Hazing Victims in Warren County, NY: Your Legal Rights and Path to Justice
Warren County Families: You Are Not Alone in the Hazing Crisis
If your child has been the victim of hazing at a college, university, or Greek organization near Warren County, New York, you’re likely feeling shocked, betrayed, and unsure of what to do next. What happened to your child wasn’t “tradition” or “team bonding” – it was abuse. And in New York, you have legal rights that can hold the responsible parties accountable.
At Attorney 911, we’re currently fighting a landmark $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston – proving that institutions can and will be held responsible for the harm they allow. While we’re based in Texas, our federal court authority and nationwide reach mean we can represent Warren County families with the same aggressive approach we’re bringing to this precedent-setting case.
The Hazing Crisis in Warren County and Beyond
Hazing isn’t just a problem in Texas – it’s happening right here in New York. The same national fraternities and sororities with chapters near Warren County have been involved in hazing incidents across the country:
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) has paid $24 million in settlements for hazing deaths at Bowling Green State and Northern Illinois
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon has faced lawsuits at multiple universities, including Texas A&M
- Beta Theta Pi settled for over $100 million after a hazing death at Penn State
- Pi Kappa Phi – the same fraternity we’re suing in Texas – has chapters at universities throughout New York
These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re part of a systemic culture of abuse that colleges and national organizations have failed to stop.
What Constitutes Hazing in New York?
New York law defines hazing as any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with any organization. This includes:
- Physical abuse: Forced exercise to exhaustion, beatings, paddling, branding
- Forced consumption: Alcohol, drugs, food until vomiting
- Psychological abuse: Sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats
- Dangerous activities: Waterboarding (like in our Texas case), extreme weather exposure
- Servitude: Forced errands, cleaning, or other tasks
The law is clear: consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
Warren County Universities and Greek Life: The Local Connection
While we don’t have specific reports of hazing incidents at Warren County institutions, we know that:
- National fraternities and sororities with documented hazing histories operate chapters at universities near Warren County
- New York colleges have faced hazing incidents – including at major universities like Cornell and Syracuse
- The same “traditions” that hospitalized our Texas client exist at New York chapters of these organizations
- Universities in New York have the same duty to protect students that the University of Houston failed to uphold
If your child attends or plans to attend any college near Warren County – whether it’s SUNY Adirondack, North Country Community College, or any other institution – they face the same risks that led to our client’s hospitalization.
The Landmark Case That Shows What’s Possible for Warren County Families
Our current case against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston demonstrates exactly what can happen when institutions fail to protect students:
What Happened in Texas Could Happen in Warren County
The Victim: Leonel Bermudez, a transfer student who wasn’t even enrolled at UH yet – he was a “ghost rush” expected to transfer for Spring 2026.
The Hazing:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he couldn’t stand
- Forced eating of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
- Being struck with wooden paddles
- Sleep deprivation from forced late-night driving
- Another pledge collapsed unconscious during hazing – they kept going
The Result:
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
- Acute kidney failure
- 3 nights and 4 days hospitalized
- Chapter shut down by the national organization
- $10 million lawsuit filed by Attorney 911
The Pattern:
- 2017: Andrew Coffey died at a Pi Kappa Phi event at Florida State
- 2017: A student was hospitalized at UH from Pi Kappa Alpha hazing
- 2025: Leonel Bermudez hospitalized at UH from Pi Kappa Phi hazing
- Same fraternity. Same university. Same failure to act.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Warren County Hazing?
In our Texas case, we’re suing multiple parties – and the same liability applies to New York:
- The local chapter – Directly organized and conducted the hazing
- The national organization – Failed to supervise despite knowing about systemic hazing
- The university – Failed to protect students despite prior incidents
- Individual members – Participated in or facilitated the hazing
- House corporations – Owned or controlled property where hazing occurred
- Alumni – Allowed hazing at their homes
What Warren County Families Can Recover
If your child has been hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Educational disruption (tuition, lost scholarships)
- Rehabilitation costs
Non-Economic Damages:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Humiliation and embarrassment
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent impairment or disfigurement
Punitive Damages:
In cases of particularly egregious conduct (like waterboarding), courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future misconduct.
New York Hazing Laws: Your Legal Rights
New York has strong laws against hazing:
- Criminal hazing is a misdemeanor (Penal Law § 120.16)
- Organizations can be held criminally liable for hazing (Penal Law § 120.17)
- Universities can be held civilly liable for failing to protect students
- Consent is not a defense – even if your child “agreed” to participate
The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) also requires schools to provide a safe environment free from harassment and discrimination.
What Warren County Families Should Do Immediately
If your child has been hazed:
- Seek medical attention immediately – Even if injuries seem minor, some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) can develop days later
- Document everything – Take photos of injuries, save all communications (texts, social media, emails)
- Do not talk to the organization – Anything you say can be used against you
- Do not post on social media – Insurance companies will use this against you
- Preserve evidence – Clothing, objects used in hazing, witness contact information
- Contact an attorney immediately – The statute of limitations is typically 3 years in New York, but evidence disappears quickly
Why Warren County Families Choose Attorney 911
While we’re based in Texas, we’re uniquely positioned to help Warren County families because:
- We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case – We know how to build these cases
- Federal court authority – We can pursue cases nationwide, including in New York
- Former insurance defense attorneys – We know how defendants will try to minimize claims
- Aggressive approach – We don’t back down from powerful institutions
- Contingency fee basis – You pay nothing unless we win your case
- Willingness to travel – We’ll come to Warren County for depositions, trials, and meetings
- Video consultations available – You can meet with us remotely
The Attorney 911 Difference for Warren County Families
Ralph Manginello: Your Warrior Against Institutional Abuse
With 25+ years of litigation experience, Ralph Manginello has:
- Taken on massive corporations in the BP Texas City explosion litigation
- Won multi-million dollar settlements for personal injury victims
- Successfully argued cases in federal court
- A proven track record of exposing flawed evidence and corporate cover-ups
As a former insurance defense attorney, Ralph knows exactly how institutions will try to avoid responsibility – and how to dismantle their defenses.
Lupe Peña: The Insider Who Knows How They’ll Fight Back
Lupe Peña spent years defending insurance companies at a national firm before joining Attorney 911. He knows:
- How insurance companies value claims
- What tactics they use to deny or minimize payouts
- How to counter their arguments
- Where to find the money to pay your claim
Together, Ralph and Lupe represent a combined 37+ years of legal experience – with insider knowledge of how the other side operates.
Frequently Asked Questions for Warren County Families
1. My child was hazed at a college near Warren County. Can you help us even though you’re in Texas?
Absolutely. While we’re based in Texas, our federal court authority allows us to represent clients nationwide. We’re currently representing hazing victims across America and can help Warren County families through:
- Video consultations
- Remote case management
- Traveling to Warren County for key meetings and depositions
- Local counsel coordination if needed
Distance is not a barrier to justice.
2. My child is afraid to come forward because of retaliation. What can you do?
This is a very real concern – our Texas client is also fearful of retribution. We take several steps to protect our clients:
- Confidentiality: We keep your identity protected as long as possible
- Legal protections: We can seek court orders to prevent retaliation
- Evidence preservation: We document everything to build a strong case
- Multiple defendants: We sue institutions, not just individuals, to reduce personal targeting
Many hazing victims don’t come forward because of fear. We understand this and will protect your child throughout the process.
3. The fraternity says my child “consented” to the hazing. Does that matter?
No. New York law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the organization can still be held liable for any harm that occurred.
4. How much is our case worth?
Every case is different, but hazing cases can be worth millions. Factors that increase value include:
- Severity of physical injuries
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Medical documentation of injuries
- Pattern of abuse (multiple incidents)
- Institutional knowledge (did they know it was happening?)
- Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, extreme physical abuse)
Our current case seeks $10 million, and we’ve seen verdicts and settlements in that range for similar cases.
5. How long will this take?
Hazing cases can take 1-3 years, depending on:
- Severity of injuries
- Number of defendants
- Whether the case settles or goes to trial
- Court schedules
We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing your recovery.
6. How much will this cost us?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means:
- You pay nothing to hire us
- We only get paid if we win your case
- Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict
- If we don’t win, you owe us nothing
This allows Warren County families to fight powerful institutions without financial risk.
7. What if the hazing happened off-campus?
It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal whether it occurs on or off campus. We can pursue claims against:
- The fraternity/sorority
- Individual members
- Alumni who hosted hazing events
- The national organization
- The university (for failing to protect students)
8. My child was hazed but wasn’t physically injured. Do we still have a case?
Yes. Psychological trauma from hazing can be just as damaging as physical injuries. We can pursue compensation for:
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Therapy costs
- Academic disruption
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The Warren County Hazing Watch: What We’re Tracking
At Attorney 911, we maintain one of the most comprehensive private directories of Greek organizations in New York. We track:
- Social fraternities and sororities with active chapters near Warren County
- House corporations that own fraternity/sorority property
- Alumni chapters that fund and influence undergraduate behavior
- Honor societies and professional Greek organizations
Why This Matters for Warren County Families:
When your child is hazed, the fraternity will claim “we’re just college kids.” But behind those Greek letters are:
- Tax-exempt corporations with EINs
- Bank accounts with real money
- Real estate holdings
- Insurance policies
We track them all. And when hazing happens in Warren County, we’ll know exactly who to sue.
To Fraternities Operating Near Warren County: We Are Watching
To the fraternities and sororities with chapters near Warren County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. We know your corporate structures. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements. We know how to find every liable entity.
If your chapter harms students in Warren County, we will pursue every defendant:
- Your local chapter
- Your national organization
- Your housing corporation
- Your alumni oversight board
- Your individual members
We already shut down the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. Your chapter could be next.
Warren County Families: Take Action Now
If your child has been hazed at any college or university near Warren County, New York:
Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911
Or email: ralph@atty911.com
Available 24/7 for Warren County hazing emergencies
We offer:
- Free, confidential consultations
- Video consultations for Warren County families
- Willingness to travel to Warren County
- Contingency fee representation – you pay nothing unless we win
The Time to Act Is Now
- Evidence disappears – Texts get deleted, witnesses forget, organizations destroy records
- Statute of limitations – New York typically has a 3-year deadline
- Other victims may come forward – Your case could help protect others
- Institutions will try to silence you – They want this to go away quietly
Warren County families deserve the same aggressive representation we’re providing in Texas. Your child deserves justice. The next victim deserves protection.
Call Attorney 911 today: 1-888-ATTY-911
