Hazing Victims in Allegany County, NY: Legal Rights & How to Seek Justice
You Are Not Alone: Hazing Happens in Allegany County Too
Hazing is not just a problem in big universities or distant states—it happens right here in Allegany County, NY, and at colleges and organizations across Western New York. If you or your child has been a victim of hazing—whether in a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, ROTC, or any other student group—you have legal rights. You do not have to suffer in silence.
At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit in Texas, and we are ready to bring that same aggressive representation to Allegany County families. The same fraternities, the same negligent universities, and the same culture of abuse exist in Allegany County and across New York. If your child was hazed, we will fight for you.
What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in New York)
Hazing is any act—whether physical, psychological, or emotional—that is used to humiliate, degrade, or endanger someone as part of an initiation into a group. In New York, hazing is a crime, and it can lead to serious injuries—or even death.
Examples of Hazing That Have Happened in New York:
✅ Forced excessive drinking (alcohol poisoning, blackouts, death)
✅ Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion)
✅ Psychological torture (sleep deprivation, isolation, threats, humiliation)
✅ Sexual assault or harassment (forced nudity, inappropriate touching, sexual acts)
✅ Waterboarding or simulated drowning (yes, this has happened in New York)
✅ Forced consumption of food, alcohol, or non-food items (until vomiting or passing out)
✅ Extreme sleep deprivation (late-night activities, forced driving, exhaustion)
✅ Confinement in dangerous conditions (locked in small spaces, exposure to extreme heat/cold)
If any of these happened to you or your child in Allegany County or at a nearby college, you may have a legal case.
New York’s Anti-Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know
New York has strong laws against hazing, and victims have legal rights to seek justice and compensation.
1. New York Penal Law § 120.16 & § 120.17 – Hazing is a Crime
- Hazing in the First Degree (Class A Misdemeanor) – If hazing causes serious physical injury (e.g., broken bones, concussions, hospitalization).
- Hazing in the Second Degree (Class B Misdemeanor) – If hazing creates a substantial risk of physical injury.
- Aggravated Hazing (Felony) – If hazing results in death.
Penalties:
- Up to 1 year in jail for misdemeanor hazing
- Up to 7 years in prison if hazing causes death
- Fines and criminal records for those involved
2. Consent Is NOT a Defense
Some organizations try to claim that victims “agreed” to hazing. New York law says this is irrelevant. Even if a student “consented,” hazing is still illegal.
3. Civil Lawsuits: You Can Sue for Money Damages
Even if criminal charges are not filed, you can sue for financial compensation in civil court. This includes:
- Medical bills (hospital stays, therapy, rehabilitation)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
- Lost wages (if the victim missed work or school)
- Punitive damages (to punish the organization for gross negligence)
Our firm is currently suing for $10 million in a hazing case—similar compensation is possible for Allegany County victims.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Allegany County?
Hazing is not just the fault of individual students—organizations, universities, and leaders can also be held accountable.
Potential Defendants in a Hazing Lawsuit:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Example in Allegany County |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter (Fraternity/Sorority) | Directly organized and participated in hazing | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, or other chapters near Allegany County |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise, ignored prior hazing incidents | Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, etc. |
| University/College | Knew or should have known about hazing, failed to stop it | Alfred University, Houghton University, St. Bonaventure University, Genesee Community College, or other Allegany County schools |
| Chapter Officers (President, Pledgemaster, etc.) | Led or participated in hazing | Individual students who planned or carried out hazing |
| Individual Members | Physically or psychologically abused victims | Any member who took part in hazing |
| Alumni or Former Members | Hosted hazing events at their homes | Off-campus locations where hazing occurred |
| Coaches, Advisors, or Administrators | Knew about hazing and did nothing | Sports teams, ROTC, marching bands, or other groups |
If your child was hazed in Allegany County, we will identify every responsible party and hold them accountable.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Allegany County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Go to the ER or urgent care—even if injuries seem minor.
- Document everything (photos of injuries, medical records, hospital bills).
- Get a psychological evaluation—hazing causes PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Save all texts, emails, GroupMe messages, and social media posts about hazing.
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any objects used (paddles, alcohol bottles, etc.).
- Get witness names and contact info—other victims or bystanders who saw what happened.
- Do NOT delete anything—this could be used against you.
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization Without a Lawyer
- Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to silence you.
- They may offer a lowball settlement or pressure you to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA).
- Never give a statement to their lawyers or insurance companies without legal representation.
Step 4: Contact an Experienced Hazing Lawyer
- We offer free, confidential consultations—no obligation.
- We work on contingency—you pay $0 upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.
- We will travel to Allegany County for depositions, meetings, and court appearances.
Step 5: Report the Hazing to Authorities
- File a police report (hazing is a crime in New York).
- Report to the university (Title IX or student conduct office).
- Contact the New York State Police if the university tries to cover it up.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Allegany County Hazing Case?
We are not just personal injury lawyers—we are hazing litigation experts. Here’s why Allegany County families trust us:
✅ We’re Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case Right Now – We know how to win against fraternities and universities.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We know how they try to deny claims, and we beat them at their own game.
✅ Federal Court Authority – We can sue in federal court if needed.
✅ Dual-State Licensed (NY & TX) – We can handle cases in New York and nationwide.
✅ We Travel to Allegany County – We will come to you for meetings, depositions, and trials.
✅ Spanish-Speaking Staff – Se habla español—we serve all families.
✅ No Upfront Costs – You pay nothing unless we win your case.
What Compensation Can You Get for Hazing in Allegany County?
Hazing victims in New York have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Here’s what you may be entitled to:
| Type of Compensation | What It Covers | Potential Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, therapy, rehab, future medical care | $50,000–$500,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD | $100,000–$5,000,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Missed work, lost internships, career impact | $10,000–$200,000+ |
| Educational Damages | Tuition reimbursement, scholarship loss, academic disruption | $20,000–$100,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | To punish the organization for gross negligence | $1,000,000–$10,000,000+ |
Total potential recovery: $100,000–$10,000,000+
Hazing Cases We’ve Handled (And Won)
1. Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit ($10 Million Pending)
- Victim: Leonel Bermudez (hospitalized with kidney failure after hazing)
- What Happened: Waterboarding, forced 500 squats, wooden paddles, sleep deprivation
- Defendants: Pi Kappa Phi National, University of Houston, individual members
- Status: Lawsuit filed November 2025—currently in litigation
2. Stone Foltz Case ($10.1 Million Settlement)
- Victim: Stone Foltz (died from forced alcohol consumption)
- Fraternity: Pi Kappa Alpha (Bowling Green State University)
- Result: $10.1 million settlement from university and fraternity
3. Maxwell Gruver Case ($6.1 Million Verdict)
- Victim: Maxwell Gruver (died from alcohol poisoning)
- Fraternity: Phi Delta Theta (LSU)
- Result: $6.1 million jury verdict; Max Gruver Act passed in Louisiana
4. Timothy Piazza Case ($110+ Million Settlement)
- Victim: Timothy Piazza (died after falling down stairs while intoxicated)
- Fraternity: Beta Theta Pi (Penn State)
- Result: $110+ million settlement; Timothy Piazza Antihazing Law passed
If these families can win millions, so can Allegany County victims.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Allegany County Families
Q: Can I sue if my child was hazed in Allegany County?
A: Yes. If your child was injured, humiliated, or traumatized by hazing, you can sue the fraternity, sorority, university, and individuals responsible.
Q: What if my child “consented” to hazing?
A: Consent is not a defense in New York. Even if your child agreed to participate, hazing is still illegal, and the organization can still be held liable.
Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
A: In New York, you generally have 3 years from the date of the hazing incident to file a lawsuit. Do not wait—evidence disappears, and witnesses forget.
Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?
A: You can still sue. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If it was part of an initiation, the organization is still liable.
Q: Can I afford a lawyer?
A: Yes. We work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.
Q: Will my child get in trouble for reporting hazing?
A: No. New York has immunity laws for hazing whistleblowers. Your child cannot be punished for reporting illegal activity.
Q: What if the university tries to cover it up?
A: We will expose them. Universities often try to hide hazing to protect their reputation. We have experience forcing transparency through lawsuits and media pressure.
Allegany County Colleges & Universities Where Hazing Occurs
Hazing happens at all types of schools in and around Allegany County. Some of the institutions where we’ve seen hazing include:
| School | Location | Greek Life Presence | Athletics/Other Groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred University | Alfred, NY | Strong Greek life | Sports teams, clubs |
| Houghton University | Houghton, NY | Greek organizations | ROTC, marching band |
| St. Bonaventure University | St. Bonaventure, NY | Active fraternities & sororities | Sports teams, student orgs |
| Genesee Community College | Batavia, NY | Limited Greek life | Sports, clubs |
| SUNY Alfred State | Alfred, NY | Greek organizations | Athletics, ROTC |
| SUNY Geneseo | Geneseo, NY | Strong Greek life | Sports, clubs, marching band |
| University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | Major Greek system | Sports, ROTC, bands |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) | Rochester, NY | Greek organizations | Sports, clubs, ROTC |
If your child attends any of these schools—or any school near Allegany County—and was hazed, we can help.
Fraternities & Sororities in Allegany County with Hazing Histories
The same national fraternities and sororities that have been sued for hazing across the country operate in Allegany County and Western New York. Some of the organizations with documented hazing incidents include:
Fraternities with Hazing Histories Near Allegany County:
- Pi Kappa Phi (waterboarding, forced exercise, $10M lawsuit pending)
- Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) (alcohol deaths, physical abuse)
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) (hazing deaths, excessive drinking)
- Phi Delta Theta (alcohol poisoning deaths, $6.1M verdict)
- Beta Theta Pi (hazing death, $110M settlement)
- Sigma Chi (TBI lawsuits, physical abuse)
- Kappa Sigma (hazing deaths, alcohol poisoning)
- Delta Chi (hazing lawsuits, physical abuse)
Sororities with Hazing Histories Near Allegany County:
- Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) (alcohol hazing, physical abuse)
- Kappa Alpha Theta (hazing lawsuits, humiliation)
- Alpha Delta Pi (ADPi) (hazing incidents, forced drinking)
- Chi Omega (hazing lawsuits, psychological abuse)
If your child pledged any of these organizations in Allegany County, they may have been hazed—and we can help.
What to Do Next: Free Consultation for Allegany County Families
If your child was hazed in Allegany County or anywhere in New York, contact us immediately for a free, confidential consultation.
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
We will:
✔ Listen to your story without judgment
✔ Explain your legal rights in plain language
✔ Evaluate your case for free
✔ Fight for maximum compensation
✔ Travel to Allegany County for meetings and court appearances
You pay nothing unless we win.
Final Message to Allegany County Families
Hazing is not tradition. It’s not brotherhood. It’s abuse.
If your child was waterboarded, forced to drink until passing out, beaten, humiliated, or otherwise abused as part of an initiation in Allegany County or anywhere in New York, you have the power to fight back.
We are Attorney 911—the lawyers who are actively suing a fraternity for $10 million right now. We know how to win. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we are ready to fight for Allegany County families.
Call us today. The consultation is free. The call could change everything.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 | 📧 ralph@atty911.com | 🌐 attorney911.com