Hazing Victims in Hamilton County: Your Legal Rights and How to Fight Back

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — And Neither Do We

Hamilton County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities to protect their students. They assume that when organizations like fraternities and sororities use words like “brotherhood” and “tradition,” they mean safety, support, and respect.

But for too many Hamilton County students, that trust is betrayed.

Hazing isn’t just a prank. It isn’t just “boys being boys” or “girls bonding.” It’s abuse. It’s torture. It’s sometimes deadly. And it happens at universities near Hamilton County — just like it happened at the University of Houston, where our client was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his kidneys failed, and hospitalized for four days.

The same fraternities operate near Hamilton County. The same hazing culture exists. And the same negligence allows it to continue.

At Attorney 911, we’re fighting this battle right now. We’re suing Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for $10 million because a young man was tortured in the name of “tradition.” We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we know how to win.

If your child has been hazed in Hamilton County — or anywhere else — we will fight for you too.

What Is Hazing? The Legal Definition in Illinois

Hazing isn’t always obvious. It doesn’t always involve paddles or alcohol. Sometimes it’s subtle — isolation, sleep deprivation, humiliation. But under Illinois law, hazing is any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with a group.

This includes:

• Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
• Psychological abuse (humiliation, degradation, threats)
• Sleep deprivation
• Extreme physical exertion (like 500 squats until collapse)
• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Sexual humiliation or assault
• Any activity that creates a risk of serious harm

In Illinois, consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child agreed to participate, it doesn’t matter. Hazing is illegal, and those who participate or allow it are liable.

The Hazing Crisis in America — And Why Hamilton County Families Should Be Concerned

Hazing isn’t just happening at big universities far away. It’s happening at colleges and universities near Hamilton County. The same national fraternities and sororities that have chapters at schools like the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, and Eastern Illinois University have been involved in hazing incidents across the country.

Documented Hazing Cases at Major Fraternities Operating Near Hamilton County

These aren’t isolated incidents. This is a pattern.

And here’s the truth: If it’s happening at these universities, it’s happening at schools near Hamilton County too. The same national organizations oversee chapters at Illinois universities. The same “traditions” are passed down. The same negligence exists.

Our Current Case: What Happened at the University of Houston — And Why It Matters to Hamilton County

The Incident: Waterboarding, 500 Squats, and Kidney Failure

In Fall 2025, our client, Leonel Bermudez, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston. He wasn’t even a student at UH yet — he was a “ghost rush,” someone expected to transfer for the upcoming semester. But that didn’t stop the fraternity from hazing him.

Over several weeks, Bermudez was subjected to:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
• 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, and other extreme exercises until he collapsed
• Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited
• Being struck with wooden paddles
• Sleep deprivation — forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours
• Psychological torture — carrying a fanny pack with sexual objects, being hog-tied for over an hour

On November 3, 2025, Bermudez was punished for missing an event. He was forced to do 100+ pushups, 500+ squats, and other exercises until he could not stand without help. He crawled up the stairs when he got home. The next day, he could barely move. 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.

The Aftermath: A $10 Million Lawsuit

On November 21, 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against:

• Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (national organization)
• The Beta Nu Chapter at UH
• The University of Houston (they owned the fraternity house)
• Individual fraternity members and officers

Why This Case Matters to Hamilton County Families:

1. The same fraternities operate near Hamilton County. Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities across Illinois. If they’re waterboarding students at UH, how many other chapters are doing the same?
2. Universities near Hamilton County face the same liability. The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. Many Illinois universities have similar relationships with Greek organizations.
3. They knew it was dangerous — and did nothing. Pi Kappa Phi had a student die from hazing in 2017 (Andrew Coffey at Florida State). The University of Houston had another student hospitalized from hazing in 2017. Eight years later, nothing had changed.
4. They’re already planning to return. In their public statement, Pi Kappa Phi said they “look forward to returning to campus.” No remorse. No accountability. Just planning their comeback while our client recovers.
5. This could happen to your child. If you have a child attending college near Hamilton County, they face the same risks. The same fraternities. The same negligence. The same culture of abuse.

Hazing in Illinois: The Legal Landscape

Illinois Hazing Law (720 ILCS 5/12C-55)

Illinois takes hazing seriously. Under state law:

• Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail and $2,500 fine)
• If hazing results in death or great bodily harm, it’s a Class 4 felony (1-3 years in prison)
• Consent is NOT a defense — even if the victim agreed to participate, it doesn’t matter
• Organizations can be held liable — fraternities, sororities, and universities can face civil lawsuits

Civil Liability: Who Can Be Sued?

If your child is hazed in Illinois, you can sue:

1. The local chapter — the group that directly organized the hazing
2. The national organization — they have deep pockets and failed to supervise
3. The university — if they knew or should have known about the hazing and failed to stop it
4. Individual members — those who participated in or facilitated the hazing
5. Alumni or property owners — if hazing occurred at their residence

In our UH case, we’re suing all of these defendants — and we’ll do the same for Hamilton County families.

What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Hamilton County

If your child has been hazed — or if you suspect they have — time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. And in Illinois, you only have 2 years to file a lawsuit.

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

Hazing can cause serious injuries, even if they’re not immediately visible. Our client was hospitalized with kidney failure days after the hazing incident. Other victims have suffered:

• Alcohol poisoning
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Hypothermia or heatstroke
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)

Go to the emergency room or urgent care. Tell the doctor your child was hazed. Get documentation of all injuries.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Hazing cases are won or lost on evidence. Preserve everything:

• Text messages, emails, and social media — screenshots of GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.
• Photos and videos — of injuries, hazing activities, or the location where it happened
• Medical records — hospital bills, doctor’s notes, test results
• Witness information — names and contact info of other victims or bystanders
• Documents — pledge manuals, fraternity/sorority rules, event schedules
• Clothing or objects — items used in the hazing (paddles, bottles, etc.)

Do NOT delete anything. Even if it’s embarrassing or seems unimportant, it could be critical evidence.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Organization Without a Lawyer

Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to control the narrative. They may:

• Ask your child to sign documents
• Offer a “settlement” that waives their rights
• Pressure them to stay quiet
• Destroy evidence

Do NOT let your child talk to them without legal representation. Anything they say can be used against them.

Step 4: Report the Incident

Consider reporting the hazing to:

• Local law enforcement — hazing is a crime in Illinois
• The university’s Title IX office — if the hazing involved sexual harassment or assault
• The national fraternity/sorority organization — they may investigate

Note: Reporting to the university or national organization does not prevent you from filing a lawsuit. In fact, it can strengthen your case by showing they were on notice.

Step 5: Contact an Experienced Hazing Attorney Immediately

Hazing cases are complex. Universities and national fraternities have teams of lawyers working to minimize their liability. You need your own team fighting for you.

At Attorney 911, we:

• Offer free consultations — we’ll evaluate your case at no cost
• Work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win
• Travel to Hamilton County — for depositions, meetings, and trials
• Handle all communications — with the fraternity, university, and insurance companies
• Build a strong case — with medical experts, investigators, and hazing specialists

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com.

Why Hamilton County Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight. And we’re bringing that same aggression to Hamilton County families.

2. We Know How to Win

Our attorneys have 37+ years of combined legal experience. We’ve:

• Won multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases
• Taken on massive institutions like BP (Texas City explosion litigation)
• Fought insurance companies from the inside (both attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers)
• Secured criminal case dismissals and deferred adjudications

3. We Understand Hazing

Ralph Manginello has specific experience with:

• Rhabdomyolysis cases (like our UH client)
• Kappa Sigma fraternity litigation
• Texas A&M University hazing cases
• Hospitalization compensation claims

We know the culture. We know the tactics. And we know how to expose the truth.

4. We Serve Hamilton County Families — No Matter Where You Are

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Hamilton County. We:

• Offer video consultations for Hamilton County families
• Travel to Hamilton County for depositions, meetings, and trials
• Have federal court authority to pursue cases anywhere in the U.S.
• Are licensed in both Texas and New York — strategic advantage for national fraternity cases

5. We Work on Contingency — You Pay Nothing Upfront

We understand that cost can be a barrier. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency. This means:

• $0 upfront — no retainer, no hourly fees
• We only get paid if we win — our fee comes from your settlement or verdict
• No financial risk — if we don’t win, you owe us nothing

Hamilton County families deserve justice — not financial stress.

6. We’re Bilingual — Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims and their families are Spanish-speaking. We provide full legal services in Spanish, including:

• Consultations
• Case updates
• Document translation
• Courtroom interpretation

No language barriers. No miscommunication. Just justice.

What You Can Recover: Damages in Hazing Cases

Hazing causes real harm — physically, emotionally, and financially. Illinois law allows victims to recover compensation for:

Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

• Medical bills — hospital stays, doctor visits, therapy, medications
• Future medical expenses — ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, potential dialysis or transplant
• Lost wages — time missed from work during recovery
• Lost earning capacity — if injuries affect future career opportunities
• Educational expenses — tuition for missed semesters, lost scholarships

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

• Physical pain — the agony of rhabdomyolysis, broken bones, or other injuries
• Mental anguish — trauma from waterboarding, forced exercise, or humiliation
• Emotional distress — PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution
• Loss of enjoyment of life — inability to participate in normal activities
• Disfigurement — scars from burns, branding, or other injuries

Punitive Damages (Punishment for Egregious Conduct)

In cases of gross negligence or intentional harm, courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers and deter future misconduct. This is especially likely in hazing cases involving:

• Waterboarding or simulated drowning
• Forced consumption leading to hospitalization
• Physical beatings with weapons (like paddles)
• Knowing disregard for prior hazing incidents

In our UH case, we’re seeking punitive damages because the conduct was intentional, reckless, and outrageous.

Common Defenses — And How We Defeat Them

Fraternities, sororities, and universities will try to avoid liability. Here are their most common defenses — and how we counter them:

Defense 1: “He Consented to Participate”

Their Argument: “He knew what he was getting into. He agreed to the activities.”

Our Response:

• Illinois law explicitly says consent is not a defense. Even if your child agreed, it doesn’t matter.
• Coercion negates consent. Hazing creates an environment of fear, peer pressure, and threats of social exclusion.
• They didn’t disclose the risks. Victims rarely know what they’re truly agreeing to.

Defense 2: “It Was Just Tradition”

Their Argument: “This is how we’ve always done it. It’s part of our culture.”

Our Response:

• “Tradition” doesn’t justify illegal activity. Slavery, segregation, and child labor were once “traditions” too.
• Assault is assault. Waterboarding is torture — not tradition.
• Universities and nationals have policies against hazing. They can’t claim ignorance.

Defense 3: “We Didn’t Know”

Their Argument: “We had no idea this was happening.”

Our Response:

• They should have known. Universities have oversight responsibility. Nationals have chapter reports.
• They were on notice. In our UH case, Pi Kappa Phi had a student die from hazing in 2017. The University of Houston had another student hospitalized in 2017. Eight years later, nothing changed.
• They own the property. The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. They can’t claim ignorance.

Defense 4: “It Was Just a Prank”

Their Argument: “It wasn’t serious. It was just a joke.”

Our Response:

• Kidney failure isn’t a joke. Rhabdomyolysis is life-threatening.
• Hospitalization isn’t a joke. Our client spent four days in the hospital.
• PTSD isn’t a joke. Hazing causes long-term psychological trauma.

Hazing Doesn’t Just Happen in Fraternities — And It’s Not Just a College Problem

While fraternities and sororities are the most common offenders, hazing happens in many organizations, including:

• Sports teams (high school and college)
• Marching bands
• ROTC programs
• Honor societies
• Cheerleading squads
• Military academies
• Professional organizations

It also happens at all levels:

• High school — younger victims are especially vulnerable
• College — most common setting for Greek life hazing
• Graduate school — medical, law, and business schools
• Military — boot camp and unit initiations

If your child has been hazed in any of these settings, we can help.

The Bigger Picture: Ending the Culture of Hazing

Hazing isn’t just about one victim or one lawsuit. It’s about changing a culture that allows abuse to continue in the name of “tradition.”

Every time a hazing case makes headlines, it:

• Forces universities to take notice
• Pressures national organizations to reform
• Encourages other victims to come forward
• Leads to stronger laws

Our UH case has already:

• Forced Pi Kappa Phi to close their UH chapter
• Generated national media coverage
• Put other fraternities on notice

With your case, we can do even more.

Hamilton County Families: You Are Not Alone

Hazing can make victims and their families feel isolated. Shame, fear, and loyalty to the organization can keep victims silent. But you are not alone.

Other families have been where you are. And they’ve fought back.

• The Foltz family won $10.1 million after their son died from hazing.
• The Gruver family won a $6.1 million jury verdict and passed a hazing law in Louisiana.
• The Piazza family secured a $110+ million settlement and changed laws in Pennsylvania.

Now it’s your turn.

Next Steps for Hamilton County Families

If your child has been hazed — or if you suspect they have — act now. Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your legal rights.

1. Call Us for a Free Consultation

We’ll evaluate your case at no cost. We’ll explain your rights. And we’ll tell you whether you have a strong claim.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com

2. Preserve Evidence

• Save all texts, emails, and social media messages
• Take photos of injuries and hazing locations
• Get medical records
• Write down everything your child remembers

3. Don’t Talk to the Organization Without a Lawyer

• Don’t sign anything
• Don’t accept settlement offers
• Don’t post on social media

4. Let Us Handle the Rest

We’ll:

• Investigate the incident
• Identify all liable parties
• Gather evidence
• Negotiate with insurance companies
• File a lawsuit if necessary
• Fight for maximum compensation

Hamilton County Families: The Time to Act Is Now

Hazing is abuse. It’s torture. It’s sometimes deadly. And it has no place in Hamilton County — or anywhere else.

If your child has been hazed, you have rights. You have options. And you have a team ready to fight for you.

Call Attorney 911 today. We’re ready when you are.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We don’t just talk about justice. We fight for it — for Hamilton County families and for hazing victims everywhere.