🚨 Hazing Victims in Oneida County: Your Legal Rights and How Attorney 911 Can Help
Oneida County Parents and Students: Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines
Oneida County is home to proud communities, strong families, and students who work hard to build their futures. But behind the idyllic college experience at institutions like Utica University, Hamilton College, Colgate University, and SUNY Polytechnic Institute lies a dark reality: hazing.
The same fraternities that have killed students at Penn State, LSU, and Florida State operate chapters right here in Central New York. The same national organizations that paid $10 million, $6 million, and $110 million in hazing settlements are active on campuses near Oneida County. And just like in Houston, where we’re currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit, these organizations continue to prioritize tradition over safety — even when it means hospitalizing our children.
If your son or daughter has been hazed in Oneida County or at any college near our region, Attorney 911 can help. We’re fighting this battle right now, and we’re ready to bring that same fight to Oneida County.
🏥 What Hazing Really Looks Like: The Case That Should Alarm Oneida County Families
In November 2025, our firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a young man named Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing.
What happened to him didn’t occur in some distant state. It could happen right here in Oneida County.
What They Did to Leonel Bermudez:
- Waterboarded him with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
- Forced him to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed and couldn’t stand
- Struck him with wooden paddles as punishment
- Forced him to eat until he vomited, then made him continue exercising in his own vomit
- Hog-tied another pledge face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
- Another pledge lost consciousness during a forced workout — they kept going
- Forced him to drive fraternity members in the early morning hours, causing exhaustion
- Made him carry a fanny pack with objects of a sexual nature at all times
- Threatened him with expulsion if he didn’t comply
Result: Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized for four days with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His muscles literally broke down from the abuse.
Oneida County families: This isn’t “tradition.” This isn’t “brotherhood.” This is torture. And it’s happening at fraternities and other organizations across America — including near Oneida County.
⚠️ The Same Fraternities Operate Near Oneida County
Pi Kappa Phi isn’t just at the University of Houston. They have 150+ chapters across America, including in New York State.
Fraternities with documented hazing histories have active chapters near Oneida County:
| Fraternity | Hazing Incident | Outcome | Oneida County Presence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (2017) — died; Leonel Bermudez (2025) — hospitalized | $10M lawsuit pending | Chapters at colleges near Oneida County |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Max Gruver (2017) — died | $6.1M jury verdict | Active chapters in New York |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza (2017) — died | $110M+ settlement | Active chapters in New York |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz (2021) — died | $10.1M settlement | Active chapters in New York |
| Phi Delta Theta | Multiple hazing deaths | Multiple lawsuits | Active chapters in New York |
These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re part of a pattern — and the same organizations are operating at colleges near Oneida County.
🏫 Universities Near Oneida County: They Have the Power to Stop Hazing — But Do They?
Colleges and universities in and around Oneida County have a legal and moral duty to protect their students. But too often, they fail.
Institutions near Oneida County with Greek life include:
- Utica University (Utica, NY)
- Hamilton College (Clinton, NY)
- Colgate University (Hamilton, NY)
- SUNY Polytechnic Institute (Utica, NY)
- SUNY Morrisville (Morrisville, NY)
- Cazenovia College (Cazenovia, NY)
These institutions:
✅ Control campus recognition of fraternities and sororities
✅ Can inspect fraternity houses (many own them)
✅ Can suspend or expel organizations that haze
✅ Receive tuition money from students they’re supposed to protect
Yet time and time again, they fail to act until it’s too late.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Oneida County Hazing Victim
If your child has been hazed in Oneida County or at any college near our region, you have legal rights — and we can help you enforce them.
New York State Hazing Laws
New York has strong 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 in connection with the initiation into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization which is affiliated with an educational institution, and which is intended to cause physical injury, mental harm, or personal degradation.
This includes:
- Physical brutality (beatings, paddling, branding)
- Forced consumption of alcohol or drugs
- Sleep deprivation
- Psychological abuse and humiliation
- Any activity that creates a substantial risk of physical injury
Penalties in New York:
- Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail)
- Class E felony if hazing results in serious physical injury (up to 4 years in prison)
- Organizations can be fined up to $10,000
- Universities can lose funding
Importantly: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.
Civil Lawsuits: Holding Institutions Accountable
Beyond criminal charges, hazing victims can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:
| Damage Type | What It Covers | Oneida County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Bills | Hospital stays, ER visits, therapy, medications, future treatment | If your child was hospitalized from hazing |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships | If hazing disrupted employment |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain and emotional trauma | The agony of hazing and its aftermath |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression, therapy costs | Psychological harm from abuse |
| Educational Disruption | Tuition refunds, lost scholarships, delayed graduation | If hazing forced withdrawal or poor grades |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | When conduct is especially cruel or reckless |
Oneida County families: These damages aren’t theoretical. They’re real, and they’re recoverable. In Texas, we’re currently seeking $10 million for Leonel Bermudez. The same results are possible for Oneida County victims.
💰 Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions — Oneida County Families Can Too
Hazing cases do not settle for small amounts. Juries and courts understand the severity of this conduct, and they award millions to send a message.
Recent Multi-Million Dollar Hazing Verdicts and Settlements:
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Adam Oakes | Delta Chi | Virginia Commonwealth | Settlement | $4+ million |
These aren’t outliers. They’re the new standard for hazing cases.
Oneida County families: If your child has been hazed, you have the right to seek substantial compensation — and we know how to get it.
🔍 What Constitutes Hazing? Oneida County Parents Need to Know
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys.” It’s abuse, and it takes many forms.
Types of Hazing Occurring Near Oneida County:
| Category | Examples | Oneida County Warning Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion | Bruises, unexplained injuries, extreme soreness |
| Forced Consumption | Alcohol (binge drinking), food (eating until vomiting), non-food substances | Smell of alcohol, vomiting, signs of alcohol poisoning |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced late nights, early mornings, disrupted sleep | Extreme fatigue, falling asleep in class, irritability |
| Psychological Torture | Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, isolation | Withdrawal, anxiety, depression, mood swings |
| Sexual Abuse | Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects | Reluctance to discuss activities, sexualized language |
| Waterboarding/Drowning | Simulated drowning, water torture, held underwater | Coughing, water in lungs, fear of water |
| Exposure | Cold weather exposure, heat exposure, confined spaces | Hypothermia, heat stroke, claustrophobia |
| Servitude | Forced cleaning, driving, errands for members | Missing class, exhaustion, resentment |
Oneida County parents: If your child shows any of these warning signs, ask questions. Hazing thrives in secrecy.
🚨 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Oneida County
If you suspect or know your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly, and legal deadlines apply.
Immediate Steps for Oneida County Families:
-
Ensure Safety
- Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately
- Seek medical attention — even if injuries seem minor
-
Document Everything
- Take photos of injuries, clothing, locations
- Save text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs
- Write down dates, times, locations, names of perpetrators
- Get names and contact info of witnesses
-
Preserve Evidence
- Do not delete any communications
- Do not wash clothing worn during hazing
- Save any items used in hazing (paddles, containers, etc.)
-
Report to Authorities
- File a police report — hazing is a crime in New York
- Report to the university — request a Title IX investigation
- Report to the national organization (if applicable)
-
Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone
- They will coordinate their story, destroy evidence, and intimidate witnesses
- Never speak to their lawyers or insurance companies without your own attorney present
-
Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
- Email: ralph@atty911.com
- Free consultation — we’ll evaluate your case at no cost
- No upfront fees — we work on contingency; you pay nothing unless we win
⏳ Why Time Is Critical: New York’s Statute of Limitations
In New York, you have a limited time to take legal action:
- Personal Injury: 3 years from the date of injury
- Wrongful Death: 2 years from the date of death
But don’t wait until the deadline approaches. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and organizations destroy records. The sooner you act, the stronger your case.
🏆 Why Oneida County Families Choose Attorney 911
We’re not just personal injury attorneys. We’re hazing litigation specialists, and we’re fighting this battle right now.
Our Advantages for Oneida County Hazing Victims:
| Advantage | Why It Matters for Oneida County Families |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years of Litigation Experience | We’ve taken on powerful institutions — and won |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know their tactics; we use that knowledge against them |
| Federal Court Admission | We can pursue cases in federal court for broader jurisdiction |
| Dual-State Bar Licenses (Texas & New York) | Strategic advantage for national fraternity cases |
| Aggressive Trial Experience | We don’t back down; we take cases to trial when needed |
| Proven Track Record | Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts |
| Se Habla Español | We serve Spanish-speaking Oneida County families |
| Nationwide Service | We represent hazing victims anywhere in America, including Oneida County |
| Contingency Fee | $0 upfront; we only get paid if we win your case |
| We Travel to Oneida County | For depositions, trials, and client meetings — distance is not a barrier |
Our Hazing-Specific Expertise:
- Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
- Experience with rhabdomyolysis injury cases (like Leonel Bermudez)
- Knowledge of fraternity and sorority organizational structures
- Familiarity with university liability and Title IX intersections
- Access to hazing experts, medical experts, and accident reconstruction specialists
📞 Oneida County Hazing Victims: Call Us Now — Free Consultation
If your child has been hazed in Oneida County or at any college near our region, we can help.
📞 Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Website: attorney911.com
Free, confidential consultation — no obligation.
We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.
We will travel to Oneida County for your case.
We speak Spanish — Se habla español.
🎯 Our Promise to Oneida County Families
We see your child as a person, not a paycheck. We understand the trauma hazing causes. We know the fear of speaking out. And we’re committed to holding every responsible party accountable — from the individual perpetrators to the national organizations and universities that enable them.
This is our promise to Oneida County families:
- We will listen without judgment
- We will investigate thoroughly
- We will preserve every piece of evidence
- We will pursue every liable party
- We will fight aggressively for maximum compensation
- We will protect your child from retaliation
- We will seek justice, not just settlement
Oneida County families: You are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now, and we’re ready to bring that fight to Central New York.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911. Enough is enough.
