🚨 California Hazing Lawyer – Fraternity & Sorority Abuse Attorney
If Your Child Was Hazed in California, You Have Legal Rights – And We Can Help
Hazing isn’t tradition. It’s torture. And California families are fighting back.
At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university—proving that these cases can and do win. Now, we’re bringing that same aggressive representation to California families whose children have been victims of fraternity hazing, sorority abuse, or university negligence.
If your child was forced to drink until they blacked out, subjected to extreme physical punishment, or hospitalized due to Greek life hazing in California, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our attorneys have decades of experience holding institutions accountable—and we won’t stop until justice is served.
📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
(Available 24/7 for California hazing victims and families)
🔥 This Happens in California – And It’s Happening Right Now
The Same Fraternities. The Same Hazing. The Same Negligence.
Our firm is currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—a case that has exposed systematic abuse in Greek life, including:
✅ Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✅ Forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until collapsing
✅ Struck with wooden paddles
✅ Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to keep running
✅ Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in their mouth
✅ Another pledge lost consciousness—yet the hazing continued
The result? Our client was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure.
🚨 This Isn’t Just a Texas Problem – It’s a California Problem Too
The same fraternities and sororities operating in California—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, and more—have documented histories of hazing deaths and injuries nationwide. If it’s happening at UCLA, USC, Cal State, Stanford, UC Berkeley, or any other California university, it can happen to your child.
California parents: If your son or daughter was hazed in a fraternity or sorority, we can help you fight back—no matter where in California it happened.
⚖️ California Hazing Laws – What You Need to Know
Hazing Is Illegal in California – And Consent Is NOT a Defense
Under California Education Code § 32050, hazing is defined as:
“Any method of initiation into a student organization… which is likely to cause serious bodily injury to any former, current, or prospective student.”
This includes:
- Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
- Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
- Sleep deprivation
- Psychological torture (humiliation, threats, isolation)
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Any activity that risks serious harm
📜 California’s Anti-Hazing Law (Penal Code § 245.6) – Criminal Penalties
Hazing is a misdemeanor in California, punishable by:
- Up to 1 year in county jail
- Fines up to $5,000
If hazing results in death or great bodily injury, it becomes a felony, punishable by:
- Up to 3 years in state prison
But criminal charges aren’t enough. Families of hazing victims can also file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
❌ Consent Is NOT a Defense in California
Even if your child “agreed” to participate, California law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Fraternities and sororities cannot claim that victims “wanted” to be abused—because the law recognizes that peer pressure, fear of expulsion, and social coercion make true consent impossible.
💰 How Much Is a California Hazing Case Worth?
Hazing lawsuits can result in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, including compensation for:
| Type of Damage | Examples | Potential Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | ER visits, hospitalization, surgery, therapy | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Future Medical Care | Dialysis, kidney transplant, long-term treatment | $100,000 – $1M+ |
| Lost Wages | Missed work, lost internships, career impact | $20,000 – $200,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD | $250,000 – $5M+ |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding) | $1M – $10M+ |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing results in death | $1M – $20M+ |
📊 Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (Nationwide – California Cases Can Win Too)
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | Settlement | $10.1M+ |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | Jury Verdict | $6.1M |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | Settlement | $110M+ |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Settlement | Confidential (7-figures) |
| Adam Oakes | Delta Chi | VCU | Settlement | $4M+ |
🔥 Our firm is currently seeking $10 million in our active hazing case—proving that these lawsuits can win big for California families.
🏛️ Who Can Be Sued in a California Hazing Case?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held liable, including:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Fraternity/Sorority Organization | Failed to supervise, ignored prior incidents |
| University/College | Knew or should have known about hazing, failed to protect students |
| Fraternity/Sorority Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred |
| Individual Members (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Participated in or allowed hazing |
| Alumni Who Hosted Hazing | Allowed abuse at their homes |
| Insurance Companies | May cover damages (homeowners, liability policies) |
🎯 California Universities with Greek Life Hazing Risks
If your child attends—or was hazed at—any of these California universities, they may be at risk:
| University | Greek Life Presence | Known Hazing Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| UCLA | Large Greek system | Yes (documented cases) |
| USC | Very active Greek life | Yes (multiple incidents) |
| UC Berkeley | Strong Greek culture | Yes (prior lawsuits) |
| Stanford | Greek organizations present | Yes (allegations) |
| Cal State (CSU System) | Multiple campuses with Greek life | Yes (reports statewide) |
| UC Davis | Active fraternities/sororities | Yes (prior investigations) |
| UC Irvine | Greek organizations | Yes (allegations) |
| UC San Diego | Greek life present | Yes (reports) |
| UC Santa Barbara | Large Greek system | Yes (multiple incidents) |
| University of the Pacific | Greek organizations | Yes (prior cases) |
| Pepperdine | Greek life present | Yes (allegations) |
| Loyola Marymount | Active Greek system | Yes (reports) |
| Santa Clara University | Greek organizations | Yes (allegations) |
| University of San Diego | Greek life present | Yes (reports) |
| Chapman University | Greek organizations | Yes (allegations) |
🚨 If your child was hazed at any California university, we can help—even if it wasn’t a major school.
🚑 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in California
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), alcohol poisoning, and internal injuries can be life-threatening.
- Document all injuries with photos and medical records.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, and social media posts about hazing.
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any objects used in abuse.
- Get names and contact info of witnesses.
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without a Lawyer
- They will try to minimize the incident, destroy evidence, or pressure your child into silence.
- Any statement you give can be used against you.
Step 4: Contact a California Hazing Lawyer Immediately
- California has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
- Evidence disappears fast—witnesses forget, messages get deleted, and memories fade.
- The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
📞 Call Attorney 911 Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
(Free, confidential consultation for California hazing victims)
💼 Why California Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases
✅ We’re Already Fighting This Battle – And Winning
We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving that we know how to build these cases and win big. California families get the same aggressive representation.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook
Our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena—used to work for insurance companies, defending against injury claims. We know exactly how they try to deny or minimize claims—and we know how to beat them.
✅ Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue Anywhere in the U.S.
- Admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas)
- Licensed in Texas AND New York (strategic for national fraternity cases)
- We can pursue California hazing cases in federal court
✅ No Upfront Costs – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning:
- $0 upfront
- We only get paid if we win your case
- If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing
✅ Se Habla Español – Bilingual Legal Support for California Families
Many hazing victims and their families are Spanish-speaking. We provide full legal services in Spanish, ensuring no language barriers stand in the way of justice.
✅ We Travel to California – No Distance Is Too Far
- We will come to California for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
- We offer virtual consultations for California families.
- Distance is not a barrier to justice.
📢 California Hazing Victims: Your Voice Matters
Hazing victims often stay silent out of fear, shame, or loyalty to their organization. But your story can save lives.
Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case was fearful of doing an interview due to retribution—yet his bravery is exposing a culture of abuse and preventing future victims.
Your case could be the one that forces change in California Greek life.
🎯 What We’re Fighting For in California:
✔ Justice for your child – Holding the abusers accountable
✔ Financial compensation – Medical bills, therapy, pain and suffering
✔ Institutional change – Forcing universities and fraternities to actually prevent hazing
✔ Protecting future students – Making sure no other California family goes through this
🚨 California Hazing Hotline – Free, Confidential Help
If your child was hazed in a California fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization, we can help.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
(Available 24/7 for California hazing victims and families)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com/hazing
We serve all of California, including:
- Los Angeles (UCLA, USC, Cal State LA, LMU, Pepperdine)
- San Francisco Bay Area (UC Berkeley, Stanford, Santa Clara, USF)
- San Diego (UCSD, SDSU, USD)
- Sacramento (UC Davis, Sacramento State)
- Orange County (UC Irvine, Chapman, Cal State Fullerton)
- Riverside/San Bernardino (UC Riverside, Cal State San Bernardino)
- Fresno (Fresno State)
- Bakersfield (Cal State Bakersfield)
- And every other California city with Greek life
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About California Hazing Lawsuits
Q: My child was hazed but didn’t go to the hospital. Can we still sue?
A: Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may have suffered psychological trauma, PTSD, or other injuries that entitle them to compensation.
Q: The fraternity said my child “consented” to hazing. Is that a defense?
A: No. California law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense to hazing. Fraternities and sororities cannot claim that victims “wanted” to be abused.
Q: We’re in California, but your firm is in Texas. Can you still help us?
A: Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including California. We offer video consultations, travel to California for meetings, and can pursue your case in federal court.
Q: How much does it cost to hire a California hazing lawyer?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis—you only pay if we win your case.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit in California?
A: California has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. The clock starts ticking from the date of the hazing incident. Do not wait—evidence disappears fast.
Q: Can we sue the university even if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students from hazing, even if it happens off-campus. If the university knew or should have known about hazing risks and failed to act, they can be held liable.
Q: What if my child was hazed at a community college in California?
A: We can still help. Hazing happens at community colleges, private universities, and even high schools in California. If your child was hazed, we can pursue justice.
🔥 California Hazing Victims: Enough Is Enough
This is what’s happening in California right now:
- A USC fraternity is under investigation for alcohol poisoning hazing.
- A UCLA sorority is facing allegations of forced drinking and physical abuse.
- A Stanford athlete was hospitalized after a hazing ritual gone wrong.
- A Cal State student died from alcohol-related hazing at a fraternity event.
This isn’t tradition. This isn’t brotherhood. This is abuse—and it has to stop.
📞 If your child was hazed in California, call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911
(Free, confidential consultation – available 24/7)
Together, we can hold them accountable—and protect the next generation of California students.
📢 Share This Page to Help Other California Families
(Know someone whose child was hazed? Send them this page.)
Attorney 911 – Fighting for California Hazing Victims
📍 Serving all of California from our offices in Houston, Austin & Beaumont
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com/hazing
⚖️ Justice for California Hazing Victims – We Won’t Stop Until They Do
