🚨 Hazing Victims in Cambria County, Pennsylvania: You Are Not Alone

A fraternity at the University of Houston just waterboarded a student. They forced him to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down. He ended up in the hospital with kidney failure. Our law firm is suing them for $10 million.

This same hazing happens in Cambria County. The same fraternities operate at universities near you. The same negligence exists at your institutions. And we will fight for Cambria County families with the same aggression.

If your child has been hazed in Cambria County, Pennsylvania — you have legal rights. We are currently litigating a landmark hazing case and can represent hazing victims in Cambria County immediately.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit attorney911.com

We serve Cambria County hazing victims nationwide. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

⚠️ What Cambria County Parents Need to Know About Hazing

Hazing is not “tradition.” It is not “building character.” It is abuse, assault, and sometimes torture — and it happens at universities across Pennsylvania, including near Cambria County.

🔥 The Hazing Crisis in Pennsylvania

While our current case is in Texas, hazing is a national epidemic that affects students in Pennsylvania too. Consider these sobering facts:

• 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing
• 40% of student athletes report being hazed
• Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the United States
• 95% of hazing victims do not report it
• Hazing occurs in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and other student organizations near Cambria County

Pennsylvania has seen its share of hazing tragedies:

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi) — Died in 2017 after forced drinking and falls. His family received a $110 million+ settlement, and Pennsylvania passed the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.
• Marquette University (Wisconsin, but affecting Pennsylvania students) — Multiple hazing incidents in recent years.
• Local universities near Cambria County — While not always making headlines, hazing regularly occurs in Pennsylvania institutions.

The same fraternities involved in national hazing scandals have chapters at universities near Cambria County. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Pennsylvania, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.

🏛️ Universities Near Cambria County with Greek Life

While we respect the privacy of individual institutions, we can confirm that major universities near Cambria County have active Greek life communities, including chapters of national fraternities and sororities with documented hazing histories.

These include (but are not limited to):

• Pennsylvania State University — One of the largest Greek systems in the country
• University of Pittsburgh — Active Greek community
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania — Located in Indiana, PA, near Cambria County
• Saint Francis University — Located in Loretto, PA
• Mount Aloysius College — Located in Cresson, PA
• Pitt-Johnstown — University of Pittsburgh branch campus
• Private colleges and universities throughout Western Pennsylvania

The same national fraternities that have paid millions in hazing settlements operate chapters at these institutions. If your child attends or plans to attend college near Cambria County, they may be at risk.

💔 What Hazing Looks Like at Cambria County Institutions

Hazing in Pennsylvania takes many forms, and it’s often more extreme than parents realize. Based on our current case and national patterns, here’s what hazing can involve at universities near Cambria County:

Physical Abuse

• Extreme exercise — 100+ pushups, 500+ squats, bear crawls, “suicides” (running drills)
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning — Our client was waterboarded with a garden hose
• Paddling — Being struck with wooden paddles
• Forced exposure — Stripping to underwear in cold weather
• Sleep deprivation — Forced late-night activities, early morning driving

Forced Consumption

• Alcohol poisoning — Forced binge drinking, chugging contests
• Food torture — Forced to eat until vomiting (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns in our case)
• Non-food substances — Forced consumption of harmful or disgusting items

Psychological Torture

• Humiliation — Carrying sexual objects, wearing embarrassing clothing
• Degradation — Verbal abuse, name-calling
• Isolation — Cut off from normal social circles
• Threats — Threats of physical punishment, expulsion from the organization

Sexual Abuse

• Forced nudity
• Sexualized activities
• Carrying sexual objects (our client was forced to carry a fanny pack with sexual items)

Medical Consequences

Hazing can lead to life-threatening medical emergencies, including:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) — As seen in our case
• Acute kidney failure — As seen in our case
• Alcohol poisoning — Common in forced drinking hazing
• Traumatic brain injury — From beatings or falls
• Hypothermia/hyperthermia — From exposure
• Cardiac arrest — From extreme physical exertion
• PTSD, anxiety, depression — Long-term psychological damage
• Death

In our current case:

• Our client was hospitalized for 4 days with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• He was waterboarded (simulated drowning)
• He was forced to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• He was struck with wooden paddles
• He was forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue exercising while lying in vomit-soaked grass
• Another pledge lost consciousness during hazing, and they continued the activities

This is not “tradition.” This is torture.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Cambria County Hazing Victim

If your child has been hazed in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, you have strong legal rights under both Pennsylvania law and federal law.

Pennsylvania Hazing Law

Pennsylvania has strong anti-hazing laws that apply to all educational institutions in the state, including universities near Cambria County.

Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 2802 — Hazing

Definition of Hazing:

“Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by an institution of higher education.”

This includes:

• Physical brutality
• Forced consumption of food, alcohol, drugs, or other substances
• Sleep deprivation
• Exposure to extreme weather
• Confinement in small spaces
• Any activity that creates a substantial risk of physical injury

Criminal Penalties:

Consent is NOT a Defense:

“It is not a defense that the consent of the minor or student was given.”

Organizational Penalties:

• Fines up to $5,000
• Loss of recognition by the institution
• Forfeiture of property

Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law (2018):
Named after the Penn State student who died from hazing, this law:

• Makes hazing a felony when it results in serious bodily injury or death
• Requires universities to publicly report hazing incidents
• Provides immunity for individuals who report hazing

Civil Liability — Holding Institutions Accountable

Beyond criminal charges, hazing victims in Cambria County can sue for damages in civil court. You can hold accountable:

1. The local fraternity/sorority chapter — For directly organizing and conducting hazing
2. The national fraternity/sorority organization — For failing to supervise, enforce policies, or prevent hazing
3. The university or college — For failing to protect students despite knowing hazing occurs
4. Individual members — For participating in or facilitating hazing
5. Alumni or property owners — For allowing hazing to occur on their property

Types of Civil Claims Available:

Federal Claims

In addition to Pennsylvania state law claims, hazing victims may have federal claims, including:

1. Title IX Violations — If hazing involves sexual harassment or discrimination
2. Civil Rights Violations — If hazing is motivated by race, religion, or other protected characteristics
3. Negligence Claims — Under federal common law principles

Federal court jurisdiction allows us to pursue claims even if the hazing occurred in Pennsylvania while our firm is based in Texas.

💰 What Cambria County Hazing Victims Can Recover

Hazing cases can result in substantial financial compensation for victims and their families. Our current hazing case is seeking $10 million, and we believe this demand is justified based on precedent and the severity of the conduct.

Recent Hazing Settlements and Verdicts

What this means for Cambria County families:

• $10 million is a reasonable demand for serious hazing injuries
• Universities and national organizations have deep pockets and insurance coverage
• Juries award millions when presented with evidence of egregious conduct
• Punitive damages are available for especially outrageous conduct (like waterboarding)

Types of Damages Available

📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Cambria County

If you suspect or know that your child has been hazed at a university near Cambria County, take immediate action to protect their health, safety, and legal rights.

Step 1: Ensure Immediate Safety

• If your child is in immediate medical danger, call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room.
• Do not wait — hazing injuries like rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, or traumatic brain injury can be life-threatening.

Step 2: Seek Medical Attention

• Even if injuries seem minor, get a medical evaluation immediately.
• Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not be immediately apparent.
• Medical records create critical evidence for any legal claim.
• If your child is reluctant to go to the hospital, explain that this is about their health and protecting their rights.

Step 3: Document Everything

Preserve all evidence of hazing. This includes:

• Photos and videos — Of injuries, hazing activities, locations
• Text messages and social media — GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, iMessage
• Emails — Any communications about hazing
• Documents — Pledge manuals, schedules, rules
• Witness information — Names and contact info of other pledges, bystanders
• Financial records — Medical bills, lost wages, tuition payments
• Academic records — Impact on grades, enrollment, scholarships

DO NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Confront the organization or its members without legal counsel
• Sign anything from the fraternity/sorority or university
• Post about the incident on social media
• Give statements to the organization’s lawyers or insurance companies

Step 4: Report the Hazing

• Report to the university — Most universities have hazing reporting mechanisms
• Report to law enforcement — Hazing is a crime in Pennsylvania
• Report to the national organization — If it’s a fraternity/sorority, report to their national headquarters

Note: Many universities have amnesty policies that protect students who report hazing from disciplinary action for minor policy violations (like underage drinking). Encourage your child to come forward.

Step 5: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney

• Do not talk to the fraternity/sorority, university, or their insurance companies without legal representation.
• Insurance adjusters and university lawyers are not your friends — they will try to minimize your claim.
• Contact Attorney 911 immediately for a free, confidential consultation.

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

We offer:

• Free initial consultations for Cambria County families
• Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront; we don’t get paid unless you win
• Remote consultations via video conference
• Willingness to travel to Cambria County for depositions, meetings, and trials

❓ Frequently Asked Questions from Cambria County Families

Q: My child consented to participate. Can we still sue?

A: YES. Pennsylvania 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 caused.

Q: We’re not sure if it was “hazing” or just “initiation.” How do we know?

A: If the activities involved any of the following, it was likely hazing:

• Forced consumption of alcohol, food, or other substances
• Extreme physical exercise to the point of exhaustion or injury
• Sleep deprivation
• Humiliation or degradation
• Physical abuse (paddling, beating, etc.)
• Any activity that created a risk of physical or psychological harm

If you’re unsure, contact us for a free evaluation. We can help determine if the conduct meets the legal definition of hazing.

Q: The fraternity says this was an “isolated incident.” Is that true?

A: Almost never. Hazing is systemic and cultural in many organizations. In our current case:

• The same fraternity had a hazing death in 2017 (Andrew Coffey at FSU)
• The same university had a hazing hospitalization in 2017 (Jared Munoz at UH)
• The national organization knew about “a hazing crisis” but failed to act

Discovery often reveals patterns of abuse that organizations try to hide.

Q: My child is afraid of retaliation. What can we do?

A: We understand this fear — our client is also afraid of retribution. Here’s how we protect our clients:

• Confidentiality — We keep your information private
• Legal protection — Retaliation is illegal and can lead to additional claims
• Evidence preservation — We document everything so you’re protected
• Media strategy — We can use media attention to pressure institutions to protect victims

Your child’s safety is our priority. We will not put them at risk.

Q: We’re in Cambria County. Can you still represent us?

A: ABSOLUTELY. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Here’s how we can help:

• Federal court authority — We can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Remote consultations — Video meetings for Cambria County families
• Travel commitment — We come to Cambria County for depositions, meetings, and trials
• Local partnerships — We work with Pennsylvania co-counsel when needed

Distance is not a barrier to justice. We are currently litigating a major hazing case and can bring that experience to Cambria County.

Q: How much will this cost us?

A: $0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means:

• You pay nothing to hire us
• We advance all case expenses
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee is a percentage of the recovery

This allows Cambria County families to fight powerful institutions without financial risk.

Q: How long will this take?

A: Every case is different. Some hazing cases settle within months, while others may take years if they go to trial. Factors that affect timeline:

• Severity of injuries
• Number of defendants
• Willingness of defendants to settle
• Need for litigation

We work to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while maximizing your recovery.

Q: My child doesn’t want to sue. Should we still contact you?

A: YES. Even if your child is hesitant, we can:

• Explain their legal rights and options
• Preserve evidence for future use
• Provide guidance on reporting to authorities
• Offer support and resources

Many victims change their minds after learning about their rights and the potential to prevent future hazing.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: It doesn’t matter. Pennsylvania hazing law applies on or off campus. In our current case:

• Some hazing occurred at the university-owned fraternity house
• Some occurred at a private residence
• Some occurred at other locations

Where the hazing happened does not affect liability.

Q: Can we sue the university even if they didn’t know?

A: YES. Universities can be held liable for:

• Premises liability — If they own the property where hazing occurred
• Negligent supervision — If they failed to properly oversee Greek life
• Failure to protect — If they knew or should have known about hazing risks

In our current case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred.

Q: What if my child was drinking? Will that affect the case?

A: Not necessarily. Many hazing cases involve alcohol, and courts understand that:

• Forced consumption is not the same as voluntary drinking
• Peer pressure can coerce students into drinking
• Consent to drink does not equal consent to be hazed

Pennsylvania law focuses on the conduct of the organization, not the victim.

🏆 Why Cambria County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Actively 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 the tactics, strategies, and defenses these organizations use
• We are not theoretical — we’re in the fight

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching to represent victims
• We know how insurance companies think, strategize, and try to deny claims
• We use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery

3. Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation

• BP Texas City Explosion — Involved in multi-billion dollar mass tort litigation
• Wrongful Death Cases — Recovered millions for families
• Criminal Defense — Hundreds of cases won by exposing flawed evidence
• Federal Court Experience — Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas

4. Dual-State Bar Admission

• Licensed in Texas AND New York
• Strategic advantage for cases against national fraternity/sorority organizations

5. Federal Court Authority

• Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• Can pursue federal claims for Cambria County victims

6. Hazing-Specific Expertise

• Rhabdomyolysis injury litigation — Medical condition suffered by our client
• Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation — Experience with Greek life cases
• Texas A&M University hazing cases — Familiarity with institutional responses
• Wrongful death from hazing — Prepared to handle the most serious cases

7. We Understand Greek Life Culture

• Ralph Manginello is a former athlete and youth coach
• He understands team dynamics, locker room culture, and the pressures that lead to hazing
• We know how to expose the reality behind “tradition”

8. Compassionate, Client-Focused Representation

• We treat Cambria County families like family
• We understand the trauma, fear, and confusion hazing victims experience
• We provide support, guidance, and advocacy throughout the process

9. Contingency Fee Representation

• $0 upfront for Cambria County families
• We don’t get paid unless you get paid
• No financial risk to pursue justice

10. We Will Travel to Cambria County

• We come to Cambria County for depositions, meetings, and trials
• We offer remote consultations via video conference
• Distance is not a barrier to justice

📢 A Message to Cambria County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities operating near Cambria County:

We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter. If your chapter harms students, we will pursue every liable entity — the local chapter, the national organization, the university, and individual members.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Delta Chi, Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Beta Sigma, Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Sigma Nu, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Delta Tau Delta, Zeta Beta Tau, Alpha Epsilon Pi — if your chapter operates near Cambria County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.

To the universities near Cambria County:

The same institutional negligence that made the University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. You have a duty to protect your students. If you fail to act on known hazing risks, you will face the same accountability.

The message is clear:

• Waterboarding is torture — not “tradition”
• 500 squats until collapse is abuse — not “team building”
• Forced drinking is assault — not “brotherhood”
• Cover-ups will be exposed — not tolerated

We are coming for every institution that allows hazing culture to thrive. We are coming for every individual who participates. We are coming for every organization that prioritizes reputation over student safety.

The $10 million lawsuit we filed is just the beginning.

🎓 A Message to Cambria County Students

If you’re being hazed, you are not alone.

We know you’re afraid. We know you don’t want to be seen as a “snitch.” We know you want to belong.

But this is not what brotherhood or sisterhood should look like.

• Brotherhood does not require torture.
• Sisterhood does not require humiliation.
• Leadership does not require abuse.

You have the right to be safe. You have the right to be respected. You have the right to say no.

If you’re being hazed, we can help. We can:

• Explain your legal rights
• Help you report safely
• Protect you from retaliation
• Pursue justice if you’ve been harmed

You don’t have to go through this alone. Contact us confidentially at 1-888-ATTY-911 or ralph@atty911.com.

🏛️ A Message to Cambria County Parents

Your child trusted these people.

They trusted the fraternity. They trusted the university. They trusted that these institutions would keep them safe.

That trust was betrayed.

You sent your child to college expecting them to be educated, not tortured.

We understand the pain you’re feeling. We understand the rage. We understand the helplessness.

We are here to help you turn that pain into action.

We will fight for your child. We will hold the responsible parties accountable. We will ensure this never happens to another Cambria County family.

Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

📞 Take Action Now — Contact Attorney 911

If your child has been hazed in Cambria County, Pennsylvania — or anywhere in America — contact us immediately.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 for hazing emergencies)
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit attorney911.com

Free consultation • $0 upfront • We don’t get paid unless you win

We serve Cambria County, Pennsylvania and nationwide.

🔗 Additional Resources for Cambria County Families

Reporting Hazing in Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania State Police — www.psp.pa.gov
• StopHazing — www.stophazing.org
• Clery Center — www.clerycenter.org (Campus safety resources)
• Pennsylvania Department of Education — www.education.pa.gov

Medical Information

• Rhabdomyolysis — www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rhabdomyolysis
• Alcohol Poisoning — www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-poisoning
• PTSD and Anxiety — www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd

Support Organizations

• HazingPrevention.Org — www.hazingprevention.org
• Gordie Center — www.gordie.org (Alcohol education and hazing prevention)
• National Sexual Assault Hotline — 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) — www.rainn.org

📜 Pennsylvania Hazing Law — Full Text

For reference, here is the full text of Pennsylvania’s anti-hazing law:

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2802 — Hazing

(a) Offense defined.–
A person commits the offense of hazing if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly, for the purpose of initiating, admitting or affiliating another person into or with an organization, or for the purpose of continuing or enhancing another person’s membership or status in an organization, causes, coerces or forces another person to do any of the following:

1. Violate Federal or State criminal law.
2. Consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug or other substance which subjects the person to a risk of emotional or physical harm.
3. Endure brutality of a physical nature, including whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics or exposure to the elements.
4. Endure brutality of a mental nature, including activity adversely affecting the mental health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment.
5. Endure brutality of a sexual nature.
6. Endure any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the person.

(b) Grading.–
Hazing shall be graded as follows:

1. Except as provided under paragraph (2), hazing is a summary offense.
2. Hazing is a misdemeanor of the third degree if it results in or creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the person.
3. Hazing is a felony of the third degree if it results in serious bodily injury or death to the person.

(c) Organizational hazing.–
An organization commits the offense of hazing if the organization intentionally, knowingly or recklessly promotes or facilitates a violation of subsection (a).

(d) Consent not a defense.–
It is not a defense to a prosecution of an offense under this section that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.

(e) Immunity from prosecution.–
A person shall be immune from prosecution under this section if all of the following apply:

1. The person is a victim of hazing as defined in subsection (a).
2. The person reports the hazing to law enforcement officials or a campus security authority as defined in 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f) (relating to campus security).
3. The person reasonably believed that the person was at imminent risk of death or serious bodily injury from the hazing.
4. The person’s report of the hazing was made as soon as reasonably practicable after the person had knowledge of the imminent risk of death or serious bodily injury.

(f) Definitions.–
As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Organization.” A fraternity, sorority, association, corporation, order, society, corps, cooperative, club or other similar group, whose members are primarily students or alumni of the organization or an educational institution.

🏁 Conclusion: Enough Is Enough

Cambria County families: Your children deserve better.

They deserve to attend college without fear of torture. They deserve to join organizations without risking their lives. They deserve institutions that prioritize their safety over tradition.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are fighting for Cambria County families.

If your child has been hazed, contact us today.

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

Free consultation • $0 upfront • We don’t get paid unless you win

We serve Cambria County, Pennsylvania and nationwide.

Enough is enough.