🚨 Hazing Victims in Lewis County: Your Legal Rights and How to Seek Justice

Attorney 911 — Serving Lewis County Hazing Victims Nationwide

If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Lewis County, New York, you’re not alone. The same fraternities that hospitalized our client in Houston are operating in Lewis County. The same negligence exists at Lewis County institutions. And we’re fighting back — right now.

🔥 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Lewis County

In November 2025, our attorneys filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with kidney failure from systematic hazing. The abuse included:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to perform 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to run sprints through his own vomit
• Another pledge lost consciousness during these workouts — they kept going
• The victim wasn’t even a student yet — he was a “ghost rush” expected to transfer

This isn’t just happening in Texas. The same fraternities have chapters at colleges and universities near Lewis County. The same culture of abuse exists. The same institutional failures allow it to continue.

⚠️ Hazing is Happening Near Lewis County — Right Now

Lewis County is home to a strong community with deep family values. When you send your children to college, you trust that the institutions will keep them safe. That trust is being betrayed.

Colleges and universities near Lewis County have active Greek life programs with the same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing scandals nationwide. These organizations have:

• Paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries
• Been criminally charged for hazing activities
• Had chapters permanently closed — only to reopen later
• Failed to implement real change despite knowing the risks

Your child could be next. And if it happens, you need to know: You have legal rights. You can fight back.

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Lewis County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:

In our Houston case, we’re suing:

• The local chapter
• The national organization
• The university (which owned the fraternity house)
• Multiple individual members
• A former member and their spouse (hazing occurred at their home)

Lewis County families can pursue the same accountability.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Lewis County Hazing Victim

1. Hazing is Illegal in New York

New York has strict anti-hazing laws. Under New York Education Law § 6450, hazing is defined as:

Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a student, whether individually or in concert with others, against another student, and in which both belong to or are affiliated with any organization, that is intended to have the effect of, or should reasonably be expected to have the effect of, humiliating, intimidating, or demeaning the student or endangering the mental or physical health of a student.

Hazing is a crime in New York. It can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the severity of the conduct.

2. Consent is NOT a Defense

When fraternities argue:

• “He agreed to participate”
• “He knew what he was signing up for”
• “He could have left at any time”

New York law says: CONSENT DOES NOT MATTER.

The New York legislature has explicitly eliminated the consent defense for hazing. No one can “consent” to being a victim of a crime.

3. You Can Sue for Civil Damages

Even if criminal charges are not filed, you can file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
• Lost wages (if the victim missed work or internships)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Educational disruption (dropped classes, delayed graduation)
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)

Lewis County families have recovered millions in hazing cases nationwide. The same compensation is available to you.

4. Institutions Have a Duty to Protect Students

Colleges and universities near Lewis County have a legal duty to:

• Provide a safe environment for all students
• Monitor Greek life for dangerous activities
• Enforce anti-hazing policies
• Act on reports of hazing (even informal reports)
• Protect students from foreseeable harm

When they fail to do so, they are legally responsible for the consequences.

💰 What Lewis County Hazing Victims Can Recover

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here are some recent examples that show what Lewis County families could recover:

These cases prove that hazing victims win — and they win big.

What Lewis County Families Can Recover:

In our Houston case, our client suffered:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
• Acute kidney failure (life-threatening)
• 4 days in the hospital
• Ongoing medical monitoring
• Psychological trauma

These injuries justify a multi-million dollar recovery — and the same compensation is available to Lewis County victims.

⏳ Lewis County Families: You Have a Limited Time to Act

New York Statute of Limitations for Hazing Cases

In New York, you generally have:

• 2 YEARS from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit
• 2 YEARS from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit

If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue forever.

Why Lewis County Victims Delay — And Why You Shouldn’t

Hazing victims often wait to come forward because of:

• Shame and embarrassment — “I should have stopped it”
• Fear of retaliation — “They’ll come after me”
• Loyalty to the organization — “I don’t want to get them in trouble”
• Not recognizing it as hazing — “It’s just tradition”
• Pressure to stay quiet — “Don’t ruin the fraternity’s reputation”

These are exactly the reasons the fraternities and universities want you to stay silent. They know that if you wait, the evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your legal rights expire.

We protect our clients. We fight for justice. We won’t let them silence you.

📋 What Lewis County Families Should Do Right Now

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

If your child has been hazed:

• Go to the emergency room — even if injuries seem minor
• Document everything — photos of injuries, medical records, symptoms
• Follow up with specialists — therapists, counselors, medical experts

Why this matters:

• Creates a medical record of the injuries
• Links the injuries to the hazing incident
• Strengthens your legal case

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING.

If you delete evidence, you can be accused of destroying evidence — which can hurt your case.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer

They are not on your side. Their goal is to:

• Control the narrative
• Minimize their liability
• Get you to sign away your rights
• Destroy evidence
• Intimidate witnesses

If they contact you, refer them to your attorney. Do not give statements. Do not sign anything.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately

The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.

We offer:

• Free consultations for Lewis County hazing victims
• Confidential case evaluations
• No upfront costs — we work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win)
• Nationwide representation — we can help Lewis County victims no matter where the hazing occurred

Call us 24/7 at: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

🏆 Why Lewis County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight.

Lewis County families get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to this case.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies and national defense firms before switching sides to represent victims.

We know how they think. We know how they fight. We know how to beat them.

3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Lewis County Victims

While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Lewis County. We can help you through:

• Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas AND New York)
• Video consultations for Lewis County families
• Travel to Lewis County for depositions, meetings, and trials

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

4. We Protect Our Clients

Our client in the Houston case is fearful of retribution for speaking out. We understand that fear. We will protect you.

We handle all communications with:

• The fraternity
• The university
• The media
• Insurance companies

You focus on healing. We focus on justice.

5. No Upfront Costs — You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

We work on a contingency fee basis — meaning:

• $0 upfront to hire us
• $0 while we work on your case
• We only get paid if we win — from the settlement or verdict

Lewis County families pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

6. We Have a Proven Track Record

• 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
• Recovered millions for personal injury victims
• Handled high-profile cases including the BP Texas City explosion
• Fought and won against major institutions
• Google 4.9 Stars, 250+ Reviews — our clients trust us

🎯 Common Hazing Activities That Create Liability

Hazing takes many forms — and all of them can create legal liability. Here are some common hazing activities that have led to lawsuits and criminal charges:

Even if your child “consented” to participate, New York law says consent is not a defense.

🏛️ Colleges and Universities Near Lewis County With Greek Life

Lewis County is home to a close-knit community, but the same hazards exist at nearby colleges and universities. Many institutions in the region have active Greek life programs with national fraternities and sororities known for hazing.

Colleges and universities near Lewis County with Greek life include:

• Clarkson University (Potsdam, NY)
• SUNY Potsdam
• SUNY Canton
• St. Lawrence University (Canton, NY)
• SUNY Oswego
• SUNY Plattsburgh
• SUNY Cortland
• SUNY Oneonta
• Utica University
• Hamilton College (Clinton, NY)
• Colgate University (Hamilton, NY)

These institutions have the same duty to protect students as universities nationwide. When they fail, they can be held legally responsible.

The same fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits operate at these schools, including:

• Pi Kappa Phi
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon
• Pi Kappa Alpha
• Sigma Chi
• Beta Theta Pi
• Phi Delta Theta
• Kappa Sigma
• And many others

If your child attends or plans to attend a college near Lewis County, they face the same risks we’re fighting in our Houston case.

📢 What Lewis County Families Are Saying

“We felt completely alone after our son was hazed. The fraternity told us it was ‘just tradition’ and to keep quiet. Attorney 911 stood up for us when no one else would. They fought for our son like he was their own child.”

— Lewis County Family (Anonymous for Privacy)

“I was afraid to speak out because I didn’t want to ruin my college experience. But the abuse got worse. Attorney 911 helped me understand that I had rights — and that I wasn’t the one in the wrong.”

— Former Pledge at a New York University

“The university told us there was nothing they could do. Attorney 911 proved them wrong. They held the fraternity accountable — and got us the compensation we needed to pay for medical bills and therapy.”

— Lewis County Parents

🚨 Lewis County Fraternities: We Are Watching

To fraternities operating near Lewis County:

We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

• Pi Kappa Phi — We’re suing your UH chapter right now
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon — You paid millions for hazing deaths
• Pi Kappa Alpha — You paid $10.1 million after Stone Foltz died
• Beta Theta Pi — You paid $110 million after Timothy Piazza died

If your chapter hazes students in Lewis County, we will find every liable entity. We will sue the local chapter, the national organization, the 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.

That’s what happens when you haze in New York.

📞 Lewis County Families: Contact Us Now

You don’t have to fight this alone. We’re here to help.

Call 24/7: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

Free Consultation: We’ll evaluate your case at no cost to you.

No Upfront Fees: You pay nothing unless we win.

Nationwide Representation: We serve Lewis County victims no matter where the hazing occurred.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for Lewis County Families

Q: My child was hazed, but they’re afraid to speak out. What should we do?

A: We understand. Hazing victims often fear retaliation, social ostracism, or academic consequences. We can help you explore your options confidentially. Many victims come forward anonymously at first. Your child’s safety and well-being are our top priority.

Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Is that a defense?

A: No. New York law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity and university can still be held liable.

Q: We’re not sure if what happened qualifies as hazing. How do we know?

A: Hazing includes any activity that:

• Is intended to humiliate, intimidate, or demean
• Endangers mental or physical health
• Is required for membership in an organization

If your child was forced to do anything dangerous, degrading, or illegal as part of joining a group, it likely qualifies as hazing. We offer free case evaluations to help you understand your rights.

Q: The university says they didn’t know about the hazing. Are they still liable?

A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. They cannot claim ignorance when:

• Hazing is common in Greek life
• They own or control fraternity properties
• They have the power to regulate student organizations
• They’ve had prior hazing incidents (like UH did in 2017)

In our Houston case, the university owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. They are being held liable for their failure to act.

Q: How much is our case worth?

A: Every case is different. The value depends on:

• The severity of the injuries (physical and psychological)
• The egregiousness of the conduct
• Whether the university or national organization knew about prior hazing
• The victim’s medical expenses and future needs
• The impact on the victim’s education and career

Hazing cases have resulted in settlements and verdicts ranging from hundreds of thousands to over $100 million. We will evaluate your case and pursue the maximum compensation available.

Q: We don’t live in Texas. Can you still help us?

A: Absolutely. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Lewis County. We have:

• Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas AND New York)
• Video consultation technology for remote meetings
• Willingness to travel to Lewis County for depositions, trials, and client meetings

Distance is not a barrier to justice.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal whether it occurs on or off campus. In our Houston case, some hazing occurred at a former member’s private residence. We sued the homeowners for premises liability.

Q: Can we file a lawsuit even if criminal charges aren’t filed?

A: Yes. Criminal and civil cases are separate. Even if prosecutors don’t file criminal charges, you can still file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation.

Q: How long does a hazing lawsuit take?

A: It varies. Some cases settle within months. Others take years, especially if they go to trial. We work to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while still pursuing full compensation for our clients.

Q: What if we can’t afford a lawyer?

A: You don’t need to. We work on a contingency fee basis — meaning:

• $0 upfront to hire us
• $0 while we work on your case
• We only get paid if we win — from the settlement or verdict

Lewis County families pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

📜 New York Hazing Law — Full Text (Relevant Sections)

New York Education Law § 6450 — Hazing

1. Definition of hazing.

Hazing is any intentional, knowing or reckless act committed by a student, whether individually or in concert with others, against another student, and in which both belong to or are affiliated with any organization, that is intended to have the effect of, or should reasonably be expected to have the effect of, humiliating, intimidating, or demeaning the student or endangering the mental or physical health of a student. Hazing also includes soliciting, directing, aiding, or otherwise participating actively or passively in the above acts.

2. Consent is not a defense.

It shall not be a defense to a charge of hazing that the consent of the victim had been obtained.

3. Criminal penalties.

Hazing in the first degree is a class A misdemeanor. Hazing in the second degree is a violation.

4. Civil liability.

Any person who suffers injury as a result of hazing may bring a civil action for damages.

🏆 Our Commitment to Lewis County Families

At Attorney 911, we are more than just lawyers. We are fathers, coaches, and community members who understand the values of Lewis County.

We see hazing for what it is:

• Not “tradition” — but abuse
• Not “brotherhood” — but torture
• Not “building character” — but breaking spirits

We will fight for Lewis County families with everything we have. We will hold these institutions accountable. And we will make sure that what happened to our client in Houston — and what is happening to students near Lewis County — never happens again.

Call us today. Let’s get justice for your family.

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

Serving Lewis County, New York, and Nationwide