🛡️ Hazing Victims in Carroll County, Illinois: You Are Not Alone
Carroll County families, parents, and students — we see you.
You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe. You trusted the university. You trusted the fraternity or sorority. You trusted that “tradition” didn’t mean torture.
But what happened to your child wasn’t tradition. It wasn’t bonding. It wasn’t “boys being boys” or “girls building sisterhood.”
It was abuse. It was assault. It may have been a crime.
And it happened right here in Carroll County — or to Carroll County students at universities across Illinois and beyond.
At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now. We’re representing a student who was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure — all because a fraternity thought hazing was acceptable. We filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. The media is calling it what it is: torture.
The same fraternities operate at universities near Carroll County. The same negligence exists at Carroll County institutions. And we will fight for Carroll County families with the same aggression we’re bringing to this case.
🚨 This Is Happening in Carroll County, Illinois
Carroll County is home to families who value community, education, and integrity. But across Illinois — at Northern Illinois University, Augustana College, Western Illinois University, and other schools where Carroll County students attend — hazing is happening right now.
The fraternities that waterboarded our client have chapters near Carroll County.
The universities that failed to stop it have campuses where Carroll County students go.
The culture that allows this exists in Illinois — and it’s harming Carroll County families.
What Hazing Looks Like in Illinois:
| Activity | What Happens | Medical Risk | Carroll County Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forced Drinking | Consume entire bottle of alcohol; drink until vomiting | Alcohol poisoning; death | Common at NIU, Augustana, WIU |
| Extreme Exercise | 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls until collapse | Rhabdomyolysis; kidney failure | Same as our client experienced |
| Waterboarding | Simulated drowning with hoses or buckets | Drowning; psychological trauma | Documented in our lawsuit |
| Beating | Struck with paddles, fists, belts | Broken bones; internal bleeding | Reported at Illinois schools |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced to stay awake for days; early morning tasks | Hallucinations; accidents | Common in Greek life hazing |
| Forced Eating | Consume milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting | Choking; aspiration | Documented in our lawsuit |
| Sexual Humiliation | Carry sexual objects; forced nudity | PTSD; emotional trauma | Reported nationwide, including Illinois |
| Isolation | Confined in small spaces; blindfolded | Anxiety; panic attacks | Common in pledge programs |
This isn’t happening “somewhere else.” It’s happening at Illinois universities where Carroll County students go to school. It’s happening to Illinois families. And it’s happening to Carroll County families.
⚖️ Illinois Law Protects Carroll County Victims
Illinois has strong anti-hazing laws designed to protect students — including those from Carroll County.
Illinois Hazing Law (720 ILCS 5/12C-55):
“A person commits hazing who knowingly requires the performance of any act by a student or other person in a school, college, university, or other educational institution for the purpose of induction, admission, or affiliation with any group, organization, or society associated with that institution if the act is not authorized or sanctioned by that institution and the act results in bodily harm to any person.”
Key Provisions for Carroll County Families:
- Hazing is a Class A Misdemeanor — punishable by up to 1 year in jail
- If it causes great bodily harm or death, it’s a Class 4 Felony — punishable by 1-3 years in prison
- Consent is NOT a defense — even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable
- Organizations can be held liable — fraternities, sororities, and universities can face civil lawsuits
Illinois also has the Preventing Hazing Act (110 ILCS 1020/1), which requires universities to:
- Educate students about hazing
- Report hazing incidents
- Implement anti-hazing policies
If a university near Carroll County failed to do these things, they can be held accountable.
💰 Carroll County Families Can Win Justice — And Compensation
Hazing cases win multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts — and Carroll County families deserve the same justice.
Recent Hazing Settlements & Verdicts (What Carroll County Families Can Expect):
| Case | University | Outcome | Amount | Relevance to Carroll County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State (Ohio) | Settlement | $10.1 million | Same fraternities operate near Carroll County |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million | Juries award millions for hazing deaths |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Settlement | $110+ million | Shows potential for massive awards |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Settlement | $4+ million | Recent case (2024) — shows current trend |
| Our UH Case | University of Houston | Pending | $10 million | We’re fighting this fight now for Carroll County families |
Carroll County families: These cases prove that hazing lawsuits win. The same legal strategies apply to Carroll County victims. You can seek compensation for:
- Medical bills (hospitalization, therapy, future treatment)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
- Lost wages (time missed from work or school)
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct and prevent future hazing)
🏢 Who Is Liable for Carroll County Hazing Victims?
When hazing happens to a Carroll County student, multiple parties can be held accountable — and Carroll County families can sue them all.
1. The Local Chapter (Fraternity/Sorority Near Carroll County)
- Directly organized and conducted hazing
- Individual members who participated
- Officers who directed activities
Example: If hazing occurred at the Sigma Chi chapter at Northern Illinois University (where Carroll County students attend), the local chapter and its members can be sued.
2. The National Organization
- Knew or should have known about hazing culture
- Failed to supervise local chapters
- Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
Example: Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and other nationals have paid millions in hazing settlements. If their chapter near Carroll County hazed your child, they can be held liable.
3. The University Near Carroll County
- Failed to supervise Greek life
- Failed to investigate complaints
- Owned or controlled property where hazing occurred
Example: If hazing happened at Augustana College (where Carroll County students attend), the college can be held liable for failing to protect students.
4. Individual Perpetrators
- Members who participated in hazing
- Officers who directed activities
- Former members who hosted hazing events
Example: In our UH case, we’re suing the fraternity president, pledgemaster, and individual members personally.
5. Housing Corporations
- Owned or controlled fraternity/sorority property
- Failed to prevent hazing on premises
Example: If hazing occurred at a fraternity house near Western Illinois University (where Carroll County students attend), the housing corporation can be held liable.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Carroll County
If your child was hazed at a university near Carroll County, time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly, and Illinois has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
Step-by-Step Action Plan for Carroll County Families:
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Seek Medical Attention | Take your child to a doctor or ER immediately | Document injuries; protect their health |
| 2. Preserve Evidence | Save all texts, photos, videos, GroupMe/Snapchat messages | This is critical for your case |
| 3. Document Everything | Write down what happened, when, where, and who was involved | Memories fade; documentation is key |
| 4. Do NOT Talk to the Organization | Do not speak to fraternity/sorority leaders or university officials without legal counsel | They will try to control the narrative |
| 5. Do NOT Post on Social Media | Avoid posting about the incident or your child’s condition | Insurance companies will use posts against you |
| 6. Contact an Attorney | Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation | Know your legal rights and options |
| 7. Report to Authorities | Consider filing a police report or Title IX complaint | Criminal charges may apply |
Carroll County families: We offer free consultations and work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.
🎯 Why Carroll County Families Choose Attorney 911
We’re not just any law firm. We’re hazing litigation experts — and we’re fighting this battle right now.
Our Advantages for Carroll County Families:
✅ We’re Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case — We know how to win
✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We know their playbook and how to beat it
✅ Federal Court Authority — We can pursue Carroll County cases in federal court
✅ Dual-State Bar Licenses — Texas AND New York (strategic for national fraternities)
✅ Se Habla Español — We serve Carroll County’s Spanish-speaking families
✅ We Travel to Carroll County — For depositions, meetings, and trials
✅ Contingency Fee — $0 upfront; we only get paid if we win your case
What Carroll County Families Say About Us:
“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett
“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” — Lupe Pena (on our hazing case)
“We’ve been family friends your whole life! Thank you for trusting us for over 20 years with your family’s legal emergencies.” — Our response to a client testimonial
🔥 The Message to Carroll County Fraternities and Universities
To the fraternities operating near Carroll County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi —
If your chapter operates near Carroll County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
To the universities near Carroll County (Northern Illinois University, Augustana College, Western Illinois University, and others):
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.
The fraternity that waterboarded our client?
Their chapter is SHUT DOWN. Their members may face criminal charges. Their national organization is being sued for $10 million.
That’s what happens when you haze students in Illinois. That’s what happens when you fail to protect Carroll County families.
📞 Carroll County Families: Call Now for Justice
If your child was hazed at a university near Carroll County, you have legal rights. We can help.
Free Consultation for Carroll County Hazing Victims:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We serve Carroll County families nationwide. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
🛡️ Protecting Carroll County Families — One Case at a Time
This isn’t just about money. It’s about accountability. It’s about change. It’s about protecting the next Carroll County family from going through what you’ve endured.
Enough is enough. The hazing stops here. For Carroll County. For Illinois. For America.
We are Attorney 911. We fight for Carroll County families.
