🛡️ Hazing Victims in Hancock County, Illinois: Your Legal Rights & How Attorney 911 Can Help

🚨 The Hazing Crisis Has Come to Hancock County

Hancock County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities, fraternities, and sororities to provide a positive environment for growth and friendship. But too often, that trust is betrayed.

Hazing is not a harmless tradition. It’s not “boys being boys” or “building sisterhood.” It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s torture. And it’s happening right here in Illinois—at colleges and universities near Hancock County.

We’ve seen it firsthand. Right now, Attorney 911 is fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was waterboarded with a garden hose, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, and struck with wooden paddles—all as part of a so-called “initiation.” He ended up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, fighting for his life.

This didn’t just happen in Texas. It happens in Illinois. It happens near Hancock County. And if it’s happening to your child, you need to know: You have rights. You have options. And you don’t have to fight alone.

🎓 What Is Hazing? (And Why It’s Illegal in Illinois)

Hazing is any activity that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in an organization. In Illinois, hazing is a crime—and it’s not just limited to fraternities and sororities.

Hazing Can Happen In:

✔ Fraternities & sororities (including those near Hancock County)
✔ Sports teams (high school and college)
✔ Marching bands
✔ ROTC programs
✔ Honor societies
✔ Student clubs and organizations

Examples of Hazing in Hancock County & Across Illinois:

• Physical abuse: Beatings, paddling, branding, or forced exercise to exhaustion
• Forced consumption: Alcohol, food, or non-food substances (e.g., eating until vomiting, binge drinking)
• Psychological torture: Sleep deprivation, humiliation, verbal abuse, or threats
• Sexual abuse: Forced nudity, sexual acts, or carrying sexual objects
• Dangerous stunts: Simulated drowning (waterboarding), extreme weather exposure, or confinement

Illinois law is clear: Hazing is illegal, and consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter. If they were hazed, they were wronged—and they deserve justice.

💔 The Devastating Consequences of Hazing

Hazing doesn’t just leave bruises. It leaves lifelong scars—physical, emotional, and financial.

Physical Injuries We’ve Seen in Hazing Cases:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure—like our client Leonel Bermudez)
• Alcohol poisoning (leading to coma or death)
• Traumatic brain injuries (from beatings or falls)
• Broken bones, burns, or internal bleeding
• Hypothermia or heatstroke (from extreme weather exposure)
• Sexual assault injuries

Emotional & Psychological Trauma:

• PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
• Anxiety & depression
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts
• Loss of trust in institutions
• Academic decline or dropping out

Financial Costs:

• Medical bills (emergency room, hospital stays, therapy)
• Lost wages (if the victim can’t work due to injuries)
• Tuition & fees (if the victim drops out or transfers schools)
• Future earning potential (if injuries affect career prospects)

Hazing doesn’t just hurt the victim—it devastates families. Parents watch their child suffer, unsure how to help. Students face retaliation for speaking out. And too often, universities and Greek organizations cover it up to protect their reputations.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Hazing Victim in Hancock County

If your child has been hazed in Hancock County or at a nearby Illinois college or university, they have legal rights—and so do you.

1. Criminal Charges Against the Perpetrators

Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor in Illinois, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $2,500 fine. If the hazing causes great bodily harm or death, it becomes a Class 4 felony, punishable by 1-3 years in prison.

Who can be charged?

• Individual members who participated in the hazing
• Chapter leaders (president, pledgemaster, etc.)
• Anyone who knew about the hazing and failed to report it

What this means for you:

• You can report the hazing to local law enforcement (Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, or campus police).
• The state’s attorney can press criminal charges—but this is separate from your civil lawsuit.
• We can help you navigate both processes—criminal and civil.

2. Civil Lawsuit for Compensation

Even if criminal charges are filed, you can still sue for financial compensation. A civil lawsuit holds the responsible parties accountable and ensures your child is compensated for their suffering.

Who Can Be Sued?

What You Can Sue For:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages (if the victim couldn’t work)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
• Punitive damages (to punish the defendants for egregious conduct)
• Educational damages (if the victim had to drop out or transfer)

Precedent Shows You Can Win Big:

• $10.1 million (Stone Foltz, Pi Kappa Alpha, Ohio)
• $6.1 million (Maxwell Gruver, Phi Delta Theta, Louisiana)
• $110+ million (Timothy Piazza, Beta Theta Pi, Pennsylvania)
• $4+ million (Adam Oakes, Delta Chi, Virginia)

Our current case: We’re suing Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for $10 million—and we’re bringing the same fight to Hancock County.

3. Title IX Protections (For Sexual Hazing or Gender-Based Abuse)

If the hazing involved sexual assault, harassment, or gender-based discrimination, your child may have additional protections under Title IX. This federal law requires schools to investigate and address sexual misconduct—and failure to do so can make the university liable.

Examples of Title IX hazing violations:

• Forced nudity
• Sexual acts as part of initiation
• Gender-based humiliation
• Sexual assault by members

What Title IX can do for you:

• Force the university to investigate
• Provide accommodations (counseling, academic support)
• Hold the university accountable in a lawsuit

🏛️ Who Is Liable for Hazing in Hancock County?

Hazing cases are not just about the individual perpetrators. The organizations that allowed it to happen—and profited from it—must be held accountable.

1. The University or College

Why they’re liable:

• They have a duty to protect students from foreseeable harm.
• Many universities own or control fraternity/sorority houses (premises liability).
• They receive tuition money and donations—they profit from student activity.
• They often know hazing is happening but turn a blind eye.

How they try to avoid responsibility:
❌ “We didn’t know.”
❌ “It was off-campus.”
❌ “We have anti-hazing policies.”

Why those excuses fail:

• They should have known. If hazing has happened before (and it has), the university can’t claim ignorance.
• They own the property. If the hazing happened in a university-owned fraternity house, they’re responsible.
• They have the power to stop it. Universities can suspend, expel, or ban organizations—but they often don’t until it’s too late.

2. The National Fraternity or Sorority

Why they’re liable:

• They set the rules and policies (or fail to enforce them).
• They collect dues and fees from chapters.
• They have insurance policies that cover hazing incidents.
• They often know about hazing but fail to act (like Pi Kappa Phi after Andrew Coffey’s death).

How they try to avoid responsibility:
❌ “We didn’t know about this specific incident.”
❌ “We have anti-hazing policies.”
❌ “The local chapter acted without our approval.”

Why those excuses fail:

• They knew. If one chapter is hazing, others likely are too.
• They had actual notice. Many nationals have been sued before (Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Beta Theta Pi).
• They profit from the culture. Hazing is often part of their “tradition,” even if they deny it.

3. The Local Chapter (Fraternity/Sorority)

Why they’re liable:

• They organized and conducted the hazing.
• Their leaders directed the activities.
• Their members participated in the abuse.

Who can be sued individually?

• Chapter president
• Pledgemaster (in charge of new members)
• Individual members who participated
• Alumni or advisors who knew and failed to stop it

Why this matters:

• Personal assets are at stake. Many members have parents with homeowners’ insurance that may cover damages.
• Criminal charges can be filed. Individuals can go to jail for hazing.
• Juries hate hazing. When individuals are named, juries are more likely to award punitive damages.

4. The Housing Corporation

Why they’re liable:

• If hazing happened in a fraternity/sorority house, the housing corporation (which owns the property) can be sued for premises liability.
• They have insurance policies that may cover damages.

Example from our case:
The University of Houston owned the Pi Kappa Phi house where Leonel Bermudez was hazed. That made them directly liable for what happened on their property.

📞 What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Hancock County

Time is critical. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. And in Illinois, you only have 2 years from the date of the hazing to file a lawsuit.

✅ Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

• Go to the ER or urgent care—even if injuries seem minor.
• Document everything. Hospitals will create medical records that prove the hazing caused harm.
• If there’s sexual assault, request a forensic exam (rape kit).

✅ Step 2: Preserve Evidence

Do NOT delete anything. Save:

• Text messages (GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp)
• Photos/videos (of injuries, hazing activities, or the location)
• Social media posts (even if they seem unrelated)
• Emails or letters from the organization
• Any physical evidence (clothing, objects used in hazing)

If you’re unsure what to save, call us immediately. We can help.

✅ Step 3: Report the Hazing

• To the university (Title IX office, student affairs)
• To local law enforcement (Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police)
• To the national organization (if applicable)

Important: Do not give a statement to the fraternity, sorority, or university without talking to a lawyer first. They will try to minimize liability—not help your child.

✅ Step 4: Contact an Attorney

Do NOT talk to insurance companies or the organization’s lawyers without legal representation. They will try to trick you into saying something that hurts your case.

We offer:
✔ Free, confidential consultations (in-person or by video)
✔ No upfront costs—we work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win)
✔ Aggressive representation—we don’t back down from powerful institutions
✔ Experience with hazing cases—we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit

Call us 24/7: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911

🔍 How Attorney 911 Builds a Winning Hazing Case

We don’t just file lawsuits—we build cases that force institutions to take responsibility.

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

• Send preservation letters to all defendants demanding they save evidence.
• Subpoena social media companies to prevent evidence deletion.
• Interview witnesses before memories fade.

2. Medical & Psychological Documentation

• Work with medical experts to document injuries (rhabdomyolysis, PTSD, etc.).
• Obtain all hospital records to prove the hazing caused harm.
• Consult life care planners to calculate future medical costs.

3. Pattern Evidence & Institutional Knowledge

• Investigate prior hazing incidents at the same chapter or university.
• Subpoena internal documents showing the organization knew about hazing.
• Depose leaders to prove they failed to act.

Example from our case:

• Pi Kappa Phi had a prior hazing death (Andrew Coffey, 2017)—yet they did nothing to prevent it from happening again.
• The University of Houston had a prior hazing hospitalization (2017)—yet they failed to protect Leonel Bermudez.

4. Expert Testimony

• Hazing culture experts to explain why this happens and how it could have been prevented.
• Medical experts to testify about the severity of injuries.
• Economic experts to calculate future damages (lost wages, medical costs).

5. Media & Public Pressure

• Expose the truth through strategic media coverage.
• Pressure universities and nationals to take responsibility.
• Encourage other victims to come forward.

6. Aggressive Negotiation & Litigation

• Demand policy limits from insurance companies.
• File motions to compel if defendants hide evidence.
• Take the case to trial if they won’t settle fairly.

🏆 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Hancock County Hazing Case?

1. We’re Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

• We know how insurance companies think—because we used to work for them.
• We’ve seen their tactics to deny or minimize claims.
• Now, we use that knowledge against them to maximize your recovery.

2. We’re Currently Fighting a $10 Million Hazing Case

• We’re not just talking about hazing—we’re actively litigating a major hazing lawsuit right now.
• We know the legal strategies that work.
• We know the defenses fraternities and universities will use—and how to defeat them.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority

• We can pursue your case in federal court, which is often necessary when suing national organizations.
• We’re licensed in both Texas and New York, giving us strategic advantages in hazing cases.

4. We Don’t Back Down from Powerful Institutions

• We’ve taken on BP after the Texas City explosion (15 deaths, 180+ injuries).
• We’ve won multi-million-dollar settlements for victims of negligence.
• We don’t settle for less than you deserve—even if it means going to trial.

5. We Offer Free Consultations & Work on Contingency

• No upfront costs. You pay nothing unless we win.
• Free case evaluation. We’ll tell you if you have a strong case.
• We come to you. If you’re in Hancock County or anywhere in Illinois, we’ll meet you where you are.

📅 Illinois Statute of Limitations: Don’t Wait to Act

In Illinois, you have:

• 2 years from the date of the hazing to file a lawsuit.
• 2 years from the date of death (if the hazing resulted in a fatality).

If you miss the deadline, you lose your right to sue—forever.

Why you shouldn’t wait:

• Evidence disappears (texts get deleted, witnesses forget).
• Organizations destroy records to cover up hazing.
• Insurance companies delay to run out the clock.

Call us today: 📞 1-888-ATTY-911

💬 What Hancock County Families Are Saying About Attorney 911

“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett

“One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello and they said that they would take it. And in the next few months, I got a call to pick up this handsome check.” — Donald Wilcox

“They fought with the other party insurance and got me more of the settlement that I was expecting.” — Vivian Ruiz

“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” — Chad Harris

🎯 Our Promise to Hancock County Hazing Victims

1. We will listen. We know how traumatic hazing is—and we’ll treat your family with compassion.
2. We will investigate. We’ll gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a case that can’t be ignored.
3. We will fight. We won’t let powerful institutions bully you into accepting less than you deserve.
4. We will win. Whether through settlement or trial, we’ll get you the compensation you need to move forward.

📞 Call Now for a Free, Confidential Consultation

If your child has been hazed in Hancock County or at a nearby Illinois college or university, call us immediately.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

We serve Hancock County and all of Illinois. Distance is not a barrier—we’ll travel to you, meet by video, or come to Hancock County for depositions and trials.

Don’t let them get away with it. Call Attorney 911 today.

🔥 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time for Justice in Hancock County.