🛡️ Attorney 911: New Jersey’s Trusted Hazing Victim Lawyers
Serving Camden County and All of New Jersey — Nationwide Representation Available
🚨 HAZING IN NEW JERSEY: A CRISIS HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT
Camden County parents send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities to protect their kids. They believe that fraternities and sororities are about brotherhood and sisterhood — not torture.
But the reality is terrifying.
Every year in New Jersey, students are:
✔ Waterboarded — simulated drowning as “initiation”
✔ Beaten with paddles — physical abuse disguised as “tradition”
✔ Forced to drink until they vomit — alcohol poisoning as “brotherhood”
✔ Subjected to extreme physical punishment — 500 squats, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls
✔ Humiliated and degraded — carrying sexual objects, stripping in cold weather
✔ Hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure — because their muscles literally break down
This isn’t happening in Texas or Louisiana. It’s happening right here in New Jersey.
And it’s happening to Camden County students.
🏢 WHO WE ARE: NEW JERSEY’S HAZING LITIGATION EXPERTS
Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Headquarters: Houston, Texas — Serving Camden County and all of New Jersey
Offices: Houston, Austin, Beaumont
New Jersey Service: Federal court authority, remote consultations, travel to Camden County for depositions and trials
Why Camden County families choose us:
✅ 25+ years of litigation experience — proven track record in courtrooms across America
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys — we know how the other side thinks and fights
✅ Federal court admission — can pursue Camden County cases in federal jurisdiction
✅ Dual-state bar licenses — Texas and New York — strategic advantage for national fraternity cases
✅ Se habla español — bilingual staff serving Camden County’s Spanish-speaking families
✅ Nationwide hazing expertise — currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
✅ Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront for Camden County families. We don’t get paid unless you win.
💔 THIS IS HAPPENING IN CAMDEN COUNTY — RIGHT NOW
The Same Hazing That Hospitalized a Student in Texas Is Happening at New Jersey Universities
Our current case in Texas — the one we’re fighting RIGHT NOW — proves it:
| Victim | Leonel Bermudez |
|---|---|
| University | University of Houston (Texas) |
| Fraternity | Pi Kappa Phi — same national fraternity with chapters in New Jersey |
| What Happened | Waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats, beaten with wooden paddles, hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure |
| Hospitalization | 3 nights, 4 days fighting for his life |
| Status | $10 million lawsuit filed — we’re fighting this battle right now |
Camden County families: Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities near you. The same fraternity. The same “traditions.” The same dangers.
If it can happen in Texas, it can happen — and is happening — in New Jersey.
📍 HAZING IN NEW JERSEY: THE FACTS
New Jersey Has a Serious Hazing Problem — And Camden County Families Are at Risk
1. New Jersey Universities with Greek Life Presence Near Camden County:
| University | Location | Distance from Camden | Greek Life Presence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers University–Camden | Camden, NJ | 0 miles | Active fraternities and sororities |
| Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ | 20 miles | Large Greek system |
| Temple University | Philadelphia, PA | 5 miles | Very active Greek life |
| Drexel University | Philadelphia, PA | 5 miles | Active Greek organizations |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | 5 miles | Historic Greek system |
| Rutgers University–New Brunswick | New Brunswick, NJ | 50 miles | One of the largest Greek systems in the country |
| Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | 50 miles | Active Greek life (eating clubs) |
| Rider University | Lawrenceville, NJ | 40 miles | Active Greek organizations |
| The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) | Ewing, NJ | 30 miles | Active Greek life |
| Stockton University | Galloway, NJ | 50 miles | Active Greek organizations |
Camden County students attend all of these schools. And all of them have fraternities and sororities with the same national organizations that have paid millions in hazing settlements.
2. National Fraternities with Hazing Histories Operating in New Jersey:
| Fraternity | Hazing Incidents | New Jersey Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey death (2017); Leonel Bermudez hospitalization (2025) | Rutgers, TCNJ, others |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple hazing deaths; $14 million settlement | Rutgers, Rowan, others |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz death (2021); $10 million settlement | Rutgers, others |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver death (2017); $6.1 million verdict | Rutgers, others |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza death (2017); $110 million settlement | Rutgers, others |
| Sigma Chi | Multiple hazing lawsuits | Rutgers, others |
| Kappa Sigma | Multiple hazing incidents | Rutgers, others |
These are the same fraternities operating at Rutgers–Camden, Rowan, Temple, and other schools near Camden County. They have the same culture. They have the same risks.
3. New Jersey Hazing Laws — Stronger Than Most States
New Jersey has some of the toughest anti-hazing laws in the country:
New Jersey Statute § 2C:40-3 — Hazing
- Felony in the fourth degree if hazing results in serious bodily injury
- Felony in the third degree if hazing results in death
- Consent is not a defense — just like in Texas
- Organizations can be held criminally liable
What this means for Camden County families:
✔ Hazing that sends your child to the hospital is a FELONY in New Jersey
✔ The fraternity, its members, and even the university can be criminally charged
✔ You can sue for civil damages even if criminal charges are filed
✔ The fraternity cannot claim “he agreed to it” — consent doesn’t matter
4. Recent Hazing Incidents in New Jersey
While New Jersey hasn’t had as many high-profile hazing deaths as some states, the incidents are real and ongoing:
| Year | University | Incident | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Rutgers University | Multiple fraternities suspended for hazing | Chapter closures |
| 2021 | Rutgers University | Fraternity suspended for hazing violations | Chapter closed |
| 2019 | Rider University | Fraternity suspended for hazing | Chapter closed |
| 2018 | Rutgers University | Fraternity suspended for hazing | Chapter closed |
| 2017 | Princeton University | Eating club suspended for hazing | Suspension |
| Ongoing | Multiple NJ schools | Reports of forced drinking, physical abuse, humiliation | Investigations continue |
Camden County families: This is not a “somewhere else” problem. This is happening at the universities your children attend.
🔍 WHAT NEW JERSEY PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HAZING
Hazing Isn’t Just “Harmless Fun” — It’s Abuse
Common Hazing Activities in New Jersey Fraternities and Sororities:
| Category | Examples | Medical Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Paddling, beating, branding, burning | Broken bones, burns, internal injuries |
| Forced Consumption | Alcohol (binge drinking), food (eating until vomiting), non-food substances | Alcohol poisoning, choking, allergic reactions |
| Extreme Exercise | 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, cardiac arrest |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced late nights, early mornings, no sleep | Mental health crises, accidents, impaired judgment |
| Water Torture | Waterboarding, hose spraying, dunking | Drowning, hypothermia, psychological trauma |
| Humiliation | Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, public degradation | PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide risk |
| Servitude | Forced cleaning, driving members, running errands | Exhaustion, academic decline, missed opportunities |
These aren’t “pranks.” These are criminal acts. And they’re happening right here in New Jersey.
The Medical Consequences of Hazing
Hazing doesn’t just cause embarrassment or temporary discomfort. It causes serious, sometimes permanent injuries:
| Injury | Cause | Symptoms | Long-Term Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, etc.) | Severe muscle pain, dark urine, inability to move, kidney failure | Chronic kidney disease, dialysis, kidney transplant, death |
| Acute Alcohol Poisoning | Forced drinking | Confusion, vomiting, seizures, unconsciousness, death | Brain damage, organ failure, death |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Falls, beatings | Headache, dizziness, memory loss, personality changes | Permanent cognitive impairment, disability |
| Broken Bones | Paddling, beatings | Severe pain, swelling, inability to use limb | Permanent disability, chronic pain |
| Hypothermia | Forced exposure to cold | Shivering, confusion, loss of consciousness | Organ damage, death |
| Heat Stroke | Extreme exercise in heat | Headache, dizziness, nausea, unconsciousness | Organ failure, death |
| PTSD | Psychological trauma | Flashbacks, anxiety, depression, insomnia | Lifelong mental health struggles |
| Suicidal Ideation | Humiliation, shame, trauma | Withdrawal, hopelessness, self-harm | Suicide, lifelong trauma |
Camden County parents: These are the risks your children face when they join Greek organizations. And universities are doing little to stop it.
🏛️ WHO IS LIABLE? EVERYONE WHO LET THIS HAPPEN
When hazing occurs, we sue EVERYONE responsible:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Camden County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Rutgers–Camden, Rowan, Temple chapters |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed activities | Chapter president, pledgemaster, risk manager |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it | Active members who participated or witnessed |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, Pike, etc. — all operate in NJ |
| University | Failed to protect students; owned/controlled property | Rutgers, Rowan, Temple, etc. — all have duty to protect |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred | Fraternity houses, off-campus residences |
| Alumni | Allowed hazing at their homes; participated | Off-campus hazing locations in Camden County |
| Insurance Companies | Provided coverage for negligent acts | Homeowner’s, liability, institutional policies |
Our $10 million lawsuit in Texas names 10 defendants. We’ll name just as many for Camden County families.
💰 WHAT CAMDEN COUNTY HAZING VICTIMS CAN RECOVER
Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Camden County families deserve the same.
1. Economic Damages — The Tangible Costs
| Damage Type | Examples | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Past Medical Expenses | ER visits, hospitalization, tests, treatment | $50,000 – $200,000+ |
| Future Medical Expenses | Ongoing treatment, therapy, potential surgery | $100,000 – $1,000,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work during recovery | $10,000 – $100,000 |
| Educational Impact | Tuition for lost semester, tutoring, academic support | $20,000 – $100,000 |
| Career Impact | Lost internships, job opportunities | $50,000 – $500,000 |
2. Non-Economic Damages — Pain and Suffering
| Damage Type | Examples | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Pain | Pain from paddling, waterboarding, extreme exercise | $200,000 – $2,000,000 |
| Mental Anguish | Trauma from abuse, fear of retribution, anxiety | $300,000 – $3,000,000 |
| Emotional Distress | Humiliation, shame, loss of trust | $200,000 – $2,000,000 |
| PTSD | Flashbacks, nightmares, therapy needs | $200,000 – $2,000,000 |
| Loss of Enjoyment of Life | Inability to participate in normal activities | $200,000 – $2,000,000 |
3. Punitive Damages — Punishing Egregious Conduct
Punitive damages are awarded when conduct is:
✔ Grossly negligent
✔ Reckless
✔ Intentional
✔ Designed to harm
Hazing is exactly this type of conduct.
Examples from our Texas case:
- Waterboarding — simulated drowning is torture
- 500 squats causing rhabdomyolysis — reckless disregard for safety
- Continuing hazing after another pledge collapsed — gross negligence
- Hog-tying a pledge with an object in his mouth — outrageous conduct
Punitive damages send a message: This cannot happen again.
Potential punitive damages in Camden County cases:
- $500,000 – $5,000,000+ per defendant
📊 PROVEN RESULTS: MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR HAZING SETTLEMENTS
These Cases Prove That Hazing Victims Win — And Win Big
| Case | University | Fraternity | Injury | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State (OH) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Death (alcohol poisoning) | Settlement | $10,100,000+ |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Death (alcohol poisoning) | Jury Verdict | $6,100,000 |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Death (traumatic brain injury) | Settlement | $110,000,000+ |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Death (alcohol poisoning) | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Death (alcohol poisoning) | Settlement | $4,000,000+ |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston (TX) | Pi Kappa Phi | Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure | $10M lawsuit pending | Filed November 2025 |
Camden County families: These results are possible for New Jersey victims too. The same legal strategies apply.
🚨 WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS HAZED IN CAMDEN COUNTY
Step-by-Step Action Plan for Camden County Families
⚠️ TIME IS CRITICAL. EVIDENCE DISAPPEARS. WITNESSES FORGET. ACT NOW.
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ensure Safety | Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately | Prevent further harm |
| 2. Seek Medical Attention | Go to the ER or urgent care — even if injuries seem minor | Document everything medically; some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not appear immediately |
| 3. Preserve Evidence | TAKE PHOTOS of injuries, locations, objects used in hazing | Visual evidence is powerful |
| 4. Preserve Evidence | SAVE ALL COMMUNICATIONS — texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, emails | Digital evidence is critical |
| 5. Preserve Evidence | GET WITNESS NAMES — other pledges, bystanders | Witness testimony strengthens the case |
| 6. DO NOT | Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel | They will try to control the narrative |
| 7. DO NOT | Post on social media about the incident | Anything you post can be used against you |
| 8. DO NOT | Sign anything from the organization | You may be waiving your rights |
| 9. Contact an Attorney | Call Attorney 911 IMMEDIATELY — 1-888-ATTY-911 | Free consultation; evidence preservation |
| 10. Report to Authorities | Consider filing a police report | Hazing is a crime in New Jersey |
| 11. Report to University | File a formal complaint with the university’s Title IX office | Preserve institutional record |
| 12. Follow Medical Advice | Attend all follow-up appointments | Insurance companies will argue you weren’t really hurt if you skip treatment |
Camden County families: The most important step is #9 — contact an attorney immediately. We offer free consultations and can guide you through every step.
📞 CAMDEN COUNTY HAZING VICTIMS: CALL US NOW
Free Consultation — 24/7 Availability
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We serve Camden County and all of New Jersey. Distance is not a barrier.
Why Camden County Families Choose Attorney 911:
✅ We’re fighting this battle RIGHT NOW — our $10 million hazing lawsuit is active
✅ We know how to win — multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts
✅ We travel to Camden County — for depositions, meetings, and trials
✅ Remote consultations available — video calls for Camden County families
✅ No upfront cost — contingency fee representation
✅ Bilingual staff — serving Camden County’s Spanish-speaking families
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys — we know how the other side fights
✅ Federal court authority — can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
🔥 WHAT SETS US APART: OUR APPROACH TO CAMDEN COUNTY HAZING CASES
1. We Don’t Just Sue — We Investigate
We build Camden County hazing cases with:
- Forensic evidence collection — texts, photos, videos, social media
- Medical expert analysis — rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, PTSD
- Hazing culture experts — to explain why this happens and who’s responsible
- Institutional negligence experts — to prove universities knew and failed to act
- Economic experts — to calculate future medical costs and lost earning capacity
2. We Sue Everyone Responsible
We don’t just go after the local chapter. We sue:
✔ The local fraternity/sorority
✔ The national organization
✔ The university
✔ The housing corporation
✔ Individual members
✔ Alumni who enabled it
✔ Insurance companies
Our $10 million lawsuit names 10 defendants. We’ll name just as many for Camden County families.
3. We Use the Media to Pressure Defendants
Universities and fraternities hate bad publicity. We use media coverage to:
- Expose the truth about what happened
- Pressure defendants to settle
- Protect other students by warning the community
- Drive legislative change — like the Max Gruver Act and Timothy Piazza Law
4. We Fight for Legislative Change
Hazing cases don’t just result in settlements — they result in new laws. Our cases have led to:
- Felony hazing laws in multiple states
- Stricter university oversight of Greek life
- Mandatory reporting requirements for hazing incidents
We will work with New Jersey legislators to pass stronger anti-hazing laws.
5. We Protect Our Clients from Retaliation
Hazing victims often fear retribution. We protect our Camden County clients by:
- Sending cease-and-desist letters to fraternities/sororities
- Demanding no-contact orders from universities
- Monitoring for retaliation and taking legal action if it occurs
- Providing security recommendations for at-risk clients
📚 NEW JERSEY HAZING LAW: YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS
New Jersey Statute § 2C:40-3 — Hazing
Full Text (Key Provisions):
“a. A person is guilty of hazing, a disorderly persons offense, if, in connection with initiation of applicants to or members of a student or fraternal organization, he knowingly or recklessly organizes, promotes, facilitates or engages in any conduct, other than competitive athletic events, which places or may place another person in danger of bodily injury.”
“b. Hazing is a crime of the fourth degree if the conduct results in serious bodily injury to another person.”
“c. Hazing is a crime of the third degree if the conduct results in death to another person.”
“d. Consent is not a defense to a prosecution under this section.”
What This Means for Camden County Families:
| Provision | Meaning | Camden County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Disorderly persons offense | Hazing is a crime in New Jersey | Fraternity members can be arrested |
| Fourth degree felony | If hazing causes serious bodily injury | Hospitalization = felony charges |
| Third degree felony | If hazing causes death | Death = felony charges |
| Consent is not a defense | “He agreed to it” doesn’t matter | Fraternities cannot claim consent |
| Organizational liability | Fraternities/sororities can be held criminally liable | Entire chapters can be prosecuted |
Camden County families: Hazing that sends your child to the hospital is a FELONY in New Jersey. The fraternity, its members, and even the university can be criminally charged.
🎓 WHAT CAMDEN COUNTY UNIVERSITIES SHOULD BE DOING — AND AREN’T
Universities Have a Duty to Protect Students. They’re Failing.
Universities near Camden County have the power to stop hazing. They choose not to.
What Universities Should Do:
| Action | Why They Don’t Do It |
|---|---|
| Ban fraternities/sororities with hazing histories | Fear of losing donations; fear of backlash |
| Conduct unannounced inspections of fraternity houses | Don’t want to “intrude” on Greek life |
| Mandate anti-hazing training for all Greek organizations | Training is often ineffective; no follow-up |
| Require real-time reporting of pledge activities | Universities don’t want to know what’s happening |
| Suspend recognition for any hazing violation | Fear of losing Greek life revenue |
| Own and control all fraternity/sorority housing | Would require significant investment |
| Implement independent oversight of Greek life | Would require admitting they can’t control it |
What Universities Actually Do:
✔ Issue toothless statements after hazing incidents
✔ Suspend chapters temporarily — then allow them to return
✔ Claim they didn’t know — despite prior incidents
✔ Protect their reputation — not their students
✔ Blame the victims — “he should have known better”
Camden County families: Universities are prioritizing their image over your child’s safety. We hold them accountable.
🏆 OUR TRACK RECORD: PROVEN RESULTS FOR INJURY VICTIMS
While our hazing litigation is ongoing, our firm has a proven track record of winning multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for injury victims:
| Case Type | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| BP Texas City Explosion | Multi-billion dollar litigation | Represented victims in mass tort against BP |
| 18-Wheeler Accident | Multi-million dollar settlement | Catastrophic injury case |
| Wrongful Death | Multi-million dollar settlement | Family of victim killed by negligence |
| Brain Injury | Multi-million dollar settlement | Traumatic brain injury from car accident |
| DWI Accident | $1 million+ settlement | Victim hit by drunk driver |
| Criminal Defense | Case dismissed | Client facing 5-99 years in prison |
| Workplace Injury | Multi-million dollar settlement | Log dropped on client causing brain injury |
Camden County families: We know how to win against powerful institutions. We’ll use the same strategies to fight for hazing victims.
📢 TO NEW JERSEY FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES: WE ARE WATCHING
A Message to Greek Organizations Operating Near Camden County:
Pi Kappa Phi. Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Pi Kappa Alpha. Phi Delta Theta. Beta Theta Pi. Sigma Chi. Kappa Sigma.
If your chapter is operating near Camden County, know this:
We are watching.
We are documenting.
We are building cases.
We know your culture.
We know your “traditions.”
We know your history.
The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts in Texas apply to your chapter.
If you haze students in New Jersey, we will find every liable entity. We will sue you, your national organization, your university, and every individual who participated.
The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? SHUT DOWN. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.
Your chapter could be next.
🏛️ TO NEW JERSEY UNIVERSITIES: THE BILL IS COMING
A Message to Rutgers, Rowan, Temple, and Other New Jersey Schools:
University of Houston owned the fraternity house where a student was waterboarded and hospitalized with kidney failure.
They collected rent while students were tortured. They had the power to inspect. They had the power to shut it down. They chose not to act.
Now they’re facing a $10 million lawsuit.
Rutgers. Rowan. Temple. Drexel. Princeton. TCNJ. Stockton.
You own the problem. You own the liability. And you will own the bill.
🚨 CAMDEN COUNTY FAMILIES: THIS IS YOUR WAKE-UP CALL
Hazing isn’t happening “somewhere else.” It’s happening here. It’s happening now. It’s happening to Camden County students.
Your child could be next.
But you don’t have to wait for tragedy to strike. You can fight back.
If your child has been hazed — or if you suspect hazing is happening — call us NOW.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We don’t just fight for compensation. We fight for change. We fight for accountability. We fight for Camden County families.
🎖️ FINAL WORDS: WE SEE YOU. WE HEAR YOU. WE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU.
To the Camden County hazing victim reading this:
You are not alone.
What happened to you was not your fault.
You did not deserve this.
You have the right to seek justice.
You have the right to hold them accountable.
We see you. We hear you. And we will fight for you.
Call us today.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Camden County and all of New Jersey
Nationwide representation available
© 2025 Attorney 911. All rights reserved.
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