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Hazing Victims in Clark County, Illinois Deserve Justice – We Can Help

Fraternity and Sorority Hazing in Clark County: A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight

Clark County parents send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust that universities and Greek organizations near Clark County will protect their sons and daughters. But far too often, that trust is betrayed.

Hazing is not just a problem at big universities in other states. It happens right here in Illinois – at colleges and universities near Clark County. The same national fraternities and sororities that have paid millions in settlements for hazing deaths and injuries operate chapters in and around Clark County. The same dangerous “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist at Clark County-area institutions.

If your child has been hazed in Clark County, you are not alone. And you have legal rights.

This Happened in Houston. It Could Happen in Clark County.

The Case That Exposes the Hazing Crisis – And Why It Matters to Clark County Families

On November 21, 2025, our law firm filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a young man who was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being subjected to extreme hazing.

What happened to Leonel wasn’t an accident. It was torture.

The Hazing Activities That Hospitalized Our Client

Leonel Bermudez was a “ghost rush” – a prospective member who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet. Despite this, Pi Kappa Phi subjected him to weeks of systematic abuse, including:

✅ Waterboarding with a garden hose – Simulated drowning, a form of torture
✅ Forced to perform 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, and other extreme exercises – Until he collapsed and couldn’t stand without help
✅ Struck with wooden paddles – Physical assault with weapons
✅ Forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting – Then forced to continue running while in distress
✅ Sleep deprivation – Forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours
✅ Psychological abuse – Carrying a fanny pack with sexual objects, being hog-tied, threats of expulsion

The result? Leonel spent four days in the hospital with kidney failure from rhabdomyolysis – a life-threatening condition caused by extreme physical exertion.

Why This Case Matters to Clark County Families

1. The Same Fraternities Operate Near Clark County

Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America, including in Illinois. Other national fraternities with hazing histories – Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma – also have chapters at universities near Clark County.

If it happened in Houston, it can happen in Clark County.

2. Universities Near Clark County Face the Same Liability Failures

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous activities – but they didn’t. The same is true for universities near Clark County.

When a university owns or controls the property where hazing happens, they share responsibility.

3. National Organizations Know About Hazing – And Do Nothing

Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their hazing culture after Andrew Coffey died in 2017 from forced alcohol consumption at their Florida State chapter. They did nothing. Now, another student has been hospitalized.

The same pattern exists at other national organizations with chapters near Clark County.

4. Hazing Doesn’t Just Happen in Fraternities

While Greek life is the most common setting, hazing also occurs in:

• Sports teams at Clark County-area colleges
• Marching bands
• ROTC programs
• Student clubs and organizations

If your child was hazed in any organization near Clark County, we can help.

Hazing in Clark County: The Reality Illinois Families Need to Know

Hazing Is Not “Tradition” – It’s Abuse

Too many people dismiss hazing as “boys being boys” or “just part of the experience.” But hazing is not harmless fun. It is assault, battery, and psychological torture that can cause:

• Physical injuries (broken bones, burns, organ damage)
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Death (at least one hazing death per year in the U.S. since 2000)

The Statistics Are Alarming

• 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing
• 40% of student athletes report being hazed
• 95% of hazing victims do not report it
• Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death per year in the U.S.

Clark County Families: Your Child Is at Risk

If your son or daughter is involved in any of the following near Clark County, they may be at risk of hazing:
✔ Joining a fraternity or sorority
✔ Playing a college sport
✔ Marching band
✔ ROTC or military programs
✔ Student clubs or honor societies

You have the right to ask questions. You have the right to demand safety.

What Counts as Hazing in Illinois?

Illinois has strict anti-hazing laws (720 ILCS 5/12C-50). Hazing includes any activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, including:

🔴 Physical abuse – Beatings, paddling, branding, forced exercise to exhaustion
🔴 Forced consumption – Alcohol, food, or non-food substances (e.g., eating until vomiting)
🔴 Sleep deprivation – Forced late nights, early mornings, disrupted sleep
🔴 Psychological abuse – Humiliation, degradation, threats, isolation
🔴 Sexual abuse – Forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects
🔴 Waterboarding or simulated drowning – A form of torture
🔴 Exposure to extreme weather – Forced to stay outside in cold or heat
🔴 Servitude – Forced cleaning, errands, or driving for members

In Illinois, consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says hazing is still illegal.

Who Is Liable for Hazing in Clark County?

If your child was hazed near Clark County, multiple parties may be responsible:

You don’t have to sue just one person. We pursue everyone responsible.

What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Clark County

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) may not show symptoms right away
• Medical records are critical evidence

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

📱 Save all communications (texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs)
📸 Take photos of injuries (bruises, cuts, burns) and the hazing location
📝 Write down everything (dates, times, what happened, who was involved)
👥 Get witness contact information (other pledges, bystanders)

⚠️ DO NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
• Sign anything from the organization
• Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Report the Incident

• File a police report (hazing is a crime in Illinois)
• Report to the university’s Title IX office (if applicable)
• Contact the national organization (if Greek life)

Step 4: Contact a Hazing Attorney Immediately

Hazing cases have strict deadlines (typically 2 years in Illinois). Evidence disappears quickly, and organizations will try to cover up what happened.

We offer free, confidential consultations for Clark County families.

📞 Call us 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
💻 Video consultation available

Why Clark County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Are Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case

While other firms talk about hazing, we’re actively litigating one right now. Our experience means we know how to build strong cases and negotiate maximum compensation for Clark County victims.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys worked for insurance companies before switching sides. We know exactly how they try to minimize or deny claims. Now, we use that knowledge to fight for victims.

3. Nationwide Reach – We Serve Clark County Families

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims across the country, including in Illinois. We offer:
✔ Video consultations for Clark County families
✔ Willingness to travel to Clark County for depositions and trials
✔ Federal court authority to pursue cases nationwide

4. We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims in Clark County come from Spanish-speaking families. We provide bilingual legal services to ensure no language barriers stand in the way of justice.

5. No Upfront Costs – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

We work on a contingency fee basis – meaning:
✅ $0 upfront to hire us
✅ We only get paid if you win
✅ Clark County families pay nothing unless we recover compensation

What Compensation Can Clark County Hazing Victims Recover?

If your child was hazed near Clark County, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

• Medical bills (past, present, and future)
• Lost wages (if they missed work due to injuries)
• Educational expenses (tuition, fees, lost scholarships)
• Rehabilitation costs (physical therapy, counseling)

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain from hazing injuries
• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Humiliation and shame from psychological abuse
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive Damages (Punishing the Wrongdoers)

If the hazing was especially egregious (e.g., waterboarding, forced alcohol consumption, extreme physical abuse), we may pursue punitive damages to punish the responsible parties and deter future hazing.

Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions

Hazing cases do not settle for small amounts. Juries and courts have awarded millions to victims and their families:

These results are possible for Clark County victims too.

Clark County Universities and Greek Life: We Are Watching

To Fraternities and Sororities Near Clark County:

We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your national organizations have paid millions in hazing settlements.

If you haze students in Clark County, we will find every liable entity and hold you accountable.

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma – if your chapters operate near Clark County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims nationwide.

To Universities Near Clark County:

The same institutional negligence that made the University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.

To Greek Life Leadership Near Clark County:

The Bermudez case is a warning. Clean up your chapters before we clean them out in court.

Clark County Families: You Are Not Powerless

Hazing can make victims and families feel isolated, ashamed, and afraid. But you are not powerless. You have legal rights. You have a voice. And you have a team of experienced attorneys ready to fight for you.

If your child was hazed near Clark County, call us today for a free, confidential consultation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
💻 Video consultation available

We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it right now – and we’ll fight for Clark County families too.

Frequently Asked Questions for Clark County Families

Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. What should I do?

A: Hazing victims often fear retaliation or social consequences. You can report anonymously to the university or police. We can also help you explore legal options without your child having to go public immediately.

Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to hazing. Is that a defense?

A: No. Illinois law explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says hazing is still illegal.

Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit in Illinois?

A: In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is typically 2 years from the date of the hazing incident. Do not wait – evidence disappears, and witnesses forget.

Q: We’re not in Texas. Can you still help us?

A: Yes. We represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Illinois. We offer video consultations and are willing to travel to Clark County for depositions and trials.

Q: How much does it cost to hire you?

A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis – you pay $0 unless we win your case.

Q: What if the hazing happened off-campus?

A: You can still sue. Hazing is illegal on or off campus, and universities can still be held liable if they knew or should have known about the abuse.

Q: Can we sue the university even if they didn’t know about the hazing?

A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they failed to implement proper oversight of Greek life or other organizations, they can be held liable.

Q: What if my child was hazed but wasn’t physically injured?

A: You may still have a case. Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression) from hazing can be just as damaging as physical injuries.

Clark County, Illinois: We Are Your Legal Emergency Response Team

When a legal emergency hits – whether it’s on a highway, a college campus, or a fraternity house – we move first, fast, and decisively.

For Clark County Hazing Victims, We Will:

✅ Build your case with expert witnesses (medical, Greek life culture, institutional negligence)
✅ Preserve evidence immediately (texts, photos, medical records, witness statements)
✅ Negotiate from strength – we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case
✅ Travel to Clark County for depositions, meetings, and trials
✅ Provide remote consultations so Clark County families can meet with us from home

If a university, fraternity, or insurance company tries to silence Clark County hazing victims, we take it to court.

Contact Attorney 911 Today

Clark County families: You don’t have to fight this alone.

📞 Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 Email: ralph@atty911.com
💻 Schedule a free video consultation

We serve hazing victims in Clark County and across Illinois. Let’s hold them accountable together.

Clark County Hazing Resources

Illinois Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-800-669-3784
Illinois State Police: www.isp.illinois.gov
StopHazing.org: www.stophazing.org
Clark County State’s Attorney’s Office: [Check local listings]

© 2025 Attorney 911 | Serving Clark County, Illinois and Nationwide
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This is not legal advice. Every case is unique. Contact us for a free consultation.