🛡️ Niagara County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone — Justice Starts Here
To the parents, families, and students of Niagara County: If your child has been hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization near Niagara County, we are here to fight for you.
Hazing is not tradition. It’s not bonding. It’s not “boys being boys” or “girls building sisterhood.”
Hazing is abuse. Hazing is assault. Hazing is torture.
And in Niagara County, just like across America, it’s happening right now — in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, and student organizations.
We know, because we’re fighting it in court right now.
🚨 This Is Happening in Niagara County — And We Can Stop It
The Same Fraternities. The Same Hazing. The Same Negligence.
Our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña, are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. A young man was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, struck with wooden paddles, and hospitalized with kidney failure — all as part of “pledge activities.”
This didn’t just happen in Texas. It happens in Niagara County.
Pi Kappa Phi has chapters across America — including near Niagara County. Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Alpha Delta Pi — these same national organizations operate at colleges and universities in and around Niagara County.
The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist in Niagara County fraternities.
The same national organizations that ignored Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017 and allowed Leonel Bermudez to be hospitalized in 2025 oversee chapters near Niagara County.
And the same universities that failed to protect students in Houston have the same power — and the same liability — in Niagara County.
🏛️ What Hazing Looks Like in Niagara County
You might think hazing doesn’t happen in Niagara County. You’d be wrong.
In Niagara County, hazing takes many forms:
| Form of Hazing | What It Looks Like | Where It Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, forced exercise until collapse | Fraternities, sports teams, ROTC |
| Forced Consumption | Drinking until blacking out, eating until vomiting, consuming non-food items | Fraternities, sororities, clubs |
| Waterboarding/Drowning | Simulated drowning with hoses or buckets | Fraternities |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced late nights, early mornings, all-night activities | Fraternities, marching bands |
| Psychological Torture | Humiliation, degradation, threats, isolation | All organizations |
| Sexual Assault | Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects | Fraternities, sports teams |
| Exposure | Forced to endure extreme cold or heat | Fraternities, outdoor teams |
| Servitude | Forced cleaning, driving members, running errands | Fraternities, sororities |
This is not a complete list. Hazing evolves. But the goal is always the same: power and control through fear and abuse.
💔 The Real Cost of Hazing in Niagara County
Hazing doesn’t just leave bruises. It leaves scars — physical, emotional, and psychological.
In Niagara County, hazing causes:
| Consequence | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Muscle breakdown → kidney failure → hospitalization (like our client) |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Drinking until unconscious → coma → death |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | From beatings or falls → permanent disability |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | From exposure → organ damage |
| Cardiac Arrest | From extreme physical exertion → death |
| PTSD | Flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety → therapy for years |
| Depression/Anxiety | Withdrawal, inability to function → academic decline |
| Suicide | When the pain becomes unbearable → families left with nothing |
| Death | When institutions fail to protect → families devastated |
These aren’t hypotheticals. They happen every year in America. And they happen in Niagara County.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Niagara County Hazing Victim
You Have Rights. We Know How to Enforce Them.
In Niagara County, hazing victims can pursue:
- Civil Lawsuits — Against individuals, chapters, national organizations, and universities
- Criminal Complaints — Hazing is a crime in New York (and most states)
- Title IX Complaints — If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender discrimination
- University Disciplinary Actions — Forced removal of abusive organizations
We handle ALL of these for Niagara County families.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Niagara County Hazing?
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; power to regulate organizations |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing; failed to stop it |
| Alumni/Advisors | Allowed hazing at their homes; facilitated activities |
| Coaches/Leaders | Failed to supervise team/club activities |
In our current case, we’re suing:
- The chapter
- The national organization
- The university (which owned the fraternity house)
- The housing corporation
- Multiple individual members
- A former member and his spouse (who hosted hazing)
Niagara County families get the same aggressive representation.
💰 What Niagara County Hazing Victims Can Recover
Hazing cases win MILLIONS. We have the receipts.
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | Settlement | $110 million+ |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Settlement | Confidential |
| Leonel Bermudez | Pi Kappa Phi | University of Houston | $10 million lawsuit pending | — |
Niagara County families: These same results are possible for you.
What you can recover:
| Category | What It Covers | Niagara County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, therapy, future treatment | ER visits, rehab, mental health care |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work or school | Summer jobs, internships, academic time |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical and emotional trauma | PTSD, anxiety, depression, humiliation |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | Waterboarding, forced consumption, extreme physical abuse |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing kills | Funeral expenses, loss of companionship, future earnings |
We work on CONTINGENCY — $0 upfront. You pay nothing unless we win.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Niagara County
ACT NOW. Evidence disappears. Time is limited.
IMMEDIATE STEPS:
- Get medical attention — Even if injuries seem minor, document everything
- Preserve ALL evidence — Texts, photos, videos, social media, witness names
- DO NOT talk to the organization — They will try to control the narrative
- DO NOT post on social media — Anything you post can be used against you
- Call us immediately — 1-888-ATTY-911 — Free consultation
WE WILL:
- Guide you through evidence preservation
- Handle all communications with the organization and university
- File police reports and Title IX complaints if needed
- Build your case for maximum compensation
🎯 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Niagara County Hazing Cases
We Are the Hazing Litigation Experts — And We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
| Why Us | What It Means for Niagara County Families |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years of Litigation Experience | Proven track record in and out of court |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know how insurance companies think — and how to beat them |
| Currently Litigating $10M Hazing Case | We’re in the fight RIGHT NOW — same strategies for Niagara County |
| Federal Court Authority | Can pursue cases in federal court anywhere in America |
| Dual-State Bar Admission (Texas & New York) | Strategic advantage for national fraternity cases |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families |
| Nationwide Service | We represent hazing victims from Niagara County to California |
| Contingency Fee | $0 upfront — you pay nothing unless we win |
| Aggressive Representation | We don’t settle for less than you deserve |
| We Travel to Niagara County | For depositions, trials, and client meetings |
We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it in court right now — and we’ll fight for Niagara County families with the same fury.
🏆 Our Approach to Niagara County Hazing Cases
When a Niagara County family’s child is hazed, we move FIRST, FAST, and DECISIVELY.
For Niagara County hazing victims, our team:
- Builds cases with expert witnesses — medical, hazing culture, institutional negligence
- Preserves evidence immediately — texts, photos, medical records, witness statements
- Negotiates from strength — we’re currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing case
- Travels to Niagara County — for depositions, trials, and client meetings
- Provides remote consultations — Niagara County families can video chat with our attorneys
- Handles everything — so you can focus on healing
If a university, fraternity, or insurance company tries to silence Niagara County hazing victims, we take it to court.
📢 What We Say to Niagara County Fraternities and Universities
To the fraternities operating near Niagara County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Niagara County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
We track your house corporations. We track your national organizations. We track your documented history of hazing deaths and hospitalizations.
If you haze students in Niagara County, we will find every liable entity. We will pursue every insurance policy. We will sue every responsible party.
The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? SHUT DOWN. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated. Our client’s $10 million lawsuit is ongoing.
That’s what happens when you haze in America. Your chapter could be next.
To the universities in and near Niagara County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.
You own the fraternity houses. You have the power to inspect. You have the power to regulate. You have the power to shut down abusive organizations.
You choose not to.
You knew hazing was happening. You had prior incidents. You failed to protect students.
Now you will be held accountable — just like UH.
📞 Niagara County Families: Call Now — Free Consultation
If your child has been hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization in or near Niagara County, you have legal rights. We can help.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Available 24/7 for Niagara County hazing emergencies
WE WORK ON CONTINGENCY — $0 UPFRONT. YOU PAY NOTHING UNLESS WE WIN.
🌍 We Serve All of Niagara County — And Beyond
While we are based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide — including all of Niagara County and surrounding areas:
Niagara County and Nearby Areas We Serve:
| City/Town | County | Nearby Colleges/Universities |
|---|---|---|
| Niagara Falls | Niagara | Niagara University, Niagara County Community College |
| Lockport | Niagara | Niagara County Community College |
| North Tonawanda | Niagara | Niagara University, Niagara County Community College |
| Lewiston | Niagara | Niagara University |
| Pendleton | Niagara | Niagara University |
| Cambria | Niagara | Niagara University |
| Hartland | Niagara | Niagara County Community College |
| Royalton | Niagara | Niagara County Community College |
| Newfane | Niagara | Niagara County Community College |
| Wilson | Niagara | Niagara County Community College |
| Somerset | Niagara | Niagara County Community College |
| Ransomville | Niagara | Niagara County Community College |
| Sanborn | Niagara | Niagara County Community College |
| Buffalo | Erie | University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo), Canisius College, Buffalo State College, D’Youville University, Medaille University |
| Amherst | Erie | University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo), Daemen University |
| Tonawanda | Erie | University at Buffalo, Niagara County Community College |
| Grand Island | Erie | University at Buffalo |
| Lancaster | Erie | University at Buffalo |
| Clarence | Erie | University at Buffalo |
| Cheektowaga | Erie | University at Buffalo |
| West Seneca | Erie | University at Buffalo |
| Orchard Park | Erie | University at Buffalo |
| Hamburg | Erie | University at Buffalo |
| Williamsville | Erie | University at Buffalo |
| Kenmore | Erie | University at Buffalo |
| Depew | Erie | University at Buffalo |
| Lackawanna | Erie | University at Buffalo |
| Rochester | Monroe | University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. John Fisher University, Nazareth University, Monroe Community College |
Major Universities Near Niagara County with Greek Life:
| University | Location | Greek Life Presence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara University | Lewiston, NY | Yes | Private Catholic university |
| University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) | Buffalo, NY | Yes — extensive | Largest public university in New York |
| Canisius College | Buffalo, NY | Yes | Private Jesuit university |
| Buffalo State College | Buffalo, NY | Yes | Part of SUNY system |
| Daemen University | Amherst, NY | Yes | Private university |
| D’Youville University | Buffalo, NY | Yes | Private Catholic university |
| Medaille University | Buffalo, NY | Yes | Private university |
| Niagara County Community College | Sanborn, NY | Limited | Community college |
| St. Bonaventure University | Olean, NY (1.5 hrs) | Yes | Private Catholic university |
| Alfred University | Alfred, NY (2 hrs) | Yes | Private university |
| SUNY Fredonia | Fredonia, NY (1 hr) | Yes | Part of SUNY system |
These are the institutions where hazing is happening in and near Niagara County. And we know how to hold them accountable.
🔍 How We Investigate Niagara County Hazing Cases
We don’t guess who might be responsible. We KNOW.
Our Niagara County Hazing Intelligence Database includes:
| Data Source | What We Track | Niagara County Application |
|---|---|---|
| IRS B83 Filings | 125+ IRS-registered Greek organizations in New York | House corporations, alumni chapters, chapter entities |
| University Records | Greek life policies, hazing reports, disciplinary actions | Public records requests to Niagara County institutions |
| National Hazing Database | 30+ documented hazing cases nationwide | Pattern evidence for Niagara County chapters |
| Campus Greek Rosters | Official chapter lists | Identify members, officers, advisors |
| Cause IQ Metro Data | 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 metros | Identify organizations operating near Niagara County |
| Media Archives | News reports of hazing incidents | Establish pattern and notice |
| Social Media Monitoring | Public posts about hazing activities | Evidence of conduct |
| Insurance Policies | Liability coverage for organizations | Identify deep pockets |
When hazing happens in Niagara County, we already know who to sue.
📚 What Niagara County Parents Need to Know About Hazing
The Truth About Hazing in Niagara County — It’s Worse Than You Think
Myth: “Hazing is just harmless pranks.”
Reality: Hazing kills. Hazing hospitalizes. Hazing traumatizes. In Niagara County, hazing is happening right now.
Myth: “My child would never participate in hazing.”
Reality: 95% of students who are hazed do not report it. They’re ashamed. They’re afraid. They don’t want to lose their friends.
Myth: “The university would stop it if it was dangerous.”
Reality: Universities in Niagara County know hazing happens. They have the power to stop it. They choose not to — until someone gets hurt or dies.
Myth: “It’s just fraternities and sororities.”
Reality: Hazing happens in sports teams, marching bands, ROTC programs, honor societies, clubs, and more — anywhere there’s a power imbalance and a culture of “tradition.”
Myth: “If my child is injured, the organization will take care of them.”
Reality: Organizations protect themselves first. They will deny, minimize, and cover up. They will blame the victim. They will destroy evidence.
Myth: “There’s nothing I can do.”
Reality: There is everything you can do. You can preserve evidence. You can report to authorities. You can call an attorney. You can hold them accountable. You can prevent the next victim.
🛑 Warning Signs Your Child Is Being Hazed in Niagara County
Niagara County parents: Watch for these red flags:
| Category | Warning Signs |
|---|---|
| Physical | Unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries; wearing long sleeves in warm weather; limping; difficulty walking |
| Behavioral | Sudden withdrawal from family; secrecy about activities; avoiding questions about organization; fear of certain people |
| Emotional | Increased anxiety, depression, or mood swings; nightmares; loss of confidence; crying spells |
| Academic | Sudden drop in grades; skipping classes; missing deadlines; not attending school |
| Social | Avoiding old friends; spending all time with organization members; sudden new group of friends |
| Financial | Unexplained expenses; borrowing money; missing cash; unexplained purchases |
| Digital | Deleted texts or social media posts; new secret accounts; reluctance to show phone; group chats with organization members |
| Verbal | Jokes about “pledging”; references to “traditions”; talk of “earning” membership; fear of “getting in trouble” |
If you notice these signs, act immediately. Your child may be in danger.
📞 Niagara County Families: Call Now — Before It’s Too Late
Hazing is happening in Niagara County. Your child could be next.
We are fighting this battle right now — and we will fight for Niagara County families with the same fury.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Free consultation. $0 upfront. You pay nothing unless we win.
Niagara County families: Justice starts here.
