🚨 Hazing Legal Emergency: Saratoga County Parents’ Guide to Protecting Your Child
If your child attends college near Saratoga County, they face the same hazing risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
We are currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. The same fraternities operate at universities near Saratoga County. The same negligence exists at Saratoga County institutions. Your child could be next.
Call Attorney 911 now for a free, confidential consultation: 1-888-ATTY-911
🏛️ Hazing in Saratoga County: The Hidden Crisis
Saratoga County is home to outstanding educational institutions, including Skidmore College, SUNY Empire State College, and numerous other universities and colleges within a short drive. These campuses host active Greek life communities where the same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and injuries nationwide maintain chapters.
The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston happen right here in New York State.
The Reality of Hazing in Saratoga County:
- National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others have chapters at universities near Saratoga County.
- Greek life at Saratoga County institutions operates under the same national organizations that have paid millions in hazing settlements.
- Universities in the Saratoga County region face the same Greek life oversight challenges that allowed hazing at UH.
- If there’s a university near Saratoga County, there’s likely a fraternity chapter with the same hazing culture we’re fighting in Texas.
Saratoga County parents: Your child’s safety is at risk. You have legal rights. We can help.
🚑 What Happened in Houston Could Happen Here
The Case That Should Alarm Every Saratoga County Parent
Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston in September 2025. He wasn’t even enrolled at UH yet — he was a “ghost rush,” expected to transfer for Spring 2026.
Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse and torture that hospitalized him for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.
What They Did to Him in Houston — And What Happens at Saratoga County Campuses
| Hazing Activity | Description | Saratoga County Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Waterboarding | Simulated drowning with a garden hose | ⚠️ Happens at Saratoga County chapters — same nationals |
| Forced Eating | Large amounts of milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting | ⚠️ Common in New York Greek life — alcohol and food |
| Extreme Exercise | 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls | ⚠️ Physical punishment is standard — same “traditions” |
| Wooden Paddles | Struck with wooden paddles | ⚠️ Physical beatings occur — documented in NY cases |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced to drive members during early morning hours | ⚠️ Common across Greek life — exhaustion used to break pledges |
| Psychological Torture | Hog-tied with object in mouth; fanny pack with sexual objects | ⚠️ Humiliation is core of hazing — same culture in NY |
| Threats | Threatened with physical punishment and/or expulsion | ⚠️ Coercion is standard — fear of social exclusion |
This is not “boys being boys.” This is not “tradition.” This is abuse. This is assault. This is torture.
And it happens at universities near Saratoga County.
🏥 The Medical Consequences: What Hazing Does to Your Child
Rhabdomyolysis — The Muscle-Breaking Disease
Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue that releases damaging proteins into the bloodstream. It can cause acute kidney failure and death.
Our client experienced:
- Severe muscle pain
- Inability to walk
- Brown urine (myoglobinuria — muscle protein in urine)
- Very high creatine kinase levels (confirms muscle damage)
- Acute kidney failure
- Four days hospitalized in intensive care
This is what happens when fraternities force students to exercise past the point of physical exhaustion.
Other Hazing Injuries Common in New York:
| Injury | Cause | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol Poisoning | Forced binge drinking | Death; brain damage; lifelong health issues |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Beatings; falls from hazing | Permanent cognitive impairment; personality changes |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | Exposure to cold/heat | Organ failure; death |
| Cardiac Arrest | Extreme physical exertion | Death |
| Sexual Assault | Sexual hazing rituals | PTSD; depression; lifelong trauma |
| PTSD/Anxiety/Depression | Psychological abuse | Therapy; medication; lifelong mental health struggles |
| Death | Extreme hazing | Wrongful death; criminal charges |
Saratoga County parents: If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority, they are at risk for these injuries.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as Saratoga County Parents
New York Hazing Laws: Strong Protections for Your Child
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 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.
New York Penal Law § 120.17 — Hazing in the Second Degree (Class A 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 intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person.
Key Provisions:
- Consent is NOT a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate
- Organizations can be held liable — fraternities, sororities, universities
- Individuals face criminal charges — up to 1 year in jail
- Civil liability — you can sue for damages
Civil Lawsuits: Holding Institutions Accountable
You can sue for:
- Negligence — failure to protect your child
- Premises Liability — unsafe conditions at fraternity houses
- Negligent Supervision — failure to monitor Greek organizations
- Assault and Battery — physical abuse
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress — psychological trauma
Damages you can recover:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
Saratoga County parents: If your child is hazed, you have legal options — even if the incident occurred outside New York.
💰 The Precedent: Hazing Cases Win Millions
These Families Won — And So Can You
| 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 |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Settlement | $4+ Million |
Saratoga County families: These results are possible for you too. The same legal strategies apply to New York cases.
🏫 Who Is Liable? Everyone Who Allowed This to Happen
The Web of Responsibility
| Entity | Why They’re Liable | Saratoga County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Chapters at Skidmore, SUNY Empire, and other Saratoga County-area schools |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi, SAE, others with Saratoga County chapters |
| University | Failed to protect students; power to regulate | Skidmore, SUNY Empire, other local institutions |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing | Students at Saratoga County-area schools |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes | Saratoga County alumni involved in local chapters |
| Housing Corporations | Owned property where hazing occurred | Local chapter housing near Saratoga County |
Saratoga County parents: When your child is hazed, we sue everyone responsible.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Saratoga County
Immediate Action Plan
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ensure Safety | Remove your child from dangerous situation immediately |
| 2 | Seek Medical Attention | Document injuries; get treatment for physical and psychological harm |
| 3 | Preserve Evidence | Save texts, photos, videos, social media, witness names |
| 4 | Do NOT Confront the Organization | They will destroy evidence and intimidate witnesses |
| 5 | Do NOT Post on Social Media | Anything you post can be used against you |
| 6 | Call Attorney 911 | 1-888-ATTY-911 — Free consultation; we handle everything |
Saratoga County families: Time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly. Call us immediately.
🔍 What We Do for Saratoga County Families
The Attorney 911 Difference
| Service | What We Provide | Saratoga County Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Case Evaluation | Free, confidential review of your case | No obligation; learn your rights |
| Evidence Preservation | Immediate action to secure texts, photos, videos | Critical evidence doesn’t disappear |
| Medical Coordination | Work with doctors to document injuries | Full picture of physical and psychological harm |
| Investigation | Interview witnesses; gather records; build case | Strong evidence = strong case |
| Legal Strategy | Develop multi-defendant approach | Maximize recovery from all responsible parties |
| Negotiation | Aggressive settlement demands | Get fair compensation without trial if possible |
| Litigation | File lawsuit; take case to trial if needed | We don’t back down from powerful institutions |
| Criminal Coordination | Work with prosecutors on criminal case | Parallel civil and criminal accountability |
| Media Strategy | Control narrative; protect your family | No unwanted publicity; only what helps your case |
| 24/7 Availability | Immediate response to your legal emergency | We’re here when you need us most |
Saratoga County parents: We fight for you like we’re fighting for our own family.
🏆 Why Saratoga County Families Choose Attorney 911
Our Track Record of Success
✅ Currently litigating a $10 MILLION hazing lawsuit — same strategies available for Saratoga County families
✅ 25+ years of litigation experience — battle-tested in courtrooms across America
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys — we know how insurance companies think
✅ Federal court authority — can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
✅ Dual-state bar licenses — Texas AND New York licensed
✅ Se habla español — bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families
✅ Nationwide reach — we represent hazing victims across America
✅ Contingency fee — $0 upfront; we don’t get paid unless you do
✅ Proven results — millions recovered for personal injury victims
Saratoga County families: We have the experience, resources, and determination to win your case.
📞 Saratoga County Families: Call Now — Free Consultation
Your child’s safety and future are at stake. You have legal rights. We can help.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Available 24/7 for Saratoga County hazing emergencies
We serve Saratoga County families from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. We travel to Saratoga County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
🎯 The Message to Saratoga County Fraternities
To fraternities operating near Saratoga 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 Saratoga County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims across America.
Every national fraternity with chapters near Saratoga County should review their hazing policies immediately. We have proven these cases can be won.
The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston learned this the hard way. Your chapter could be next.
📢 Saratoga County Universities: The Warning
Skidmore College, SUNY Empire State College, and all institutions in the Saratoga County region:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.
You own the property. You have the power. You have the responsibility.
Act now or face the same accountability.
💔 A Final Message to Saratoga County Parents
We see you. We understand your fear. We know what’s at stake.
When our client’s mother rushed him to the hospital with kidney failure, she became a witness to institutional failure. When Saratoga County parents lose children to hazing, they deserve answers and justice.
We will fight for your child like they are our own.
Call us. Trust us. Let us help you.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Saratoga County and Nationwide
