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🚨 Hazing Victims in DuPage County: You Deserve Justice

The Same Hazing That Hospitalized a UH Student Happens at DuPage County Universities — We Can Help

If you or your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or other student organization in DuPage County, Illinois, you are not alone. And you have legal rights.

At Attorney 911, we are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This same abuse happens at universities near DuPage County — and we are here to fight for DuPage County families.

We serve DuPage County hazing victims nationwide. While based in Texas, our attorneys have federal court authority and are licensed in Texas and New York, allowing us to pursue justice for DuPage County students no matter where the hazing occurred.

Call our hazing hotline now: 1-888-ATTY-911

🏆 Why DuPage County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

✅ We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now in Texas — The Same Fight We’ll Bring to DuPage County

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Our client was waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to eat until vomiting, and made to do 500 squats until he collapsed and was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight right now, and we’ll bring the same aggressive representation to DuPage County families.

✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — are former insurance defense lawyers. We know exactly how insurance companies and institutions try to minimize or deny hazing claims. We’ve seen their tactics from the inside, and now we use that knowledge to maximize recovery for victims.

✅ Federal Court Authority — We Can Pursue DuPage County Cases Nationwide

We are admitted to U.S. District Court and have experience in federal litigation. This means we can pursue hazing cases for DuPage County students no matter where the abuse occurred — whether at a local university or across the country.

✅ Dual-State Licensed — Texas and New York

Our attorneys are licensed in Texas and New York, giving us strategic flexibility to pursue national fraternities and sororities that are often headquartered outside Illinois.

✅ Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results

We have recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims, including cases with complex liability and institutional defendants. We know how to build strong hazing cases and fight for maximum compensation.

✅ We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims and families in DuPage County speak Spanish as their first language. Our staff is bilingual, ensuring clear communication and eliminating language barriers to justice.

✅ We Come to DuPage County

While we are based in Texas, we travel to DuPage County for depositions, trials, and client meetings. Distance is not a barrier to justice.

✅ Contingency Fee — $0 Upfront for DuPage County Families

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This ensures that every DuPage County family can afford top-tier legal representation, regardless of financial circumstances.

🚨 The Hazing Crisis in DuPage County

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — It Happens at DuPage County Universities Too

Hazing is a national crisis, and DuPage County is not immune. The same fraternities, sororities, and student organizations that hazed our client in Texas have active chapters at universities near DuPage County, including:

• Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb
• University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
• DePaul University in Chicago
• Loyola University Chicago
• Northwestern University in Evanston
• Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
• Wheaton College
• Elmhurst University
• Benedictine University in Lisle
• College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn

These institutions are home to Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, and many other national Greek organizations — the same organizations with documented histories of hazing deaths and serious injuries.

The Same Hazing That Hospitalized Our Client Happens in DuPage County

In our current case, our client was subjected to:

✔ Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning as punishment
✔ Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
✔ Struck with wooden paddles
✔ Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
✔ Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass
✔ Sleep deprivation — forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours
✔ Humiliation — forced to carry a fanny pack with objects of sexual nature
✔ Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour

These same activities happen at DuPage County universities. If your child has been subjected to any of these abuses, they have legal rights, and we can help.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a DuPage County Hazing Victim

Illinois Has Strong Laws Against Hazing — And You Can Sue

Illinois law (720 ILCS 5/12C-50) defines hazing as:

“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization, if the act:

1. Endangers the physical health or safety of the student; or
2. Causes mental or physical harm to the student; or
3. Involves the forced consumption of alcohol, drugs, or any other substance.”

Consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Illinois law explicitly states that consent does not justify hazing.

Who Can Be Held Liable in DuPage County?

In hazing cases, multiple parties can be held accountable, including:

What You Can Recover in a DuPage County Hazing Lawsuit

If your child has been hazed, you may be entitled to compensation for:

In our current case, we are seeking $10 million for our client’s injuries. Similar results are possible for DuPage County victims.

💰 Hazing Cases Win — Here’s the Proof

Multi-Million Dollar Settlements and Verdicts in Hazing Cases

Hazing cases win big when victims have strong legal representation. Here are just a few examples of what juries and courts have awarded:

These results prove that hazing cases can and do win millions. The same legal strategies apply to DuPage County victims.

🔍 The Pi Kappa Phi Case: What Happened at UH Could Happen in DuPage County

This Is What Hazing Looks Like — And It’s Happening Near DuPage County

In November 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after our client, Leonel Bermudez, was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure due to extreme hazing.

What happened to Leonel could happen to your child at a DuPage County university.

The Hazing Activities That Hospitalized Our Client

Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston in September 2025. Over the next seven weeks, he was subjected to systematic abuse, including:

✔ Waterboarding with a garden hose — members sprayed him in the face while he did calisthenics
✔ 500+ squats and 100+ pushups — forced to exercise until he collapsed and couldn’t stand
✔ Struck with wooden paddles — physical beating with weapons
✔ Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting — then forced to continue running
✔ Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass after vomiting
✔ Sleep deprivation — forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours
✔ Humiliation — forced to carry a fanny pack with objects of sexual nature at all times
✔ Another pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a forced workout — they kept going

On November 3, 2025, Leonel was punished for missing an event. He was forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, and other extreme exercises until he collapsed. He crawled up the stairs when he got home and couldn’t move the next day. His mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent four days in the hospital.

Pi Kappa Phi’s Response: “We Look Forward to Returning to Campus”

Pi Kappa Phi’s official statement after the incident was shocking:

“Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity closed its Beta Nu Chapter effective November 14, 2025, following violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policy… We thank the University of Houston for its collaboration and leadership… we look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.”

No apology. No remorse. Just planning their comeback.

This is why punitive damages are necessary — to send a message that hazing will not be tolerated.

The Same Fraternity Has a History of Hazing Deaths

Pi Kappa Phi has a documented history of hazing deaths and serious injuries:

Same fraternity. Same negligence. Eight years apart.

Pi Kappa Phi had eight years to fix their culture after Andrew Coffey died. They failed. Now, Leonel Bermudez has paid the price.

The same fraternities operate at DuPage County universities. How many more victims will there be?

🏛️ The University of Houston’s Role: They Owned the Torture Chamber

Universities Near DuPage County Have the Same Liability

In our case, the University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity house where the hazing occurred. They collected rent while students were being tortured. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down the chapter at any time. They chose not to act.

Universities near DuPage County have the same responsibility. If your child was hazed on campus property or at a university-recognized organization, the university may share liability.

UH Had Prior Notice — And Did Nothing

In 2017, a student at the University of Houston was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen after hazing at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. The university knew hazing was dangerous on their campus. They had eight years to implement real oversight. They failed.

In 2025, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized with kidney failure after hazing at a different fraternity. Same university. Same failure. Eight years apart.

Universities near DuPage County have the same pattern of negligence. They know hazing happens. They have the power to stop it. They choose not to.

🎯 Why This Case Matters for DuPage County Families

1. “This Could Happen to Your Child”

The same fraternities, sororities, and organizations that hazed our client operate at universities near DuPage County. If it can happen at the University of Houston, it can happen at Northern Illinois University, DePaul, Loyola, Northwestern, or any other DuPage County-area school.

2. “They Knew — And Did Nothing”

Pi Kappa Phi National knew about Andrew Coffey’s death in 2017. They had eight years to fix their culture. They didn’t.

The University of Houston knew about a hazing hospitalization in 2017. They had eight years to implement oversight. They didn’t.

The same negligence exists at DuPage County universities. They know hazing happens. They choose not to stop it.

3. “Waterboarding Is Torture — Not Tradition”

The U.S. government considers waterboarding to be torture. It’s a war crime. Pi Kappa Phi members waterboarded our client with a garden hose.

This isn’t hazing. This is torture.

4. “$10 Million Sends a Message”

We are seeking $10 million in our case. This isn’t just about compensation — it’s about sending a message that hazing will not be tolerated. DuPage County families can send the same message.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in DuPage County

Step-by-Step Action Guide for DuPage County Families

If your child has been hazed, time is critical. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your legal rights expire. Follow these steps immediately:

🚨 Step 1: Ensure Your Child’s Safety

• Remove your child from the dangerous situation immediately.
• Seek medical attention — even if injuries seem minor. Some conditions, like rhabdomyolysis, may not show symptoms immediately.
• Document all injuries with photos and medical records.

📸 Step 2: Preserve Evidence

Evidence is everything in a hazing case. Preserve the following:

Do not:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Confront the organization without legal counsel
• Sign anything from the fraternity, sorority, or university
• Post about the incident on social media

🚫 Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization or Their Lawyers

• Fraternities, sororities, and universities have lawyers whose job is to protect the institution — not your child.
• They will try to get your child to sign documents that waive their rights.
• They will ask for recorded statements to use against your child later.
• They will offer lowball settlements before you know the full extent of your child’s injuries.

You are not obligated to speak to them. Tell them: “We are represented by Attorney 911. All communications should go through our attorneys.”

📞 Step 4: Call Attorney 911 Immediately

Hazing cases have strict deadlines. In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue forever.

Call our hazing hotline now: 1-888-ATTY-911

We offer:

• Free consultations for DuPage County hazing victims
• No upfront fees — we work on contingency
• Video consultations for DuPage County families
• Willingness to travel to DuPage County for your case

⚖️ Step 5: Let Us Handle Everything

Once you hire us, we will:

• Send preservation letters to all defendants demanding they save evidence
• Gather all medical records and document your child’s injuries
• Interview witnesses and preserve their testimony
• File the lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires
• Negotiate with insurance companies and defendants
• Take the case to trial if necessary to secure maximum compensation

You focus on your child’s recovery. We’ll focus on justice.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions for DuPage County Families

Q: What qualifies as hazing in Illinois?

A: Illinois law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization if the act:

• Endangers the physical health or safety of the student
• Causes mental or physical harm
• Involves forced consumption of alcohol or drugs

Examples include:

• Forced exercise to exhaustion
• Physical beatings or paddling
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Forced consumption of alcohol or food
• Sleep deprivation
• Humiliation or degradation
• Sexual assault

Consent is not a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, Illinois law explicitly states that consent does not justify hazing.

Q: Who can be sued in a DuPage County hazing case?

A: Multiple parties can be held liable, including:

• The local chapter (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi at NIU)
• The national organization (e.g., Pi Kappa Phi National)
• The university (e.g., Northern Illinois University)
• Individual members who participated in hazing
• Chapter officers (president, pledgemaster, etc.)
• Housing corporations that own fraternity/sorority property

Q: What compensation can we recover?

A: You may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Lost wages (if your child missed work)
• Educational disruption (tuition refunds, lost scholarships)
• Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)

In our current case, we are seeking $10 million. Similar results are possible for DuPage County victims.

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

A: In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your child was killed due to hazing, you generally have two years from the date of death.

Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and your legal rights expire.

Q: We’re in DuPage County — can you still help us?

A: Yes. While we are based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including DuPage County. We offer:

• Video consultations for DuPage County families
• Willingness to travel to DuPage County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
• Federal court authority to pursue cases across state lines
• Experience with national fraternities and sororities that operate in DuPage County

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

A: $0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning:

• You pay nothing to hire us
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee is a percentage of the recovery
• If we don’t win, you owe us nothing

This ensures that every DuPage County family can afford top-tier legal representation.

Q: What if my child is afraid of retaliation?

A: We understand that hazing victims often fear retaliation from the organization or its members. We protect our clients. Here’s how:

• Confidentiality: We keep your case private.
• Legal protections: Retaliation is illegal and can lead to additional legal claims.
• Evidence preservation: We document everything to build a strong case.
• Aggressive representation: We fight to hold all responsible parties accountable.

Your child’s safety and well-being are our top priorities.

Q: What if the fraternity or university offers us a settlement?

A: Do not accept any settlement without consulting an attorney. Insurance companies and institutions often offer lowball settlements before you know the full extent of your child’s injuries. Once you accept a settlement, you waive your right to pursue additional compensation, even if your child’s medical bills or trauma turn out to be more severe than initially thought.

We negotiate aggressively to secure the maximum possible compensation for your child.

🏆 Our Attorneys: Fighting for DuPage County Hazing Victims

Ralph P. Manginello — Managing Partner

Why DuPage County Families Trust Ralph for Hazing Cases:

✅ 25+ years of litigation experience — battle-tested in courtrooms across Texas and federal courts
✅ Former insurance defense attorney — knows exactly how insurance companies try to deny claims
✅ Multi-billion dollar case experience — handled BP Texas City explosion litigation (15 deaths, 180+ injuries)
✅ Federal court authority — can pursue DuPage County cases in federal jurisdiction
✅ Dual-state licensed — Texas and New York; strategic advantage for national fraternity cases
✅ Hazing-specific expertise — currently litigating $10 million hazing lawsuit
✅ Former athlete and coach — understands team culture and locker room dynamics
✅ Father of three — knows what’s at stake when a child is harmed
✅ Will travel to DuPage County — immediate response, relentless pursuit

Ralph’s Quote on the Hazing Crisis:

“When he finally made it home, he crawled up the stairs and went to bed. The next day, he was really sore and couldn’t really move. The next day was worse, and the next day, his mom rushed him to the hospital, and he had some kidney failure.”

Lupe Eleno Peña — Associate Attorney

Why DuPage County Families Trust Lupe for Hazing Cases:

✅ Former national defense firm attorney — worked at Litchfield Cavo LLP defending insurance companies
✅ 12+ years of litigation experience — battle-tested in Texas state and federal courts
✅ Federal court authority — can pursue DuPage County cases in federal jurisdiction
✅ Wrongful death expertise — direct experience representing families who have lost loved ones
✅ Dram shop experience — knows how to hold establishments accountable for alcohol-related injuries
✅ Bilingual (Spanish) — can serve DuPage County Hispanic families without language barriers
✅ Third-generation Texan with deep roots — understands community values
✅ Will travel to DuPage County — committed to serving DuPage County families

Lupe’s Quote on the Hazing Crisis:

“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

📞 DuPage County Hazing Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911

If your child has been hazed at a DuPage County university or anywhere in Illinois, call us now.

What Happens When You Call:

1. Free Consultation: We’ll listen to your story and evaluate your case at no cost.
2. Immediate Action: We’ll send preservation letters to protect evidence.
3. No Upfront Fees: We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.
4. Aggressive Representation: We fight for maximum compensation for your child.

Call now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

We serve DuPage County and all of Illinois.

🏛️ Universities Near DuPage County: You Have Been Warned

To Fraternities and Sororities Operating Near DuPage County:

We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10 million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.

If your chapter hazes students, we will pursue:

• Your national organization
• Your local chapter
• Your housing corporation
• Your chapter officers
• Your individual members

Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma — if your chapter operates near DuPage County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims across America.

To Universities Near DuPage County:

Northern Illinois University, DePaul University, Loyola University Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Illinois Chicago, Wheaton College, Elmhurst University, Benedictine University, College of DuPage —

You own the property. You have the power to regulate. You have the duty to protect.

The University of Houston owned the house where a student was waterboarded. They collected rent while students were tortured. They are now facing a $10 million lawsuit.

If hazing happens on your campus, you will be held accountable.

📢 Enough Is Enough: A Message to DuPage County Hazing Victims

To the students who have been hazed in DuPage County —

What happened to you was not your fault. You didn’t deserve this.

You were waterboarded. You were beaten. You were humiliated. You were forced to drink until you vomited. You were made to do 500 squats until you collapsed.

You were told this was “tradition.” You were told this was “brotherhood.” You were told this was “building character.”

It wasn’t. It was abuse. It was assault. It was torture.

And now, you’re afraid. You’re ashamed. You don’t know what to do.

We understand. We’re here to help.

You have legal rights. You have the right to hold the people who hurt you accountable. You have the right to compensation for your injuries. You have the right to send a message that this cannot happen to the next student.

You are not alone. We are fighting this fight right now in Texas. We will fight for you in DuPage County.

Call us. Be brave. Step forward. Enough is enough.

1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com

🏆 Why Our Firm Is Different

We Don’t Just Talk About Fighting Hazing — We’re Doing It Right Now

While other firms may claim to handle hazing cases, we are actively litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win.

We See Your Child as a Person — Not a Paycheck

We understand the emotional toll hazing takes on victims and families. We see your child as a person who deserves justice — not as a case number or a paycheck.

We Fight Hard — Because We Care

We are not afraid to take on powerful institutions. We are not afraid to go to trial. We are not afraid to demand the compensation your child deserves.

We fight hard because we care.

📞 DuPage County Hazing Victims: Call Now — 1-888-ATTY-911

Hazing is not tradition. It’s not brotherhood. It’s abuse. And it must stop.

If your child has been hazed at a DuPage County university or anywhere in Illinois, call us now for a free consultation.

1-888-ATTY-911

Email: ralph@atty911.com

We serve DuPage County and all of Illinois.

$0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.

Enough is enough.