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Santa Clara County Hazing Lawyers – Fraternity & Sorority Abuse Attorneys

Justice for Hazing Victims in Silicon Valley and Beyond

If your child was hazed at a Santa Clara County college or university, you have legal rights. Our hazing attorneys fight for victims of fraternity and sorority abuse across California and nationwide.

At Attorney 911, we represent hazing victims and their families in Santa Clara County and throughout California. We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against a major national fraternity and a Texas university—and we bring that same aggressive representation to Santa Clara County families.

Santa Clara County colleges and universities have active Greek life chapters, including:

• Santa Clara University (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, Alpha Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, and more)
• San Jose State University (Sigma Phi Epsilon, Delta Gamma, Kappa Sigma, and others)
• Stanford University (Sigma Chi, Kappa Alpha, Delta Delta Delta, and more)
• Foothill College & De Anza College (Phi Theta Kappa, local Greek organizations)
• West Valley College & Mission College (Emerging Greek chapters)

If your child was hazed at any of these institutions—or any other college near Santa Clara County—we can help.

Call our hazing hotline 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911

Why Santa Clara County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston. Our client was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles. Santa Clara County families get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to this case.

2. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Santa Clara County

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Santa Clara County. We can:

• File lawsuits in federal court (we’re admitted to U.S. District Court)
• Travel to Santa Clara County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• Conduct remote consultations via video call for Santa Clara County families
• Pursue national fraternities and sororities wherever they’re headquartered

3. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys—Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña—previously worked for insurance companies and national defense firms. We know how they try to minimize or deny claims. Now, we use that insider knowledge to maximize compensation for Santa Clara County hazing victims.

4. $10+ Million in Proven Results

We’ve recovered millions for personal injury victims, including:

• Multi-million dollar settlements in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases
• High-profile litigation against major corporations (including BP Texas City explosion)
• Aggressive courtroom advocacy – we take cases to trial when necessary

5. Bilingual Representation – Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims in Santa Clara County are from Spanish-speaking families. We provide full legal services in Spanish, including:

• Initial consultations in Spanish
• Case updates in Spanish
• Document translation
• Courtroom interpretation

6. No Upfront Costs – We Work on Contingency

Santa Clara County families pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict—so you never have to worry about legal bills while seeking justice.

What Is Hazing? Santa Clara County Parents Need to Know

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization.

Hazing is NOT:
❌ “Tradition”
❌ “Team bonding”
❌ “Building brotherhood/sisterhood”
❌ “Just a prank”

Hazing IS:
✅ Assault (physical abuse, forced activities)
✅ Battery (unwanted physical contact)
✅ Torture (waterboarding, sleep deprivation)
✅ Reckless endangerment (forced alcohol consumption, extreme exercise)
✅ Sometimes manslaughter or murder (when it causes death)

Common Hazing Activities in Santa Clara County

Hazing takes many forms, including:

• Physical abuse: Paddling, beatings, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
• Forced consumption: Alcohol (binge drinking), food (eating until vomiting), non-food substances
• Sleep deprivation: All-night activities, forced early-morning workouts
• Psychological torture: Humiliation, degradation, isolation, threats
• Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
• Waterboarding/simulated drowning (yes, this happens in Santa Clara County too)
• Extreme weather exposure: Forced outdoor activities in heat or cold
• Servitude: Forced cleaning, errands, or driving for members

If your child experienced any of these at a Santa Clara County college or university, they were hazed—and they have legal rights.

Hazing at Santa Clara County Colleges – The Reality

Santa Clara County is home to multiple universities and colleges with active Greek life, including:

• Santa Clara University (Jesuit institution with strong Greek presence)
• San Jose State University (large public university with national fraternity chapters)
• Stanford University (elite private school with Greek organizations)
• Foothill College & De Anza College (Phi Theta Kappa and local Greek groups)
• West Valley College & Mission College (emerging Greek life)

These organizations operate under the same national fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide.

Hazing Deaths and Injuries – The National Crisis

Hazing is a national epidemic, and Santa Clara County is not immune. Recent cases include:

• Stone Foltz (2021) – Died from alcohol poisoning at Pi Kappa Alpha (Bowling Green State). Family received $10.1 million settlement.
• Maxwell Gruver (2017) – Died from alcohol poisoning at Phi Delta Theta (LSU). Family won $6.1 million verdict.
• Timothy Piazza (2017) – Died after being forced to drink at Beta Theta Pi (Penn State). Family received $110+ million settlement.
• Andrew Coffey (2017) – Died from alcohol poisoning at Pi Kappa Phi (FSU)—the same fraternity involved in our current case.

These same fraternities have chapters at Santa Clara County colleges. The same hazing culture exists here.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Santa Clara County?

When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held legally responsible, including:

We sue everyone responsible—and we know where the money is.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Santa Clara County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Hazing injuries can be life-threatening. Get your child to a doctor or emergency room right away, even if they seem “fine.” Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis or alcohol poisoning) may not show symptoms immediately.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do NOT delete anything. Save:

• Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshots + originals)
• Photos/videos of injuries, hazing activities, or the location
• Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, test results)
• Witness names and contact info (other pledges, bystanders)
• Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
• Academic records (showing impact on grades or enrollment)

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

• Do NOT sign anything from the organization or university
• Do NOT give a statement to their insurance company
• Do NOT post on social media about the incident
• Do NOT confront fraternity/sorority members without legal counsel

Anything you say can be used against you. Let us handle all communications.

Step 4: Contact a Santa Clara County Hazing Lawyer Immediately

Hazing cases have strict deadlines (usually 2 years in California). The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.

Call our hazing hotline 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911

Compensation for Santa Clara County Hazing Victims

Hazing victims and their families may be entitled to substantial compensation, including:

Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

✅ Medical bills (ER visits, hospital stays, surgeries, therapy)
✅ Future medical care (kidney monitoring, dialysis, transplants)
✅ Lost wages (time missed from work during recovery)
✅ Educational expenses (tuition reimbursement, scholarship loss)
✅ Rehabilitation costs (physical therapy, mental health treatment)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

✅ Physical pain (from injuries, forced activities, medical treatment)
✅ Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression from hazing)
✅ Emotional distress (humiliation, shame, loss of trust)
✅ Loss of enjoyment of life (inability to participate in normal activities)
✅ Disfigurement (scars, burns, permanent injuries)

Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

If the hazing was intentional, reckless, or involved torture, the court may award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter future hazing.

Recent hazing settlements and verdicts:

• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta)
• $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi)
• $10 million (Our current case – Pi Kappa Phi)

Santa Clara County families can recover the same compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing in Santa Clara County

1. Can I sue if my child consented to hazing?

Yes. Under California law, consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the fraternity, sorority, and university can still be held liable.

2. How long do I have to file a hazing lawsuit in Santa Clara County?

In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 2 years from the date of the injury. For wrongful death claims, it’s 2 years from the date of death. Do not wait—evidence disappears, and your rights expire.

3. Can I sue the university if the hazing happened off-campus?

Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm, even off-campus. If the university knew or should have known about hazing risks, they can be held liable.

4. What if the fraternity claims it was “just a prank”?

Hazing is not a prank—it’s abuse. Courts and juries recognize the difference between harmless fun and dangerous, illegal hazing.

5. Will my child be expelled if we sue?

No. Your child has a right to seek justice without fear of retaliation. We protect our clients from intimidation and ensure their academic standing is not jeopardized.

6. How much is my Santa Clara County hazing case worth?

Every case is unique, but recent hazing settlements and verdicts range from $1 million to $110+ million. Factors that increase compensation include:

• Severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, death)
• Egregious conduct (waterboarding, forced alcohol, physical abuse)
• Institutional knowledge (university/fraternity knew about prior hazing)
• Pattern of abuse (multiple victims at the same chapter)
• Cover-up attempts (destroying evidence, intimidating witnesses)

7. Do I need a lawyer to report hazing?

While you can report hazing to the university or police on your own, having a lawyer ensures your rights are protected. Universities and fraternities have teams of lawyers working to minimize their liability. You need your own legal team to fight back.

8. Can I sue if my child wasn’t seriously injured?

Yes. Even if your child wasn’t hospitalized, they may still have a case for:

• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Medical expenses (therapy, counseling)
• Educational disruption (missed classes, failing grades)

9. What if the fraternity is already suspended?

Suspension or closure does not absolve liability. In fact, it can be evidence that the organization knew it was doing something wrong. We can still pursue claims against the national organization, university, and individual members.

10. How much does it cost to hire a Santa Clara County hazing lawyer?

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis—we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict, so you never pay out of pocket.

Santa Clara County Hazing Lawyers – Free Consultation

If your child was hazed at a Santa Clara County college or university, you have legal rights—and we can help.

Call our hazing hotline 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911

Or contact us online: ralph@atty911.com

We serve hazing victims in:

• Santa Clara County (San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Milpitas)
• San Mateo County
• Alameda County
• Contra Costa County
• And nationwide

Don’t wait—contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

Hazing in Santa Clara County – The Time to Act Is Now

Hazing is not a rite of passage—it’s abuse. It’s illegal. And it can be deadly.

If your child was hazed at a Santa Clara County college or university, you don’t have to stay silent. You have the right to hold the fraternity, sorority, and university accountable.

We’re fighting this battle right now—and we’ll fight for Santa Clara County families too.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or contact us online today.