Hazing Victims in Somerset County, PA: Your Legal Rights and How to Seek Justice
A Message to Somerset County Families
If your child has been a victim of hazing at a college, university, or Greek organization in or near Somerset County, Pennsylvania, you are not alone. Hazing is not just “tradition” or “harmless fun”—it is abuse, and it can cause serious physical and emotional harm. At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against a national fraternity and a major university, and we are ready to bring that same aggressive legal representation to Somerset County families.
Why Somerset County Parents Choose Attorney 911
Somerset County is home to many families who send their children to colleges and universities across Pennsylvania and the nation. Whether your child attends Penn State University, the University of Pittsburgh, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), or another institution, they may be at risk of hazing. Greek organizations like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), Kappa Sigma, and others operate chapters at schools near Somerset County—and they have a documented history of hazing incidents.
At Attorney 911, we understand the unique challenges Somerset County families face when seeking justice for hazing victims. That’s why we offer:
✅ Nationwide Representation – While we are based in Texas, we serve hazing victims anywhere in the U.S., including Somerset County, through federal court authority and remote consultations.
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We know how insurance companies and universities try to minimize or deny hazing claims. We use that insider knowledge to fight back and maximize your compensation.
✅ Proven Results – We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing case and have experience with multi-million-dollar personal injury and wrongful death claims.
✅ Contingency Fee Representation – You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
✅ 24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline – If your child has been hazed, call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.
What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Pennsylvania)
Hazing is any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in a group. Under Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law (Act 80 of 2018), hazing is a criminal offense, and organizations that allow it can be held civilly liable for damages.
Common Hazing Practices in Somerset County-Area Schools
Hazing can take many forms, including:
🚨 Physical Abuse – Beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion
🚨 Forced Consumption – Alcohol poisoning, forced eating/drinking until vomiting
🚨 Psychological Torture – Sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats of expulsion
🚨 Sexual Abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
🚨 Dangerous Activities – Waterboarding, extreme weather exposure, confined spaces
Example: In our current case, a student was waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats until he collapsed, and struck with wooden paddles—leading to rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure.
Pennsylvania’s Anti-Hazing Law (Act 80 of 2018)
Named after Timothy Piazza, a Penn State student who died from hazing in 2017, Pennsylvania’s law makes hazing a felony if it results in serious bodily injury or death. It also:
✔ Bans hazing in all forms (physical, mental, or emotional)
✔ Requires universities to report hazing incidents
✔ Allows civil lawsuits against organizations and individuals
✔ Eliminates “consent” as a defense—meaning victims cannot legally agree to hazing
If your child was hazed in Pennsylvania, they have legal rights—and we can help enforce them.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Hazing in Somerset County?
When hazing occurs, multiple parties can be held responsible, including:
1. The Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter
- Directly organized and participated in hazing
- Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster) can be personally liable
2. The National Fraternity/Sorority Organization
- Failed to supervise and enforce anti-hazing policies
- Knew or should have known about hazing risks (pattern evidence)
- Example: Pi Kappa Phi had a prior hazing death in 2017 but failed to prevent another incident in 2025.
3. The University or College
- Failed to monitor Greek life despite prior incidents
- Owned or controlled the property where hazing occurred
- Example: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where our client was hazed.
4. Individual Members & Alumni
- Participated in or facilitated hazing
- Hosted hazing events at their homes (premises liability)
- Example: In our current case, a former member and their spouse are being sued for allowing hazing at their residence.
5. Insurance Companies
- Many fraternities and universities have liability insurance that covers hazing claims.
- We know how to negotiate with insurers to maximize compensation.
What Damages Can Somerset County Hazing Victims Recover?
If your child was hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:
💰 Medical Expenses – Hospital bills, rehabilitation, future medical care
💰 Lost Wages – Time missed from work or internships
💰 Pain and Suffering – Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD
💰 Mental Anguish – Anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of life
💰 Punitive Damages – Additional compensation to punish egregious conduct (e.g., waterboarding, forced alcohol poisoning)
💰 Wrongful Death – If hazing resulted in death, families can sue for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and more
In our current case, we are seeking $10 million—a figure supported by recent hazing verdicts and settlements.
Recent Hazing Cases That Prove Somerset County Victims Can Win
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1M |
| Maxwell Gruver (2017) | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1M |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110M+ |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (multi-million) |
| Leonel Bermudez (2025) | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Pending | $10M |
These cases prove that hazing victims and their families can—and do—win big settlements and verdicts. The same legal strategies apply to Somerset County cases.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Somerset County
If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and statutes of limitations expire. Here’s what you should do immediately:
1. Seek Medical Attention
- Even if injuries seem minor, get a medical evaluation—some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms immediately.
- Document everything—hospital records, doctor’s notes, photos of injuries.
2. Preserve Evidence
- Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails)
- Take screenshots of social media posts about hazing
- Photograph injuries at all stages of healing
- Get witness contact information
3. Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, University, or Their Lawyers
- They will try to minimize the incident and shift blame.
- Anything you say can be used against you in court.
4. Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Call our 24/7 legal emergency hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911
- Email: ralph@atty911.com
- We offer free consultations and contingency fee representation (no upfront costs).
5. Report the Incident (But Do It Safely)
- Consider filing a police report or Title IX complaint.
- Do not do this alone—consult with us first to protect your rights.
Why Somerset County Families Trust Attorney 911
1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case
We are actively litigating a hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This gives us real-time experience with the tactics fraternities and universities use to avoid accountability.
2. We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense
Fraternities often claim that victims “consented” to hazing. Pennsylvania law explicitly states that consent is NOT a defense. We know how to destroy this argument in court.
3. We Have Former Insurance Defense Experience
Before representing victims, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies. We know their playbook and use that knowledge to negotiate higher settlements.
4. We Travel to Somerset County for Your Case
While we are based in Texas, we travel to Somerset County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
5. We Fight for Maximum Compensation
We don’t just settle for what the insurance company offers. We build strong cases, negotiate aggressively, and take cases to trial if necessary to get you the compensation you deserve.
Somerset County Schools and Greek Organizations to Watch
Somerset County families send their children to colleges and universities across Pennsylvania and the nation. Some of the schools with active Greek organizations near Somerset County include:
| University | Location | Greek Organizations with Hazing Histories |
|---|---|---|
| Penn State University | State College, PA | Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, others |
| University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA | Pi Kappa Phi, Kappa Sigma, others |
| Indiana University of PA (IUP) | Indiana, PA | Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, others |
| West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV | Sigma Phi Epsilon, others |
| California University of PA | California, PA | Multiple fraternities and sororities |
| Saint Francis University | Loretto, PA | Multiple Greek organizations |
If your child attends any of these schools—or any school with Greek life—they could be at risk of hazing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Somerset County Families
1. My child was hazed, but they don’t want to report it. What should I do?
Hazing victims often fear retaliation or feel loyalty to their organization. However, staying silent allows the abuse to continue. We can help protect your child’s identity while pursuing justice.
2. Can we sue even if the hazing happened off-campus?
Yes. Hazing is illegal whether it happens on or off campus. If it occurred at a private residence, the homeowners can be held liable.
3. What if my child signed a waiver or “consented” to hazing?
Consent is not a defense under Pennsylvania law. Even if your child signed something, they cannot legally consent to hazing.
4. How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 2 years from the date of the injury. Do not wait—contact us immediately.
5. What if the fraternity or university claims they didn’t know about the hazing?
Universities and national fraternities have a duty to monitor their chapters. If they failed to act despite prior incidents, they can be held negligent.
6. Can we sue the university even if they didn’t directly participate?
Yes. If the university knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it, they can be held liable for negligent supervision.
7. What if my child was hazed at a school outside of Pennsylvania?
We represent hazing victims nationwide. If the hazing occurred in another state, we can still pursue your case under that state’s laws.
8. How much is my child’s hazing case worth?
Every case is different, but recent hazing settlements and verdicts range from $4 million to $110 million. We will evaluate your case and fight for maximum compensation.
Somerset County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone
Hazing is a national crisis, and Somerset County families deserve justice. At Attorney 911, we are committed to holding fraternities, sororities, and universities accountable for the harm they cause.
If your child has been hazed, call us now:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7 Legal Emergency Hotline)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We don’t get paid unless we win your case. You have nothing to lose—and justice to gain.
Somerset County Parents: This Could Happen to Your Child
In our current case, a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until he collapsed, and struck with wooden paddles—all as part of “pledge activities.” He ended up in the hospital with kidney failure.
This didn’t happen at a “bad” school. It happened at a major university with a well-known Greek system.
If it can happen there, it can happen at a school near Somerset County.
Protect your child. Hold the abusers accountable. Call Attorney 911 today.
