🚨 Hazing Victims in Madison County, NY: You Are Not Alone — We’re Fighting This Fight Right Now
If your child was hazed at a Madison County college or university, we can help. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we will bring the same aggressive representation to Madison County families.
🏛️ The Hazing Crisis in Madison County, NY
Madison County is home to Colgate University — a prestigious institution with a strong Greek life presence. The same national fraternities that have been involved in deadly hazing incidents nationwide operate right here in Madison County.
The problem is real. The danger is present. And the institutions are failing our children.
In November 2025, our law firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure from extreme hazing. The same fraternity chapters exist at universities near Madison County. The same culture of abuse exists. The same institutional failures exist.
This isn’t happening “somewhere else.” This is happening in New York. This could happen in Madison County.
🔍 What Is Hazing? — Madison County Parents Need to Know
Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them — regardless of whether they consent.
Common hazing activities reported in Madison County and nationwide:
- Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
- Forced consumption: Alcohol (binge drinking), food (eating until vomiting), non-food substances
- Sleep deprivation: Forced late nights, early mornings, disrupted sleep
- Psychological torture: Humiliation, degradation, verbal abuse, isolation, threats
- Waterboarding: Simulated drowning — this is torture
- Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects, sexual assault
Medical consequences of hazing:
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) — can cause kidney failure
- Acute kidney failure — life-threatening
- Alcohol poisoning — can be fatal
- 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 — more than one hazing death occurs in America every year
⚠️ The University of Houston Case — What Happened & Why It Matters to Madison County
The Victim: Leonel Bermudez
- Status: “Ghost rush” — not even enrolled at UH yet
- Intended enrollment: Spring 2026 semester
- What happened: Accepted bid to Pi Kappa Phi on September 16, 2025
- Result: Hospitalized with kidney failure after weeks of systematic hazing
The Hazing Activities That Hospitalized Him
Our lawsuit alleges Bermudez was subjected to:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning
- 500+ squats, 100+ pushups — forced until he collapsed
- “Suicides,” bear crawls, wheelbarrows, 100-yard crawls — extreme physical punishment
- Forced eating of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns — until vomiting
- Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault
- Sleep deprivation — forced to drive members at all hours
- Psychological torture — threats, humiliation, degradation
The Medical Consequences
- November 6, 2025: Bermudez hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure
- Symptoms: Severe muscle pain, inability to walk, brown urine (sign of muscle breakdown)
- Hospitalization: 3 nights, 4 days in the hospital
- Diagnosis: Severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) leading to kidney failure
Why This Matters to Madison County
- Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities near Madison County — the same organization that waterboarded Bermudez operates in New York
- The same “traditions” exist in Madison County — waterboarding, forced exercise, paddling
- Universities near Madison County have the same oversight failures — they know hazing happens and do nothing
- If it happened in Houston, it can happen in Madison County — and it likely already has
Madison County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Madison County, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client.
📚 Hazing at Colgate University — What Madison County Families Need to Know
Colgate University, located in Hamilton, NY, has an active Greek life system with multiple fraternities and sororities. These organizations are governed by the same national organizations that have been involved in hazing deaths and injuries nationwide.
Key facts about Colgate University Greek life:
- Fraternities: Multiple chapters including some with documented hazing histories in other states
- Sororities: Multiple chapters with potential for hazing (yes, sororities haze too)
- Oversight: Colgate has a Greek life office with responsibility for monitoring organizations
- Housing: Some Greek organizations have on-campus or near-campus housing
Madison County families: If your child is pledging at Colgate or any other university near Madison County, they are at risk of hazing.
💔 Recent Hazing Deaths & Injuries — Proof This Is Happening Now
| Victim | University | Fraternity | Year | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | 2021 | DEATH — alcohol poisoning; $10.1M settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | 2017 | DEATH — alcohol poisoning; $6.1M jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | 2017 | DEATH — traumatic brain injury; $110M+ settlement |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | 2017 | DEATH — alcohol poisoning; settlement |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | 2025 | HOSPITALIZED — kidney failure; $10M lawsuit pending |
Madison County families: These aren’t isolated incidents. This is a pattern of abuse across America — including in New York.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Madison County Hazing Victim
New York Hazing Laws
New York has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students:
New York Penal Law § 120.16 & 120.17 — Hazing in the First and Second Degree
- Hazing in the First Degree (Class A misdemeanor): When hazing causes serious physical injury
- Hazing in the Second Degree (Class B misdemeanor): When hazing creates substantial risk of physical injury
New York Education Law § 6430 — Hazing
- Requires colleges to adopt anti-hazing policies
- Requires reporting of hazing incidents
- Allows for disciplinary action against organizations and individuals
Key legal principles:
- Consent is NOT a defense — even if a student “agreed” to participate, hazing is illegal
- Organizations can be held liable — fraternities, sororities, universities
- Individuals can be held personally liable — chapter officers, members who participate
- Universities can be held liable — for failing to protect students
Civil Lawsuits — Holding Institutions Accountable
In addition to criminal charges, hazing victims can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Lost wages (if the victim misses work or school)
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
- Wrongful death (if hazing results in death)
Who can be sued:
- Local chapter — the organization that conducted the hazing
- National organization — for failing to supervise and prevent hazing
- University/college — for failing to protect students
- Individual members — those who participated in or facilitated hazing
- Alumni — if hazing occurred at their residence
🏢 Who Is Liable for Hazing in Madison County?
1. The Local Chapter
- Directly organized and conducted hazing activities
- Chapter officers (president, pledge master) have leadership responsibility
- Individual members who participated can be sued personally
2. The National Organization
- Responsible for supervising local chapters
- Knew or should have known about hazing risks
- Failed to implement effective anti-hazing policies
- Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others have paid MILLIONS in settlements
3. The University/College
- Duty to protect students — universities have a legal obligation to provide a safe environment
- Premises liability — if hazing occurs on university-owned property
- Negligent supervision — if the university fails to monitor Greek organizations
- Failure to act — if the university knew about hazing and did nothing
Example: University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where Bermudez was waterboarded. They collected rent while students were tortured. They had the power to inspect and shut it down — they chose not to.
4. Individual Perpetrators
- Personal liability for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress
- Criminal liability for hazing under New York law
- Professional consequences — hazing can follow them into their careers
Example: In the Stone Foltz case, the chapter president was held personally liable for $6.5 million.
5. Insurance Companies
- Deep pockets — national organizations and universities have liability insurance
- Policy limits — often $1 million or more per incident
- Multiple policies — may be excess coverage beyond primary policy
💰 What Is Your Madison County Hazing Case Worth?
Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Here’s what recent cases have awarded:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Lawsuit Pending | $10 million demanded |
Factors that increase case value:
- Severity of injuries — hospitalization, surgery, permanent damage
- Egregiousness of conduct — waterboarding, forced alcohol, physical abuse
- Pattern of abuse — multiple incidents, prior warnings
- Institutional knowledge — university/fraternity knew about prior hazing
- Cover-up attempts — destroying evidence, intimidating witnesses
- Wrongful death — if hazing results in death, damages are highest
Madison County families: If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to significant compensation — potentially millions of dollars.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Madison County
Immediate Steps — Preserve Evidence & Protect Your Rights
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ensure Safety | Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately | Their health and safety come first |
| 2. Seek Medical Attention | Go to the emergency room or urgent care — even if injuries seem minor | Document all injuries; some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not appear immediately |
| 3. Preserve Evidence | Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, items used in hazing | Evidence disappears quickly; document everything |
| 4. Save Communications | Save all texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails, social media posts about hazing | These are critical evidence |
| 5. Get Witness Information | Obtain names and contact info of other pledges, witnesses, bystanders | Witness testimony strengthens your case |
| 6. Do NOT Talk to the Organization | Do not give statements to fraternity/sorority leaders, university officials, or their lawyers | Anything you say can be used against you |
| 7. Do NOT Post on Social Media | Stay off social media entirely — do not post about the incident or your recovery | Insurance lawyers will use posts against you |
| 8. Contact an Attorney Immediately | Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation | Evidence disappears fast; the sooner we get involved, the stronger your case |
What NOT to Do — Common Mistakes That Destroy Cases
❌ Do NOT delete any messages or posts — this is destruction of evidence
❌ Do NOT confront the organization — they will destroy evidence and coordinate their story
❌ Do NOT sign anything from the fraternity, sorority, or university — you may be waiving your rights
❌ Do NOT talk to insurance adjusters or lawyers for the other side — they are trained to minimize your claim
❌ Do NOT wait to take action — New York has a statute of limitations; evidence disappears
📞 Madison County Families: Contact Us Now — Free Consultation
We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit — and we will bring the same aggressive representation to Madison County.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Madison County Hazing Case?
✅ Hazing Litigation Expertise — We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit
✅ Nationwide Reach — We represent hazing victims across America, including Madison County
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We know how the other side thinks and fights
✅ Federal Court Authority — Can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
✅ Dual-State Bar Licenses — New York and Texas (strategic for national fraternity litigation)
✅ Contingency Fee — $0 upfront — we don’t get paid unless you get paid
✅ Se Habla Español — Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families
✅ Willing to Travel — We come to Madison County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
Madison County Hazing Victims — Call Now:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Available 24/7 for Madison County hazing emergencies
We work on CONTINGENCY — you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
🎯 Our Strategy for Madison County Hazing Cases
1. Immediate Evidence Preservation
- Send preservation letters to all defendants demanding evidence protection
- Subpoena social media companies, messaging apps, and email providers
- Collect all medical records, photos, videos, and communications
2. Aggressive Discovery
- Depose chapter officers, members, and university officials
- Request all internal communications about hazing
- Obtain fraternity/sorority policies and training materials
- Request university oversight records
3. Pattern Evidence
- Identify prior hazing incidents at the same chapter
- Identify prior hazing incidents at other chapters of the same national organization
- Establish institutional knowledge and failure to act
4. Expert Testimony
- Medical experts — to explain injuries and long-term consequences
- Hazing culture experts — to explain the dynamics of Greek life abuse
- Economic experts — to calculate lost wages and future medical costs
5. Media & Public Pressure
- Work with media to expose the truth
- Pressure universities to take action
- Hold national organizations accountable in the court of public opinion
6. Negotiation or Trial
- Demand fair settlement from all defendants
- If they refuse to settle, take the case to trial
- Let a jury hear the full story and decide what’s fair
🔥 The Message to Madison County Fraternities & Universities
To the fraternities operating near Madison County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Madison County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
To the universities near Madison County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.
To Greek life leadership at Madison County institutions:
The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.
📅 Statute of Limitations — Act Now or Lose Your Rights
New York Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury:
- 3 years from the date of injury
If your child was hazed, you have a limited time to take legal action.
Do NOT wait:
- Evidence disappears
- Witnesses forget
- Your rights expire
Madison County families: Contact us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.
🏆 We’ve Won Millions for Victims — We’ll Fight for Madison County Families Too
Our Experience:
- 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello)
- Former insurance defense attorneys — we know their playbook
- Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases
- BP Texas City explosion litigation — experience with complex, high-stakes cases
- Federal court admission — can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
- $10 million hazing lawsuit pending — currently fighting this battle
Client Testimonials:
“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett
“One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello and they said that they would take it. And in the next few months I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.” — Donald Wilcox
“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” — Chad Harris
🚨 Madison County Parents: Protect Your Child — Contact Attorney 911 Today
If your child was hazed at Colgate University or any other institution near Madison County, you have legal rights. We are fighting this battle right now — and we will fight for your family too.
Madison County hazing victims — call now for a free consultation:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We serve hazing victims nationwide — including Madison County, NY. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
📢 Enough Is Enough — Let’s End Hazing in Madison County
To the Madison County community:
Hazing is not tradition. It is not brotherhood. It is not building character.
It is abuse. It is assault. It is torture.
We have seen what happens when institutions fail to protect our children. We have seen the hospitalizations. We have seen the deaths.
Enough is enough.
If your child was hazed, step forward. If you know someone who was hazed, encourage them to step forward. Together, we can hold these institutions accountable and protect the next generation of Madison County students.
Madison County families: Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re here to help.
