Hazing Victims in Salem County, NJ: Your Legal Rights & How Attorney 911 Can Help

🚨 Hazing Is Happening in Salem County — And It’s Not What You Think

Salem County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities, Greek organizations, and athletic teams to provide positive experiences — not to subject them to torture, abuse, and life-threatening rituals disguised as “tradition.”

But the reality is stark: hazing is alive and well in New Jersey, including in and around Salem County.

From Rowan University in Glassboro to Rutgers University in Camden, Stockton University in Galloway, and smaller colleges across South Jersey, hazing continues to hospitalize, traumatize, and even kill students. The same national fraternities involved in deadly hazing cases across the country — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta — have active chapters near Salem County.

And just like what happened at the University of Houston in 2025, where a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure, Salem County students are being subjected to the same brutal “initiation” rituals — all in the name of “brotherhood,” “team spirit,” or “tradition.”

This isn’t tradition. This is abuse. And it’s illegal.

🔍 What Is Hazing? (And What It’s Not)

New Jersey law defines hazing as:

Any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them — regardless of whether they consent.

Many students don’t even realize they’re being hazed. They think, “This is just how it’s done.”

But if the activity involves any of the following, it is hazing — and it is illegal in New Jersey:

✅ Forced drinking — Being pressured to consume alcohol until you black out or vomit
✅ Extreme physical punishment — 100 pushups, 500 squats, bear crawls, “suicides” (running drills), or forced exercise until collapse
✅ Waterboarding or simulated drowning — Being sprayed with hoses while doing calisthenics
✅ Forced eating — Eating hot dogs, milk, or peppercorns until you vomit
✅ Physical violence — Being struck with paddles, belts, or other objects
✅ Sleep deprivation — Being forced to stay up all night or drive members at 3 AM
✅ Sexual humiliation — Being forced to carry sexual objects, strip, or endure degrading acts
✅ Psychological abuse — Threats, isolation, verbal harassment, or being “hog-tied” with objects in your mouth
✅ Sleeping in basements or crawl spaces — Confinement in small, unsafe spaces

If any of these happened to you or your child in Salem County or at a nearby university — you have legal rights.

💔 The Salem County Hazing Crisis: It’s Closer Than You Think

You may think hazing is something that happens “somewhere else.” But it’s happening right here in South Jersey.

📍 Nearby Universities Where Hazing Has Been Reported or Documented:

The same national fraternities that have paid millions in hazing settlements operate at these schools — and their chapters near Salem County are no different.

🔗 The National Connection: They Knew It Was Dangerous

In November 2025, our law firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure.

But this wasn’t the first time Pi Kappa Phi was involved in a serious hazing case.

In 2017, Andrew Coffey died at Florida State University after being forced to drink an entire bottle of bourbon at a Pi Kappa Phi event.

Same fraternity. Same negligence. 8 years apart.

Pi Kappa Phi National knew their chapters were dangerous. They knew about the “hazing crisis.” And they did nothing to stop it.

The same national organizations operate near Salem County. They know the risks. And they’re still allowing it to happen.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights in New Jersey: Hazing Is a Crime — And a Civil Wrong

1️⃣ Criminal Charges: Hazing Is Illegal in New Jersey

Under New Jersey Statute 2C:40-3, hazing is a crime:

• Fourth-degree crime if it creates a substantial risk of physical injury (punishable by up to 18 months in prison)
• Third-degree crime if it results in serious bodily injury or death (punishable by 3–5 years in prison)

This means: If you or your child was hazed in Salem County or at a nearby university, the individuals responsible could face criminal charges.

2️⃣ Civil Lawsuits: You Can Sue for Compensation

Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, you can file a civil lawsuit to hold the responsible parties accountable and recover compensation for:

• Medical bills (emergency room, hospital stays, therapy)
• Future medical care (if injuries have long-term effects)
• Lost wages (if you missed work or lost a job opportunity)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• PTSD, anxiety, and depression (therapy, medication, counseling)
• Punitive damages (to punish the defendants and prevent future hazing)

You can sue:
✔ The local fraternity or sorority chapter
✔ The national fraternity/sorority organization
✔ The university (if they knew or should have known about the hazing)
✔ Individual members who participated
✔ Chapter officers (president, pledge master, etc.)
✔ Alumni who hosted or facilitated hazing

💰 How Much Is a Hazing Case Worth? Recent Settlements & Verdicts

Hazing cases don’t just result in apologies — they result in millions of dollars in compensation for victims and their families.

These cases prove one thing: Hazing victims win. And they win big.

Salem County families can recover the same compensation — no matter where the hazing occurred.

🏥 The Medical Consequences of Hazing: What Salem County Families Need to Know

Hazing isn’t just “roughhousing.” It causes real, life-threatening injuries.

🚨 Common Hazing Injuries:

If your child was hospitalized after hazing — or is showing signs of trauma — you may have a case.

📋 What to Do If You or Your Child Was Hazed in Salem County

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can take days to show symptoms.
• Medical records are critical evidence for your case.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

📱 Save everything:

• Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat messages
• Photos or videos from hazing events
• Screenshots of social media posts about hazing
• Names and contact info of witnesses
• Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)

🚫 Do NOT:

• Delete anything
• Talk to the fraternity, sorority, or university without a lawyer
• Post about the incident on social media
• Sign anything from the organization

Step 3: Report the Hazing

• File a police report (hazing is a crime in NJ)
• Report to the university (Title IX office, student conduct)
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority (they may try to cover it up)

Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

• New Jersey has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases.
• Evidence disappears quickly — witnesses forget, messages get deleted, organizations destroy records.
• The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

🏛️ Who Is Liable? Who Can You Sue?

Hazing cases aren’t just about suing a few college students. The real money — and the real accountability — comes from the institutions that allowed it to happen.

You can sue:

In our $10 million UH case, we sued:
✔ Pi Kappa Phi National
✔ The local chapter
✔ The university (they owned the fraternity house)
✔ The housing corporation
✔ Individual members
✔ A former member and his spouse (hazing occurred at their home)

Salem County families can pursue the same defendants.

🎯 Why Salem County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1️⃣ We’re Already Fighting This Battle — Right Now

• We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
• We know exactly how these organizations operate — and how to hold them accountable.
• We’ve seen the tactics they use to avoid responsibility — and we know how to counter them.

2️⃣ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

• Both of our attorneys (Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña) worked for insurance companies before switching to represent victims.
• We know how they try to minimize claims — and we use that knowledge to maximize your recovery.
• We’ve gone up against multi-billion-dollar corporations (like BP in the Texas City explosion) and won.

3️⃣ Nationwide Representation — We Come to Salem County

• We’re based in Texas, but we represent hazing victims nationwide.
• We’ll travel to Salem County for depositions, trials, and client meetings.
• We offer video consultations so you can get help immediately.

4️⃣ No Upfront Costs — We Work on Contingency

• You pay nothing unless we win your case.
• We advance all costs (medical records, experts, court fees).
• You only pay us after you receive compensation.

5️⃣ We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

• Hazing affects students from all backgrounds.
• We provide bilingual legal services to ensure no Salem County family is left behind.

6️⃣ We Treat You Like Family

• We understand the emotional toll hazing takes on victims and families.
• We’ll guide you through every step of the legal process.
• We won’t let the university or fraternity intimidate or silence you.

📞 Salem County Families: Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation

If you or your child was hazed in Salem County or at a nearby university, you have legal rights — and you don’t have to fight this alone.

Call us 24/7 at:

1-888-ATTY-911

Or email:
📧 ralph@atty911.com

We’ll evaluate your case for free, explain your options, and help you decide the best path forward.

Remember:

• You’re not alone.
• What happened to you was wrong.
• You deserve justice.
• We will fight for you.

🚫 To Fraternities & Sororities Near Salem County: We Are Watching

Pi Kappa Phi. Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Kappa Sigma. Phi Delta Theta.

If your chapter is operating near Salem County, know this:

✅ We are tracking your house corporations, your alumni chapters, and your insurance policies.
✅ We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements.
✅ We know the same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist at your chapters.
✅ If you haze students in Salem County, we will sue every entity responsible — and we will win.

The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter at UH? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. $10 million lawsuit pending.

Your chapter could be next.

🏫 To Universities Near Salem County: The Same Liability Applies to You

Rowan. Rutgers. Stockton. Widener. Drexel.

You own the fraternity houses. You collect the rent. You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous chapters.

You knew hazing was happening. And you did nothing.

The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where a student was waterboarded and hospitalized. They’re now a defendant in a $10 million lawsuit.

The same liability applies to you.

If you don’t act now, you will be next.

🔥 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time for Justice in Salem County.

Hazing has gone on for too long. Students have been hospitalized. Lives have been ruined. Families have been devastated.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

If you or your child was hazed in Salem County or at a nearby university, you have the power to stop it.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. Let’s hold them accountable — together.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com

We serve Salem County and all of New Jersey. No case is too big. No institution is too powerful. We fight — and we win.