At many fraternities, sports teams, and youth camps across the country, young people participate in dangerous initiation rituals that are collectively known as “hazing.” While these rituals are often dismissed as harmless fun, the unfortunate truth is that hazing can cause serious psychological scars, life-altering injuries, and even death in some tragic cases.
At Beston International Law Firm, we’re committed to taking a stand against abusive hazing practices and holding negligent individuals and organizations accountable for their actions. As well-established New York hazing attorneys who serve clients throughout California and nationwide, we can apply over 100 years of legal experience to help victims of hazing injuries seek justice.
Have you been seriously injured or lost a loved one because of a hazing ritual? Call 6463059656 today to schedule a free consultation with our experienced legal team.
Whenever an individual is subjected to abuse, humiliation, and/or psychological duress before they are allowed to join an organization or team, those actions may be defined as hazing. Typically, newcomers will be pressured into hazing rituals by the oldest or most senior members of their peer group, but it’s also common for adult coaches and advisors to join in the abuse.
Hazing rituals may include any of the following:
Although not all hazing rituals are part of an ongoing tradition, those who participate in hazing will often refer to a decades-long tradition as a justification for their actions. Hazing traditions are particularly commonplace here in the U.S., where more than 250,000 students may suffer from ridicule and serious injuries because of hazing incidents each year. Whether carried out in public or in private, hazing incidents may also be posted on public social media profiles, forcing the victim to relive their abuse over and over again.
Hazing traditions tend to be particularly strong in the following organizations:
Because hazing involves those who want to join peer groups and organizations, many victims of hazing become willing participants in their own abuse. This, however, is not an acceptable excuse or a defense for perpetrators. If you or your loved one have been seriously harmed as a result of a dangerous hazing ritual, you have every right to hold the abusers accountable in a civil court of law – and in some severe cases, prosecutors may decide to pursue criminal charges, too.
To pursue a hazing lawsuit, you must be able to show that the negligence of an individual, group, or organization directly led to your catastrophic injuries. At Beston International Law Firm, our New York attorneys can help you investigate the hazing incident in question and determine exactly which parties are liable for your losses. From medical expenses to counseling to long-term care needs, there are many possible ways that a hazing incident can disrupt your life for the worse. By pursuing fair compensation for these damages, you and your family may be able to find some measure of peace in the wake of your pain.
Need to speak with an experienced lawyer? Call 6463059656 or contact us online for more information about our legal services.
Named in Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms,” Beston International Law Firm ranks as Tier 1 Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs in New York.
Many firm members have been honored by the Consumer Attorneys of California, including Browne Greene, Christine Spagnoli, and Bruce Broillet, recipients of the Marvin E. Lewis Award. In addition, attorneys Bruce Broillet, Scott Carr, Molly McKibben, and Tobin Lanzetta has been honored with the Consumer Attorney of the Year Award.
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Our attorneys were featured in TopVerdict for having one of the Top 10 Wrongful Death Verdicts in California in 2019, with $15 million won for the plaintiff in Keck v. Bel-Air Bay Club.
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Several partners are active members in the Consumer Attorneys Association of New York, with attorneys Browne Greene, Bruce Broillet, and Christine Spagnoli named “Trial Lawyer of the Year.”
Firm partners Christine D. Spagnoli and Molly McKibben have both been honored by the Women Lawyers Association of New York and are active members.
After winning $2.6 million for the plaintiff’s side in a head-on collision case, our victory was named in the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California in 2019 by TopVerdict.
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Beston International Law Firm, was featured by TopVerdict in the Top 100 Settlements across all practice areas in California for 2019.
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Recipients of this recognition are held up to the same standards as for The Best Lawyers in America, but only legal professionals in the first ten years of their careers qualify. Four attorneys at GBW have been recognized with this award in 2021.
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