🚨 Hazing Lawyers in Erie County, PA | Attorney 911

Aggressive Legal Representation for Hazing Victims & Families in Erie County and Nationwide

🏆 Why Erie County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

Hazing isn’t just “tradition”—it’s abuse, torture, and often a crime. If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or student organization in Erie County, PA, you need a law firm that fights back with the same aggression we’re using in our $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.

At Attorney 911, we don’t just talk about justice—we’re winning it right now. Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, are former insurance defense lawyers who know exactly how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to silence victims. We use that insider knowledge to hold every responsible party accountable—from individual members to national organizations.

Erie County families deserve the same aggressive representation we provide in Texas. We will fight for you.

🔥 The Hazing Crisis in Erie County, PA: What Families Need to Know

Hazing happens everywhere—including in Erie County, PA. The same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Houston have chapters at universities near Erie County. The same negligence that led to a student being hospitalized in Texas exists at Erie County institutions.

📍 Where Hazing Happens in Erie County, PA

Erie County is home to Penn State Behrend, Gannon University, and Edinboro University, all of which have active Greek life communities. National fraternities and sororities with documented hazing histories operate chapters near Erie County, including:

Erie County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at Penn State Behrend, Gannon, Edinboro, or any other Erie County school, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client.

⚠️ What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Pennsylvania)

Under Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, hazing is defined as:

“Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in an organization.”

🚫 Common Hazing Practices in Erie County (That Are Illegal)

Hazing isn’t just “harmless fun”—it’s torture disguised as tradition. In our current case, Pi Kappa Phi members:

• Waterboarded pledges with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until a student collapsed with rhabdomyolysis (kidney failure)
• Struck pledges with wooden paddles
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Hog-tied a pledge face-down with an object in his mouth for over an hour
• Threatened expulsion if pledges refused to comply

These same “traditions” happen at Erie County fraternities and sororities.

📜 Pennsylvania Hazing Laws: What Erie County Families Need to Know

Pennsylvania has some of the strictest hazing laws in the country, thanks to the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law (passed after a Penn State student died from hazing in 2017). Under Pennsylvania law:

🔴 Important: Pennsylvania law explicitly states that “consent is not a defense”—meaning even if your child “agreed” to participate, the hazing is still illegal.

💰 Can Erie County Hazing Victims Sue for Money?

Yes. If your child was hazed in Erie County, PA, you can sue for:
✅ Medical bills (hospitalization, therapy, future treatment)
✅ Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
✅ Lost wages (if hazing affected their ability to work)
✅ Educational damages (tuition lost, scholarships revoked)
✅ Punitive damages (to punish the organization for egregious conduct)

📊 How Much Can Erie County Hazing Victims Recover?

Hazing lawsuits have resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, including:

• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021)
• $6.1 million (Max Gruver, Phi Delta Theta, 2017)
• $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi, 2017)
• $10 million (Our current case against Pi Kappa Phi & UH)

Erie County families: Your case could be worth millions, depending on:

• The severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, death)
• Whether the university or national organization knew about prior hazing
• The egregiousness of the conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, physical abuse)
• The defendants’ ability to pay (universities and national fraternities have deep pockets)

🏛️ Who Can Be Sued in an Erie County Hazing Case?

Hazing cases involve multiple defendants—all of whom can be held legally and financially responsible. In our current case, we’re suing:

Erie County parents: We don’t just sue the students—we go after the institutions with money.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Erie County, PA

🔴 Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Go to the ER or urgent care—even if injuries seem minor.
• Document everything (photos of injuries, medical records).
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be fatal—don’t wait.

🔴 Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Save all texts, GroupMe/Snapchat messages, emails about hazing.
• Take screenshots of social media posts about hazing activities.
• Write down names of witnesses, members involved, and locations.
• Do NOT delete anything—even if it’s embarrassing.

🔴 Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to silence you.
• They may offer a quick settlement—but it will be far less than you deserve.
• Do NOT sign anything without consulting an attorney.

🔴 Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 hazing hotline)
• Email ralph@atty911.com
• Free, confidential consultation—we’ll evaluate your case and explain your rights.

⚠️ Time is critical. Pennsylvania has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. If you wait, you could lose your right to sue forever.

🎯 How Attorney 911 Fights for Erie County Hazing Victims

1️⃣ We Know How Fraternities and Universities Try to Silence Victims

• Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are former insurance defense attorneys—we know their playbook.
• We’ve seen how fraternities intimidate victims, destroy evidence, and lowball settlements.
• We don’t let them get away with it.

2️⃣ We Build Cases That Win Millions

• Medical experts to document injuries (rhabdomyolysis, PTSD, etc.).
• Hazing culture experts to explain why these “traditions” are abuse.
• Economic experts to calculate lost wages, future medical costs.
• Private investigators to gather evidence.

3️⃣ We Sue Everyone Responsible

• Individual members (they have homeowners’ insurance).
• Local chapters (they have liability policies).
• National organizations (they have deep pockets).
• Universities (they have institutional insurance).

4️⃣ We Don’t Back Down—Even Against Billion-Dollar Institutions

• We’re currently suing Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for $10 million.
• We’ve won millions for victims of institutional negligence (BP Texas City explosion, wrongful death cases).
• We take cases to trial if that’s what it takes to get justice.

5️⃣ We Work on Contingency—You Pay Nothing Upfront

• No fees unless we win your case.
• No hourly charges, no retainers.
• We only get paid if you get paid.

📞 Erie County Hazing Victims: Call Us Now—Before It’s Too Late

🚨 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 Hazing Hotline)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We serve Erie County, PA, and nationwide.
We travel to Erie County for depositions, meetings, and trials.
Free, confidential consultation—no obligation.

🔥 Frequently Asked Questions About Erie County Hazing Cases

❓ Can we sue if our child “agreed” to participate in hazing?

Yes. Pennsylvania law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “volunteered,” the hazing is still illegal.

❓ What if the fraternity says it was just a “prank” or “tradition”?

It doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal in Pennsylvania, regardless of whether it’s called a “prank” or “tradition.” Waterboarding, forced drinking, and physical abuse are not harmless—they’re crimes.

❓ How much is our Erie County hazing case worth?

Every case is different, but hazing lawsuits have resulted in millions of dollars in compensation, including:

• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million (Max Gruver, Phi Delta Theta)
• $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi)

Your case could be worth millions, depending on:

• The severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, death)
• Whether the university or national organization knew about prior hazing
• The egregiousness of the conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, physical abuse)

❓ How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Erie County?

Pennsylvania has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. If you wait, you could lose your right to sue forever. Contact us immediately to protect your rights.

❓ Can we sue the university in Erie County?

Yes. If the university owned the fraternity house (like UH did in our case) or failed to prevent hazing despite knowing about it, they can be held liable.

❓ What if the fraternity tries to intimidate us?

They will. Fraternities often threaten victims with social retaliation or try to silence them with quick settlements. Do NOT talk to them without an attorney. We’ll protect you.

❓ Do we have to pay for a lawyer upfront?

No. We work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

❓ Can we sue if our child was hazed at an off-campus location in Erie County?

Yes. If hazing occurred at a private home, apartment, or off-campus fraternity house, we can sue:

• The property owner (premises liability)
• The individuals who hosted the event
• The fraternity/sorority (vicarious liability)

🏆 Our Results for Hazing Victims & Families

📢 Erie County Parents: This Is What Happens When You Fight Back

🔹 Case Study: Our $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit (What We’re Fighting For Right Now)

Victim: Leonel Bermudez (not a UH student—he was a “ghost rush” expected to transfer)
Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi (Beta Nu Chapter at University of Houston)
University: University of Houston (owned the fraternity house)
Hazing Activities:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Hog-tied face-down with an object in his mouth for over an hour
• Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout (Oct 15, 2025)

Result:

• Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
• Pi Kappa Phi National shut down the chapter (Nov 14, 2025)
• $10 million lawsuit filed (Nov 21, 2025)
• Media coverage: ABC13, KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media

Why This Matters for Erie County:

• Pi Kappa Phi has a chapter at Penn State Behrend—they could be doing the same thing.
• The University of Houston owned the fraternity house—Penn State Behrend, Gannon, and Edinboro may do the same.
• This isn’t just hazing—it’s torture. And it’s happening in Erie County.

🚨 Erie County Hazing Warning Signs: What Parents Should Watch For

If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Erie County, watch for these red flags:

If you notice these signs, call us immediately: 1-888-ATTY-911

📍 Serving Erie County, PA, and Nationwide

While we’re based in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, TX, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Erie County, PA, through:
✅ Federal court authority (U.S. District Court admission)
✅ Video consultations (meet with us remotely)
✅ Travel to Erie County (for depositions, meetings, and trials)
✅ 24/7 hazing hotline (1-888-ATTY-911)

We don’t let distance stop justice.

📞 Erie County Families: Don’t Wait—Call Attorney 911 Now

Hazing destroys lives. But justice can help your child heal—and prevent the next victim.

🚨 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 Hazing Hotline)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Free, confidential consultation—no obligation.
We don’t get paid unless we win your case.

🔴 Erie County Parents: The Time to Act Is Now

• Evidence disappears (texts, photos, witnesses forget).
• Fraternities and universities destroy records.
• Pennsylvania’s 2-year statute of limitations is running.

Your child deserves justice. Your family deserves compensation. Call us today.