Hazing Victims in Rockingham County, NH: Legal Rights & How Attorney 911 Can Help
The Hazing Crisis Hits Close to Home in Rockingham County
Rockingham County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. But a growing hazing crisis is putting students at risk—even in our own community. Recent high-profile cases across the nation, including a $10 million lawsuit we’re currently litigating in Texas, prove that hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or harmless tradition. It’s a dangerous, often illegal practice that can lead to serious injury, psychological trauma, and even death.
If your child attends or plans to attend college near Rockingham County—whether at the University of New Hampshire, Southern New Hampshire University, or other regional institutions—they may be at risk. The same fraternities and sororities involved in national hazing scandals operate right here in New Hampshire. Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and other organizations with documented histories of abuse have active chapters at universities throughout our region.
What Rockingham County Families Need to Know About Hazing
Hazing Isn’t Just Alcohol Poisoning—It’s Torture
The recent University of Houston case we’re handling reveals the shocking reality of modern hazing. Our client, a young man who accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi, was subjected to:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose—simulated drowning that is considered torture when used on enemy combatants
- Forced consumption of food and milk until vomiting, then made to continue exercising through their own vomit
- Extreme physical punishment including 500 squats, 100 pushups, and repeated 100-yard crawls
- Wooden paddle beatings that left physical marks
- Sleep deprivation through forced early morning driving duties
- Psychological humiliation including carrying sexual objects at all times
This isn’t tradition. This isn’t bonding. This is systematic abuse that resulted in our client being hospitalized for three nights with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
The Same Hazing Happens in Rockingham County
The fraternities and sororities operating near Rockingham County are part of the same national organizations that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries. Pi Kappa Phi, the organization we’re suing in Texas, has chapters at universities throughout New England. Sigma Alpha Epsilon, which has faced multiple lawsuits, operates in our region. These organizations have the same cultures, the same “traditions,” and the same disregard for student safety.
Universities near Rockingham County face the same liability challenges as the University of Houston. They have the same power to regulate Greek life. They have the same duty to protect students. And too often, they fail in that duty until it’s too late.
Rockingham County’s Legal Rights in Hazing Cases
New Hampshire’s Anti-Hazing Law
New Hampshire law (RSA 631:7) defines hazing as “any act directed toward a student, or any coercion or intimidation of a student to act or to participate in or submit to any act, when:
(a) Such act is likely or would be perceived by a reasonable person as likely to cause physical or psychological injury to any person; and
(b) Such act is a condition of initiation into, admission into, continued membership in or association with any organization.”
Key points for Rockingham County families:
- Consent is not a defense—even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still protects them
- Hazing is a misdemeanor—those who engage in it can face criminal charges
- Organizations can be held liable—fraternities, sororities, and universities can face civil lawsuits
- You have two years to file—the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New Hampshire is two years from the date of injury
Who Can Be Held Liable in Rockingham County Hazing Cases
When hazing occurs, multiple parties share responsibility:
- Individual perpetrators—the students who directly participated in hazing activities
- Chapter officers—the president, pledge master, and other leaders who organized or allowed hazing
- Local chapter—the fraternity or sorority itself as an organization
- National organization—the parent fraternity/sorority that failed to supervise or enforce anti-hazing policies
- University—the institution that failed to protect students despite having the power to regulate Greek life
- Property owners—if hazing occurred at a private residence, the homeowners may share liability
In our current Texas case, we’re pursuing all of these parties—including the University of Houston, which owned the fraternity house where the abuse occurred.
What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Rockingham County
Immediate Steps to Protect Your Child and Your Legal Rights
If you suspect or know that your child has been hazed:
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Seek medical attention immediately—even if injuries seem minor. Some conditions like rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) may not show symptoms right away.
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Document everything—take photos of injuries, save all communications (texts, social media, emails), and get contact information for witnesses.
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Report to authorities—file a police report and report the incident to the university’s Title IX office or student affairs department.
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Preserve evidence—do not delete any messages, photos, or videos related to the hazing. These are critical for building your case.
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Contact an attorney—before speaking to the fraternity, sorority, or university. They will try to protect themselves, not your child.
Why Rockingham County Families Need Legal Representation
Universities and Greek organizations have teams of lawyers working to minimize their liability. They will:
- Try to blame your child for “consenting” to hazing
- Pressure your child to sign documents waiving their rights
- Destroy evidence or coordinate stories
- Offer low settlement amounts that don’t cover medical bills or long-term consequences
You need experienced legal representation to level the playing field.
How Attorney 911 Serves Rockingham County Hazing Victims
Nationwide Experience, Local Commitment
While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims throughout the country, including Rockingham County. Our attorneys have:
- 25+ years of litigation experience—we know how to build strong cases against powerful institutions
- Former insurance defense attorneys—we understand how defendants try to minimize claims
- Federal court authority—we can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction when needed
- Dual-state bar admission—licensed in Texas and New York, with experience handling cases across state lines
- Hazing-specific expertise—we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case and have handled multiple hazing-related matters
We Come to Rockingham County
Distance is not a barrier to justice. We will:
- Travel to Rockingham County for depositions, client meetings, and trials
- Conduct video consultations with Rockingham County families
- Work with local medical providers and experts
- Handle all communications with defendants so you don’t have to
No Upfront Costs for Rockingham County Families
We understand that the cost of legal representation can be a concern. That’s why we handle hazing cases on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
The Attorney 911 Difference: Why Rockingham County Families Choose Us
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
While other firms talk about hazing cases, we’re actively litigating one. Our $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston is currently making headlines. We know how to build these cases because we’re doing it right now.
2. We Understand the Culture
Our attorneys have deep experience with Greek life dynamics. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, was a hall of fame athlete and youth coach who understands team culture and the pressures young people face. We know how hazing works, why it happens, and how to prove liability.
3. We Know How to Win Against Institutions
We’ve taken on massive institutions before:
- BP Texas City explosion litigation—handled multi-billion dollar mass tort cases
- Federal court cases—experience in complex litigation
- Insurance companies—we know how they operate from the inside
Universities and national fraternities have deep pockets and experienced legal teams. You need attorneys who can match their resources.
4. We Protect Our Clients
Our client in the current case is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We understand the intimidation tactics used against hazing victims. We will:
- Protect your privacy
- Shield you from harassment
- Handle all communications with defendants
- Fight for your rights aggressively
5. We Get Results
We’ve recovered millions for our clients across various practice areas. In hazing cases specifically:
- We’re currently seeking $10 million in our University of Houston case
- We’ve handled multiple hazing-related matters
- We understand the medical and psychological consequences of hazing
What Rockingham County Families Can Recover
Hazing victims may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages:
- Medical expenses—hospital bills, rehabilitation, future treatment
- Lost wages—time missed from work or internships
- Educational costs—tuition for missed semesters, lost scholarships
- Future earning capacity—if injuries affect career prospects
Non-Economic Damages:
- Physical pain and suffering—the agony of hazing injuries
- Emotional distress—PTSD, anxiety, depression
- Humiliation—psychological impact of degrading activities
- Loss of enjoyment of life—inability to participate in normal activities
Punitive Damages:
In cases of extreme misconduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing. Our current case involves waterboarding, forced exercise to the point of kidney failure, and wooden paddle beatings—conduct that clearly warrants punitive damages.
Common Hazing Defenses—and How We Defeat Them
“He Consented to Participate”
Our response: New Hampshire law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law still protects them.
“It Was Just Tradition”
Our response: Tradition doesn’t justify illegal activity. Assault is assault, whether it’s called “tradition” or not.
“The University Didn’t Know”
Our response: Universities have a duty to protect students. If they own the property where hazing occurs or have the power to regulate Greek life, they share liability.
“It Wasn’t That Serious”
Our response: Hazing causes real harm—physical injuries, psychological trauma, and in some cases, death. Our current client was hospitalized with kidney failure. That’s serious.
The Time to Act Is Now
New Hampshire law gives you two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Evidence disappears quickly:
- Text messages get deleted
- Witnesses forget details
- Organizations destroy records
- Perpetrators graduate and become harder to locate
Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your rights.
Rockingham County Hazing Resources
Local Universities with Greek Life:
- University of New Hampshire (Durham)—active Greek system with multiple fraternities and sororities
- Southern New Hampshire University (Manchester)—growing Greek presence
- Northeastern University (Boston, MA—close to Rockingham County)—large Greek system
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (Lowell, MA—close to Rockingham County)—active Greek organizations
New Hampshire Hazing Laws:
- RSA 631:7—Defines hazing and establishes criminal penalties
- RSA 626:8—Consent is not a defense to criminal conduct
Reporting Hazing in Rockingham County:
- Local police departments
- University Title IX offices
- New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office
Contact Attorney 911 for Rockingham County Hazing Victims
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Rockingham County, we can help. Call us today for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We serve Rockingham County families on a contingency basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Rockingham County parents: The same hazing that hospitalized our client in Texas happens at universities near you. Don’t let the institutions that failed to protect your child escape accountability. Call us today.
