🚨 Hazing Victims in Herkimer County: You Are Not Alone. We Are Fighting For You.
Herkimer County parents, students, and families —
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any student organization near Herkimer County, you have legal rights. And you are not powerless.
Right now, in Houston, our attorneys are fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure from hazing.
This same fraternity operates near Herkimer County. This same university negligence exists at Herkimer County institutions. And we will bring the same fight to Herkimer County families.
🏛️ Hazing in Herkimer County: The Reality
Herkimer County is home to SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Herkimer College, and numerous other institutions where Greek life and student organizations thrive. The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and injuries across America — Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma — maintain active chapters at universities near Herkimer County.
Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist in Herkimer County. The same negligence that allowed waterboarding at UH exists at Herkimer County institutions.
💔 What Herkimer County Hazing Looks Like
Hazing in Herkimer County takes many forms, but it always involves abuse disguised as “initiation.” We’ve seen it all:
| Type of Hazing | What It Looks Like | Medical Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion | Broken bones, rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), kidney failure, traumatic brain injury |
| Forced Consumption | Forced drinking (alcohol poisoning), forced eating until vomiting | Alcohol poisoning, choking, aspiration, organ damage |
| Waterboarding/Torture | Simulated drowning with hoses or buckets | Psychological trauma, near-drowning, asphyxiation |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced late nights, early mornings, disrupted sleep | Exhaustion, accidents, mental health decline |
| Psychological Abuse | Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, threats | PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation |
| Sexual Abuse | Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects | Sexual assault, long-term psychological damage |
| Extreme Exposure | Forced to stay outside in cold/heat for long periods | Hypothermia, heat stroke, dehydration |
This is not tradition. This is not bonding. This is abuse. And it is illegal in New York.
⚖️ New York Law Protects Herkimer County Hazing Victims
New York has strong anti-hazing laws that apply to all student organizations, including those near Herkimer County:
New York Penal Law § 120.16 — Hazing in the First Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)
A person is guilty of hazing in the first degree when, in the course of another person’s initiation into or affiliation with any organization, he or she intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person and thereby causes such injury.
Penalty: Up to 1 year in jail, fines
New York Penal Law § 120.17 — Hazing in the Second Degree (Class B Misdemeanor)
A person is guilty of hazing in the second degree when, in the course of another person’s initiation or affiliation with any organization, he or she intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person.
Penalty: Up to 3 months in jail, fines
New York Education Law § 6430 — Hazing at Colleges and Universities
No student organization or any of its members or alumni shall conduct or participate in any hazing activity.
Penalties for Organizations:
- Loss of recognition by the college/university
- Fines
- Forfeiture of property
CONSENT IS NOT A DEFENSE
In New York, a victim cannot consent to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.
🏥 The Medical Reality: Hazing Can Kill
Hazing isn’t just embarrassing or uncomfortable — it can cause permanent injury or death. We’ve seen it in our cases and across the country:
| Condition | What Happens | Hazing Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Muscle tissue breaks down, releasing myoglobin into bloodstream; damages kidneys | Caused by extreme physical exertion (500 squats, bear crawls, etc.) |
| Acute Kidney Failure | Kidneys stop filtering waste from blood; can be fatal | Complication of rhabdomyolysis |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Blood alcohol reaches toxic levels; breathing slows; risk of death | Forced drinking, chugging contests |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Brain damage from blows to head or falls | Beatings, physical abuse, falls while intoxicated |
| Hypothermia | Dangerously low body temperature | Forced exposure to cold weather |
| Heat Stroke | Dangerously high body temperature | Forced exposure to heat, intense physical activity |
| Cardiac Arrest | Heart stops beating | Extreme physical exertion, electrolyte imbalances |
| PTSD/Anxiety/Depression | Long-term psychological damage | Psychological abuse, humiliation, trauma |
Our client in Houston was hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. He is lucky to be alive. Others have not been so lucky.
💰 Herkimer County Families Can Sue for Hazing Injuries
If your child has been hazed in Herkimer County, you can pursue compensation through a civil lawsuit. We’ve won millions for hazing victims, and we will fight for Herkimer County families too.
Who Can Be Sued in Herkimer County Hazing Cases:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted the hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; negligent oversight |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| Insurance Companies | Provide coverage for liability |
What Herkimer County Families Can Recover:
| Damage Type | What It Covers | Herkimer County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, doctor visits, therapy, future treatment | Herkimer County hospital bills covered |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or internships | Herkimer County students missing work |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from injuries | Pain from paddling, waterboarding, forced exercise |
| Emotional Distress | PTSD, anxiety, depression from abuse | Psychological trauma from hazing |
| Educational Damages | Tuition, lost scholarships, academic disruption | Herkimer County students forced to drop classes |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | Waterboarding, forced drinking, cover-ups |
Recent Hazing Verdicts and Settlements:
- $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Ohio, 2021)
- $6.1 million — Maxwell Gruver (Louisiana, 2017)
- $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Pennsylvania, 2017)
- $4+ million — Adam Oakes (Virginia, 2024)
Herkimer County families deserve the same justice.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Herkimer County
If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and legal deadlines expire. Here’s what to do:
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
-
Get Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Document all symptoms and treatments
- Herkimer County hospitals and urgent care centers can provide documentation
-
Preserve Evidence
- Save all text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs about hazing
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, items used in hazing
- Document witness names and contact information
- Save clothing or objects used in hazing (paddles, hoses, etc.)
-
Report the Hazing
- File a police report with Herkimer County law enforcement
- Report to the university/college (Title IX office, student affairs)
- Report to the national organization (if Greek life)
-
Do NOT Sign Anything
- Universities and fraternities may ask you to sign documents
- Do not sign without consulting an attorney
-
Avoid Social Media
- Do not post about the incident
- Do not delete old posts (this is destruction of evidence)
- Anything you post can be used against you
-
Contact an Attorney
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation
- We serve Herkimer County families remotely and will travel to Herkimer County as needed
- $0 upfront cost — we work on contingency
⏳ Statute of Limitations: Don’t Wait
New York law limits how long you have to file a lawsuit:
| Claim Type | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 3 years from date of injury |
| Wrongful Death | 2 years from date of death |
| Criminal Charges | Varies by offense |
DO NOT WAIT. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your legal rights expire. Contact us today.
🏆 Why Herkimer County Families Choose Attorney 911
We are nationally recognized hazing litigation experts, and we are bringing our fight to Herkimer County. Here’s why Herkimer County families trust us:
1. We Are Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case
- We are actively fighting Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
- We know how to build these cases and win
- Herkimer County families get the same aggressive representation
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys
- We know how insurance companies try to deny or minimize claims
- We’ve seen their playbook — now we use it against them
- We maximize recovery for Herkimer County victims
3. Federal Court Authority
- Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- Can pursue federal civil rights claims for Herkimer County victims
- Experience with multi-district litigation and complex cases
4. Bilingual Services (Se Habla Español)
- We serve Spanish-speaking Herkimer County families
- No language barriers to justice
- Se habla español — estamos aquí para ayudarle
5. Willing to Travel to Herkimer County
- We come to Herkimer County for depositions, meetings, and trials
- Distance is not a barrier to justice
- Herkimer County families are not alone
6. Proven Results in Complex Cases
- BP Texas City explosion litigation — mass tort experience
- Multi-million dollar settlements in personal injury cases
- Federal court experience — including U.S. Second Circuit
- High-profile media cases — ABC13, KHOU, Houston Chronicle coverage
7. We Care About Herkimer County Families
- We see your child as a person, not a paycheck
- We fight hard because we truly care
- Herkimer County families deserve justice
📞 Herkimer County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
If your child has been hazed in Herkimer County, you have legal rights. We can help.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We offer:
- Free consultations for Herkimer County families
- $0 upfront cost — we work on contingency
- Video consultations for Herkimer County families
- Willingness to travel to Herkimer County
Herkimer County parents: You trusted these institutions to keep your child safe. That trust was betrayed. Let us help you hold them accountable.
🔥 A Message to Herkimer County Fraternities and Sororities
To the fraternities and sororities operating near Herkimer County:
We are watching. We are building cases. We are coming for you.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma — if your chapter operates near Herkimer County, know this:
- We have tracked your national organizations and their hazing histories
- We know about Andrew Coffey, Maxwell Gruver, Timothy Piazza, Stone Foltz
- We know you have paid millions in settlements
- We know you have failed to change your culture
- Your Herkimer County chapter could be next
Universities near Herkimer County: You own the buildings. You collect the rent. You have the power to stop this. If you fail to act, you will be held accountable.
The message from our $10 million lawsuit is clear: Hazing will cost you. The time for “tradition” is over. The time for accountability has arrived.
📚 Herkimer County Hazing Resources
Report Hazing:
- New York State Police: www.troopers.ny.gov
- Herkimer County Sheriff’s Office: www.herkimercountyny.com
- SUNY Polytechnic Institute: www.sunypoly.edu
- Herkimer College: www.herkimer.edu
Get Help:
- National Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
- Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Legal Support:
- Attorney 911: 1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com
🎯 Herkimer County Families: This Is Your Moment
Hazing thrives in silence. It thrives when victims feel powerless. It thrives when institutions protect their reputations over student safety.
But silence is ending.
Our $10 million lawsuit is exposing the truth. The media is covering it. Universities are being forced to respond. And Herkimer County families can be part of this change.
If you or your child has been hazed in Herkimer County, step forward. You are not alone. We are fighting for you. And together, we can stop this culture of abuse.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.
Enough is enough. The time for justice is now. 🚨
