Hazing Victim Legal Support in Alexander County, Illinois
You Are Not Alone — We Fight for Justice
Hazing doesn’t just happen at big universities—it happens in communities like Alexander County, Illinois, too. Whether your child attends Shawnee Community College, Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), or another nearby institution, the same dangerous fraternity and sorority cultures exist here. And when hazing leads to hospitalization, permanent injury, or even death, the institutions responsible must be held accountable.
At Attorney 911, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston—proving that hazing is not tradition, not bonding, but abuse. We will bring the same fight to Alexander County.
If your child or loved one has been hazed in Alexander County, Illinois, or anywhere in the U.S., we can help.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Alexander County & Beyond
Hazing Is Not Just a “Big School” Problem
Many Alexander County families assume hazing only happens at large universities—but that’s not true. Fraternities and sororities with chapters near Alexander County have the same dangerous cultures that led to:
- Waterboarding (simulated drowning with a hose)
- Forced consumption of alcohol, food, or non-food items until vomiting
- Extreme physical punishment (500+ squats, 100+ pushups, paddling)
- Sleep deprivation, humiliation, and psychological abuse
- Hospitalization from rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and kidney failure
This is happening near Alexander County. And if it happened to your child, we will fight for you.
💰 Why a $10 Million Lawsuit? Because Hazing Costs Lives—and Institutions Must Pay
Our current case involves Leonel Bermudez, a student who was hospitalized for four days with kidney failure after being hazed at Pi Kappa Phi (University of Houston). The same fraternity killed a student in 2017 (Andrew Coffey, Florida State)—yet they did nothing to stop it from happening again.
This is not an isolated incident. It’s a pattern.
Precedent Cases Prove Hazing Victims Can Win Big
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Why It Matters for Alexander County Families |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz (2021) | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | $10.1 million settlement | Shows universities and fraternities both pay when hazing causes harm. |
| Max Gruver (2017) | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | $6.1 million jury verdict | Juries award millions for hazing deaths. |
| Timothy Piazza (2017) | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | $110+ million settlement | Strong evidence = massive payouts. |
| Andrew Coffey (2017) | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Settlement (confidential) | Same fraternity that hazed our client. They knew the risks—and did nothing. |
| Leonel Bermudez (2025) | Pi Kappa Phi | University of Houston | $10 million lawsuit (pending) | This is the case we’re fighting now—and we’ll fight for Alexander County victims the same way. |
These cases prove:
✅ Universities and fraternities can be sued for millions.
✅ Juries are outraged by hazing and award big verdicts.
✅ National fraternities have deep pockets—and they will pay.
✅ Alexander County families have the same legal rights as victims in Texas, Ohio, or Pennsylvania.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as an Alexander County Hazing Victim
1. Illinois Hazing Laws Protect You
Illinois has strict anti-hazing laws (720 ILCS 5/12C-50). Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor—and if it causes great bodily harm or death, it becomes a felony.
What counts as hazing in Illinois?
- Physical abuse (paddling, forced exercise, branding)
- Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food items)
- Sleep deprivation
- Psychological torment (humiliation, threats)
- Any activity that endangers mental or physical health
Key Illinois Law:
“Consent is NOT a defense.” Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law does not allow it.
2. Who Can Be Sued?
We pursue every liable party, including:
✅ The local fraternity/sorority chapter (e.g., if your child was hazed at a chapter near Shawnee Community College or SIUC)
✅ The national fraternity/sorority organization (they have millions in assets and insurance)
✅ The university or college (if they owned the property, knew about hazing, or failed to protect students)
✅ Individual members (chapter president, pledgemaster, active participants)
✅ Alumni or former members (if hazing occurred at their home)
3. What Damages Can You Recover?
| Type of Damage | Examples | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, therapy, future treatment | $50,000–$500,000+ |
| Pain & Suffering | Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD | $500,000–$5,000,000+ |
| Lost Wages | Missed work, reduced earning capacity | $100,000–$1,000,000+ |
| Punitive Damages | To punish the fraternity/university | $1,000,000–$10,000,000+ |
| Wrongful Death | If hazing led to death | Multi-million dollar settlements |
Total potential recovery for severe cases: $10 million+
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Alexander County
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked. Some conditions (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms right away.
- Document everything. Get copies of all medical records.
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
✅ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (screenshot everything)
✅ Photos or videos of injuries or hazing activities
✅ Names and contact info of witnesses
✅ Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
✅ Any communications from the organization (emails, texts, social media)
⚠️ DO NOT:
- Delete anything
- Talk to the fraternity/sorority without a lawyer
- Post about the incident on social media
- Sign any documents from the organization
Step 3: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
We offer:
✔ Free, confidential consultations (call 1-888-ATTY-911)
✔ No upfront costs—we work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win)
✔ 24/7 availability for Alexander County families
✔ Video consultations available if you can’t travel
✔ We travel to Alexander County for depositions, client meetings, and trials
📞 Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911
✉ Email: ralph@atty911.com
🏛️ Fraternities & Sororities Near Alexander County with Hazing Risks
Alexander County is home to Shawnee Community College, and many students attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), and other nearby schools. These institutions have active Greek life chapters—many with documented hazing histories.
Fraternities & Sororities with Chapters Near Alexander County
| Fraternity/Sorority | Nearby Campuses | Hazing History | Why They’re Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | SIUC, SEMO | 2017 death (Andrew Coffey, FSU); 2025 hospitalization (Leonel Bermudez, UH) | Same national org that waterboarded our client |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | SIUC | Multiple hazing deaths nationwide | Forced drinking, physical abuse |
| Sigma Chi | SIUC | Recent lawsuit (2025) for hazing death at UT Austin | Extreme physical punishment |
| Kappa Sigma | SIUC | Multiple hazing incidents, including a 2001 death | Alcohol poisoning, paddling |
| Phi Delta Theta | SEMO | 2017 death (Max Gruver, LSU) – $6.1M verdict | Forced drinking games |
| Sigma Phi Epsilon | SIUC | Multiple hazing suspensions | Physical abuse, humiliation |
| Delta Chi | SEMO | 2021 death (Adam Oakes, VCU) – pending lawsuit | Alcohol poisoning |
If your child is pledging any of these organizations near Alexander County, they face the same risks as students at large universities.
🎯 Why Alexander County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case
- We don’t just talk about hazing—we’re in court right now.
- Our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure.
- We know how to win these cases—and we’ll fight for Alexander County victims the same way.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
- Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena both worked for insurance companies before switching sides.
- We know how they try to deny claims, minimize injuries, and blame victims.
- We use that insider knowledge to dismantle their defenses.
3. Nationwide Reach — We Can Help Anywhere
- Federal court admission (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas & New York)
- We travel to Alexander County for depositions, client meetings, and trials
- Video consultations available for families who can’t travel
4. No Upfront Costs — You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
- Contingency fee basis: We don’t get paid unless you do.
- No hourly fees, no retainers.
- We take the financial risk so you can focus on healing.
5. We Understand the Culture
- Ralph Manginello was a hall-of-fame athlete and youth coach.
- We know how team dynamics, peer pressure, and “tradition” enable hazing.
- We don’t just see your child as a case—we see them as a person who was wronged.
📢 To Fraternities & Sororities Near Alexander County: We Are Watching
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, SAE, Kappa Sigma, and every Greek organization with chapters near Alexander County:
“We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi for $10 million after our client was waterboarded and hospitalized with kidney failure. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your hazing histories. And if you haze students near Alexander County, we will find you. We will sue you. And we will shut you down.”
To the University of Houston, SIUC, SEMO, and every college near Alexander County:
“You own the buildings. You collect the rent. You have the power to stop hazing. If you fail to protect students, you will be held accountable—just like UH is in our current case.”
🚨 Time Is Running Out — Contact Us Now
Illinois has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.
Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Fraternities destroy records.
Don’t let them get away with it.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now
✉ Email: ralph@atty911.com
🌐 Visit: attorney911.com
We fight for hazing victims in Alexander County, Illinois, and nationwide. Your child deserves justice. Let’s get it for them.
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