Hazing Lawyers Serving Chemung County, NY – Protecting Students & Families from Fraternity & Sorority Abuse

Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Aggressive Representation for Hazing Victims in Chemung County and Across New York State

Chemung County Families: Hazing Isn’t Tradition – It’s Torture

If your child has been hazed at a Chemung County college or university, you’re not alone. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student at the University of Houston operate right here in New York. The same negligence that allowed a student to be hospitalized with kidney failure exists at institutions near Chemung County. And the same culture of abuse that has killed students nationwide is happening right now in our community.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle in court right now. We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston – and we’re bringing the same aggressive representation to Chemung County families.

Your child deserves justice. Your family deserves accountability. And fraternities near Chemung County need to know: We’re coming for you.

Why Chemung County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We’re Fighting This Fight Right Now

While other firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating a $10 million hazing case in Texas. Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. We know how to build these cases – and we know how to win.

2. Nationwide Reach – Local Chemung County Focus

We’re based in Texas, but we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Chemung County. Our attorneys are licensed in both Texas and New York, giving us strategic advantages in federal and state courts. We travel to Chemung County for depositions, trials, and client meetings – distance is not a barrier to justice.

3. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know how they think. We know how they try to minimize claims. And we know how to dismantle their defenses. When you hire Attorney 911, you’re getting insiders who know how to fight back.

4. $0 Upfront – We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Do

Hazing cases are taken on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win. We advance all costs, including expert witnesses, medical records, and litigation expenses. Chemung County families don’t have to worry about legal fees while fighting powerful institutions.

5. Bilingual Representation – Se Habla Español

We understand that hazing affects students from all backgrounds. Our team is fluent in Spanish, ensuring that language barriers don’t prevent Chemung County families from seeking justice.

6. Proven Results in High-Stakes Litigation

Our attorneys have secured multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in complex cases, including:

• BP Texas City explosion litigation (mass tort experience)
• Wrongful death cases (experience with catastrophic losses)
• Federal civil rights litigation (experience with institutional accountability)

This isn’t our first hazing case – and it won’t be our last.

The Hazing Crisis in Chemung County: What Families Need to Know

Hazing Isn’t Just “Boys Being Boys” – It’s a Crime

In New York, hazing is a misdemeanor under Education Law § 6450. If the hazing causes serious physical injury, it can be a felony. Yet despite these laws, hazing continues at colleges and universities near Chemung County.

Common hazing activities reported in New York:

• Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion
• Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, or non-food substances (e.g., hot sauce, milk, peppercorns)
• Waterboarding/simulated drowning: Yes, this happens – we’re litigating a case involving this right now
• Sleep deprivation: Forced late-night activities, disrupted sleep schedules
• Psychological torture: Humiliation, degradation, threats of expulsion
• Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects

Medical consequences of hazing:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure)
• Alcohol poisoning (potentially fatal)
• Traumatic brain injuries (from beatings or falls)
• Hypothermia/hyperthermia (from exposure to extreme temperatures)
• PTSD, anxiety, depression (long-term psychological damage)
• Death (hazing has killed students in New York before)

Chemung County Colleges & Universities: Where Hazing Happens

While we can’t comment on specific incidents at Chemung County institutions without verified information, we know that hazing occurs at colleges and universities across New York State, including those near Chemung County. Some of the institutions where Greek life is active in our region include:

• Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) – One of the largest Greek systems in the country
• Binghamton University (Binghamton, NY) – Active fraternities and sororities
• Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY) – Greek life with documented hazing history
• University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY) – Large Greek community
• Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY) – Smaller but active Greek organizations
• Elmira College (Elmira, NY) – Local to Chemung County, with Greek life presence

The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have chapters at these schools:

• Pi Kappa Phi
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
• Phi Delta Theta
• Beta Theta Pi
• Sigma Chi
• Kappa Sigma
• And many others

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Chemung County, they face the same risks we’re fighting in court right now.

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Chemung County

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

Hazing injuries can be life-threatening. Rhabdomyolysis, alcohol poisoning, and head injuries require immediate medical care. Even if your child says they’re “fine,” take them to the emergency room. Symptoms of serious conditions like rhabdomyolysis (dark urine, severe muscle pain, difficulty walking) can appear days after the hazing incident.

Chemung County medical facilities:

• Arnot Ogden Medical Center (Elmira, NY) – Emergency care
• St. Joseph’s Hospital (Elmira, NY) – Emergency and specialty care
• Guthrie Corning Hospital (Corning, NY) – Emergency services

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do not delete anything. Hazing cases are won or lost based on the evidence. Preserve:

• Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshot everything)
• Photos/videos of injuries, hazing activities, or the fraternity house
• Medical records from hospital visits, doctor’s appointments, therapy sessions
• Witness names and contact information (other pledges, bystanders)
• Fraternity documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
• Social media posts about hazing (even if posted by others)

Do not:

• Confront the fraternity or sorority without legal counsel
• Sign anything from the organization or university
• Post about the incident on social media
• Delete any communications or photos

Step 3: Report the Incident

• File a police report with your local Chemung County law enforcement agency
• Report to the university (Title IX office, Greek life office, student affairs)
• Report to the national fraternity/sorority organization (they may claim they’ll investigate, but don’t trust them)

Chemung County law enforcement:

• Elmira Police Department (607-737-5626)
• Chemung County Sheriff’s Office (607-737-2987)
• New York State Police (Troop E – 607-739-8791)

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

Time is critical. New York has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases (CPLR § 214), but evidence disappears quickly. The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be.

Call us 24/7: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com

Who Is Liable in a Chemung County Hazing Case?

When your child is hazed, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:

1. The Local Chapter

• Directly organized and conducted the hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) can be held personally liable
• Members who participated can be sued individually

2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization

• Failed to supervise the local chapter
• Knew or should have known about hazing risks
• Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
• Deep pockets – substantial assets and insurance coverage

3. The University/College

• Premises liability – if hazing occurred on university property
• Negligent supervision – failed to monitor Greek life
• Institutional knowledge – if they knew about prior hazing incidents
• Failure to protect students – breached duty of care

4. Individual Members

• Anyone who participated in hazing can be sued personally
• Homeowner’s insurance may provide coverage for individual defendants

5. Housing Corporations

• If hazing occurred at a fraternity/sorority house, the housing corporation may be liable
• Premises liability for unsafe conditions

Damages Chemung County Families Can Recover

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages (if the victim missed work or internships)
• Educational disruption (tuition, scholarships, academic delays)
• Rehabilitation costs (physical therapy, mental health treatment)

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering (from injuries, medical treatment)
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Humiliation and shame (from degrading hazing activities)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (impact on college experience)

Punitive Damages

In cases of egregious misconduct, New York allows punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future hazing. Our current case involves:

• Waterboarding (simulated drowning)
• Forced exercise to the point of kidney failure
• Wooden paddles used as weapons

Juries do not look kindly on this type of conduct.

Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what other families have recovered:

Chemung County families: These results are possible for you too. The same legal strategies apply in New York.

Chemung County Hazing Laws: What You Need to Know

New York Education Law § 6450 – Hazing Prohibited

New York law defines hazing as:

“Any act, whether physical, mental, emotional or psychological, which subjects another person to anything that may abuse, mistreat, degrade, humiliate, harass, or intimidate the person, or which may in any fashion compromise the inherent dignity of the person, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student or other organization.”

Penalties:

• Misdemeanor for hazing
• Felony if the hazing causes serious physical injury
• Organizational penalties (fines, loss of recognition)

New York Penal Law – Criminal Charges

Hazing can lead to criminal charges, including:

• Assault (Penal Law § 120.00) – if physical harm occurred
• Reckless endangerment (Penal Law § 120.20) – if conduct created a risk of serious injury
• Manslaughter (Penal Law § 125.15) – if hazing caused death

Civil Liability in New York

New York courts recognize multiple theories of liability for hazing:

• Negligence (failure to protect students)
• Assault and battery (intentional harmful contact)
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress (outrageous conduct)
• Premises liability (if hazing occurred on university property)

Consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, New York law does not allow consent as a defense to hazing.

Chemung County Hazing Lawyers: What to Expect When You Call Us

Step 1: Free, Confidential Consultation

We’ll listen to your story and evaluate your case. There’s no obligation – just honest advice about your legal options.

Step 2: Immediate Evidence Preservation

We’ll send preservation letters to all defendants, demanding they preserve all evidence (texts, photos, social media, documents).

Step 3: Investigation & Case Building

We’ll:

• Obtain medical records
• Interview witnesses
• Gather fraternity/sorority documents
• Work with experts (medical, hazing culture, institutional negligence)

Step 4: Demand Letter & Negotiation

We’ll send a demand letter to the defendants, outlining their liability and demanding fair compensation. Many cases settle at this stage.

Step 5: Litigation (If Necessary)

If the defendants refuse to settle, we’ll file a lawsuit in the appropriate New York court. We’re prepared to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to get justice.

Step 6: Resolution

We’ll fight for the maximum compensation for your child’s injuries. This may come through:

• Settlement (most cases resolve this way)
• Mediation (structured negotiation with a neutral third party)
• Trial (if the defendants refuse to accept responsibility)

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Cases in Chemung County

Q: My child is afraid of retaliation. How can you protect them?

A: We take retaliation very seriously. We can:

• File protective orders to prevent harassment
• Demand confidentiality in legal proceedings
• Hold fraternities/sororities accountable for retaliatory conduct
• Work with university officials to ensure your child’s safety

In our current case, our client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” We understand this fear, and we will protect your child.

Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Is that a defense?

A: No. New York law explicitly prohibits consent as a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity can still be held liable.

Q: The university says they “didn’t know” about the hazing. Can they still be sued?

A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight of Greek life, they can be held liable for negligent supervision. In our current case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred – they can’t claim ignorance.

Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

A: New York has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases (CPLR § 214). However, evidence disappears quickly, so it’s critical to act now.

Q: What if my child was hazed at an off-campus location?

A: The location doesn’t matter. If the hazing was part of fraternity/sorority activities, the organization can still be held liable. In our current case, hazing occurred at both the fraternity house and a private residence.

Q: My child was hazed but didn’t suffer physical injuries. Can we still sue?

A: Yes. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) is compensable. Many hazing victims suffer long-term emotional damage even without physical injuries.

Q: How much is my case worth?

A: Every case is unique, but hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements. Factors that increase case value include:

• Severity of injuries
• Egregiousness of conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced consumption)
• Institutional knowledge (did the university/fraternity know about prior hazing?)
• Pattern of abuse (was this a one-time incident or systematic hazing?)
• Punitive damages (for outrageous conduct)

Q: Do I need a lawyer, or can I handle this myself?

A: You need a lawyer. Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers working to minimize your claim. They will try to:

• Blame your child
• Destroy evidence
• Offer lowball settlements
• Intimidate you into dropping the case

We know their playbook because we used to work for them. Now we fight for victims like you.

Chemung County Hazing Lawyers: Our Commitment to You

1. We Will Listen

Hazing cases are deeply personal. We’ll take the time to understand what your child went through and how it has affected your family.

2. We Will Investigate

We’ll gather every piece of evidence to build the strongest possible case. This includes:

• Medical records
• Text messages and social media
• Witness statements
• Fraternity/sorority documents
• Expert testimony

3. We Will Fight

We’re not afraid of powerful institutions. We’re currently suing:

• Pi Kappa Phi National (150+ chapters)
• University of Houston (major public university)
• Individual fraternity members

We’ll bring the same fight to Chemung County.

4. We Will Protect Your Child

We understand the fear of retaliation. We’ll take steps to ensure your child’s safety and privacy throughout the legal process.

5. We Will Get Results

We don’t settle for less than our clients deserve. Our goal is to maximize compensation and hold all responsible parties accountable.

Chemung County Hazing Resources

Emergency & Medical Help

• Arnot Ogden Medical Center (Elmira, NY) – (607) 737-4100
• St. Joseph’s Hospital (Elmira, NY) – (607) 733-6541
• Guthrie Corning Hospital (Corning, NY) – (607) 937-7200

Law Enforcement

• Elmira Police Department – (607) 737-5626
• Chemung County Sheriff’s Office – (607) 737-2987
• New York State Police (Troop E) – (607) 739-8791

University Reporting

• Cornell University (Title IX Office) – (607) 255-2242
• Binghamton University (Student Affairs) – (607) 777-2804
• Syracuse University (Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs) – (315) 443-2718
• University at Buffalo (Student Conduct & Advocacy) – (716) 645-6154
• Ithaca College (Student Conduct & Community Standards) – (607) 274-3375
• Elmira College (Student Affairs) – (607) 735-1771

Mental Health Support

• Chemung County Crisis Hotline – (607) 737-5369
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 988
• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741

Chemung County Families: The Time to Act Is Now

Hazing is not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s not harmless fun.

It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s torture.

And it must stop.

If your child has been hazed at a Chemung County college or university, you have legal rights. You have the right to hold the fraternity, the university, and the individuals who hurt your child accountable.

We’re fighting this fight right now – and we’re ready to fight for you.

Call Attorney 911 Today – Free Consultation

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

We don’t get paid unless you do. Chemung County families pay $0 upfront.

Chemung County Hazing Lawyers: Contact Information

Attorney 911 – Serving Chemung County, NY

Legal Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

Houston Headquarters (Serving Chemung County):
1177 W Loop S Suite 1600
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 528-9070

We travel to Chemung County for:

• Client meetings
• Depositions
• Trials
• University investigations

Chemung County families: Distance is not a barrier to justice. We’re here for you.

Final Message to Chemung County Fraternities & Sororities

To the fraternities and sororities operating near Chemung County:

We see you.

We know your chapters. We know your national organizations. We know your alumni networks. We know your insurance carriers.

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are coming for you.

If you haze students in Chemung County, we will:

• Sue your chapter
• Sue your national organization
• Sue your housing corporation
• Sue your individual members
• Sue the university for negligent supervision
• Pursue every asset you have
• Pursue every insurance policy that covers you
• Make an example of you in court

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma – if your chapter operates near Chemung County, know this:

We are tracking your house corporations. We are tracking your alumni chapters. We are tracking your hazing histories. And we are ready to litigate.

The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? We shut them down. We’re litigating a $10 million lawsuit against them right now. Your chapter could be next.

The choice is yours. Clean up your act now, or face the consequences in court.

We don’t guess who’s responsible. We know. And we sue everyone.

© 2025 Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Chemung County, NY and Nationwide

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is unique. Contact Attorney 911 for a free consultation regarding your specific situation.