one-party consent—you can record conversations you’re part of
4. Medical records: Tell healthcare providers you were hazed so it’s documented
5. Witness list: Names and contact info for others who saw what happened

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Mistake #1: Letting Your Child Delete Evidence
Why It’s Wrong: Looks like cover-up, can be obstruction of justice, makes case nearly impossible
Instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

Mistake #2: Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly
Why It’s Wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
Instead: Document everything, call a lawyer before any confrontation

Mistake #3: Signing University “Resolution” Forms
Why It’s Wrong: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often far below case value
Instead: Do NOT sign anything without attorney review

Mistake #4: Posting on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer
Why It’s Wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
Instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

Mistake #5: Letting Your Child Attend “One Last Meeting”
Why It’s Wrong: They pressure, intimidate, or extract harmful statements
Instead: Once considering legal action, all communication goes through your lawyer

Mistake #6: Waiting for University Investigation
Why It’s Wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute runs, university controls narrative
Instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

Mistake #7: Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer
Why It’s Wrong: Recorded statements are used against you; early settlements are lowball
Instead: “My attorney will contact you”

Watch our video on client mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY

Frequently Asked Questions for Savoy Families

“Can we sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case is fact-specific.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Texas law classifies hazing as a Class B misdemeanor by default, but becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report hazing.

“What if my child ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
Texas Education Code §37.155 explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure isn’t voluntary.

“How long do we have to file a lawsuit?”
Generally 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but exceptions exist if the harm wasn’t immediately discovered or if there was fraudulent concealment. Time is critical—call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

“What if the hazing happened off-campus?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, and knowledge. Many major hazing cases occurred off-campus.

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

“How much does a hazing lawyer cost?”
We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation. Learn more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

“What’s the first step?”
Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your options, and help you decide the best path forward.

Why Attorney911 for Savoy Hazing Cases

Texas-Based Hazing Specialists Serving Fannin County Families

From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas—including Savoy, Bonham, and all of Fannin County. When your family faces a hazing case, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how universities, national fraternities, and their insurance companies 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, their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. We know their playbook because we used to run it.

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello)
Our firm is one of the few in Texas involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on billion-dollar corporations with unlimited legal budgets. We have federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) and aren’t intimidated by national fraternities or university defense teams. We’ve faced the biggest defendants and won.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death Results
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 the 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 and Resources
We maintain the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—detailed data on 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. We work with digital forensics experts to recover deleted messages, medical experts to document injuries, and psychologists to assess trauma. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

Spanish-Language Services
Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish—serving Hispanic families across Texas with culturally competent representation.

Our Approach: Empathy, Investigation, Accountability

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

1. Compassionate Support: We listen without judgment, move at your pace, and prioritize your family’s emotional well-being
2. Thorough Investigation: We leave no stone unturned—from deleted group chats to national fraternity records to university disciplinary files
3. Strategic Litigation: We build cases that force institutions to change while securing compensation for your family’s suffering
4. Privacy Protection: We fight to keep your family’s story confidential while holding wrongdoers accountable

Call to Action for Savoy Families

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

If you or your child experienced hazing at Texas A&M University-Commerce, University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or any Texas campus, we want to hear from you. Families in Savoy, Bonham, Ladonia, and across Fannin County have the right to answers and accountability.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation

1. We Listen: Tell your story without interruption or judgment
2. Evidence Review: We’ll examine any photos, messages, medical records, or documents you have
3. Legal Options Explained: We’ll outline your options—criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither
4. Realistic Expectations: We’ll discuss timelines, challenges, and potential outcomes
5. Cost Transparency: Contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation
6. No Pressure: Take time to decide; we never pressure immediate decisions
7. Confidentiality: Everything you tell us is protected by attorney-client privilege

Contact Attorney911 Today

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 (Ralph Manginello) or lupe@atty911.com (Lupe Peña)

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

Whether you’re in Savoy or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Call us today for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.

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