🚨 Bergen County Hazing Lawyer: Aggressive Legal Representation for Fraternity & Sorority Abuse Victims
Serving Bergen County Students, Families & Victims of Greek Life Hazing
Bergen County Parents & Students: You Are Not Alone
Hazing is not “tradition.” It’s not “building brotherhood.” It’s not “character building.” It’s abuse, assault, and sometimes torture. And when it happens to your child in Bergen County, you have legal rights.
At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we will bring the same aggressive representation to Bergen County families.
If your child was hazed at a Bergen County college, university, or Greek organization — we can help.
📞 Bergen County Hazing Victims: Call Now for Free Consultation
1-888-ATTY-911
(Available 24/7 for Bergen County families)
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Bergen County: Why Your Child Is at Risk
Bergen County is home to prestigious universities, thriving college communities, and active Greek life organizations. But behind the Greek letters and campus prestige, a dangerous culture persists:
- National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Phi Delta Theta operate chapters at Bergen County-area universities
- Hazing rituals include forced alcohol consumption, physical abuse, sleep deprivation, and psychological torture
- Universities often fail to intervene, even when they own the fraternity houses where abuse occurs
- Victims are silenced by fear of social retaliation, expulsion, or being ostracized
This isn’t happening in Texas. It’s happening in Bergen County.
💔 What Happens in Bergen County Doesn’t Stay in Bergen County
The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and hospitalizations nationwide have chapters right here in Bergen County:
| Fraternity | Hazing Incident | Outcome | Relevance to Bergen County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Leonel Bermudez hospitalized (2025) — waterboarding, 500 squats, kidney failure | $10M lawsuit pending | Pi Kappa Phi has chapters near Bergen County |
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey death (2017) — forced alcohol consumption | Chapter closed; criminal charges | Same national organization |
| Pi Kappa Alpha | Stone Foltz death (2021) — forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol | $10.1M settlement | Pi Kappa Alpha has chapters near Bergen County |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver death (2017) — forced drinking during “Bible Study” | $6.1M jury verdict | Phi Delta Theta has chapters near Bergen County |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza death (2017) — 18 drinks in 82 minutes, fell down stairs | $110M+ settlement | Beta Theta Pi has chapters near Bergen County |
Bergen County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Bergen County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
🏥 The Medical Reality: What Hazing Does to Bergen County Students
Hazing isn’t harmless. It can cause:
| Injury | Cause | Bergen County Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Extreme physical exertion (500 squats, bear crawls, etc.) | Muscle breakdown → kidney failure → hospitalization (like our client) |
| Acute Alcohol Poisoning | Forced binge drinking | Vomiting, unconsciousness, death |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Beatings, falls | Permanent cognitive impairment |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | Exposure to elements | Organ damage, death |
| Cardiac Arrest | Extreme physical exertion | Sudden death |
| PTSD, Anxiety, Depression | Psychological abuse, humiliation | Long-term therapy, medication, academic decline |
| Death | Any of the above | Wrongful death lawsuits, criminal charges |
Bergen County students have been hospitalized. Bergen County families have lost children. This is not hypothetical. It is happening now.
⚖️ Bergen County Hazing Victims’ Legal Rights
New Jersey Anti-Hazing Law: NJSA 2C:40-3
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 the person’s willingness to participate.”
Key Provisions:
- Consent is NOT a defense — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says consent doesn’t matter
- Criminal penalties — Hazing is a crime in New Jersey, punishable by fines and jail time
- Civil liability — Victims can sue for damages, including medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages
Who Can Be Sued in Bergen County Hazing Cases?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew or should have known about hazing culture |
| University | Failed to protect students; may own fraternity/sorority property |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| Insurance Companies | Provide coverage for institutional liability |
Bergen County families: These same defendants can be held accountable for hazing at Bergen County institutions.
🏛️ Bergen County Universities & Greek Life: The Institutions That Fail Our Children
Bergen County is home to several major universities and colleges with active Greek life communities. These institutions have a duty to protect students — but too often, they fail.
Bergen County-Area Universities with Greek Life:
| University | Location | Greek Life Presence | Hazing Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | Teaneck, NJ | Active fraternities & sororities | High |
| Montclair State University | Montclair, NJ | Large Greek system | High |
| William Paterson University | Wayne, NJ | Active Greek organizations | Moderate |
| Ramapo College | Mahwah, NJ | Greek life presence | Moderate |
| Bergen Community College | Paramus, NJ | Smaller Greek presence | Lower (but not zero) |
| Rutgers University-Newark | Newark, NJ | Active Greek life | High |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) | Newark, NJ | Greek organizations | Moderate |
| Seton Hall University | South Orange, NJ | Large Greek system | High |
Bergen County parents: If your child attends any of these institutions, they are at risk.
💰 What Bergen County Hazing Victims Can Recover
Hazing cases can result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Bergen County families can recover:
| Damage Type | What It Covers | Bergen County Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, therapy, future treatment | Kidney failure treatment, PTSD therapy |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work | Student missed internships due to recovery |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from hazing | Pain from 500 squats, waterboarding, paddling |
| Emotional Distress | PTSD, anxiety, depression | Therapy for trauma from psychological abuse |
| Punitive Damages | Punish the organization | $6.1M jury verdict in Gruver case |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing causes death | $10.1M settlement in Foltz case |
Recent Hazing Verdicts & Settlements:
| Case | University | Amount | Relevance to Bergen County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | $10.1M | Same fraternities operate near Bergen County |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | $6.1M | Juries award millions |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | $110M+ | Strong evidence = big outcomes |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | $10M (pending) | Our current case — same strategies for Bergen County |
🔍 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Bergen County
Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Document everything — medical records are critical evidence
- Bergen County hospitals: Englewood Hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center, Holy Name Medical Center
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- DO NOT DELETE any texts, social media messages, or photos
- Take screenshots of all communications about hazing
- Save any physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)
- Get names and contact information of witnesses
Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- The fraternity/sorority will try to control the narrative
- They may ask you to sign documents — DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING
- Anything you say can be used against you
Step 4: Do NOT Post on Social Media
- Insurance companies and lawyers will monitor your accounts
- Even innocent posts can be twisted to claim you’re “fine”
- Stay off social media until your case is resolved
Step 5: Contact an Experienced Bergen County Hazing Lawyer
- Call Attorney 911: 1-888-ATTY-911
- We offer free consultations for Bergen County hazing victims
- We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win
- We will handle all communications with the university and fraternity
🛡️ Why Bergen County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Fighting This Battle Right Now
- We are currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
- We know how to build these cases from the ground up
- Bergen County families get the same aggressive representation
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
- Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides
- We know how they try to minimize or deny claims
- We use that knowledge to maximize recovery for Bergen County victims
3. Federal Court Authority — We Can Sue Anywhere
- Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- Can pursue Bergen County cases in federal court if needed
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) — strategic advantage
4. We Will Travel to Bergen County
- We come to Bergen County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
- Distance is not a barrier to justice
- Bergen County families can meet with us in person or via video
5. 25+ Years of Litigation Experience
- Ralph Manginello has been trying cases for over 25 years
- We’ve handled hundreds of personal injury and wrongful death cases
- We know how to win against powerful institutions
6. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español
- Bilingual staff available for Spanish-speaking Bergen County families
- No language barriers to justice
7. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront for Bergen County Families
- You pay nothing to hire us
- We only get paid if we win your case
- No financial risk for Bergen County victims
🎯 Our Approach: How We Serve Bergen County Hazing Victims
Immediate Action
- Evidence preservation — We act fast to secure texts, photos, and witness statements before they disappear
- Medical documentation — We work with Bergen County medical providers to document injuries
- Defendant notification — We put the fraternity, university, and national organization on notice immediately
Aggressive Investigation
- Witness interviews — We track down every person who saw or participated in the hazing
- Pattern evidence — We research prior hazing incidents at the same chapter or university
- Institutional knowledge — We prove the university and national organization knew or should have known about hazing
Strategic Litigation
- Multi-defendant lawsuits — We sue everyone responsible: the chapter, nationals, university, and individuals
- Federal court jurisdiction — When appropriate, we file in federal court for strategic advantage
- Punitive damages — We seek punitive damages to punish egregious conduct and deter future hazing
Compassionate Client Care
- Bergen County families are our priority — We treat you with respect and compassion
- Regular updates — You’ll always know what’s happening with your case
- 24/7 availability — We’re here when you need us, day or night
📢 Message to Bergen County Fraternities & Universities
To the Fraternities Operating Near Bergen County:
We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. And we are coming for you.
- Pi Kappa Phi — We are suing your national organization right now. Your Bergen County chapters could be next.
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon — You’ve paid millions in hazing settlements. Are your Bergen County chapters still hazing?
- Phi Delta Theta — You had a $6.1 million jury verdict. Do your Bergen County members know the price of hazing?
- Pi Kappa Alpha — Your chapters have killed students. How many Bergen County pledges are at risk right now?
The message is clear: If you haze students in Bergen County, we will find you. We will sue you. And we will win.
To Bergen County Universities:
You own the buildings. You control the organizations. You have the power to stop this.
- Fairleigh Dickinson University — Do you know what’s happening in your Greek houses?
- Montclair State University — You have a large Greek system. Are you monitoring it effectively?
- William Paterson University — When was your last hazing audit?
- Rutgers-Newark — You have a duty to protect your students. Are you fulfilling it?
The lawsuits are coming. The media attention is coming. The legislative scrutiny is coming. Act now — or face the consequences.
🏆 Our Track Record: Proven Results for Victims
| Case Type | Result | Relevance to Bergen County |
|---|---|---|
| BP Texas City Explosion | Multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation | Experience with complex, high-stakes cases |
| Wrongful Death | Multiple million-dollar settlements | Expertise in catastrophic injury cases |
| Hazing Litigation | $10M lawsuit pending (current case) | Direct experience with hazing cases |
| Federal Court Cases | Multiple active federal cases | Can pursue Bergen County cases in federal court |
| Google Reviews | 4.9 stars, 250+ reviews | Bergen County families trust us |
📞 Bergen County Hazing Victims: Call Now
1-888-ATTY-911
(Available 24/7 for Bergen County families)
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com/hazing
We offer:
- Free, confidential consultations
- Video consultations for Bergen County families
- In-person meetings in Bergen County
- $0 upfront — you pay nothing unless we win
🔥 Bergen County Parents: The Time to Act Is Now
Your child was hazed. They were abused. They were humiliated. They were hospitalized. Or worse — they were taken from you forever.
You have legal rights. You have the right to hold those responsible accountable. You have the right to compensation for your child’s injuries. And you have the right to ensure this never happens to another Bergen County family.
Call Attorney 911 today. We are fighting this battle right now — and we will fight for you.
1-888-ATTY-911
Justice for Bergen County hazing victims starts here.
