🚨 Hazing Victims in Jefferson County, PA: Your Legal Rights and How to Fight Back

Hazing Happens Here. So Does Justice.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of hazing in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania—whether at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, ROTC program, or any other student organization—you are not alone. And you have powerful legal rights.

At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston—a case that made national headlines when a student was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we can bring that same fight to Jefferson County.

This isn’t just happening in Texas. It’s happening here. And we’re here to stop it.

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

Hazing isn’t just “harmless tradition.” Under Pennsylvania law (18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2802), hazing is a criminal offense that includes:

✅ Physical abuse – Beating, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
✅ Forced consumption – Alcohol, drugs, food, or non-food substances to the point of vomiting or unconsciousness
✅ Psychological torture – Waterboarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats
✅ Dangerous activities – Extreme weather exposure, confined spaces, illegal acts
✅ Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects

Pennsylvania’s Anti-Hazing Law (18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2802) makes it clear:

• Hazing is a criminal offense (misdemeanor or felony, depending on severity)
• Consent is NOT a defense – Even if the victim “agreed,” it’s still illegal
• Organizations can be held liable – Fraternities, sororities, universities, and national organizations can all be sued

What Happens in Jefferson County Doesn’t Stay in Jefferson County

Hazing isn’t just a problem at big universities. It happens at colleges and high schools across Jefferson County, including:

• Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Clarion, PA – 20 miles from Brookville)
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, PA – 30 miles from Punxsutawney)
• Pennsylvania State University – DuBois Campus (DuBois, PA – 25 miles from Brookville)
• Local high schools (football teams, marching bands, clubs)

The same national fraternities involved in deadly hazing cases—Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others—have active chapters at Pennsylvania universities. And the same culture of abuse exists here.

Real Hazing Cases That Could Have Happened in Jefferson County

Case 1: The $10 Million Waterboarding Case (Houston, TX – 2025)

What Happened: A “ghost rush” pledge (not even enrolled at the university) was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being:

• Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he couldn’t stand
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to run sprints in vomit-soaked grass
• Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour

Result: $10 million lawsuit filed. Chapter shut down. National fraternity admits “violations.”

Why It Matters to Jefferson County: The same fraternities operate at Pennsylvania universities. The same abuse happens here.

Case 2: The Student Who Died from Forced Drinking (LSU – 2017)

What Happened: Maxwell Gruver, an 18-year-old freshman, was forced to drink during a “Bible Study” hazing ritual. If he answered questions wrong, he had to drink more. His blood alcohol level reached 0.495—more than 6 times the legal limit. He died from alcohol poisoning.

Result: $6.1 million jury verdict. Max Gruver Act passed in Louisiana—making hazing a felony.

Why It Matters to Jefferson County: If this happened in Pennsylvania, the same legal consequences would apply.

Case 3: The Student Who Fell Down Stairs and Died (Penn State – 2017)

What Happened: Timothy Piazza was forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes during a fraternity “gauntlet.” He fell down basement stairs multiple times, suffering a traumatic brain injury. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911. He died.

Result: $110+ million settlement. Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law passed in Pennsylvania.

Why It Matters to Jefferson County: Pennsylvania already has strict hazing laws because of this case. If your child was hazed here, the law is on your side.

What to Do If You or Your Child Was Hazed in Jefferson County

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Hazing can cause rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), kidney failure, brain injuries, and psychological trauma
• Medical records are critical evidence in your case

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

📱 Save all messages (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, emails)
📸 Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, or any evidence
📝 Write down everything that happened (dates, times, who was involved)
👥 Get witness names and contact info (other victims, bystanders)

⚠️ DO NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Talk to the fraternity/sorority or university without a lawyer
• Sign anything from the organization
• Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Report the Hazing

• File a police report (hazing is a crime in Pennsylvania)
• Report to your school’s Title IX office (if sexual abuse or harassment occurred)
• Report to the national organization (if applicable)

Step 4: Contact a Hazing Lawyer Immediately

Hazing cases have strict deadlines. In Pennsylvania, you typically have 2 years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. Evidence disappears fast—act now.

📞 Call Attorney 911 Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Free Consultation: www.attorney911.com

We represent hazing victims nationwide, including Jefferson County, PA. We come to you.

Who Can Be Sued for Hazing in Jefferson County?

If your child was hazed, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible:

In our $10 million case, we are suing:
✔ The local chapter
✔ The national fraternity
✔ The university (which owned the fraternity house)
✔ Individual members and officers

What Compensation Can Jefferson County Hazing Victims Recover?

Hazing victims in Pennsylvania can recover economic and non-economic damages, including:

Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

✅ Medical bills (past and future)
✅ Lost wages (if unable to work due to injuries)
✅ Therapy and counseling costs (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
✅ Tuition reimbursement (if forced to drop out or transfer)
✅ Future medical care (dialysis, kidney transplant, etc.)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

✅ Physical pain from injuries (rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, etc.)
✅ Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution)
✅ Humiliation and shame from hazing rituals
✅ Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in activities)
✅ Wrongful death damages (if hazing resulted in death)

Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

If the hazing was intentional, reckless, or involved torture, courts can award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and prevent future abuse.

In our $10 million case, we are seeking punitive damages because:

• The fraternity waterboarded a student (simulated drowning)
• They forced exercise until collapse (500 squats causing kidney failure)
• They knew about prior hazing deaths (Andrew Coffey, 2017) but did nothing

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Jefferson County Hazing Case?

1. We’re Already Fighting This Battle (And Winning)

• We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston
• We know exactly how these fraternities operate—and how to beat them
• We’ve seen the same patterns of abuse in Jefferson County

2. We’re Former Insurance Defense Lawyers—We Know Their Playbook

• Both of our attorneys used to work for insurance companies
• We know how they try to deny and minimize claims
• We use that knowledge against them to maximize your recovery

3. We Have the Resources to Take on Big Institutions

• Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers
• We have experts, investigators, and a track record of winning
• We don’t back down—even against powerful institutions

4. We Work on Contingency—$0 Upfront for Jefferson County Families

• You pay nothing unless we win
• No hourly fees, no retainers
• We only get paid if we recover money for you

5. We Serve Jefferson County, PA (And the Entire Country)

• While based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide
• We offer video consultations for Jefferson County families
• We travel to Pennsylvania for depositions, trials, and client meetings

Jefferson County Parents: What You Need to Know About Hazing

1. Hazing Doesn’t Just Happen at Big Universities

• It happens at Clarion University, IUP, Penn State DuBois, and even local high schools
• Marching bands, sports teams, ROTC, and clubs all have hazing cultures
• Small colleges are not immune—hazing thrives in secrecy

2. Your Child May Be Too Afraid to Tell You

• Hazing victims often feel ashamed, embarrassed, or loyal to the group
• They may fear retaliation if they speak up
• Signs your child may be hazed:
  • Sudden withdrawal from family/friends
  • Unexplained bruises, injuries, or weight loss
  • Extreme fatigue or sleep deprivation
  • Sudden decline in grades
  • Avoiding certain people or places

3. Hazing Can Cause Lifelong Damage

• Physical: Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, brain injuries, broken bones
• Psychological: PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicide risk
• Academic: Dropping out, failing classes, losing scholarships
• Financial: Medical bills, lost wages, therapy costs

4. Universities Know Hazing Happens—and Do Nothing

• In our $10 million case, the University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred
• They had a prior hazing incident in 2017 (a student was hospitalized)
• They failed to protect Leonel Bermudez—and they’ll fail to protect your child too

The Truth About Hazing in Pennsylvania

Myth: “Hazing is just harmless fun—everyone goes through it.”

Reality: Hazing is abuse, assault, and sometimes manslaughter. It’s illegal in Pennsylvania, and victims can sue.

Myth: “My child consented, so nothing can be done.”

Reality: Consent is NOT a defense under Pennsylvania law. Even if your child “agreed,” it’s still illegal.

Myth: “Only fraternities haze.”

Reality: Hazing happens in sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and even honor societies.

Myth: “The university will protect my child.”

Reality: Universities protect their own reputation first. They will downplay, cover up, or blame the victim—unless you have a lawyer.

What to Say to Your Child If You Suspect Hazing

If you think your child is being hazed, ask them directly—but carefully:

✅ “I’ve heard about hazing at your school. Has anything like that happened to you or your friends?”
✅ “You can tell me anything. I won’t be mad—I just want to help.”
✅ “If someone is making you do things that feel wrong or dangerous, you don’t have to do them.”
✅ “I’m here for you, no matter what.”

If they admit to being hazed:
✅ Stay calm—they’re already traumatized
✅ Document everything (take notes, save messages)
✅ Get medical help if needed
✅ Contact a hazing lawyer immediately

Jefferson County Hazing Victims: You Have the Power to Stop This

Hazing thrives in secrecy. The only way to stop it is to speak up.

• One brave victim can save dozens of future students
• One lawsuit can force a university to change
• One family’s fight can prevent another death

We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are ready to fight for you.

📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: www.attorney911.com

We serve hazing victims in Jefferson County, PA, and across the country. We don’t get paid unless we win. And we don’t back down.

Hazing in Jefferson County Ends Now.

Enough is enough.