Texas Hazing Laws: A Comprehensive Guide for Stafford Families

The phone rings late, lights flashing on a cold screen. It’s not a casual check-in from college. Instead, a parent in Stafford might receive a panicked call, or worse, a silent one, followed by news that their child has been hospitalized after what was supposed to be a bonding night with a new group at a Texas university. Perhaps their student, away from their home in Stafford, has been forced to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol, enduring extreme physical exercises, or subjected to degrading acts designed to “break them down” for a fraternity, sorority, or university organization. Other parents in Stafford might notice subtle, disturbing changes in their student: unexplained injuries, sudden secrecy, or a withdrawal from friends and academic interests, all tied to their new affiliation.

This unsettling scenario, unfortunately, is not uncommon across Texas campuses. For families in Stafford and communities throughout the state, the dream of a safe, enriching college experience can quickly turn into a nightmare when hazing takes hold. It leaves students traumatized, injured, or worse, and parents feeling helpless and confused.

This comprehensive guide to hazing and the law in Texas is written specifically for families in Stafford and across Texas who need to understand:

• What hazing truly looks like in 2025, moving beyond outdated stereotypes.
• How Texas and federal law address hazing, and what rights victims have.
• The critical lessons from major national hazing cases and how they apply to the situations facing Texas families.
• The specific hazing challenges and patterns that have emerged at the University of Houston (UH), Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin (UT), Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Baylor University.
• The legal options and pathways to accountability available to victims and their families in Stafford and throughout Texas.

This article provides general information. It is not a substitute for specific legal advice tailored to your unique circumstances. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, is a Houston-based Texas personal injury firm with deep expertise in hazing litigation and institutional accountability, serving families throughout Texas, including Stafford and neighboring communities in Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Sugar Land.

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.” Prioritize their health above all else.
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, and direct messages (DMs) immediately.
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles and over multiple days.
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects involved in the hazing).
• Write down everything while memories are fresh, detailing who was involved, what happened, when it occurred, and where.
• Do NOT:
  • Directly confront the fraternity, sorority, or organization.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
  • Post details on public social media platforms.
  • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” any evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

• Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses).
• Universities often move quickly to control the narrative and manage the situation internally.
• We can help preserve critical evidence and protect your child’s rights from the outset.
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For families in Stafford and across Texas, understanding modern hazing means shedding old notions of harmless pranks or simple rites of passage. Today’s hazing is far more insidious, often involving psychological manipulation, extreme alcohol consumption, and digital coercion, all designed to maintain secrecy and power. It’s 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.

It’s crucial to recognize that “I agreed to it” does not automatically make such activities safe or legal. When there is intense peer pressure, a significant power imbalance, or fear of social exclusion, a student’s “consent” is often compromised and legally meaningless.

Main Categories of Hazing

Current hazing practices are diverse and adaptive, ranging from the overtly dangerous to the subtly coercive:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains one of the most dangerous forms. It includes forced or coerced drinking, often through organized “chugging challenges,” “lineups,” or drinking games that require rapid, excessive consumption. Pledges may be pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances, leading to serious injury or death.
• Physical Hazing: This involves any act that inflicts physical pain or discomfort. Examples include paddling, beatings, extreme calisthenics (often called “workouts” or “smokings”) far beyond normal physical conditioning, and severe sleep, food, or water deprivation. Students may also be exposed to extreme cold or heat, or placed in dangerous environments.
• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: These acts are deeply degrading and often traumatizing. They encompass forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (like the “roasted pig” positions seen in some incidents), degrading costumes, and acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic undertones, including the use of slurs or forced role-play.
• Psychological Hazing: This category focuses on mental and emotional abuse. It involves verbal abuse, threats, forced social isolation, constant manipulation, or forced confessions from new members. Public shaming, whether in person or on social media, contributes to immense psychological distress.
• Digital/Online Hazing: A growing and particularly insidious form, digital hazing leverages technology to exert control. This includes group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation delivered via platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, and others. Students may also face pressure to create or share compromising images or videos.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

Hazing is unfortunately not confined to specific types of student groups. While fraternities and sororities, including Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and multicultural Greek organizations, are often in the spotlight, hazing extends far beyond “frat boys”:

• Corps of Cadets/ROTC/Military-Style Groups: These groups, especially prominent at Texas A&M, often have long-standing traditions that, if unchecked, can escalate into hazing behavior under the guise of training or discipline.
• Spirit Squads, Tradition Clubs, and Student Organizations: Groups like the former Texas Cowboys (UT Austin) or other spirit and tradition-focused clubs can become environments where hazing flourishes.
• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to baseball, cheerleading, and track, competitive sports teams at all levels can be sites of hazing, often framed as “team bonding” or “toughening up” new members.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly innocuous groups, such as marching bands or theater ensembles, can experience hazing rituals.
• Academic, Service, and Cultural Organizations: Any group with an initiation or affiliation process can potentially engage in hazing if mechanisms of power and control are abused.

This persistent issue thrives on social status, tradition, and fervent secrecy. Even when members, universities, and families “know” hazing is illegal and dangerous, these practices can persist due to intense loyalty and fear of reprisal.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

Understanding the legal landscape surrounding hazing in Texas is crucial for Stafford families seeking accountability and justice. Both state and federal laws provide frameworks to address this serious problem.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Texas has clear, specific anti-hazing provisions outlined in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F. Under Texas law – which governs cases in Stafford and across the state – hazing is broadly defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, committed by one person alone or with others, on or off campus, 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.

In plain English, if someone makes you do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they acted intentionally, knowingly, or with reckless disregard for your safety, that’s hazing under Texas law.

Key aspects of Texas hazing law:

• Can happen on or off campus: The location of the hazing activity does not matter; liability can still apply.
• Mental or physical harm: Hazing is not limited to physical injury; acts that substantially affect a student’s mental health or safety (e.g., extreme humiliation, intimidation, prolonged sleep deprivation) also qualify.
• Intent is broad: An act qualifies as hazing even if there was no malicious intent to harm, as long as the perpetrator knew the risk and acted recklessly.
• “Consent” is not a defense: As explicitly stated in Texas Education Code § 37.155, even if the victim verbally “agreed” to the activity, it is still legally considered hazing if it meets the definition, recognizing that true consent is absent under duress or coercion.

Texas law also outlines:

• Criminal penalties: Hazing can lead to criminal charges. Most hazing offenses are classified as Class B misdemeanors. However, the severity increases to a Class A misdemeanor if medical treatment is required for an injury, and it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Furthermore, individuals who know about hazing and fail to report it can face misdemeanor charges, as can those who retaliate against someone for reporting hazing.
• Organizational liability: Organizations themselves can be criminally prosecuted and fined if they authorized, encouraged, or knew about hazing and failed to report it.
• Reporter protections: Texas law, specifically Texas Education Code § 37.154, offers immunity from civil or criminal liability for individuals who report hazing in good faith. This provision is designed to encourage witnesses and victims to come forward without fear of legal consequences related to their report. Many universities also provide amnesty for students who call for help in medical emergencies, even if underage drinking was involved.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

It is important for Stafford families to understand the distinct purposes and processes of criminal and civil hazing cases:

• Criminal Cases: These are brought by the state (through a local prosecutor) against individuals or organizations accused of violating hazing laws. The primary aim is punishment, which can include fines, jail time, or probation. Common criminal charges related to hazing can include hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, and even negligent homicide or manslaughter in fatal incidents.
• Civil Cases: These are initiated by victims or their surviving families against individuals and organizations responsible for the harm. The goal of a civil case is monetary compensation for damages suffered, along with holding responsible parties accountable. Civil claims often focus on negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring or supervision, premises liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Crucially, a criminal conviction is not a prerequisite for pursuing a civil case. Both types of cases can proceed concurrently, each with its own burden of proof and legal standards.

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

Federal laws and initiatives also impact how hazing is addressed nationally and in Texas:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This significant piece of legislation mandates that colleges and universities receiving federal funding implement greater transparency regarding hazing incidents. It requires them to publicly report hazing violations, enhance hazing education and prevention programs, and maintain accessible data on hazing incidents. These requirements are being phased in, with full implementation expected around 2026. This act aims to provide families with more information about specific organizations’ hazing histories.
• Title IX and Clery Act: When hazing involves elements such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based discrimination and hostility, federal Title IX obligations are triggered, requiring universities to investigate and respond appropriately. The Clery Act mandates that colleges and universities disclose campus crime statistics and security policies. Hazing incidents, particularly those involving assaults, underage drinking offenses, or drug use, often overlap with Clery-reportable crimes, contributing to the overall transparency landscape.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

Determining who is responsible in a hazing incident involves understanding the various parties that can be held liable in a civil lawsuit:

• Individual Students: Those who actively planned, carried out, or participated in the hazing activities. This includes students who supplied alcohol, pressured victims, or helped cover up the events.
• Local Chapter or Organization: The specific fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself can be sued. Officers or “pledge educators” who were in leadership roles during the hazing are also key targets.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: The national headquarters often sets policies, provides funding, and supervises local chapters. National organizations can be held liable if they had knowledge of previous hazing incidents, failed to adequately enforce their anti-hazing policies, or showed deliberate indifference to the risks.
• University or College: The educational institution itself can be held liable under certain theories of negligence, gross negligence, or premises liability. Key questions include whether the university knew or should have known about hazing, if it adequately enforced its own policies, and whether it provided suitable supervision.
• Third Parties: This can include landlords or owners of off-campus properties where hazing occurred, bars or alcohol providers under “dram shop” laws if they served intoxicated individuals, and even security companies or event organizers who failed in their duties.

It’s important to remember that every case is highly fact-specific. Not every party will be liable in every situation, but an experienced hazing attorney meticulously investigates all potential avenues of accountability.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

Hazing deaths and severe injuries are not isolated incidents. They often follow disturbing, predictable patterns that allow experienced attorneys to establish foreseeability and build strong negligence claims. For Stafford families, understanding these national anchor stories reveals the common threads of Greek life misconduct and collegiate organizational failures.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

The majority of hazing-related deaths are due to forced or coerced alcohol consumption. These tragedies highlight institutions’ repeated failures to address known dangers.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017): In one of the most high-profile hazing cases in recent history, 19-year-old Timothy Piazza died after a “bid acceptance” night at Beta Theta Pi. He fell multiple times, sustaining severe brain and internal injuries, all captured on fraternity security cameras. Despite his obvious distress, fraternity members delayed calling 911 for nearly 12 hours. The aftermath led to over 1,000 criminal charges against 18 fraternity members, significant civil litigation, and the enactment of the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania, which strengthened anti-hazing statutes and increased penalties. This case underscored how extreme intoxication, egregious delays in seeking medical help, and a pervasive culture of silence can be legally devastating for individuals and organizations.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old FSU pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event. Pledges were given handles of hard liquor and forced to consume them rapidly. Following his death, criminal hazing charges were brought against multiple fraternity members, and Florida State University temporarily suspended all Greek life, implementing significant policy overhauls. This case illustrates the recurring danger of “tradition” driven drinking events.

• Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Maxwell “Max” Gruver, a freshman pledge at Louisiana State University, died from alcohol toxicity with an astonishing blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.495%. He was forced to participate in a “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers to questions resulted in forced drinking. Following his death, multiple members faced criminal charges, and Louisiana enacted the Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute. This case demonstrates how public outrage and clear proof of hazing often lead to legislative change designed to deter future incidents.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old pledge, died following a Pi Kappa Alpha pledge night where he was forced to consume an entire bottle of whiskey. The incident led to multiple criminal convictions for hazing-related charges against fraternity members. In a significant civil outcome, Bowling Green State University (a public institution) agreed to a nearly $3 million settlement with the family, with other substantial settlements from the national fraternity and individuals, totaling $10 million. The case bolstered Ohio’s anti-hazing laws, making hazing causing serious physical harm a felony. This tragedy highlights that universities can face significant financial and reputational consequences for hazing, alongside the fraternities themselves.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Beyond alcohol, physical abuse and dangerous rituals are another common, and often deadly, hazing pattern.

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng, a freshman pledge, died after participating in a brutal “glass ceiling” ritual at an off-campus fraternity retreat in the Pocono Mountains. Blindfolded and weighted down with a heavy backpack, he was repeatedly tackled. Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for over an hour, ultimately carrying him to a hospital where he died from a traumatic brain injury. Multiple members were convicted of assault and hazing, and the national fraternity itself was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter – a landmark case demonstrating organizational criminal liability. Pi Delta Psi was banned from operating in Pennsylvania for 10 years. This tragedy underscores that off-campus “retreats” can be designed to evade oversight, yet can be just as, or even more, dangerous than on-campus incidents.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is not exclusive to Greek life; it frequently occurs within collegiate athletic programs.

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): In a widespread scandal, former Northwestern football players alleged a pattern of systemic, severe, and often sexualized and racist hazing within the program over multiple years. This included forced sexual acts, racial discrimination, and physical abuse. The allegations led to the firing of long-time head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who subsequently filed a wrongful-termination lawsuit resolved by a confidential settlement. Multiple players also sued Northwestern and coaching staff. This case starkly highlighted that hazing extends far beyond Greek life and can permeate major, high-profile athletic programs, raising profound questions about institutional oversight.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

These national cases, including those that set precedents now understood by Stafford families, reveal critical common threads: forced drinking, physical beatings, extreme humiliation, pervasive cultures of secrecy, and critically, delayed or denied medical care that often turns severe injuries fatal. It’s a sobering reality that significant legislative reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements usually occur only after tragedy strikes and families pursue rigorous litigation. For Stafford families whose children attend universities like UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor, these national lessons underscore that their situations are not isolated; they are part of a larger pattern of institutional failure that demands accountability.

Texas Focus: UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, deeply understands the unique cultures, policies, and challenges at Texas’s major universities. For families in Stafford, whose children attend these diverse institutions, it’s vital to understand the specific hazing landscape each campus presents.

5.1 University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston, a vibrant urban campus with a mix of commuter and residential students, fosters an active Greek life alongside numerous student organizations. For students from Stafford, the proximity of UH often makes it a popular choice, meaning hazing incidents here are particularly concerning for our local community. Its dynamic environment presents both opportunities and challenges for student safety.

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UH has a large and diverse student body, fostering robust Greek life with a broad spectrum of fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural). Beyond Greek life, numerous other student organizations, including cultural clubs, athletic teams, and spirit groups, contribute to the campus experience. This diverse student involvement means hazing can potentially occur in many different contexts.

5.1.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

The University of Houston maintains clear anti-hazing policies, prohibiting any hazing activities on or off campus for affiliations to any student organization. Their policies specifically forbid forced consumption of alcohol, food, or drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and any acts causing mental distress. UH provides various reporting channels, including the Dean of Students Office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). The university also posts its hazing statement and, to some extent, disciplinary information online, encouraging transparency.

5.1.3 Example Incident & Response

A notable case involving UH’s Pi Kappa Alpha chapter in 2016 illustrated the serious physical dangers of hazing. Pledges were allegedly subjected to sleep deprivation and insufficient food and water during a multi-day event. One student suffered a lacerated spleen after being violently slammed onto a table or similar surface. The chapter faced misdemeanor hazing charges and a significant university suspension. Subsequent disciplinary actions have also been taken against other fraternities for behavior “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” including alcohol misuse and policy violations, resulting in suspensions or probationary periods. These incidents highlight UH’s efforts to enforce its policies, though the details of such cases are not always as publicly exhaustive as some other universities.

5.1.4 How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

Given UH’s location in Houston, hazing incidents here might involve both the UHPD and the broader Houston Police Department, depending on where the incident occurred. Civil lawsuits stemming from UH hazing would typically be filed in courts with jurisdiction over Houston and Harris County, such as district courts in downtown Houston. Potential defendants could include the individual students involved, the local chapter, the national fraternity or sorority, property owners (if off-campus), and potentially the University of Houston itself.

5.1.5 What UH Students & Parents Should Do

For students from Stafford attending UH and their families, these steps are crucial:

• Familiarize yourselves with UH’s hazing policies and know where to find the Dean of Students Office and UHPD contact information.
• Report any suspected hazing immediately through UH’s official channels (Dean of Students, UHPD, or online reporting forms).
• Document all interactions and incidents, including prior complaints or rumored past incidents involving specific fraternities or organizations, as this can be vital evidence.
• Talk to a lawyer experienced in Houston-based hazing cases as soon as possible. An attorney can help navigate UH’s administrative processes, which can be complex, and investigate to uncover prior discipline or internal files that may not be publicly available.
• For Stafford families, understanding the local law enforcement and court jurisdictions in Houston can help streamline the process.

5.2 Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, a cornerstone of College Station, is renowned for its deep-seated traditions, particularly its venerated Corps of Cadets and robust Greek life. For Stafford families, whether their students are involved in fraternities, sororities, or the Corps, understanding the unique context of A&M’s culture is essential in addressing hazing concerns.

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M is characterized by its powerful traditions, including an enduring military heritage within the Corps of Cadets, which fosters a unique and often intense student subculture. Alongside this, a highly active Greek life (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, and multicultural organizations) and countless other student groups thrive. This environment, while fostering strong bonds, also presents distinct challenges for preventing and identifying hazing, as it can often be intertwined with “tradition.”

5.2.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

Texas A&M strictly prohibits hazing both on and off campus, as detailed in its Student Conduct Code and specific regulations for the Corps of Cadets and Greek organizations. The university defines hazing broadly to include any forced activity that causes or is reasonably expected to cause physical or mental harm. Reporting channels include the Dean of Student Life, the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD), and specific reporting processes within the Corps and Fraternity & Sorority Life offices. The university also commits to publishing information regarding hazing violations and disciplinary actions.

5.2.3 Example Incidents & Response

Texas A&M has faced significant hazing incidents both within its Greek system and the Corps of Cadets.

• The Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter (around 2021) was suspended after pledges alleged brutal hazing that included being covered in substances, notably an industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns and requiring emergency skin graft surgeries. The pledges subsequently filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the fraternity, highlighting the extreme physical dangers and institutional failures.
• In 2023, a lawsuit brought to light degrading hazing allegations within the Corps of Cadets. A cadet claimed he was subjected to simulated sexual acts and force-bound in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, while A&M stated it addressed the matter through its internal rules.
• These cases showcase the university’s historical struggle to manage hazing within both its Greek and storied Corps traditions.

5.2.4 How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases originating from Texas A&M might involve the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD), and depending on the location of the incident, the College Station Police Department or Brazos County Sheriff’s Office. Civil cases would likely be filed in the courts having jurisdiction over Brazos County. Due to A&M’s status as a public institution, specific legal arguments related to sovereign immunity might be raised, though exceptions exist for gross negligence or Title IX violations.

5.2.5 What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do

For Aggies and their families, especially those from Stafford who may be accustomed to a different local jurisdiction:

• Understand A&M’s distinct culture and the potential for hazing, particularly within the Corps of Cadets and Greek life, where traditions can sometimes mask abusive practices.
• Report any hazing concerns immediately to the Dean of Student Life or UPD. The university’s published hazing violations list can also be a valuable resource to check organizational histories.
• Document evidence meticulously, including photos of injuries or evidence of coerced activities. Remember that alleged “traditions” do not justify hazing.
• Prioritize medical attention for any injuries, no matter how minor they seem. Documenting all medical care is critical for any subsequent legal action.
• Consult with an attorney experienced in Hazing laws to navigate the complex legal and administrative landscape at Texas A&M.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)

The University of Texas at Austin, a flagship institution, is known for its vibrant academic life, spirited traditions, and extensive Greek system. For students from Stafford who often pursue higher education at UT, understanding the university’s specific approach to hazing and common incident patterns is critically important.

5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

UT Austin boasts one of the nation’s largest and most active Greek systems, alongside numerous highly visible student organizations, athletic programs, and spirit groups. Its campus culture, while prioritizing academic excellence, also values strong social affiliations and traditions. The dynamic interplay between these groups creates a complex environment where hazing can manifest in various forms, often hidden behind the veil of “tradition” or “bonding.”

5.3.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

The University of Texas at Austin has a comprehensive and strict anti-hazing policy, prohibiting any act on or off campus, explicit or implied, for affiliation with a student organization that endangers mental or physical health. UT maintains dedicated reporting channels through the Dean of Students’ Office, Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, and the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD). Importantly, UT is recognized for its commitment to transparency, maintaining a publicly accessible Hazing @ UT Austin website (hazing.utexas.edu) that lists organizations found responsible for hazing violations, along with the nature of the violation and implemented sanctions.

5.3.3 Example Incident & Response

UT’s public hazing log provides valuable insights into recurring issues. For example:

• In 2023, Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) was disciplined for hazing activities where new members were directed to consume milk and non-alcoholic drinks and perform strenuous calisthenics, leading to physical discomfort. The chapter was sanctioned with probation and mandated to implement new hazing-prevention education.
• Other student groups, including spirit organizations like Texas Wranglers, have faced sanctions for various hazing violations, such as forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and other punishment-based practices creating a hostile environment for new members.
• The existence of this public record highlights UT’s proactive stance in reporting, yet the repeated violations demonstrate the persistent nature of hazing despite transparency efforts.

5.3.4 How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases at UT Austin may involve investigations by UTPD and potentially the Austin Police Department, depending on whether the incident occurred on or off campus. Civil lawsuits would typically proceed in courts of jurisdiction over Travis County. UT Austin, as a public university, benefits from some sovereign immunity protections, but litigation can still proceed based on exceptions like gross negligence, Title IX violations, or claims against individual employees acting in their personal capacity. The public record of hazing violations maintained by UT can be a powerful tool for plaintiffs, demonstrating a pattern of neglect or knowledge of prior incidents.

5.3.5 What UT Austin Students & Parents Should Do

For UT students from Stafford and their families:

• Regularly consult UT’s Hazing @ UT Austin website (hazing.utexas.edu) to check the disciplinary history of any organization your student is considering joining or is already part of.
• Report any hazing concerns directly to the Dean of Students or UTPD; utilize the anonymous reporting options if preferred.
• Meticulously document any suspected hazing, including communications from the organization, physical evidence, and changes in your student’s behavior or health.
• Do not hesitate to seek medical attention for any injuries or psychological distress, ensuring that medical records reflect the true nature of the incident.
• Contact an attorney experienced in Texas hazing law. The transparency maintained by UT can be a strong asset in building a civil case, but experienced legal counsel is necessary to effectively leverage this information and navigate complex litigation against a major university.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University, nestled in Dallas, is a private institution with a highly regarded academic reputation and a strong, traditional Greek life presence. For Stafford families whose children attend SMU, understanding the nuances of how hazing is addressed in a private university setting is key.

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

SMU is characterized by its affluent student body, prestigious academics, and deeply entrenched Greek culture. Fraternities and sororities play a prominent role in social life, contributing to an environment where tradition and social standing can sometimes create pressure for new members. This private university setting influences how incidents are handled, often leading to less public transparency than at state institutions.

5.4.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

SMU maintains strict anti-hazing policies, prohibiting any activity that causes mental or physical harm, regardless of location or alleged consent, for the purpose of membership. The university encourages reporting through various channels, including the Dean of Students, the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, and the SMU Police Department. SMU also utilizes systems like “Real Response” to facilitate anonymous reporting and to address campus safety issues, including hazing.

5.4.3 Example Incident & Response

SMU has had its share of hazing incidents, often resulting in significant sanctions for the involved organizations. A notable example involved the Kappa Alpha Order chapter around 2017. New members reportedly endured severe hazing that included paddling, forced alcohol consumption, and sleep deprivation. The chapter faced immediate suspension and subsequent restrictions on its ability to recruit new members for several years. While SMU strives for a safe campus environment, hazing persists. These incidents highlight the tension between maintaining robust Greek life and ensuring student safety, showing that even with clear policies, vigilance and enforcement are continually required.

5.4.4 How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

As a private institution, SMU does not benefit from sovereign immunity, making it potentially more straightforward to sue the university directly compared to public Texas universities. Hazing cases at SMU would typically involve the SMU Police Department and potentially the Dallas Police Department for off-campus incidents. Civil lawsuits would be filed in courts with jurisdiction over Dallas County. Potential defendants would include not only the individual students and local chapter but also the national organization and SMU itself. The private nature of SMU means internal investigations and disciplinary actions may not be as publicly detailed as those at institutions like UT Austin unless a lawsuit compels discovery.

5.4.5 What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

For SMU students from Stafford and their families:

• Understand the importance of SMU’s policies and reporting avenues, including the anonymous systems available through the Dean of Students’ office.
• Document any suspected hazing thoroughly, including any communications from the organization, photos or videos of activities, and detailed accounts of what transpired.
• Prioritize your child’s physical and mental health by seeking immediate medical assistance for any injuries or psychological distress. Ensure that medical records clearly note the circumstances.
• Recognize that private universities, while not immune from lawsuits, can be less transparent about their internal disciplinary processes. An experienced attorney can compel the release of crucial documents and information through legal discovery.
• Contact a legal team with experience in hazing litigation to explore legal options. This is crucial for navigating private institutional policies and pursuing full accountability.

5.5 Baylor University

Baylor University, a private Baptist university in Waco, is known for its strong academic programs, Christian mission, and a history that includes scrutiny over campus safety issues. For Stafford families with students attending or considering Baylor, understanding its unique context regarding hazing and institutional accountability is important.

5.5.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor’s identity is deeply rooted in its Christian faith, which shapes its campus culture and student expectations. While often perceived as more conservative, Baylor still maintains active Greek life (Panhellenic, IFC, NPHC, and multicultural organizations), alongside numerous athletic programs and student organizations. The university’s past has seen significant challenges regarding campus safety and oversight, particularly concerning sexual assault, which has created a heightened awareness around institutional responsibility that extends to issues like hazing.

5.5.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

Baylor maintains a strict anti-hazing policy applicable to all student organizations, whether on or off campus, prohibiting any action that causes or is likely to cause mental or physical harm. Reporting mechanisms are primarily through the Dean of Students office, the Baylor University Police Department, or through anonymous reporting forms. Baylor emphasizes a “zero tolerance” policy but, like many universities, must continually balance its commitment to safety with the realities of student conduct.

5.5.3 Example Incident & Response

Baylor has encountered hazing incidents, demonstrating that no institution is immune, regardless of its mission or culture.

• In 2020, Baylor’s baseball program faced a significant hazing scandal resulting in the suspension of 14 players. The suspensions, which were staggered over the early season, highlighted hazing within athletic teams and prompted discussion about oversight in sports programs.
• While specific high-profile Greek hazing deaths like those at other major universities have not dominated headlines at Baylor, investigations and disciplinary actions against fraternities and sororities for violating hazing policies are not uncommon. These often involve alcohol misuse, forced physical activities, and other prohibited behaviors.
• These incidents, viewed alongside Baylor’s broader history of external scrutiny related to its handling of Title IX and sexual violence, underscore the university’s ongoing challenges in ensuring a safe campus environment and enforcing institutional accountability across all student activities.

5.5.4 How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed

As a private university, Baylor does not have sovereign immunity, meaning it can be directly sued for negligence or other claims related to hazing. Hazing cases would involve the Baylor University Police Department and potentially the Waco Police Department for off-campus incidents. Civil lawsuits would be filed in courts with jurisdiction over McLennan County. Beyond individual students and local chapters, the national organizations and Baylor University itself would be potential defendants. The private nature of Baylor’s operations means that obtaining internal records and communications may require formal legal discovery processes.

5.2.5 What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do

For Baylor students from Stafford and their families:

• Be aware of Baylor’s heightened focus on campus safety and accountability stemming from its past challenges, and use this to your advantage in understanding reporting processes.
• Familiarize yourselves with Baylor’s anti-hazing policies and know how to contact the Dean of Students or Baylor UPD for reporting.
• Document thoroughly any suspected hazing, including collecting digital evidence, photographing injuries, and keeping detailed notes of incidents. Medical attention for any physical or psychological harm must be sought and documented.
• Understand that Baylor’s reputation, while rooted in its faith, does not preclude hazing, and that a “zero tolerance” policy requires active enforcement.
• Consult with a hazing attorney who understands the specifics of private university litigation and can navigate issues like internal investigations, discovery, and potential claims against the university.

6. Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

When hazing occurs at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor, it rarely occurs in a vacuum. The local chapters operate under the umbrella of larger, national organizations, many of which have extensive, often tragic, histories of hazing. For Stafford families, understanding the connection between local chapter actions and national organizational failures is critical for building a strong legal case.

6.1 Why National Histories Matter

Many fraternities and sororities active at Texas universities, such as Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi, and Kappa Alpha Order, are part of national organizations with a presence across the country. These national headquarters typically:

• Possess extensive anti-hazing manuals, risk management policies, and training materials—often developed because they have faced prior lawsuits, multi-million-dollar settlements, and even criminal convictions stemming from deaths and catastrophic injuries.
• Are aware of the recurring patterns of hazing, including forced drinking nights, physically abusive traditions, and psychologically damaging rituals.

When a chapter in Texas, perhaps at UH or Texas A&M, engages in hazing that mirrors incidents that have occurred at another chapter of the same national organization in a different state, this establishes foreseeability. It means the national organization had prior knowledge of such dangerous practices and, arguably, failed to prevent them effectively. This pattern evidence is a powerful tool in proving negligence or gross negligence and can significantly increase potential for punitive damages against the national entity.

6.2 Organization Mapping (Synthesized)

Below, we detail some of the major fraternities and sororities commonly found at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor, along with notable national hazing incidents that illustrate their problematic histories:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike): A large national fraternity with chapters across Texas campuses, including UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin. Pike has a particularly troubling national hazing history, often involving extreme alcohol consumption.

  • Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, 2021): This tragic incident involved a 20-year-old pledge forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol, leading to his death from alcohol poisoning. This case resulted in criminal convictions for multiple members and a $10 million settlement for the family, with a significant portion from the national fraternity.
  • David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois University, 2012): Another pledge death due to alcohol poisoning during a fraternity event, resulting in a $14 million settlement for the family.
  • These cases demonstrate a clear pattern of dangerous alcohol-related hazing within Pi Kappa Alpha, issues that could foreseeably arise in any chapter, including those sending students to Texas universities from Stafford.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE): A historically prominent fraternity with chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and SMU. SAE has faced numerous hazing controversies and deaths nationally.

  • University of Alabama (2023): A lawsuit alleged a pledge suffered a traumatic brain injury during hazing rituals, highlighting severe physical abuse.
  • Texas A&M University (2021): Pledges alleged they were covered in industrial-strength cleaner, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended, and the pledges sued for $1 million.
  • Carson Starkey (California Polytechnic State University, 2008): Pledge died of alcohol poisoning, leading to a substantial confidential settlement and the national fraternity later eliminating the traditional pledge process due to repeated fatalities.
  • The pattern of alcohol-related deaths and severe physical injuries within SAE chapters nationally demonstrates a clear, continuous risk. Local chapters at Texas campuses operate with the knowledge of this troubling history.

• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): This fraternity has chapters across Texas, including UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor.

  • Max Gruver (Louisiana State University, 2017): Gruver died from alcohol toxicity during a forced drinking game. This incident led to criminal convictions and the enactment of the comprehensive Max Gruver Act in Louisiana.
  • This case is a critical example of the dangers of forced drinking “games” and how they can spiral into fatalities, a risk that national Phi Delta Theta is well aware of.

• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): With chapters at UH and Texas A&M, Pi Kappa Phi has also been linked to hazing tragedies.

  • Andrew Coffey (Florida State University, 2017): Coffey’s death from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event (as covered in Section 4) was a direct result of coerced excessive drinking.
  • This incident, like others, shows a pattern of dangerous alcohol hazing that signals a foreseeable risk to pledges at other chapters.

• Kappa Alpha Order (KA): Active at Texas A&M and SMU, this fraternity has faced controversies.

  • SMU Chapter (2017): The SMU chapter of KA was suspended for several years due to allegations of paddling, forced alcohol consumption, and sleep deprivation.
  • This local example, combined with other national incidents, points to a recurring issue with physical and alcohol-related hazing practices.

• Omega Psi Phi (ΩΨΦ): An NPHC fraternity with chapters at UH and Texas A&M.

  • University of Southern Mississippi (2023): A former student filed a federal lawsuit alleging severe hazing including repeated beatings with a wooden paddle during “Hell Night,” causing injuries requiring emergency surgery and months of rehabilitation. This lawsuit highlights the physical violence that can occur and the potential for federal claims.

• Sigma Chi (ΣΧ): With chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Baylor, Sigma Chi is another large national fraternity with a history of hazing allegations.

  • College of Charleston (2024): A pledge alleged physical beatings, forced consumption of drugs and alcohol, and psychological torment. The family reportedly received more than $10 million in damages, demonstrating substantial verdicts for severe hazing.

• Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ): Represented at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Baylor, Kappa Sigma has multiple instances of hazing.

  • Chad Meredith (University of Miami, 2001): Meredith drowned after being persuaded by fraternity members to swim across a lake while intoxicated. A jury awarded his parents a $12.6 million verdict based on hazing and negligence, leading to Florida’s “Chad Meredith Law.”
  • Texas A&M (2023): Allegations of hazing leading to rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown from extreme physical activity). This highlights forced physical exertion as a dangerous hazing tactic.

6.3 Tie Back to Legal Strategy

The documented national and local histories of these organizations are invaluable in civil litigation. They clearly demonstrate:

• Foresight and Awareness: These organizations cannot claim ignorance when similar incidents led to injury, death, or severe sanctions in the past.
• Pattern Evidence: Repeated hazing incidents, especially involving similar tactics (e.g., forced alcohol consumption at Pike events), demonstrate a systemic problem beyond “rogue members.”
• Institutional Negligence: The national organizations’ recurring failure to proactively prevent hazing, enforce policies, or meaningfully penalize chapters exposes them to claims of negligence or gross negligence.

These factors can significantly impact:

• Settlement Leverage: Faced with a compelling history of prior incidents, defendants (national organizations, their insurers, and universities) are often more willing to settle for fair compensation to avoid a public trial.
• Insurance Coverage Disputes: Evidence of a long hazing history can help overcome common insurance defenses that claim hazing was an “unforeseeable” or “intentional” act not covered by policy.
• Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, juries may award punitive damages to punish defendants for reckless conduct and deter future hazing, especially when there’s a clear pattern of ignored warnings.

For Stafford families, these insights into the deep histories of fraternities and sororities are vital. Knowing that these are not isolated incidents but part of a documented, recurring problem can empower families in their fight for justice.

7. Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Successfully pursuing a hazing lawsuit requires far more than just documenting an injury; it demands a meticulous investigation, a comprehensive understanding of damages, and a strategic legal approach. The Manginello Law Firm leverages its experience to build a compelling case.

7.1 Evidence

Evidence in a modern hazing case is often complex and multidisciplinary. We focus on uncovering and preserving every piece of information:

• Digital Communications: In today’s world, group messaging platforms are goldmines of evidence. This includes GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, and university/fraternity-specific apps. We meticulously gather every recoverable message, looking for planning, coercion, bragging, and cover-up attempts. This also extends to Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, and TikTok comments. Even deleted messages can often be recovered through digital forensics, but immediate screenshots by the victim or family are invaluable.
• Photos & Videos: This category includes content filmed by hazing participants during events, footage shared in private group chats, or posts on social media. Crucially, we also look for security camera footage or Ring doorbell video from houses and venues where hazing occurred.
• Internal Organization Documents: These are vital for proving institutional knowledge and negligence. They include pledge manuals, initiation scripts, “tradition” lists, and internal communications (emails/texts) from officers. National organization policies and training materials—which often warn against specific hazing acts—are critical for showing what organizations knew they should be preventing.
• University Records: Through discovery and public records requests (for public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT), we uncover prior conduct files, probation notices, warning letters, and incident reports from campus police or student conduct offices. Documents like Clery reports and other disclosures can demonstrate patterns of unresolved safety issues.
• Medical and Psychological Records: Comprehensive medical documentation is essential. This includes emergency room reports, ambulance records, hospitalization notes, surgical records, physical therapy notes, medication lists, and toxicology reports. Equally important are psychological evaluations that diagnose PTSD, depression, anxiety, or suicidality, as these document non-physical but devastating harm.
• Witness Testimony: The accounts of other pledges, members, roommates, Resident Assistants (RAs), coaches, and trainers are often critical. Former members who quit or were expelled, having been freed from the organizational power structure, can be particularly powerful witnesses, as can bystanders who observed suspicious activity.

7.2 Damages

When pursuing a civil hazing lawsuit, the goal is to secure comprehensive compensation for all losses endured by the victim and their family. We assess both readily quantifiable and less tangible harms:

• Medical Bills & Future Care: This covers all past and anticipated medical expenses. It includes immediate care (ER visits, ambulance transport, ICU stays), surgeries, ongoing treatments, physical therapy, and necessary medications. For catastrophic injuries like brain damage or organ failure, it includes life care plans developed with medical experts to project lifetime care costs.
• Lost Earnings / Educational Impact: This category addresses financial losses due to the hazing. It includes lost wages if the victim or a parent (who took time off to care for the victim) missed work. For students, it covers missed semesters, tuition fees for delayed graduation, lost scholarships, and, most critically, reduced earning capacity if injuries lead to permanent disability or impair their ability to enter their chosen profession.
• Non-Economic Damages: These are non-financial harms that are nonetheless legally compensable. They include physical pain and suffering (from injuries and chronic conditions), emotional distress, trauma, humiliation, and psychological harm such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. It also encompasses loss of enjoyment of life, meaning the inability to participate in activities, hobbies, and social interactions they once cherished.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): In the tragic event of a hazing death, surviving family members can pursue damages for:
  • Funeral and burial costs.
  • Loss of financial support the deceased would have provided.
  • Loss of companionship, love, and society experienced by parents, siblings, or spouses.
  • Grief and emotional suffering endured by family members.

It’s important for Stafford families to understand that we meticulously calculate and present these types of damages based on the specific facts of each case. We do not promise or predict specific dollar amounts without a full evaluation.

7.3 Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing litigation often involves multiple defendants, each with their own legal counsel and insurance carriers. Navigating this complex web is where specialized legal expertise becomes paramount:

• Multiple Defendants: A hazing claim may target individual students, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority, the university, and sometimes third parties like landlords or alcohol suppliers. Each defendant has a unique legal position and potential liability.
• Insurance Policies: National fraternities, sororities, and universities almost certainly carry insurance policies that may offer coverage for hazing-related claims. However, it’s common for insurers to try to avoid paying by arguing that:
  • Hazing constitutes an “intentional act” or “criminal act,” which is often excluded from coverage.
  • The policy doesn’t cover a specific defendant or type of incident.
• Experienced Hazing Lawyers: Our firm identifies all potential sources of insurance coverage, meticulously analyzes policy language, and aggressively challenges insurers who attempt to deny coverage. We have extensive experience navigating these complex disputes, effectively forcing insurers to participate in settlements or face litigation where their policy should apply. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/) is particularly crucial here, as she knows firsthand how large insurance companies value claims, negotiate, and defend cases. This insider knowledge allows us to anticipate their moves and counter their tactics effectively.

8. Practical Guides & FAQs

At The Manginello Law Firm, we believe in empowering Stafford families and students with clear, actionable information. Here’s practical guidance for parents, students, and witnesses, along with answers to common questions.

8.1 For Parents

For Stafford parents, recognizing the signs of hazing and knowing how to respond can be the difference between serious harm and timely intervention.

• Warning Signs of Hazing: Be alert to:

  • Unexplained injuries: Bruises, burns, cuts, or repeated “accidents” which don’t have a clear, consistent explanation.
  • Sudden exhaustion: Extreme sleep deprivation, chronic fatigue, or falling asleep at odd times.
  • Drastic changes in mood: Increased anxiety, depression, irritability, aggression, or a sudden withdrawal from family and old friends.
  • Constant secrecy: Phrases like “I can’t talk about it” or “It’s a secret” when asked about group activities.
  • Obsessive phone use: Constantly checking group chats, showing anxiety about missing “mandatory” events or communicating with older members.
  • Academic decline: Unexplained drops in grades, missed classes, or difficulty concentrating.
  • Financial strain: Sudden requests for money for “fines” or unexplained expenditures related to the group.

• How to Talk to Your Child: Approach the conversation calmly and with empathy. Ask open-ended questions like, “How are things really going with the fraternity/sorority?” or “Is there anything making you uncomfortable?” Emphasize that their safety is your priority above loyalty to any group, and assure them you will support them no matter what.

• If Your Child Is Hurt: Immediately get them medical care, even if they insist they are “fine.” Document everything: take clear photos of injuries, screenshot any relevant texts or social media messages, and write down everything your child tells you while the details are fresh. Save names, dates, and locations meticulously.

• Dealing with the University: Document every communication you have with university administrators (email is best). Ask specifically about prior incidents involving the same organization and what actions the school took in response. Understand that university internal processes often prioritize the institution’s reputation over the victim’s rights.

• When to Talk to a Lawyer: If your child has suffered significant physical or psychological harm, or if you feel the university or the organization is minimizing the incident or trying to cover it up, it’s time to speak with an experienced hazing attorney. We can help you navigate university systems and initiate an independent investigation.

8.2 For Students / Pledges

For students from Stafford currently pledged to an organization or experiencing hazing, your safety and well-being are paramount.

• Is this hazing or just tradition? Ask yourself: Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don’t want to do? Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal? Would my parents or the university approve if they knew? If older members are making new members do things they don’t do themselves, or if you’re told to keep secrets, it is likely hazing, regardless of what it’s called.
• Why “consent” isn’t the end of the story: You might feel like you “agreed” to participate, but if there’s power dynamics, fear of exclusion, or immense peer pressure, the law often views this as coerced participation, not true consent. You are not at fault.
• Exiting and reporting safely: You have the right to leave any organization at any time. If you feel unsafe, remove yourself from the situation immediately and contact a trusted adult or campus authority. You can report hazing privately or anonymously through campus channels (Dean of Students, online forms) or national tip lines like 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293).
• Good-faith reporting and amnesty: Many schools and Texas law provide immunity or leniency for individuals who call for help in an emergency, even if underage drinking was involved. Your safety and the safety of others is always the priority.

8.3 For Former Members / Witnesses

If you were a part of a hazing incident, or witnessed it, and are now struggling with guilt or fear of consequences, your courage to speak up can prevent future harm.

• Your Role in Accountability: Your testimony and evidence are crucial to stopping dangerous cycles of hazing and saving lives. You may be instrumental in holding individuals and institutions accountable.
• Navigating Legal Exposure: We understand concerns about individual liability. Experienced attorneys can help you understand your legal position, advise you on potential protections, and guide you through the process of cooperating with authorities or civil litigation.
• Protecting Others: Your decision to come forward can bring justice to victims and prevent other students from enduring similar trauma.

8.4 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

For Stafford families and victims, the period immediately following a hazing incident is crucial. Mistakes made during this time can severely damage a potential legal claim.

MISTAKES THAT CAN RUIN YOUR HAZING CASE:

1. Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence: Parents often make this mistake thinking they’re protecting their child from further trouble. However, deleting crucial digital evidence (texts, GroupMe chats, DMs, photos) can look like a cover-up, makes a case nearly impossible to prove, and can even constitute obstruction of justice.
   • What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even if it feels embarrassing or incriminating at first. Attorney911’s video on using your phone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) explains best practices for preserving screenshots and photos.
2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly: While understandable, direct confrontation often backfires. Organizations immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare their defenses, making it harder for legal teams to fully investigate.
   • What to do instead: Document everything in private, then contact an attorney before any confrontation.
3. Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms: Universities may pressure families to sign waivers or “internal resolution” agreements that promise to handle the incident within the university’s disciplinary system. These documents often require you to waive your right to pursue further legal action.
   • What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything from the university or an insurance company without an attorney reviewing it first. Early settlements are often far below the true value of your case.
4. Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer: Sharing details on public platforms can be used against you. Defense attorneys meticulously screenshot social media posts, and any inconsistencies can be used to discredit your child’s testimony. It can also inadvertently waive legal privileges.
   • What to do instead: Document privately and allow your legal team to control any public messaging once they are involved.
5. Letting your child go back for a “final meeting” with the organization: If the fraternity or sorority asks your child to “talk things over” after an incident, it is rarely in your child’s best interest. These meetings are often designed to pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that can later be used against them.
   • What to do instead: Once you are considering legal action, all communication with the organization should be directed through your attorney.
6. Waiting “to see how the university handles it”: Universities often promise internal investigations, but these processes are designed for internal discipline, not victim compensation or full legal accountability. During this delay, crucial evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations may run out.
   • What to do instead: Preserve evidence immediately and consult with an attorney. The university’s process is separate from, and often not a substitute for, real legal accountability.
7. Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer: Insurance adjusters, representing the organization or university, will often contact victims or their families, claiming they “just need your statement to process the claim.” Recorded statements can be used against you, and early settlement offers are almost always lowball.
   • What to do instead: Politely decline to provide any statement and inform them that your attorney will be in contact.

Knowing these pitfalls, as explained in Attorney911’s video on client mistakes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY), can protect your rights and strengthen your case significantly.

8.5 Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT enjoy some sovereign immunity protections under Texas law, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individual employees in their personal capacity. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on its specific facts. Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis.
• “Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
  It can be. While basic hazing is a Class B misdemeanor in Texas, it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals who know about hazing and fail to report it can also face misdemeanor charges.
• “Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
  Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing charges or civil liability. Courts and laws recognize that “consent” given under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent.
• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
  Generally, you have 2 years from the date of injury or death to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in Texas. However, the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving cover-ups or fraud, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is always critical—evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and organizations destroy records. Attorney911’s video on the statute of limitations (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c) provides more detail. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to protect your rights.
• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  The location of the hazing does not eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be held liable based on their sponsorship of the organization, control over its activities, prior knowledge of hazing, and the foreseeability of such incidents. Many significant hazing cases, such as the Pi Delta Psi retreat death and the Sigma Pi case involving an “unofficial” house, occurred off-campus yet resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments.
• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  While high-profile cases can attract media attention, most hazing cases often settle confidentially before ever going to trial. We prioritize your family’s privacy and, where possible, can work to request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms.

9. About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. This is why The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, stands ready to serve families in Stafford and across Texas. We are not just lawyers; we are Legal Emergency Lawyers™ with the unparalleled expertise needed for hazing litigation.

From our Houston office, a centralized hub for our statewide practice, we serve families throughout Texas, including Stafford and neighboring communities in Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Sugar Land. We understand that hazing at Texas universities, whether it’s UH just down the road or Texas A&M and UT Austin, affects families in Stafford and across the broader Houston metropolitan area.

Our firm brings unique qualifications to these challenging cases:

• Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña): Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, brings invaluable insider knowledge. As a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm, she knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and often undervalue) hazing claims. She understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and precise settlement strategies. We know their playbook because we used to run it.
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello): Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has a proven track record of taking on formidable opponents. He was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation, demonstrating his capacity to litigate against billion-dollar corporations. His federal court experience means we are not intimidated by national fraternities, large universities, or their well-resourced defense teams. We’ve taken on powerful defendants who think they are untouchable, and we know how to fight for justice. Ralph Manginello’s complete credentials and case history are detailed at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: We don’t settle cheap. We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, working with economists and medical experts to fully value the loss of life or the lifetime care needs for severe brain injuries and permanent disabilities. We build cases that force genuine accountability.
• Dual Criminal + Civil Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) gives us a critical advantage. He understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation, allowing us to advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure, navigating the complex interplay between both legal paths.
• Investigative Depth: We pride ourselves on thorough, aggressive investigation. This includes leveraging a vast network of experts in fields such as medical analysis, digital forensics, economics, and psychology. We have the capability to obtain hidden evidence like deleted group chats, chapter records, and critical university files through discovery and public records requests. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

We understand that hazing cases are profoundly sensitive and emotionally draining. Our empathy for victims and their families is central to our approach. We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face, and our job is to get you answers, hold the responsible parties accountable, and help prevent this from ever happening to another family. We focus on thorough investigation and real accountability, not just quick settlements. Attorney911’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@Manginellolawfirm) features 37 educational videos on personal injury law, wrongful death, and client rights, demonstrating our commitment to client education.

Your Confidential Consultation Awaits

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether it’s UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor—we want to hear from you. Families in Stafford and throughout the surrounding region have the right to answers and accountability when their trust is betrayed by negligent institutions and organizations.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to what happened with compassion, explain your full range of legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward.

Here’s what you can expect in your free consultation:

• We will listen to your story without judgment.
• We will review any evidence you have, such as photos, texts, or medical records.
• We will clearly explain your legal options: pursuing a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, both, or neither.
• We will discuss realistic timelines and what to expect throughout the legal process.
• We will answer your questions about costs. We work on a contingency fee basis; you don’t pay us unless we win your case. You can learn more about how contingency fees work in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.
• There is absolutely no pressure to hire us on the spot. We want you to take the time you need to make the best decision for your family.
• Everything you discuss with us is strictly confidential.

Don’t face this difficult situation alone. Call our dedicated team 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

Hablamos Español – Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

Whether you’re in Stafford or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Call us 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