Hazing in Vermont: An Attorney911 Guide for Green Mountain State Families

Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of the Green Mountain State, Vermont embodies a spirit of community and responsibility. But even in a state renowned for its natural beauty and close-knit towns, the shadow of hazing can reach our college campuses and student organizations. Images of forced drinking, sleep deprivation, or humiliating rituals might seem far removed from Vermont’s tranquil setting, yet they are a real and present danger for students across the nation, including those from our very own communities attending schools both within and outside state lines.

Hazing isn’t just a distant problem relegated to movies or faraway headlines; it’s a complex, evolving issue that impacts students and families right here in Vermont. Whether your child is attending the University of Vermont, Castleton University, Norwich University, or pursuing their education at institutions across New England and beyond, understanding the realities of modern hazing is crucial.

This comprehensive guide is designed for Vermont families. We will delve into:

• What modern hazing truly looks like in 2025, far beyond outdated stereotypes.
• The legal framework surrounding hazing, including Vermont’s specific laws and federal protections.
• Insights from major national hazing cases and how their lessons apply to students from Vermont.
• An overview of the higher education landscape in Vermont, including its universities and Greek organizations.
• Practical guidance for parents, students, and witnesses on recognizing, reporting, and responding to hazing incidents.
• How experienced legal counsel can help hold individuals and institutions accountable and pursue justice for victims.

This article is intended as a general resource. For specific legal advice tailored to your situation, please contact an experienced hazing attorney.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

• Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
• Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity/sorority
  • Sign anything from the university or insurance company
  • Post details on public social media
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

• Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
• Universities move quickly to control the narrative
• We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For Vermont families unfamiliar with modern Greek life or collegiate organizations, the image of hazing might be stuck in decades past—a silly prank, some forced push-ups, or a night of uncomfortable antics. However, the reality of hazing in 2025 is far more insidious, dangerous, and often deeply psychological. It has evolved to evade detection, leveraging technology and exploiting the human desire for belonging.

Hazing is not just “boys being boys” or “just tradition.” It is a deliberate act, often perpetrated by a group, that jeopardizes the mental or physical well-being of a student to initiate, affiliate with, or maintain membership in an organization. The key elements are explicit or implicit coercion, a power imbalance between new and existing members, and actions that are harmful, humiliating, or dangerous. Importantly, a student’s “consent” to participate does not absolve the perpetrators or organizations of responsibility, especially when that consent is given under duress or pressure.

Clear, Modern Definition of Hazing

At its core, hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by an individual or a group, directed against a student, that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student.
• Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

This broad definition is critical because it captures the spectrum of behaviors, from subtle psychological manipulation to life-threatening physical abuse.

Main Categories of Hazing

Modern hazing takes many forms, often blending different tactics in a calculated effort to create an intense, bonding-through-adversity experience, or, more darkly, to exert power and control.

Alcohol and Substance Hazing

This is, tragically, the most common and deadliest form of hazing. It involves forcing or pressuring new members to consume dangerous quantities of alcohol or other substances.

• Forced or coerced drinking: This often occurs during “Big/Little” reveal nights, “initiation” events, or themed parties where new members (“pledges,” “associates,” “candidates”) are expected to drink copious amounts of high-proof alcohol. The fatal hazing of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University, where he was forced to consume a bottle of whiskey, is a stark reminder of this danger.
• Chugging challenges or “lineups”: New members lined up and forced to chug drinks, often quickly and without breaks, leading to rapid intoxication.
• Consumption of unknown or mixed substances: Pledges may be given concoctions (sometimes called “hazing juice”) that include alcohol mixed with other liquids, spices, or even non-food items, making it difficult to gauge intake or identify harmful ingredients.
• Drug use: Peers may pressure new members to consume cannabis, pills, or other illicit substances.

Physical Hazing

This category involves any form of physical abuse or forced exertion that endangers a student’s health.

• Paddling and beatings: Direct physical assault, often with objects like paddles, belts, or bare hands.
• Extreme calisthenics or “workouts”: Forced exercise, often for prolonged periods, beyond a student’s physical capabilities, leading to exhaustion, injury, or severe conditions like rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown). Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston / Pi Kappa Phi case, where Attorney911 represents the plaintiff, highlights this type of physical abuse, including forced workouts that led to acute kidney failure.
• Sleep deprivation: Mandatory late-night “meetings,” tasks, or continuous activities that deny new members adequate rest.
• Food or water deprivation: Limiting access to food or water, or conversely, forcing excessive or unpalatable food consumption.
• Exposure to extreme environments: Leaving new members stranded in cold or hot conditions, or forcing them into unsanitary spaces.

Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing

These acts are designed to degrade, embarrass, and assert dominance, often with deeply damaging psychological consequences.

• Forced nudity or partial nudity: Stripping new members or forcing them to expose themselves.
• Simulated sexual acts: Forcing new members to perform or simulate sexual acts with each other, objects, or animals. The Corps of Cadets hazing incident at Texas A&M involving a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in the mouth is a grotesque example.
• Degrading costumes or acts: Forcing individuals to wear embarrassing outfits, or perform demeaning acts in public or private.
• Racist, homophobic, or sexist hazing: Using slurs, stereotypes, or forcing individuals to perform acts that denigrate their identity.

Psychological Hazing

Often subtle but profoundly damaging, this involves tactics that inflict mental or emotional distress.

• Verbal abuse: Constant yelling, insults, threats, and name-calling.
• Intimidation and isolation: Creating an environment of fear, telling new members to cut ties with non-members, or isolating them from support systems.
• Manipulation and coercion: Playing mind games, making new members believe they are constantly being watched or judged.
• Public shaming: Forcing new members to perform embarrassing acts or rituals in front of others, sometimes captured on camera.

Digital/Online Hazing

A newer, but rapidly growing threat, digital hazing exploits technology to extend power and control 24/7.

• Group chat dares and challenges: Forcing new members to perform tasks, often humiliating or dangerous, and document them in private group chats.
• Social media humiliation: Demanding new members post embarrassing content, engage in online “challenges,” or use degrading hashtags on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok.
• Pressure to create or share compromising images/videos: Coercing new members to capture or distribute inappropriate content of themselves or others.
• Constant digital monitoring: Requiring immediate responses to messages at all hours, imposing attendance at virtual meetings, or demanding pledges share their live location via tracking apps, creating a constant state of anxiety and sleep deprivation.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

For many from Vermont, hazing is often associated exclusively with fraternities. However, the tragic reality is that hazing pervades many types of student organizations.

• Fraternities and sororities: This includes social Greek letter organizations (IFC, Panhellenic), historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities (NPHC), and multicultural Greek organizations.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / military-style groups: These organizations, which often value tradition and hierarchy, have a documented history of hazing, as seen in incidents at Texas A&M.
• Athletic teams: Hazing occurs across all levels, from high school to university teams—football, basketball, baseball, hockey, cheerleading, and more. A prime example is the recent Northwestern University athletic hazing scandal.
• Marching bands and performance groups: Robert Champion’s death in the Florida A&M marching band underscored that even highly disciplined performance groups can hide brutal hazing rituals.
• Spirit squads, tradition clubs, and honor societies: Any group with an exclusionary membership process can be a breeding ground for hazing.
• Some service, cultural, and academic organizations: While less common, the desire to “belong” and uphold group “culture” can lead to hazing in unexpected places.

The common thread across all these environments is often a misguided belief that hazing builds unity, respect, or discipline. Instead, it breeds fear, resentment, and causes lasting trauma, all while perpetuating a dangerous cycle maintained by secrecy and a misplaced sense of loyalty.

Law & Liability Framework (Vermont + Federal)

For Vermont residents, understanding the legal landscape of hazing is vital, especially since many students from our state attend colleges in other jurisdictions. While Vermont has its own anti-hazing laws, federal regulations and legal precedents set elsewhere can significantly impact how cases proceed.

Vermont Hazing Law Basics

Vermont’s anti-hazing laws are designed to protect students from the dangerous and degrading practices often associated with initiation into organizations.

Vermont State Statute: 16 V.S.A. § 1704

• Definition of Hazing: Vermont law defines hazing as any act committed against a student, or any solicitation of such an act, by a person who is a member of, affiliated with, or seeking admission to an organization, whether on or off campus, that (1) is intended to harass, threaten, or intimidate; (2) results in or creates a substantial risk of mental or physical harm to the student; and (3) is committed in connection with any initiation, admission, affiliation, or continuation of a student’s membership in an organization, or any activity that is otherwise associated with the organization.
• Criminal Penalties: Any person who violates the provisions of Vermont’s anti-hazing statute can be subject to severe penalties. Engaging in hazing can be a misdemeanor offense, with potential fines and imprisonment depending on the severity of the act and resulting harm. This can escalate to a felony if the hazing results in serious bodily injury or death.
• Organizational Liability: Beyond individual perpetrators, academic institutions and student organizations can also be held liable under Vermont law. If an organization knowingly permits, authorizes, or condones hazing, it can face civil liability and administrative sanctions, including loss of recognition by the educational institution.
• Duty to Report: Vermont law places a strong emphasis on reporting. Educational institutions are often required to adopt policies and procedures to address hazing, including providing clear mechanisms for students to report incidents anonymously and without fear of retaliation.
• “Consent” is Not a Defense: A critical aspect of Vermont’s law is that the consent of the victim is generally not a defense against hazing charges. This acknowledges the inherent power imbalance and peer pressure that often compel students to “agree” to participate in dangerous activities.

Criminal vs Civil Cases

Understanding the distinction between criminal and civil legal actions is crucial for Vermont families impacted by hazing.

• Criminal Cases:

  • These are actions brought by the state (prosecutors) against individuals who are alleged to have violated criminal anti-hazing statutes.
  • The primary goal of a criminal case is to punish the perpetrator through fines, imprisonment, or probation.
  • Hazing-related criminal charges can include the hazing offense itself, assault, battery, furnishing alcohol to minors, and, in tragic cases, manslaughter or negligent homicide.
  • For Vermont families, it’s important to know that criminal proceedings focus on upholding state laws and prosecuting offenders.

• Civil Cases:

  • These actions are initiated by victims or their surviving family members against those responsible for the harm.
  • The primary goal of a civil case is to obtain monetary compensation—damages—for the physical, emotional, and financial losses suffered due to hazing.
  • Civil claims often focus on theories of negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, premises liability, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent supervision.
  • A key point for Vermont families is that a criminal conviction is not a prerequisite for filing a civil lawsuit. Even if criminal charges are not pursued or do not result in a conviction, a civil case can still move forward to seek justice and compensation.

Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act, Title IX, Clery

While Vermont’s state laws form the foundation, federal regulations also play a significant role in creating a broader framework of accountability for educational institutions.

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This landmark federal legislation, which will be fully implemented by around 2026, aims to increase transparency and strengthen hazing prevention nationwide. It mandates that colleges and universities receiving federal funds:
  • Publicly report all findings of hazing violations and related disciplinary actions on a dedicated website.
  • Maintain clear anti-hazing policies and provide prevention education.
  • Collect and disseminate data on hazing incidents transparently. This Act enhances accountability by ensuring that Vermont families can access better information about hazing incidents at prospective or current colleges.
• Title IX: This federal law prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. When hazing involves sexual assault, sexual harassment, gender-based violence, or creates a hostile environment based on sex, Title IX obligations are triggered. This requires institutions to investigate promptly and effectively and take steps to end the discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects.
• Clery Act: The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Hazing incidents, especially those involving assaults, alcohol/drug violations, or other reportable crimes, must be included in an institution’s annual crime statistics and security alerts. This provides Vermont families with vital safety information and helps identify patterns of misconduct.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

For Vermont families pursuing a civil hazing lawsuit, identifying all potentially liable parties is critical to ensuring comprehensive accountability and recovery.

• Individual Students: Those directly involved in planning or carrying out the hazing acts are typically held personally liable for their actions. This includes individuals who coerce, intimidate, or inflict harm, as well as those who fail to intervene or call for help.
• Local Chapter / Organization: The collegiate chapter or student organization itself can be sued. Even if it’s an unincorporated association, it may have assets (e.g., bank accounts, property) that can be targeted. If the chapter’s leadership or members, acting in their official capacity, condoned or participated in hazing, the chapter could be held responsible.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: Most collegiate Greek letter organizations (and many other student groups) have national oversight. The national organization can be held liable if:
  • It had an opportunity to prevent foreseeable hazing but failed to act.
  • It knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing within its chapters.
  • It was negligent in its supervision, training, or enforcement of anti-hazing policies.
  • Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston / Pi Kappa Phi ($10M lawsuit, 2025), where Attorney911 represents the plaintiff, directly names the national organization as a defendant, highlighting this avenue of accountability.
• University or Governing Board: The educational institution itself (e.g., University of Vermont, Castleton University, Norwich University) can be held liable under various legal theories:
  • Negligent Supervision: Failure to adequately supervise student organizations or monitor conditions on campus.
  • Negligent Retention: Keeping on staff (advisors, administrators) who ignored or enabled hazing.
  • Premises Liability: Failure to maintain safe campus facilities where hazing occurred.
  • Breach of Contract: If the university failed to uphold commitments in its student code of conduct or anti-hazing policies.
  • Title IX Violations: If hazing involved sex-based discrimination or harassment and the university’s response was “deliberately indifferent.”
• Third Parties: Depending on the specifics of the incident, other entities might also bear responsibility:
  • Landlords/Property Owners: If hazing occurred at off-campus housing (e.g., a fraternity house) and the owner knew or should have known about dangerous activities.
  • Bars or Alcohol Providers: Under dram shop laws, establishments that negligently serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals or minors, contributing to a hazing incident, can be liable.
  • Manufacturers/Distributors: If a defective product contributed to the injury during a hazing activity.

For Vermont families, navigating this complex web of liability requires experienced legal counsel. The responsible parties are likely to have substantial legal teams dedicated to minimizing their exposure, making a skilled attorney essential for pursuing fair compensation and true accountability.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

When seeking justice for hazing in Vermont, it is crucial to understand that similar tragedies have unfolded across the United States. These anchor stories—cases that have garnered national attention and led to significant legal and legislative changes—reveal recurring patterns, expose institutional failures, and often set precedents that inform current hazing litigation. For families in Vermont, these examples underscore the seriousness of hazing and demonstrate the potential for legal accountability, even against powerful institutions.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

Forced alcohol consumption remains the deadliest form of hazing, a tragic rite that has claimed far too many young lives.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): This case is a stark reminder of the reckless abandon that often characterizes hazing. Timothy, a 19-year-old pledge, died from traumatic brain injuries after being forced to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol during a “bid acceptance” night. Security cameras within the Beta Theta Pi house tragically recorded his multiple falls and the agonizing delay in seeking medical help by fraternity brothers. The aftermath saw dozens of criminal charges, extensive civil litigation, and the enactment of Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. This case highlighted the critical legal point that extreme intoxication, coupled with a deliberate delay in calling 911 and a prevalent culture of silence, leads to severe legal consequences for individuals and organizations.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Andrew, also 19, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event, where pledges were given handles of hard liquor. This mirroring of events to other alcohol-related hazing deaths underscores the foreseeable nature of such tragedies. His death led to criminal hazing charges against multiple members and a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU. It serves as a grim example of how formulaic “tradition” drinking nights are a repeating script for disaster, showing that national organizations often have a history of such incidents repeating in different chapters.
• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max, 18, succumbed to alcohol poisoning with a blood alcohol content of 0.495% after being forced to participate in a “Bible study” drinking game. Pledges were made to drink if they answered questions incorrectly, a cruel twist on forced consumption. Max’s death catalyzed the passage of Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute. One member was convicted of negligent homicide. This case profoundly demonstrates how hazing can directly lead to legislative change and how individuals can be held criminally responsible for their actions.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone, 20, died after being forced to consume an entire bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” pledge event. His death led to multiple criminal convictions against fraternity members and a significant $10 million settlement in 2023, ($7 million from Pi Kappa Alpha national and approximately $3 million fromBGSU). Stone’s parents are now prominent advocates against hazing. This case powerfully illustrates the substantial financial and reputational consequences that both universities and fraternities face.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Beyond alcohol, physical and ritualistic hazing carries immense risks, often involving violence disguised as “tradition.”

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael, 19, suffered fatal head injuries during a brutal “glass ceiling” ritual at an off-campus retreat in the Pocono Mountains. Blindfolded and weighed down with a heavy backpack, he was repeatedly tackled. Fraternity members delayed calling 911 for over an hour. This tragic incident resulted in the criminal conviction of numerous individuals, and, significantly, the national fraternity itself was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, the first time a national organization faced such a charge. Pi Delta Psi was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years and faced a heavy fine. This case is crucial for Vermont families to understand, as it proves off-campus “retreats” are not immune from legal accountability, and national organizations can be held directly responsible.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is not confined to Greek life; it is a pervasive issue within athletic programs, where a misguided “toughness” culture can lead to abuse.

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): This very recent and ongoing scandal revealed widespread allegations of sexualized and racist hazing within the university’s prestigious football program. Former players filed multiple lawsuits against the university and its coaching staff, leading to the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald (who later settled a wrongful-termination lawsuit confidentially). The Northwestern case shattered the notion that hazing is limited to fraternities, demonstrating its systemic presence in high-profile athletic programs and raising serious questions about institutional oversight and the responsibility of university leadership.

What These Cases Mean for Vermont Families

These national tragedies send a clear message:

• Common Threads of Danger: Forced drinking, humiliation, physical violence, delayed medical care, and orchestrated cover-ups are recurring elements across these cases. These patterns indicate systemic issues within organizations and, often, a failure of universities to adequately intervene earlier.
• Accountability Through Legislation and Litigation: Many of these deaths have spurred new state laws (like the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania and the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana) and significant civil litigation resulting in multi-million-dollar settlements or verdicts. These outcomes underscore that legal action can serve as a powerful tool for justice, forcing institutions and organizations to change their practices.
• Serious Consequences for All Involved: Individuals face criminal charges and imprisonment, while local chapters are disbanded. Crucially, national organizations and universities bear substantial financial, reputational, and legal liability.
• A Universal Challenge: Whether your child attends a small college in Vermont or a large university across the country, the risks and patterns of hazing remain remarkably consistent. The lessons learned from these national cases apply directly to Vermont families seeking to protect their children and hold perpetrators accountable.

These precedents empower Vermont families. They show that legal avenues exist, that powerful defendants can be held responsible, and that engaging experienced hazing attorneys can make a difference in securing justice and driving meaningful change.

Vermont Focus: Universities and Organizations in the Green Mountain State

For families in Vermont, understanding the specific landscape of higher education and student organizations within our state is paramount. Our colleges and universities, ranging from the flagship University of Vermont to smaller liberal arts institutions and specialized schools, each foster unique student cultures. While the overall Greek life and student organization presence might be smaller than in some larger states, the risks of hazing are universal. When hazing does occur, families in Vermont need to know about the local institutional context, policies, and reporting procedures.

University of Vermont (UVM)

Campus & Culture Snapshot

The University of Vermont, located in the vibrant city of Burlington, is the state’s flagship public university, serving a diverse student body. Greek life plays a role in the social fabric, with a range of fraternities and sororities recognized by the university across various councils. Beyond Greek life, UVM boasts numerous student clubs, athletic teams, and university-sponsored groups, each contributing to a lively campus community often described as progressive and engaged. Families from across Vermont and beyond send their children to UVM, making it a central hub for collegiate experiences in the state.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

UVM maintains a strict anti-hazing policy, explicitly prohibiting any activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, affiliation, or continued membership in an organization. Their policy covers activities both on and off campus. UVM’s student conduct office, the Dean of Students office, and the UVM Police Services are designated reporting channels. The university also usually provides an anonymous reporting option, emphasizing a commitment to student safety and zero tolerance for hazing.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

While UVM generally maintains transparency regarding student conduct, specific high-profile hazing cases with extensive public records are less frequent than at some larger national institutions. However, internal disciplinary actions against student organizations, including Greek chapters, for hazing violations related to alcohol misuse, forced activities, or bullying, occur periodically. For example:

• Sigma Phi Society (1992): The death of Jonathan S. McNamara at a Sigma Phi Society rush party, linked to alcohol, demonstrates that even in Vermont, hazing can have tragic outcomes. Although initially deemed an accident, the circumstances involved elements that align with hazing definitions concerning alcohol use in new member activities. This incident, while historical, underscores the persistent danger tied to rush and initiation events.
• UVM, like many universities, has suspended or placed various fraternities and sororities on probation for violations of alcohol policy, conduct code, and hazing guidelines, although the specific details of these incidents are often confined to internal university reports. This underscores that hazing, even if not widely publicized, is an ongoing concern that UVM administrators must address.

How a UVM Hazing Case Might Proceed

For an incident at UVM, jurisdiction would typically fall to the Burlington Police Department for criminal matters, and the Chittenden County courts for civil claims. Potential defendants could include individual students, the local chapter, the national fraternity/sorority, and potentially the University of Vermont itself, depending on the circumstances and the university’s knowledge and actions (or inactions). Investigating such a case would involve careful examination of UVM’s policies, enforcement records, and any prior complaints against the involved organization. The proximity of UVM to many Vermont cities, including Morrisville, means that families throughout the state would keenly follow such proceedings.

What UVM Students & Parents Should Do

• Familiarize yourselves with UVM’s anti-hazing policy: Read it thoroughly and understand what constitutes hazing and what the university’s expectations are.
• Report concerns immediately: Utilize UVM’s designated reporting channels—the Dean of Students office, UVM Police Services, or anonymous reporting options—if you suspect hazing.
• Document everything: As with any hazing incident, detailed records, screenshots, and medical documentation are crucial.
• Seek external legal counsel: If you believe your child has been a victim of hazing, especially if serious injury or trauma has occurred, consult an experienced hazing attorney. Counsel can help navigate university investigations, protect your child’s rights, and assess civil legal options against all responsible parties.

Castleton University

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Castleton University, located in Castleton, Vermont, is a public liberal arts college that prides itself on its close-knit community and personalized educational approach. While smaller than UVM, Castleton offers a variety of student organizations, including a Greek life presence, numerous athletic teams, and diverse clubs. The campus environment often fosters strong bonds among students, a positive aspect that unfortunately can be perverted by hazing rituals in some groups. Families from Rutland County and across Vermont often choose Castleton for its intimate atmosphere.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Castleton University has a clear policy prohibiting hazing, defining it broadly to include any activity that subjects a student to mental or physical harassment, abuse, or degradation as a condition for membership. Their policy applies regardless of location, on or off campus, and extends to all student organizations. Reporting can be made through the Dean of Students office, Campus Safety, or confidential counseling services.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Castleton, aiming for a supportive campus, actively works to prevent hazing, and official publicly detailed hazing incidents are limited. However, like any institution, it has faced instances leading to disciplinary action against student groups for failures in conduct that sometimes align with hazing concerns, particularly related to excessive alcohol consumption or inappropriate initiation activities. These internal actions, while not always widely publicized, reflect ongoing vigilance against hazing by the university administration.

How a Castleton Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing incidents at Castleton would likely involve the Castleton Police Department for criminal investigations, and civil lawsuits would fall under the jurisdiction of Vermont’s Rutland County courts. The university’s strong community ties mean that even minor incidents can have a significant impact locally. Legal proceedings would scrutinize the university’s supervision of student groups, particularly if there were prior complaints or warning signs.

What Castleton Students & Parents Should Do

• Engage with campus resources: Castleton’s smaller size can mean more direct access to administrators. Use this to your advantage to report concerns or seek information.
• Understand the “small community” dynamic: While a close-knit community is beneficial, it can also lead to pressure to maintain silence about hazing to “protect the group.” Prioritize your child’s safety above such pressures.
• Document and seek legal advice: As always, thoroughly document any suspected hazing. An attorney can ensure that your concerns are addressed effectively within the university system and explore all legal options.

Norwich University

Campus & Culture Snapshot

Norwich University, located in Northfield, Vermont, holds the distinction of being the oldest private military college in the United States and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Its unique culture blends civilian education with a rigorous corps of cadets program, emphasizing strong leadership, discipline, and tradition. This environment, while fostering strong bonds and character development, also presents a distinct context for hazing risks, particularly those related to physical endurance and strict hierarchical structures. The entire state of Vermont takes pride in Norwich’s legacy, making any student safety issues here particularly sensitive.

Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Norwich University has a comprehensive anti-hazing policy that is particularly stringent given its military roots. It explicitly prohibits any mental or physical mistreatment or abuse of any person, including those related to initiation, affiliation, or continued association with any group. The policy applies to all students, both civilian and Corps members, and its reporting channels include military chain of command (for Corps), the Dean of Students office, and Campus Security. Reports are often handled with an emphasis on upholding military values of integrity and respect.

Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Given Norwich’s emphasis on discipline, hazing incidents are typically addressed internally with severe consequences, often resulting in dismissals from the Corps or university. While specific details may not be widely publicized due to the university’s private nature and military structure, allegations related to forced physical exertion, sleep deprivation, or psychological subjugation have been subject to internal investigations. These responses reflect Norwich’s commitment to its strict code of conduct and the serious implications such acts have for students in a military-focused environment.

How a Norwich Hazing Case Might Proceed

Criminal investigations stemming from hazing at Norwich would involve the Northfield Police Department, and civil cases would be heard in Vermont’s Washington County courts. Due to Norwich’s military status, hazing allegations may also interact with military regulations and protocols, adding another layer of complexity. Legal scrutiny would heavily focus on whether the university’s supervisory duties aligned with its unique institutional structure and its responsibility to protect all students, including those in the Corps of Cadets.

What Norwich Students & Parents Should Do

• Understand the military context: Be aware that “hazing” in a military college might be rationalized as “training” or “discipline.” However, federal and state laws, and Norwich’s own policies, make a clear distinction.
• Report through official channels AND seek legal counsel: While using the internal chain of command is crucial, also consider consulting an attorney who can provide independent advice and ensure proper legal protections, especially against retaliation concerns common in hierarchical structures.
• Document physical and psychological impacts: Hazing at military colleges can often be physically and psychologically intense. Document all injuries, exhaustion, and any mental health struggles, and seek support from university counseling or external professionals.

Other Vermont Institutions

Families in Vermont also send their children to other esteemed institutions, each with its own student life and potential for hazing, emphasizing that the issue is not exclusive to any one school.

• Bennington College (Bennington, VT): Known for its experimental liberal arts curriculum, Bennington’s student body might have less traditional Greek life, but hazing can manifest in clubs, artistic groups, or unofficial student societies.
• Champlain College (Burlington, VT): A private college focused on career-oriented programs, Champlain has a diverse student club scene where hazing could occur within close-knit program groups or social circles.
• Middlebury College (Middlebury, VT): A highly selective liberal arts college with a reputation for strong academic and athletic programs. While traditional fraternities and sororities have changed their structure at Middlebury over the years, unofficial groups, sports teams, and social houses can still present hazing risks. Middlebury families from around Vermont and New England should be aware of these potential issues.
• Saint Michael’s College (Colchester, VT): A Catholic liberal arts college with a focus on service and community. Student organizations and athletic teams are central to its social life, and any hazing allegations would be viewed seriously by the institution, often involving direct engagement with the Dean of Students office.

Regardless of the specific institution in Vermont, the fundamental principles of hazing prevention, recognition, and response remain consistent. For parents across the Green Mountain State, vigilance, informed action, and seeking appropriate support are key to safeguarding students.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

Understanding the history of a fraternity or sorority, both at the local chapter level on university campuses and within its broader national organization, is critical for Vermont families trying to assess risk and pursue accountability. While specific hazing incidents at Vermont chapters might be less publicized, the national organizations they belong to often have a documented history of severe misconduct occurring at chapters across the country.

Why National Histories Matter

Most fraternities and sororities recognized on Vermont campuses, such as those at the University of Vermont, are part of larger national or international organizations. These national bodies typically:

• Develop comprehensive anti-hazing policies and risk management guidelines.
• Provide training to local chapters.
• Collect dues and maintain a supervisory relationship with their campus affiliates.

However, a recurring and tragic pattern in hazing litigation is that these national organizations, despite their policies, often fail to effectively prevent hazing. When a local chapter in Vermont, or a chapter at a university where Vermont families send their children, repeats a hazing script that previously led to injury or death at another chapter, it can demonstrate foreseeability. This foreseeability is a cornerstone of civil lawsuits, arguing that the national organization knew or should have known about the dangers but failed to act decisively. This evidence can strongly support claims of negligence or even gross negligence against national entities, affecting settlement leverage and insurance coverage disputes.

Organization Mapping in Vermont and Beyond

Here we outline some Greek organizations with significant national presences, some of which may have chapters in Vermont or at universities popular with Vermont students. We connect their national histories to the types of incidents that inform hazing litigation.

Alpha Sigma Phi Fraterntiy Inc

• National Presence: Alpha Sigma Phi has chapters across the United States, including a presence that has been registered in Vermont, specifically in Morrisville.
• National Hazing History: Alpha Sigma Phi nationally has faced scrutiny for hazing allegations involving alcohol and physical abuse at various campuses. For instance, in 2014, a tragic alcohol overdose death at Texas Tech University was linked to the Alpha Sigma Phi chapter there. Later, in 2017, a Beta Theta Pi hazing case involved a pledge suffering severe injuries, revealing the widespread danger.
• Vermont Chapter: ALPHA CHAPTER OF THE SIGMA PHI SOCIETY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF (EIN: 03-0157045) is located in MORRISVILLE, VT. While we are NOT alleging that this specific Vermont chapter has engaged in hazing, parents should be aware of the national organization’s history when considering any chapter.

Other Organizations Active Nationwide

While some of these organizations may not have known chapters in Vermont, many students from the Green Mountain State attend colleges outside Vermont where these groups are prevalent. This demonstrates the broader context Vermont families must consider.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike):
  • National Hazing History: Infamously linked to the tragic 2021 death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University, where he died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to consume a bottle of liquor. A civil lawsuit resulted in a $10 million settlement. Another significant case involved David Bogenberger at Northern Illinois University (2012), who also died from alcohol poisoning, leading to a $14 million settlement. These cases underscore a disturbing national pattern of alcohol-related hazing within Pi Kappa Alpha.
• Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ):
  • National Hazing History: The death of Timothy Piazza at Penn State University in 2017 brought Beta Theta Pi into the national spotlight. Piazza suffered fatal injuries after an extreme alcohol hazing event, and fraternity members delayed calling for help for hours. The ensuing criminal charges against 18 members and civil litigation led to Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ):
  • National Hazing History: The 2017 death of Maxwell “Max” Gruver at Louisiana State University, resulting from forced drinking games, is a dark chapter in Phi Delta Theta’s history. This Led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act. Attorney911 also has a client, Leonel Bermudez, in a hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ):
  • National Hazing History: Involved in the 2017 death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University due to acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night.” Pi Kappa Phi is notably a defendant in Attorney911’s active $10 million lawsuit filed in late 2025 by Leonel Bermudez against the University of Houston and the fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter, alleging severe physical hazing leading to acute kidney failure. This ongoing case directly demonstrates the national organization’s ongoing challenges.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE):
  • National Hazing History: Dubbed “America’s deadliest fraternity” by Bloomberg News, SAE has a history of multiple hazing-related deaths and severe injuries nationwide. Tragedies like Carson Starkey’s death at Cal Poly in 2008 from alcohol poisoning underscore the risks. More recently, a 2021 lawsuit at Texas A&M alleged severe chemical burns from industrial cleaner poured on pledges during hazing.
• Phi Gamma Delta (ΦΓΔ / FIJI):
  • National Hazing History: The catastrophic injury of Danny Santulli at the University of Missouri in 2021, which left him with permanent brain damage after forced alcohol consumption, is a devastating example. The Santulli family settled with 22 defendants, demonstrating collective accountability.
• Pi Delta Psi (ΠΔΨ):
  • National Hazing History: This fraternity made national headlines with the 2013 death of Chun “Michael” Deng, who died from a traumatic brain injury during a brutal “glass ceiling” hazing ritual at a retreat in the Pocono Mountains. The national organization was not only banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years but was also criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, a landmark legal precedent.
• Omega Psi Phi (ΩΨΦ):
  • National Hazing History: This historically Black fraternity has faced hazing allegations involving physical abuse, such as the 1997 Joseph Snell case at Bowie State University, where he endured weeks of severe beatings. More recently, in 2023, a federal lawsuit was filed against the Nu Eta chapter at the University of Southern Mississippi alleging severe paddling and injuries that required emergency surgery.
• Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ):
  • National Hazing History: Kappa Sigma’s history includes incidents like the 2001 drowning death of Chad Meredith at the University of Miami, which led to a $12.6 million jury verdict and Florida’s “Chad Meredith Law.” Allegations of severe injuries (including rhabdomyolysis) due to physically abusive hazing have surfaced at chapters like Texas A&M University in ongoing litigation (2023).
• Phi Kappa Psi (ΦΚΨ):
  • National Hazing History: In a shocking 2024 incident at San Diego State University, a pledge was set on fire during a skit, resulting in third-degree burns. Multiple fraternity members were charged with felonies, facing years in prison. This illustrates extreme and dangerous escalation of hazing.

Tie Back to Legal Strategy

The cumulative national histories of these organizations are not merely cautionary tales; they are crucial components of any legal strategy against hazing in Vermont or elsewhere.

• Foreseeability: A national organization with a documented history of alcohol-related hazing, physical abuse, or delayed medical care cannot credibly claim it was “unaware” of similar risks at another chapter. This establishes foreseeability of harm.
• Pattern of Conduct: Repeated instances of specific hazing behaviors across different chapters point to a systemic issue within the national organization, calling into question the effectiveness of their policies and oversight.
• Duty to Act: These histories demonstrate a clear “duty to act” that national organizations owe to their members and pledges. Failure to enforce policies, intervene in known problematic chapters, or provide effective training strengthens claims of negligence.
• Insurance Coverage: The long history of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements means these national organizations typically carry significant insurance coverage. Experienced hazing attorneys are skilled at navigating the complex insurance claims process to maximize compensation for victims.

For Vermont families, understanding this broader context reinforces that hazing is not an isolated incident perpetrated by a few “bad apples.” Instead, it is often a predictable outcome of organizational cultures that have failed to learn from past tragedies.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

For Vermont families grappling with the aftermath of hazing, the thought of legal action can be daunting. However, building a comprehensive legal case is often the most effective way to seek justice, ensure accountability, and secure fair compensation for the damages suffered. This process involves meticulous evidence collection, a deep understanding of legal damages, and a strategic approach tailored to the complexities of hazing litigation.

Evidence

In hazing cases, evidence is paramount. It tells the story of what happened, who was involved, and what harm was inflicted. Modern hazing environments, particularly with the widespread use of technology, leave a significant digital footprint that can be invaluable.

• Digital Communications: In 2025, virtually all hazing involves digital communication.
  • GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, Fraternity/Sorority Apps: These platforms are goldmines. They contain texts, images, and videos documenting planning discussions, instructions for pledges, peer pressure tactics, and even real-time accounts of hazing events. The Leonel Bermudez case (University of Houston / Pi Kappa Phi) critically relies on such digital evidence to prove the alleged hazing.
  • Screenshots are crucial: Victims or witnesses should screenshot entire conversations, ensuring sender names, timestamps, and context are clearly visible. Even deleted messages can often be recovered through digital forensics experts.
  • Recording apps: Apps like Snapchat or Instagram’s vanish mode are often used; screenshots and screen recordings must be captured immediately before content disappears.
• Photos & Videos:
  • Captured during events: Many hazing incidents are now filmed by participants, either for entertainment, record-keeping, or future blackmail. This footage, even if shared privately, is powerful evidence.
  • Security camera/doorbell footage: Houses on or near campus, off-campus venues, and even dorm common areas may have surveillance footage.
  • Injury documentation: High-quality photos of physical injuries (bruises, burns, cuts) taken from multiple angles, with dates, and against a common object for scale, are vital. Documenting the progression of injuries over several days is also helpful.
• Internal Organization Documents:
  • Pledge manuals/initiation scripts: These may outline “traditions” that constitute hazing.
  • Emails/texts from officers: Communications regarding events, attendance, or expectations for new members.
  • National policies: The national organization’s anti-hazing policies, risk management guidelines, and historical incident reports are essential for demonstrating foreseeability and negligence.
• University Records: These shed light on the institution’s awareness and response.
  • Prior conduct files: Records of previous hazing violations, probations, or suspensions involving the same organization. Many universities are now required to publicly disclose this data under federal and state laws (like the Stop Campus Hazing Act).
  • Campus police/student conduct reports: Records of investigations into hazing or related misconduct.
  • Clery Act disclosures: Annual campus crime statistics that may include alcohol violations, assaults, or other crimes relevant to hazing.
  • Internal communications: Emails or memos among administrators discussing hazing concerns.
• Medical and Psychological Records: Documenting the full extent of harm.
  • ER and hospitalization records: Crucial for physical injuries, toxicology reports (alcohol/drugs), and diagnoses.
  • Ongoing treatment notes: From physical therapy, rehabilitation, or specialist consultations.
  • Psychological evaluations: Diagnoses of PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation, or other trauma are essential for establishing emotional distress damages.
• Witness Testimony: Accounts from individuals present or with knowledge of the events.
  • Pledges/new members: Fellow victims, though often hesitant, can provide critical corroboration.
  • Current/former members: Individuals who have left the organization or were involved in the hazing can offer insider perspectives.
  • Bystanders: Anyone who observed the events or the victim’s condition.

Attorney911’s video on using your phone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) explains best practices for preserving screenshots and photos.

Damages

Hazing can cause profound and lasting harm. A civil lawsuit seeks to compensate victims and their families for every aspect of this damage.

• Medical Expenses & Future Care: This includes not only immediate costs (ambulance, ER, hospital stays, surgeries, medications) but also projected future expenses for long-term physical therapy, rehabilitation, ongoing psychiatric care, and, in severe cases of brain injury or permanent disability, a lifetime of specialized care.
• Lost Earnings / Educational Impact: This covers lost wages if the victim or a parent had to miss work. Critically, it also addresses the long-term financial consequences of delayed graduation, lost scholarships, and reduced earning capacity if injuries prevent the victim from entering their chosen profession or working at full capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: These are harder to quantify but represent the immense human suffering: physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, humiliation, loss of dignity, and loss of enjoyment of life. Psychological impacts like PTSD, severe anxiety, and depression can be debilitating and are a significant component of damages.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): In cases where hazing leads to death, surviving family members (parents, spouses, children) can seek compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support the deceased would have provided, and the irreplaceable loss of companionship, love, comfort, and society.
• Punitive Damages: In instances of particularly malicious, reckless, or egregious hazing, punitive damages may be awarded. These are not intended to compensate the victim but to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

Learn more about Texas statute of limitations in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c. For more information about our personal injury practice, visit https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Holding all responsible parties accountable is crucial.

• Multiple Defendants: In most hazing cases, liability extends beyond just the individual perpetrators. The local chapter, the national organization, and the university itself are often named as defendants. This strategy ensures that all entities that contributed to the harm, or failed to prevent it, are held accountable.
• Insurance Coverage: National fraternities, sororities, and universities typically carry substantial insurance policies designed to cover such incidents. However, their insurers often argue that hazing is an “intentional act” and thus excluded from coverage. Experienced hazing lawyers like Attorney911 are skilled at challenging these arguments, identifying all potential sources of coverage, and negotiating with insurers to achieve fair settlements. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/) is crucial for navigating fraternity and university insurance coverage disputes.

Practical Guides & FAQs

For Parents in Vermont: Protecting Your Child from Hazing

For parents across Vermont, from the tranquil farmlands to the bustling college towns, safeguarding your child from hazing requires vigilance and an understanding of its signs, subtle and overt.

Warning Signs of Hazing

Be alert for these indicators that your child might be experiencing hazing:

• Unexplained injuries or repeated “accidents”: Look for bruises, burns, sprains, or other injuries, especially if the explanations seem vague, inconsistent, or don’t add up.
• Sudden exhaustion or extreme sleep deprivation: Frequent late nights, calls at odd hours, or chronic fatigue that goes beyond normal academic demands.
• Drastic changes in mood or behavior: Increased anxiety, depression, irritability, withdrawal from friends or family, or a sudden loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed.
• Secrecy about organization activities: A common hazing tactic is to enforce a code of silence. If your child becomes evasive or defensive when asked about their group, it’s a red flag.
• Changes in appearance or hygiene: Neglect of personal appearance, unkempt clothes, or changes in hygiene habits due to lack of sleep or forced degrading activities.
• Unexpected financial strain: Sudden requests for money for “dues,” “club expenses,” or unexplained purchases that may be related to hazing activities.
• Academic decline: Unexplained drops in grades, missed classes, or difficulty concentrating due to stress or lack of sleep.

How to Talk to Your Child

You need to create a safe space for your child to open up:

• Be open and non-judgmental: Start conversations by expressing concern for their well-being, not accusations. Use “I’m worried about you” instead of “Are you being hazed?”
• Emphasize safety over status: Remind them that their health and safety are your top priorities, far above membership in any organization. Assure them there will be no recrimination for leaving a group.
• Share information without scare tactics: Discuss hazing scenarios you’ve read about without directly accusing their organization. Let them draw their own conclusions.
• Offer an “out”: Let them know that you support them fully if they decide to leave the organization, and that you will help them navigate any social fallout.

If Your Child is Hurt or in Immediate Danger

• Seek medical care immediately: Prioritize your child’s health. Document everything mentioned to health providers, ensuring all injuries are thoroughly recorded.
• Document everything: Take clear photos of any injuries, collect screenshots of digital communication (texts, group chats, social media posts), and note down dates, times, and specific incidents your child describes.
• Notify the university: Consult with an attorney before formally reporting to ensure your child’s rights are fully protected. Document all communication with university officials.

Dealing with the University

• Know your rights: Understand the university’s anti-hazing policies and a parent’s right to information.
• Document all interactions: Keep a meticulous record of every phone call, meeting, and email with university administrators.
• Ask direct questions: Inquire about prior hazing incidents involving the same organization and what measures were taken.

When to Talk to a Lawyer

• Early intervention is key: If your child has suffered significant physical or psychological harm due to hazing, contact an attorney immediately.
• Navigating complex systems: An experienced hazing attorney can guide you through university investigations, protect your child’s privacy, and vigorously pursue all legal options for accountability and compensation.

For Students / Pledges in Vermont: Recognizing Hazing and Protecting Yourself

For students actively involved in or considering joining campus organizations in Vermont or beyond, understanding the nuances of hazing is essential.

Is This Hazing or Just Tradition?

Ask yourself these critical questions:

• Is there genuine choice? Do you feel pressured to participate, even if it’s called “optional”? If refusing participation carries social penalties or exclusion, it’s a form of coercion.
• Does it degrade or humiliate? Does it cause you embarrassment, shame, or make you feel less than?
• Is it hidden? Are you told not to discuss activities with outsiders, parents, or university officials? “What happens here stays here” is a classic hazing mantra.
• Does it cause mental or physical discomfort? Sleep deprivation, forced exercise beyond normal limits, forced consumption of substances, or extreme stress are all forms of hazing.
• Do older members participate? If only new members are subjected to the activity, it’s likely hazing.

If you answer “yes” to any of these, it is very likely hazing, regardless of how it’s labeled.

Why “Consent” Isn’t the End of the Story

You may feel as though you “agreed” to participate, but Vermont law, like most state laws, explicitly states that “consent” is not a defense for hazing. This is because true consent cannot be given under conditions of peer pressure, power imbalance, and the fear of social exclusion or losing a coveted opportunity. The law recognizes the coercive environment inherent in many initiation processes.

Exiting and Reporting Safely

• Prioritize your safety: If you feel directly threatened or in physical danger, remove yourself from the situation immediately and call 911 or campus security.
• Confidential reporting: Many Vermont universities offer anonymous reporting channels through their Dean of Students office, Campus Safety, or online forms. The National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE) is also available 24/7.
• Gather evidence: Safely collect any available evidence, such as screenshots of group chats, photos of injuries, or recordings if legally permissible (Vermont may have specific laws regarding consent for recordings, so be aware of local regulations).
• Seek support: Talk to a trusted friend, family member, professor, RA, or a counselor at your university’s counseling center (conversations with counselors are generally confidential).

Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty

Many schools, and state laws across the country, provide amnesty or immunity for students who call for help in a medical emergency, even if underage drinking or hazing was involved. This is intended to encourage prompt medical attention without fear of severe disciplinary action.

For Former Members / Witnesses in Vermont

If you were involved in hazing—either as a participant who inflicted harm or as a bystander—or if you simply witnessed it, your perspective and knowledge are invaluable.

• Preventing future harm: Your testimony can be crucial in holding perpetrators and institutions accountable, preventing future students from enduring similar abuse.
• Legal considerations: It’s understandable to fear repercussions. Consulting an attorney can help you understand your legal position, potential protections, and how your cooperation might affect any personal liability.
• Confidentiality: A lawyer can advise you on how to provide information while protecting your rights and privacy as much as possible.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Hazing Case

For Vermont families seeking justice after hazing, avoiding common pitfalls is as important as acting swiftly. These mistakes can severely undermine a legal claim and compromise the chances of accountability and fair compensation.

1. Letting Your Child Delete Messages or “Clean Up” Evidence

• What parents think: “I don’t want them to get in more trouble.” Or, the student, embarrassed, deletes it themselves.
• Why it’s wrong: Digital evidence (texts, photos, videos) is often the most damning proof in hazing cases. Deleting it makes proving your case significantly harder, can look like a cover-up, and may even be considered obstruction of justice.
• What to do instead: Preserve everything immediately. Screenshot group chats, save photos/videos, and back up all digital communication. Even embarrassing content is crucial. Attorney911’s video on using your phone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) explains best practices for preserving screenshots and photos.

2. Confronting the Fraternity/Sorority Directly

• What parents think: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind for what they did to my child.”
• Why it’s wrong: Direct confrontation will immediately put the organization on high alert. They will likely destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare their legal defenses, making it much harder for your attorney to gather unbiased information.
• What to do instead: Document everything evidence and then call a lawyer before any confrontation. Let your legal team handle all communication with the involved parties.

3. Signing University “Release” or “Resolution” Forms

• What universities do: After an incident, universities may pressure families to sign agreements, release forms, or “internal resolution” documents to close the matter quickly. They might offer minor concessions or promise internal discipline.
• Why it’s wrong: You may inadvertently sign away your legal right to sue the university or the organization. These agreements often contain clauses that prevent further legal action, and any “settlement” offered is likely far below the true value of your case.
• What to do instead: Do NOT sign anything from the university or any involved organization without an experienced hazing attorney carefully reviewing it first.

4. Posting Details on Social Media Before Talking to a Lawyer

• What families think: “I want the world to know what happened to my child to prevent it from happening again.”
• Why it’s wrong: While understandable, premature public statements can harm your case. Defense attorneys will scour social media for anything that contradicts your claims, can be taken out of context, or that compromises your child’s credibility. It can also inadvertently waive privacy rights.
• What to do instead: Document privately and let your lawyer control the public messaging strategy, if any. Your attorney will advise on appropriate ways to advocate without jeopardizing your legal standing.

5. Letting Your Child Go Back to “One Last Meeting”

• What involved parties say: “Come talk to us before you do anything drastic about leaving or reporting.”
• Why it’s wrong: These meetings are often designed to pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that can be used against your child. They are rarely genuine attempts at reconciliation.
• What to do instead: Once you are considering legal action, all communication from your child to the organization, or vice versa, should go through your lawyer.

6. Waiting “To See How the University Handles It”

• What universities promise: “We’re investigating; let us handle this internally to protect the students involved.”
• Why it’s wrong: University investigations are primarily for internal disciplinary purposes, not civil justice. They move slower than needed for evidence preservation, may prioritize the institution’s reputation, and rarely result in the financial compensation needed for medical bills or long-term care. Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and critically, the statute of limitations continues to run.
• What to do instead: Preserve evidence immediately and consult with a hazing lawyer. They can coordinate with university investigations while simultaneously building a civil case and protecting your legal rights.

7. Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer

• What adjusters say: “We just need your statement to process the claim quickly.”
• Why it’s wrong: Insurance adjusters represent the insurance company’s interests, not yours. Any recorded statement or information you provide can be used to minimize or deny your claim. Early settlement offers are almost always lowball.
• What to do instead: Politely decline to speak with them and refer all inquiries to your attorney. Attorney911’s video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY) offers more critical advice.

Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Vermont?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances. In Vermont, both public and private institutions have a duty to provide a safe environment. If the university was negligent in its supervision, failed to enforce its anti-hazing policies, or showed deliberate indifference to known hazing, it could be held liable. The extent of liability can depend on the facts of the case and the legal status of the institution. Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis.

• “Is hazing a felony in Vermont?”
  Yes, hazing can be a felony in Vermont. While basic hazing might be a misdemeanor, it escalates to a felony if the hazing results in serious bodily injury or death.

• “Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
  Yes. Vermont law, like many state laws, explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing charges. This acknowledges the inherent power dynamics, peer pressure, and fear of exclusion that can coerce a student into “agreeing” to harmful activities, undermining true voluntary consent.

• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit in Vermont?”
  Generally, civil lawsuits for personal injury, including those related to hazing, have a statute of limitations of three years in Vermont from the date of the injury. However, nuances such as the “discovery rule” (when the harm was reasonably discoverable) or if the victim was a minor can alter this timeline. Time is critical—evidence disappears, and witnesses’ memories fade. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to ensure your rights are protected.

• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  The location of the hazing does not necessarily eliminate liability. Universities and national organizations can still be held responsible if they had knowledge of off-campus activities, failed to properly supervise, or if the hazing was a foreseeable consequence of the organization’s culture. Many major national hazing cases have involved incidents that occurred at off-campus residences or retreats.

• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  Many hazing lawsuits are resolved through confidential settlements before a trial. While court filings are public record, lawyers can often work to protect the privacy of victims, especially if they are minors, through various legal means, including requesting sealed records or confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy interests while pursuing accountability.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

When your family faces the devastation of a hazing incident, you need more than just a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who intimately understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. This is where The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, stands apart. We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, and we bring a unique blend of legal prowess, investigative depth, and unwavering dedication to every hazing case.

Our firm’s qualifications are particularly suited to the complex nature of hazing litigation:

• Insurance Insider Advantage: Our Associate Attorney, Lupe Peña, brings invaluable insight as a former insurance defense attorney. She literally sat on the other side of the table, crafting strategies for insurance companies that minimize payouts. She knows their playbook—their delay tactics, their arguments for coverage exclusions, and their settlement strategies—because she used to run it. This insider knowledge is a formidable asset in negotiating against fraternity and university insurers, helping us anticipate their moves and secure maximum compensation for our clients.
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions: Led by Ralph Manginello, our firm has a proven track record of taking on billion-dollar defendants. Ralph was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in the massive BP Texas City explosion litigation, a case that demanded meticulous investigation and federal court expertise. This experience means we are not intimidated by national fraternities, large university legal teams, or their deep-pocketed defense counsel. We have the resources and resolve to fight for justice, no matter how powerful the opponent.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: Hazing too often results in a devastating wrongful death or catastrophic, life-altering injuries such as brain damage or organ failure. Our firm is deeply experienced in these types of complex cases, understanding how to work with economists, life care planners, and medical experts to accurately value not just current medical bills, but also future care needs, lost earning capacity, and profound non-economic damages. We build cases that speak to true accountability. For more information on this, visit our wrongful death page https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/.
• Dual Criminal and Civil Hazing Expertise: Hazing can be both a criminal offense and the basis for a civil lawsuit. Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) gives our firm a critical understanding of the criminal aspects of hazing. This dual expertise allows us to advise clients on how criminal charges against perpetrators may interact with a civil claim, ensuring a comprehensive legal strategy.
• Unmatched Investigative Depth: Winning hazing cases in the digital age requires more than just legal theory; it demands relentless investigation. We utilize a network of experts, including digital forensics specialists, medical professionals, and psychologists, to uncover hidden evidence. From recovering deleted group chats and social media posts to subpoenaing national fraternity risk management files and university internal records, we leave no stone unturned. Our investigation is as thorough as if your child’s very life depended on it—because for many families impacted by hazing, it does.

From our Houston offices, we serve families throughout Texas and across the United States. We understand that hazing at universities anywhere affects families in Vermont and communities far from campus. Whether you’re in Burlington, Montpelier, or anywhere across Vermont, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone.

Call to Action

If your child has experienced hazing at any Vermont campus, or at any college or university across the country, we want to hear from you. Vermont families have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward for your family.

• We’ll listen to your story without judgment.
• We will review any evidence you have, such as photos, texts, or medical records.
• We’ll explain your legal options: a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, or both, and discuss realistic timelines and what to expect.
• We will answer your questions about costs. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Watch our video explaining contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.
• There’s no pressure to hire us on the spot—take the time you need to decide.
• Everything you tell us is confidential.

Call us today.

Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com

Hablamos Español: Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com