Hazing Lawsuits in Texas: A Complete Guide for White Settlement Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You’re Not Alone

Imagine this: Your son from White Settlement comes home from his first semester at the University of Houston for Thanksgiving break. He’s quieter than usual, avoids family gatherings, and seems constantly exhausted. You notice unexplained bruises on his back and legs. When you ask, he brushes it off: “Just some tough workouts with the fraternity—it’s no big deal.” But the text messages you glimpse on his phone tell a different story: “Pledges report to the house at 3 AM tomorrow. No excuses.” “Finish the bottle or you’re out.” The parent’s nightmare has begun, and you don’t know where to turn.

If this sounds familiar to any White Settlement family, you need to know what we know: what you’re seeing may be illegal hazing, and it’s happening right now at Texas universities where White Settlement students attend. This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents and families in White Settlement, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and across North Texas who need to understand hazing, Texas law, and what legal options exist when universities and fraternities fail to protect our children.

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 your student insists they’re “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 evidence, 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

What Hazing Really Looks Like in 2025: Beyond the Stereotypes

For White Settlement families whose children may be experiencing hazing at universities like Texas A&M, UT Austin, or other Texas schools, it’s crucial to understand that modern hazing has evolved far beyond the stereotypes of “boys will be boys” pranks. Today’s hazing is sophisticated, often digitally documented, and dangerously normalized within campus cultures.

The Three Tiers of Modern Hazing

Tier 1: Subtle Hazing (Often Dismissed as “Tradition”)

• 24/7 digital control: Constant GroupMe messages demanding immediate responses at all hours
• Mandatory servitude: Pledges required to chauffeur members, clean houses, run errands
• Social isolation: Cutting off contact with non-members or family without permission
• “Voluntary” but coerced participation: Activities framed as optional but with clear social consequences for refusal

Tier 2: Harassment Hazing (Clear Abuse That’s Often Downplayed)

• Sleep deprivation: Mandatory 3 AM meetings, overnight “study sessions”
• Forced consumption: Eating spoiled food, drinking excessive amounts of milk or other substances
• Extreme physical exertion: “Smokings” with hundreds of push-ups, wall sits until collapse
• Public humiliation: Degrading costumes, public performances, verbal abuse sessions

Tier 3: Violent Hazing (Criminal Conduct with High Injury/Death Risk)

• Forced alcohol consumption: “Big/Little” nights with handle-of-liquor requirements, drinking games with wrong-answer penalties
• Physical beatings: Paddling, punching, kicking often framed as “tradition”
• Dangerous environments: Exposure to extreme cold/heat, restraint/binding, “kidnapping”
• Sexualized hazing: Forced nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault

Where Hazing Happens at Texas Universities

White Settlement families should understand that hazing isn’t limited to fraternity houses:

• Fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural groups)
• Corps of Cadets programs at Texas A&M and other military-style organizations
• Athletic teams from football to cheerleading to club sports
• Spirit organizations like Texas Cowboys, cheer groups, and dance teams
• Marching bands and performance groups
• Academic and service organizations

The common thread across all these groups isn’t the letters on the jacket—it’s the power imbalance between new members and established members, the coercion disguised as tradition, and the secrecy that prevents accountability.

Texas Hazing Law: What White Settlement Families Must Know

When your child is hazed at a Texas university, whether it’s at Texas A&M in College Station, UT in Austin, or any other campus, Texas law provides specific protections and remedies. Understanding this legal framework is the first step toward accountability.

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: The Hazing Statute

Texas law defines hazing broadly under Education Code Chapter 37. For White Settlement families pursuing justice, these key provisions matter most:

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

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 (on or off campus), and mental harm counts just as much as physical harm.

§ 37.152 Criminal Penalties:

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

§ 37.155 Critical Protection: Consent is NOT a Defense
Texas law explicitly states: “It is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the hazing activity.” This means even if your child “agreed” to participate, the hazing is still illegal. Courts recognize that “consent” under peer pressure and power imbalance isn’t true voluntary consent.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Different Paths to Accountability

White Settlement families often ask: “Should we pursue criminal charges or a civil lawsuit?” The answer is often both, and understanding the difference is crucial.

Criminal Cases (Brought by the State):

• Purpose: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Charges may include: Hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, manslaughter in fatal cases
• Process: District Attorney decides whether to prosecute based on evidence
• Outcome: Criminal record for perpetrators, but no financial compensation for victims

Civil Cases (Brought by Victims/Families):

• Purpose: Compensation and accountability through financial damages
• Claims may include: Negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, premises liability, emotional distress
• Process: Your family files lawsuit against responsible parties
• Outcome: Financial compensation for medical bills, therapy, lost educational opportunities, pain and suffering, and potentially punitive damages

These two tracks can run simultaneously. A criminal conviction isn’t required to pursue a civil case, and many families find that civil litigation provides both compensation and the discovery process that uncovers what really happened.

Federal Laws That Apply to Texas Hazing Cases

Beyond Texas law, several federal frameworks affect hazing cases involving White Settlement students:

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):

• Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently
• Mandates public hazing data by 2026
• Strengthens prevention education requirements

Title IX:

• When hazing involves sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based hostility
• Trigures specific reporting and investigation obligations
• Can provide additional legal claims against universities

Clery Act:

• Requires reporting of certain crimes on and near campus
• Hazing incidents involving assault, alcohol crimes, or other reportable offenses must be included in annual safety statistics

The Case That Changed Everything: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

Right now, as White Settlement families consider their options, there’s an active, high-stakes hazing case unfolding in Texas that demonstrates exactly what serious hazing litigation looks like. In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit on behalf of Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter, its national headquarters, the UH System Board of Regents, and 13 individual fraternity leaders.

What Happened to Leonel Bermudez

Leonel Bermudez was a transfer student who accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu chapter at UH in September 2025. What followed was a systematic campaign of abuse that nearly killed him:

The “Pledge Fanny Pack” Humiliation:

• Pledges were required to carry a fanny pack 24/7 containing condoms, a sex toy, nicotine devices, and other humiliating items
• Failure to comply meant punishment or expulsion threats

Physical and Psychological Torture:

• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed immediately by sprints
• Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding” with threats of actual waterboarding
• 100+ push-ups, 500 squats, and creed recitation under threat of expulsion
• Cold-weather exposure in only underwear
• Lying in vomit-soaked grass
• Hours-long “study/work” blocks, weekly interviews, overnight chauffeuring duties

Medical Catastrophe:
After the November 3 workout, Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis (severe skeletal muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. He passed brown urine, couldn’t stand without help, and was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels confirming both conditions. He faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage and long-term physical/psychological harm.

Institutional Response:

• November 6, 2025: Pi Kappa Phi HQ suspends Beta Nu chapter
• November 14, 2025: Chapter members vote to surrender their charter; chapter shut down
• UH labels conduct “deeply disturbing,” promises disciplinary measures up to expulsion and cooperation with law enforcement

Why This Case Matters for White Settlement Families

The Bermudez case isn’t just a Houston story—it’s a Texas story that shows:

1. This happens here: Severe hazing occurs at major Texas universities
2. Institutions often know: The complaint alleges UH and fraternity leadership knew about systemic hazing
3. Medical consequences are real: Rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure are life-threatening conditions
4. Accountability requires legal action: Only through litigation are all responsible parties being held accountable

When White Settlement families face hazing situations at Texas universities, they’re dealing with the same dynamics, the same institutional defenses, and the same need for experienced legal representation that understands how to fight these cases.

Where White Settlement Families Send Their Kids: Texas Universities with Active Greek Life

White Settlement families have strong connections to universities across Texas. Whether your child attends a local school or one of the state’s flagship institutions, understanding the hazing landscape at these campuses is essential.

Texas A&M University (College Station)

For White Settlement Families:
Located approximately 200 miles from White Settlement, Texas A&M attracts many North Texas students with its strong engineering, business, and Corps of Cadets programs. The drive down I-35W takes about 3 hours, making it accessible for White Settlement families while still being far enough to limit spontaneous parental oversight.

Greek Life & Hazing Landscape:
Texas A&M hosts approximately 60+ fraternity and sorority chapters with particularly strong Corps of Cadets traditions that carry their own hazing risks. Recent incidents include:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns Case (2021):
Two pledges alleged being covered in substances including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The fraternity was suspended for two years, and pledges filed a $1 million lawsuit.

Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit (2023):
A cadet alleged degrading hazing including simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The lawsuit sought over $1 million, with A&M stating it handled the matter under its rules.

What White Settlement Families Should Know:

• A&M’s Corps culture carries unique hazing risks beyond Greek life
• The university has faced multiple high-profile hazing lawsuits in recent years
• Evidence collection should include Corps-specific traditions and rituals

University of Texas at Austin

For White Settlement Families:
UT Austin is about 200 miles from White Settlement, a 3-hour drive down I-35. As Texas’s flagship public university, it attracts many high-achieving White Settlement students, particularly to its business, engineering, and computer science programs.

Greek Life & Hazing Landscape:
UT maintains one of Texas’s most transparent hazing reporting systems at hazing.utexas.edu. Recent documented violations include:

Pi Kappa Alpha Violation (2023):
New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, found to be hazing. The chapter was placed on probation and required to implement new hazing-prevention education.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Assault Case (2024):
An Australian exchange student alleged assault by fraternity members at a party, suffering a dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. The student sued the SAE chapter for over $1 million, with the chapter already under suspension for prior violations.

What White Settlement Families Should Know:

• UT’s public hazing log can provide evidence of prior incidents
• The university’s relative transparency doesn’t prevent serious hazing from occurring
• Austin’s off-campus housing scene creates venues for unsupervised hazing

University of Houston

For White Settlement Families:
While farther from White Settlement (approximately 250 miles, 4-hour drive), UH attracts many North Texas students to its strong business, law, and energy-related programs. The Bermudez case demonstrates that distance doesn’t prevent serious hazing incidents.

Greek Life & Hazing Landscape:
Beyond the ongoing Pi Kappa Phi case, UH has faced other hazing incidents:

Pi Kappa Alpha Incident (2016):
Pledges were allegedly deprived of sufficient food, water, and sleep during a multi-day event, with one student suffering a lacerated spleen after being slammed onto a table. The chapter faced misdemeanor hazing charges and university suspension.

Modern Greek Life Structure:
UH hosts multiple Greek councils including Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and Multicultural Greek Council with varying hazing patterns and traditions.

What White Settlement Families Should Know:

• UH’s urban campus creates both oversight challenges and evidence opportunities (security cameras, etc.)
• The ongoing Pi Kappa Phi litigation sets important precedents for Texas hazing cases
• Medical documentation is particularly crucial given the rhabdomyolysis risks shown in the Bermudez case

Southern Methodist University (Dallas)

For White Settlement Families:
Located just 15 miles from White Settlement in University Park, SMU is the closest major private university to White Settlement families. The 20-minute drive makes it easily accessible for parental involvement while still maintaining typical college independence.

Greek Life & Hazing Landscape:
As a private university with affluent student body and strong Greek tradition, SMU has faced its own hazing challenges:

Kappa Alpha Order Incident (2017):
New members were reportedly paddled, forced to drink alcohol, and deprived of sleep. The chapter was suspended with recruiting restrictions until approximately 2021.

Private University Dynamics:
SMU’s private status affects transparency, but civil discovery can still uncover internal reports and prior incidents.

What White Settlement Families Should Know:

• Proximity allows for more direct parental involvement in evidence collection
• Private university policies may differ from public institutions in handling hazing
• SMU’s Greek life is deeply woven into campus social structure, increasing pressure to participate in traditions

Baylor University (Waco)

For White Settlement Families:
Located about 90 miles from White Settlement (1.5-hour drive), Baylor attracts White Settlement students to its strong health sciences, business, and Christian education programs. Its religious identity creates unique cultural dynamics around accountability.

Greek Life & Hazing Landscape:
Baylor’s history includes both Greek life hazing and athletic program issues:

Baseball Hazing Incident (2020):
14 players were suspended following a hazing investigation, with staggered suspensions over the early season.

Religious Identity Considerations:
Baylor’s Christian mission can create both additional accountability expectations and potential reluctance to publicly address misconduct.

What White Settlement Families Should Know:

• Baylor’s religious branding may affect how hazing is addressed internally
• Athletic program hazing presents different dynamics than Greek life hazing
• The university’s past Title IX issues demonstrate both systemic problems and eventual accountability

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

At Attorney911, we maintain what we call the Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—a comprehensive database of public records on fraternities, sororities, and related organizations across Texas. For White Settlement families considering legal action, understanding this landscape is crucial.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving White Settlement Families

Why This Matters:
If you’re a parent in White Settlement, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. These aren’t just social clubs—they’re legal entities with insurance policies, liability structures, and historical patterns that matter when something goes wrong.

Tier 1: Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Organizations (Relevant to White Settlement Families)

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area, which includes White Settlement, has 510+ Greek-related organizations according to Cause IQ data. Examples from public records include:

• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity – 12650 N Beach St #30, Suite 114, Fort Worth, TX 76244 (IRS EIN: 742911848)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc – PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147-0061 (IRS EIN: 741380362)
• Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity – Gamma Psi Chapter – Fort Worth, TX (Chapter at TCU)
• Sigma Nu Fraternity – Lambda Epsilon Chapter – Fort Worth, TX (Chapter at TCU)
• Kappa Delta Sorority – Gamma Beta Chapter – Denton, TX (Chapter at Texas Woman’s University)

Tier 2: Major Texas University Organizations (Where White Settlement Students Attend)

These organizations operate at universities where White Settlement families commonly send students:

University of Houston Organizations (IRS B83 Records):

• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation – 4102 Eastshore St, Missouri City, TX 77459-1820 (IRS EIN: 371768785)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc – 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035-6629 (IRS EIN: 462267515)
• Sigma Chi Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter – 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204-3067 (IRS EIN: 746084905)

Texas A&M University Organizations:

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc – 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845-6681 (IRS EIN: 133048786)
• Beta Theta Pi – Eta Chapter House Corp. – College Station, TX (Cause IQ listing)

University of Texas at Austin Organizations:

• Chi Omega Fraternity – 2711 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705-4018 (IRS EIN: 740555581) – Chi Omega House Corporation
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp. – Austin, TX (House corporation at University of Texas)

Tier 3: Texas-Wide Snapshot

Statewide, our data shows 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. Additional examples include:

• Sigma Phi Lambda Inc – 4251 FM 2181 Ste 230 PMB 480, Corinth, TX 76210-4202 (Multiple IRS EINs including 201237505, 202203769, 260805977)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Multiple campus chapters including Texas A&M University (EIN: 900293166), University of Houston Victoria (EIN: 900293167), Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (EIN: 820644459)

Why This Directory Matters for Your Case:
When we take a hazing case for a White Settlement family, we don’t start from zero. We already know:

• The legal names and EINs of organizations that may hold insurance coverage
• The corporate structures behind “social” fraternities and sororities
• How national brands appear across Texas through multiple legal entities
• Where to find defendants who have the resources to compensate victims

National Hazing Patterns: What History Tells Us About Texas Cases

The hazing incidents affecting White Settlement students don’t occur in a vacuum. They’re part of national patterns that courts recognize, and that experienced attorneys use to build cases. Understanding these patterns helps families recognize what they’re facing.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern: Repeated Across Campuses

Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):

• Forced to consume nearly a bottle of whiskey during “Big/Little” night
• Died from alcohol poisoning
• $10 million settlement ($7M from Pi Kappa Alpha national, ~$3M from university)
• Takeaway for White Settlement families: The “Big/Little” drinking tradition is a known, deadly pattern

Max Gruver – LSU, Phi Delta Theta (2017):

• “Bible study” drinking game with wrong-answer drinking penalties
• Died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%)
• $6.1 million verdict against fraternity members
• Takeaway for White Settlement families: Drinking games framed as “education” or “tradition” are still lethal hazing

Timothy Piazza – Penn State, Beta Theta Pi (2017):

• Bid acceptance night with extreme drinking
• Multiple falls captured on chapter security cameras
• Hours delayed before calling 911
• 18 fraternity members charged with over 1,000 criminal counts
• Takeaway for White Settlement families: Security footage and delayed medical response dramatically increase liability

Physical Hazing Patterns: From “Traditions” to Trauma

Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):

• Blindfolded, weighted “glass ceiling” ritual at off-campus retreat
• Fatal head injuries; help delayed
• National fraternity criminally convicted, banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years
• Takeaway for White Settlement families: Off-campus retreats don’t eliminate liability; nationals can face criminal charges

Texas A&M Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chemical Burns (2021):

• Industrial-strength cleaner poured on pledges causing severe burns
• Skin graft surgeries required
• $1 million lawsuit filed
• Takeaway for White Settlement families: “Substance” hazing causes permanent physical damage beyond alcohol risks

Athletic Program Hazing: Beyond Greek Life

Northwestern University Football (2023-2025):

• Alleged sexualized, racist hazing within football program
• Multiple lawsuits against university and staff
• Head coach fired, then settled wrongful-termination suit confidentially
• Takeaway for White Settlement families: Hazing extends beyond Greek life to major athletic programs with similar institutional cover-up patterns

What These Patterns Mean for White Settlement Families

When your child is hazed at a Texas university, you’re not dealing with an isolated incident. You’re confronting:

1. Foreseeable risks: National organizations know these patterns cause injury and death
2. Repeat scripts: The same “traditions” (Big/Little nights, drinking games, physical tests) appear across campuses
3. Institutional knowledge: Prior incidents create legal duty to prevent recurrence
4. Cover-up patterns: Delayed medical care, destroyed evidence, coached witnesses

Courts recognize these patterns. When a Texas chapter repeats conduct that caused death or injury elsewhere, that history supports claims that the harm was foreseeable and preventable.

Building Your Case: Evidence, Damages, and Strategy for White Settlement Families

When hazing affects your White Settlement family, building a strong case requires understanding what evidence matters, what damages are recoverable, and how experienced attorneys navigate complex institutional defenses.

Critical Evidence in Modern Hazing Cases

Digital Evidence (Most Important Category):

• Group chats: GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord messages showing planning, threats, coercion
• Social media: Instagram stories, Snapchat snaps, TikTok videos documenting events
• Deleted messages: Digital forensics can recover “disappearing” messages
• Location data: Geo-tags, Find My Friends sharing, Snapchat maps

Medical Documentation:

• ER records explicitly stating “hazing” or describing mechanisms of injury
• Lab results (creatine kinase for rhabdomyolysis, blood alcohol levels)
• Imaging studies (X-rays, CT scans for injuries)
• Psychological evaluations (PTSD, depression, anxiety diagnoses)

Institutional Records:

• University conduct files on prior incidents
• National fraternity risk management reports
• Insurance policies covering chapters or nationals
• Training materials showing what organizations knew about risks

Physical Evidence:

• Clothing with stains, tears, or blood
• Objects used in hazing (paddles, bottles, props)
• Receipts for forced purchases

Recoverable Damages in Texas Hazing Cases

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Financial Losses):

• Medical expenses: ER visits, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing therapy, future medical needs
• Lost educational opportunities: Tuition for missed semesters, lost scholarships, delayed graduation
• Diminished earning capacity: For permanent injuries affecting future employment
• Life care costs: For catastrophic injuries requiring lifelong care

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective but Compensable):

• Physical pain and suffering: From injuries and medical treatments
• Emotional distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life
• Reputational harm: Social stigma, difficulty transferring schools

Wrongful Death Damages (For Families):

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support and companionship
• Emotional suffering of family members
• Parents’ and siblings’ therapy costs

Punitive Damages (When Available):

• To punish particularly reckless or malicious conduct
• Available when defendants had prior warnings and ignored them
• Demonstrated through pattern evidence and cover-up attempts

Navigating Institutional Defenses

White Settlement families should understand common defenses and how experienced attorneys counter them:

“The Pledge Consented” Defense:

• Our response: Texas law explicitly states consent is not a defense to hazing
• Evidence: Group chats showing coercion, testimony about power imbalances
• Legal argument: “Consent” under peer pressure and fear of exclusion isn’t voluntary

“Rogue Chapter / National Didn’t Know” Defense:

• Our response: Pattern evidence shows nationals know these risks
• Evidence: Prior incidents at other chapters, internal risk management documents
• Legal argument: Nationals have duty to supervise and prevent foreseeable harm

“Off-Campus / Not Our Property” Defense:

• Our response: Location doesn’t eliminate duty when organizations sponsor events
• Evidence: Chapter funds used for events, members acting in organizational capacity
• Legal argument: Universities and nationals benefit from and control organizations regardless of location

“We Have Anti-Hazing Policies” Defense:

• Our response: Paper policies without enforcement are meaningless
• Evidence: Prior violations with minimal consequences, perfunctory training
• Legal argument: Having a policy creates duty to enforce it meaningfully

Practical Guide for White Settlement Parents: Recognizing and Responding to Hazing

Warning Signs Your White Settlement Student May Be Being Hazed

Physical Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries (especially if excuses don’t add up)
• Extreme fatigue beyond normal college stress
• Weight loss or gain from food/water restriction or stress
• Sleep deprivation (constant late nights, calls at 3 AM)
• Signs of alcohol poisoning or drug use (even if your child doesn’t normally drink)

Behavioral & Emotional Changes:

• Sudden secrecy about organization activities (“I can’t talk about it”)
• Withdrawal from family, old friends, or non-organization activities
• Personality changes: anxiety, depression, irritability, anger
• Defensive when asked about the organization
• Fear of “getting in trouble” or “letting the chapter down”

Academic Red Flags:

• Grades dropping suddenly
• Missing classes or falling asleep in class
• Skipping exams or assignments to attend “mandatory” events
• Losing scholarships or academic standing

Digital/Social Behavior:

• Constant phone use for group chat monitoring
• Anxiety when phone buzzes or pings
• Deleting messages or clearing browser history obsessively
• Receiving calls/texts at all hours demanding immediate response
• Social media posts showing humiliating or concerning activities

What to Do If You Suspect Hazing

Immediate Safety:

• If your child is in physical danger (intoxicated, injured, threatened), call 911 or campus police immediately
• Get them medical attention; prioritize health over “getting in trouble”

Document Everything:

• Write down dates, times, and what your child told you (contemporaneous notes are powerful evidence)
• If your child shows you texts, group chats, or photos, screenshot them immediately
• Take photos of any visible injuries
• Save any physical items (damaged clothing, receipts, forced purchase items)

Reporting Options:

• Campus authorities: Dean of Students, Office of Student Conduct, campus police
• Local police: If hazing involved crimes (assault, sexual assault, furnishing alcohol to minor)
• National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (anonymous, 24/7)
• Title IX Coordinator: If hazing involved sexual harassment or assault

Legal Consultation:

• Contact a lawyer experienced in hazing cases early, even if unsure about filing suit
• We can help preserve evidence before it’s destroyed
• Navigate university processes which can be adversarial
• Advise on criminal vs. civil options
• Protect your child from pressure or retaliation

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages or “Clean Up” Evidence

• What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble”
• Why it’s wrong: Looks like cover-up; can be obstruction of justice; makes case nearly impossible
• What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately, even embarrassing content

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly

• What parents think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind”
• Why it’s wrong: They immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses
• What to do instead: Document everything, then call a lawyer before any confrontation

3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms

• What universities do: Pressure families to sign waivers or “internal resolution” agreements
• Why it’s wrong: You may waive right to sue; settlements are often far below case value
• What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything without an attorney reviewing first

4. Posting Details on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer

• What families think: “I want people to know what happened”
• Why it’s wrong: Defense attorneys screenshot everything; inconsistencies hurt credibility
• What to do instead: Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging

5. Waiting “To See How the University Handles It”

• What universities promise: “We’re investigating; let us handle this internally”
• Why it’s wrong: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, statute of limitations runs
• What to do instead: Preserve evidence NOW; consult lawyer immediately

Why Attorney911 for White Settlement Hazing Cases

When your White Settlement family faces a hazing crisis at a Texas university, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway.

Our Unique Qualifications for Hazing Cases

Insurance Insider Advantage (Mr. Lupe Peña’s Defense Background):
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
• Use delay tactics to pressure families
• Argue coverage exclusions for “intentional acts”
• Set reserves and negotiate settlements

Our advantage: We know their playbook because we used to run it. When insurers claim hazing isn’t covered or offer lowball settlements, we know how to force coverage and maximize recovery.

Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello’s Experience):

• BP Texas City Explosion Litigation: One of few Texas firms involved against billion-dollar defendants
• Federal Court Experience: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas admission
• Institutional Understanding: Knows how universities and national fraternities structure defenses

Our advantage: We’re not intimidated by national fraternities, university regents, or their high-priced defense teams. We’ve taken on larger defendants and won.

Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience:

• Proven track record in complex wrongful death cases
• Economist collaboration for valuing lifetime care needs
• Experience with brain injury, permanent disability, and life care planning

Our advantage: We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability and compensate families fully for their losses.

Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise (Ralph’s HCCLA Membership):

• Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association membership signals elite criminal defense capability
• Understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation
• Can advise witnesses and former members with dual exposure

Our advantage: When hazing involves criminal charges, we understand both tracks and how they affect your civil case.

Investigative Depth and Expert Network:

• Digital forensics experts for recovering deleted messages
• Medical experts for rhabdomyolysis, TBI, PTSD testimony
• Greek life culture experts for proving coercion patterns
• Economists and life care planners for damage valuation

Our advantage: We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

How We Approach White Settlement Hazing Cases

Phase 1: Immediate Response (First 48 Hours)

• Evidence preservation before deletion
• Medical attention and documentation
• Witness identification and protection
• Strategic reporting decisions

Phase 2: Investigation (Weeks 1-4)

• Digital forensics on phones and devices
• Public records requests to universities
• Chapter and national document preservation letters
• Expert consultations on injuries and damages

Phase 3: Case Development (Months 1-3)

• Identify all potentially liable parties
• Analyze insurance coverage issues
• Build timeline and pattern evidence
• Prepare for settlement negotiations or litigation

Phase 4: Resolution

• Aggressive settlement negotiations using case strength as leverage
• Mediation when appropriate
• Trial preparation and readiness
• Post-settlement protection of your family’s privacy

Frequently Asked Questions for White Settlement Families

“Can we sue a Texas university for hazing?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (UH, Texas A&M, UT) have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in personal capacity. Private universities (SMU, Baylor) have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts—contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for case-specific analysis.

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

“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. Courts recognize that “consent” 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 2 years from the date of injury or death in Texas, but 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 critical—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and organizations destroy records. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

“What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major hazing cases (Pi Delta Psi retreat, Sigma Pi unofficial house) occurred off-campus and still resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments.

“Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
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 it cost to hire Attorney911?”
We work on a contingency fee basis for hazing cases—you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is always free and confidential.

Contact Attorney911 Today for a Free, Confidential Consultation

If you’re a White Settlement family dealing with hazing at any Texas university—whether it’s Texas A&M, UT Austin, UH, SMU, Baylor, or any other campus—we want to hear from you.

What to expect in your free consultation:

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

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911:

• 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

Spanish-language services available:

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

Whether you’re in White Settlement, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. We’ve helped families across Texas hold universities and fraternities accountable. We understand the unique dynamics of Texas campuses, the legal landscape, and what it takes to build winning cases.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911. Immediate help is available 24/7. That’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

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