🛡️ Attorney 911 — Hazing Victims Legal Emergency Lawyers™

Protecting McLean County Families from the Hazing Crisis

🚨 Hazing in McLean County: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Hazing isn’t just a problem happening somewhere else. It’s happening right here in McLean County. The same fraternities that hospitalized our client at the University of Houston operate chapters at universities near McLean County. The same “traditions” that led to a $10 million lawsuit in Texas are being practiced right here in Illinois.

If your child is attending Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, or any other institution in or near McLean County, they face the same risks that sent our client to the hospital with kidney failure. McLean County families deserve to know the truth about hazing — and they deserve aggressive legal representation when institutions fail to protect their children.

🏢 Who We Are: McLean County’s Hazing Litigation Experts

Attorney 911 Legal Emergency Lawyers™ is a personal injury and hazing litigation firm with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas. While we’re based in Texas, we proudly represent hazing victims and their families nationwide — including in McLean County, Illinois.

We are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston for the hazing hospitalization of our client, Leonel Bermudez. This isn’t theoretical for us — we’re in the fight right now. And we’re ready to bring that same aggressive representation to McLean County families.

Why McLean County Families Choose Attorney 911

🚑 The Hazing Crisis: This Is What Happened in Houston — And What’s Happening in McLean County

📰 The Case That Shows McLean County Families Why We Fight

Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc. — $10 Million Lawsuit (2025)

What Happened:
Leonel Bermudez, a prospective transfer student, accepted a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Houston on September 16, 2025. What followed was weeks of systematic abuse, torture, and hazing that hospitalized him for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure.

The Hazing Activities:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning
• Forced to perform 500+ squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
• Struck with wooden paddles
• Forced to consume large amounts of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting
• Forced to continue running sprints while in physical distress after vomiting
• Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass
• Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
• A pledge lost consciousness and collapsed during a forced workout — other pledges had to elevate his legs until he recovered
• Threatened with physical punishment and expulsion for non-compliance

The Medical Consequences:

• Severe rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
• Acute kidney failure
• Three nights and four days hospitalized
• Could not stand or walk for days after the incident

The Institutional Response:

• Pi Kappa Phi immediately closed the chapter when the hospitalization became public
• University of Houston called the conduct “deeply disturbing”
• Both entities are named defendants in our $10 million lawsuit

Why This Matters to McLean County Families:

• Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters across America — including near McLean County
• The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist at McLean County-area fraternities
• Universities near McLean County face the same liability failures as UH
• If your child is being hazed at a university near McLean County, we will fight for you just like we’re fighting in Houston

⚠️ Hazing at McLean County-Area Universities: The Reality

McLean County is home to several institutions of higher education, and Greek life is active at many of them. The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have chapters at universities near McLean County.

Universities Near McLean County with Greek Life:

1. Illinois State University (Normal, IL)

   • Located just 10 miles from Bloomington (McLean County seat)
   • Active Greek community with multiple fraternities and sororities
   • Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and other national fraternities operate here

2. Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, IL)

   • Located in McLean County
   • Active Greek community with long-standing traditions
   • Multiple national fraternities and sororities present

3. Heartland Community College (Normal, IL)

   • While primarily a community college, some students transfer to universities with Greek life

4. Nearby Institutions:

   • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (60 miles away)
   • Bradley University (Peoria, 50 miles away)
   • Millikin University (Decatur, 50 miles away)

McLean County families: If your child is attending any of these institutions — or planning to transfer to one — they are at risk of hazing.

💰 The Cost of Hazing: What McLean County Victims Can Recover

Hazing isn’t just morally wrong — it’s legally actionable. McLean County hazing victims can recover substantial compensation for their injuries, including:

Economic Damages:

• Medical expenses — hospital bills, rehabilitation, future treatment
• Lost wages — time missed from work during recovery
• Lost earning capacity — if injuries affect future career prospects
• Educational expenses — tuition for missed semesters, tutoring, academic recovery programs
• Travel expenses — for medical treatment or legal proceedings

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering — the agony of rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, and recovery
• Mental anguish — trauma from waterboarding, forced exercise, and humiliation
• Emotional distress — PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution
• Loss of enjoyment of life — inability to participate in normal activities
• Disfigurement — scars from physical abuse or medical procedures

Punitive Damages:

• Punishment for egregious conduct — when defendants act with gross negligence or malice
• Deterrence for other fraternities — to prevent future hazing
• Available in Illinois — Illinois law allows punitive damages in appropriate cases

Precedent Cases Show McLean County Victims Can Win Millions:

• $10.1 million — Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha)
• $6.1 million jury verdict — Maxwell Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta)
• $110+ million — Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi)
• $10 million — Our current case (University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi)

⚖️ Legal Rights of McLean County Hazing Victims

Illinois Hazing Law (720 ILCS 5/12C-50)

Illinois has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students:

“Hazing” means 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 whose members are or include students at an educational institution, and which:

(1) causes bodily harm to any person; or
(2) is done for the purpose of or in a manner that is likely to cause bodily harm to any person.”

Penalties:

• Class A Misdemeanor — Up to 1 year in jail and $2,500 fine
• Class 4 Felony — If the hazing results in death or great bodily harm (1-3 years in prison)

Consent is NOT a Defense:

“It is not a defense to a prosecution for hazing that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.”

This means: Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity and its members can still be held legally responsible.

Civil Liability: Who Can McLean County Victims Sue?

McLean County families: You don’t have to sue just one entity. We pursue every liable party to maximize your recovery.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in McLean County

Immediate Action Steps for McLean County Families:

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

   • Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
   • Document all symptoms and treatments
   • Rhabdomyolysis and alcohol poisoning symptoms may be delayed

2. Preserve All Evidence

   • Take photos/videos of injuries at all stages of healing
   • Save all communications — texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, emails
   • Document witness information — names and contact info of other pledges and witnesses
   • Keep all hazing materials — pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child
   • Preserve clothing/items used in hazing

3. Do NOT Confront the Organization

   • Do not talk to fraternity/sorority leadership without legal counsel
   • Do not sign anything from the organization or university
   • Do not post on social media about the incident

4. Report to Authorities

   • File a police report — hazing is a crime in Illinois
   • Report to the university — but do so with legal counsel present
   • Consider Title IX report if sexual harassment or assault occurred

5. Contact an Attorney Immediately

   • Call Attorney 911 at 1-888-ATTY-911
   • Free consultation — we’ll evaluate your case at no cost
   • Contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win

📞 McLean County Families: Call Us Immediately — 1-888-ATTY-911

Hazing is a legal emergency. We respond immediately.

How We Serve McLean County Hazing Victims:

Why Time Is Critical for McLean County Victims:

• Evidence disappears — fraternities delete messages, destroy documents, intimidate witnesses
• Witnesses forget — details become fuzzy over time
• Statutes of limitations apply — Illinois has deadlines for filing lawsuits
• Institutions cover up — universities and fraternities coordinate damage control

McLean County families: The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.

🎯 How We Build McLean County Hazing Cases

Our Proven Approach for McLean County Victims:

1. Immediate Response

   • We act fast to preserve evidence and protect your rights
   • Send preservation letters to all defendants demanding evidence protection

2. Comprehensive Investigation

   • Gather medical records, police reports, witness statements
   • Obtain fraternity documents, membership records, communications
   • Identify all liable parties — individuals, chapters, nationals, universities

3. Expert Consultation

   • Medical experts to document injuries and long-term consequences
   • Greek life culture experts to explain the dynamics of hazing
   • Economic experts to calculate lost wages and future medical needs

4. Pattern Evidence Discovery

   • Identify prior hazing incidents at the same chapter
   • Document the national organization’s history of hazing violations
   • Show the university’s knowledge and failure to act

5. Aggressive Negotiation

   • Demand fair compensation from all defendants
   • Push for policy changes to prevent future hazing
   • Seek punitive damages when conduct is egregious

6. Litigation When Necessary

   • File lawsuits in state or federal court
   • Conduct depositions of all defendants
   • Prepare for trial and present your case to a jury

7. Media and Public Pressure

   • Raise public awareness to pressure defendants to settle
   • Work with legislators to strengthen hazing laws
   • Support victim advocacy groups

🔍 Signs Your Child May Be a Hazing Victim

McLean County parents: Hazing often goes unreported. Watch for these warning signs:

Physical Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries
• Signs of dehydration or exhaustion
• Difficulty walking or moving
• Dark or brown urine (sign of rhabdomyolysis)
• Hospitalization for “unknown causes”
• Weight loss or changes in appetite

Behavioral Signs:

• Sudden withdrawal from family and friends
• Increased anxiety or depression
• Fear of speaking about Greek life activities
• Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or excessive sleep)
• Increased secrecy about phone or computer use
• Sudden changes in academic performance
• Avoidance of certain people or places

Social Signs:

• Sudden new group of friends with limited outside interaction
• Increased time commitment to Greek life activities
• Wearing unusual clothing or accessories
• Carrying objects that seem out of place
• Changes in personal hygiene

If you notice these signs: Your child may be a hazing victim. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911.

📚 Hazing Education: What McLean County Parents Need to Know

Types of Hazing:

Medical Consequences of Hazing:

🏛️ Who Is Really Responsible? Holding McLean County Institutions Accountable

The Fraternity Chapter: The Immediate Perpetrators

What They Do:

• Organize and conduct hazing activities
• Threaten pledges with expulsion for non-compliance
• Create a culture of fear and secrecy
• Document activities in group chats and emails

Why They’re Liable:

• Direct responsibility for hazing
• Vicarious liability for member conduct
• Premises liability for hazing at chapter house
• Organizational negligence

The National Organization: The Enablers

What They Do:

• Set policies that chapters ignore
• Conduct occasional oversight visits
• Issue statements after incidents occur
• “Suspend” or “close” chapters after public scandals

Why They’re Liable:

• Failed to enforce anti-hazing policies
• Knew about hazing culture but did nothing
• Provided inadequate training and oversight
• Have deep pockets and insurance coverage

Pi Kappa Phi’s Track Record:

• 2017: Andrew Coffey dies at Florida State University chapter
• 2025: Leonel Bermudez hospitalized at University of Houston chapter
• Same fraternity. Same negligence. 8 years apart.

The University: The Failed Protectors

What They Do:

• Grant recognition to fraternities
• Conduct occasional inspections
• Issue statements after incidents occur
• “Suspend” fraternities after public scandals

Why They’re Liable:

• Premises liability — if they own or control the property where hazing occurs
• Negligent supervision — failed to monitor Greek life effectively
• Institutional knowledge — knew or should have known about hazing risks
• Failure to protect students — breached duty of care

University of Houston’s Track Record:

• 2017: Jared Munoz hospitalized from hazing at Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity
• 2025: Leonel Bermudez hospitalized from hazing at Pi Kappa Phi fraternity
• Same university. Same failure. 8 years apart.

Individual Members: The Personal Perpetrators

What They Do:

• Participate in hazing activities
• Direct pledges to perform dangerous tasks
• Witness hazing and fail to stop it
• Threaten pledges with social ostracism

Why They’re Liable:

• Assault and battery — for physical abuse
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress — for psychological abuse
• Reckless endangerment — for creating dangerous situations
• Personal assets — can be pursued for damages

Stone Foltz Precedent:

• Daylen Dunson (chapter president) held personally liable for $6.5 million

💔 The Human Cost: Stories of Hazing Victims

Andrew Coffey (2017) — Pi Kappa Phi, Florida State University

What Happened:
Andrew Coffey, 20, was forced to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon during a Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” event. He was found unresponsive the next morning and died from acute alcohol poisoning.

Legal Outcome:

• 9 fraternity members charged with hazing
• Chapter permanently closed at FSU
• Family settled civil lawsuit (amount confidential)

Why It Matters to McLean County:

• Same fraternity as our current case — Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their culture
• They didn’t — and now McLean County students are at risk

Maxwell Gruver (2017) — Phi Delta Theta, Louisiana State University

What Happened:
Maxwell Gruver, 18, participated in a “Bible Study” pledge event where pledges were forced to drink if they answered questions incorrectly. He consumed a fatal amount of alcohol (BAC 0.495) and died from acute alcohol poisoning.

Legal Outcome:

• $6.1 million jury verdict against the fraternity
• Matthew Naquin (member) convicted of negligent homicide
• Max Gruver Act passed in Louisiana — made hazing a felony

Why It Matters to McLean County:

• Shows that juries will award millions for hazing deaths
• Demonstrates the criminal consequences of hazing
• Proves that cases can drive legislative change

Timothy Piazza (2017) — Beta Theta Pi, Penn State University

What Happened:
Timothy Piazza, 19, was forced to run “the gauntlet” — consuming 18 drinks in 82 minutes. He fell down basement stairs multiple times, suffering traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Fraternity members waited 12 hours before calling 911.

Legal Outcome:

• $110+ million settlement (estimated)
• 18 members charged; multiple convictions including involuntary manslaughter
• Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law passed in Pennsylvania

Why It Matters to McLean County:

• Shows the potential for massive settlements when evidence is strong
• Demonstrates that institutions will pay when they fail to protect students
• Proves that hazing cases can lead to national legislative change

Leonel Bermudez (2025) — Pi Kappa Phi, University of Houston

What Happened:
Leonel Bermudez, a “ghost rush” (not yet enrolled at UH), was subjected to weeks of hazing including waterboarding, forced eating, 500 squats, and wooden paddles. He collapsed and was hospitalized with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.

Legal Outcome:

• $10 million lawsuit filed by Attorney 911
• Chapter immediately closed by national organization
• University called conduct “deeply disturbing”
• Criminal investigation ongoing

Why It Matters to McLean County:

• This is happening NOW — not years ago
• The same fraternities operate near McLean County
• The same negligence exists at McLean County-area universities
• McLean County families can seek the same justice

📜 Legal Documents: What McLean County Families Need to Know

The Complaint: Your Story in Court

The complaint is the legal document that starts a lawsuit. It tells your story and explains why the defendants are responsible.

What’s Included in a Hazing Complaint:

1. Parties — Who is suing and who is being sued
2. Jurisdiction — Why the court has authority over the case
3. Factual Allegations — What happened (the hazing activities)
4. Legal Claims — Negligence, assault, battery, etc.
5. Damages — What compensation is being sought
6. Demand for Jury Trial — Request for a trial by jury

Our $10 Million Complaint Against Pi Kappa Phi and UH Includes:

• Waterboarding with a garden hose
• Forced exercise to the point of kidney failure
• Wooden paddles used as weapons
• Forced consumption until vomiting
• Pattern of hazing at the same chapter
• Institutional knowledge and failure to act

The Demand Letter: Your First Step Toward Justice

Before filing a lawsuit, we often send a demand letter to the defendants. This letter:

• Explains what happened
• Details the injuries and damages
• Demands fair compensation
• Gives the defendants a chance to settle

Why Demand Letters Are Effective:

• Shows the defendants we’re serious
• Gives them a chance to avoid a public lawsuit
• Can lead to faster settlements
• Creates a record of the defendants’ response

The Settlement Agreement: Resolving Your Case

Most hazing cases settle before trial. A settlement agreement is a contract where the defendants agree to pay compensation in exchange for the case being dismissed.

What’s Included in a Settlement Agreement:

• Confidentiality clauses — Often required by defendants
• Release of claims — You agree not to sue again for the same incident
• Payment terms — How much and when compensation will be paid
• Non-disparagement clauses — You agree not to speak negatively about the defendants

Why Settlements Are Common:

• Defendants want to avoid bad publicity
• Trials are expensive and uncertain
• Victims often want to move on with their lives
• Settlements provide guaranteed compensation

🏛️ The Legal Process: What McLean County Families Can Expect

Step 1: Initial Consultation

• Free case evaluation
• We listen to your story
• We explain your legal options

Step 2: Investigation

• Gather evidence (medical records, communications, witness statements)
• Identify all liable parties
• Consult with experts

Step 3: Demand Letter

• Send demand to defendants
• Negotiate potential settlement
• Prepare for litigation if necessary

Step 4: Filing the Lawsuit

• Draft and file the complaint
• Serve defendants with legal papers
• Defendants file responses

Step 5: Discovery

• Exchange information with defendants
• Conduct depositions
• Gather additional evidence

Step 6: Mediation

• Neutral mediator facilitates settlement discussions
• Attempt to reach fair agreement
• If successful, case settles

Step 7: Trial (If Necessary)

• Present case to judge and jury
• Defendants present their defense
• Jury deliberates and reaches verdict

Step 8: Resolution

• Receive compensation
• Case dismissed
• Move forward with your life

McLean County families: This process can take anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the complexity of the case and whether it goes to trial.

📞 McLean County Families: Call Us Now — 1-888-ATTY-911

Hazing is a legal emergency. We respond immediately.

Why McLean County Families Choose Attorney 911:

✅ We’re in the fight right now — litigating a $10 million hazing case
✅ We know how to win — 25+ years of litigation experience
✅ We know how they’ll fight back — former insurance defense attorneys
✅ We travel to McLean County — for depositions, trials, and client meetings
✅ We offer remote consultations — video meetings for McLean County families
✅ No upfront cost — we work on contingency; you pay nothing unless we win
✅ We speak your language — bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families
✅ We fight for justice — not just compensation, but real change

What McLean 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

“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 McLean County Families

1. We will listen — Your story matters. We will hear you.
2. We will investigate — We will gather the evidence to prove your case.
3. We will fight — We will pursue every liable party to maximize your recovery.
4. We will travel — We will come to McLean County for your case.
5. We will communicate — You will always know what’s happening with your case.
6. We will protect — We will shield you from retaliation and intimidation.
7. We will win — We will hold the institutions accountable for what they did to your child.

🚨 McLean County Hazing Emergency Hotline: 1-888-ATTY-911

Available 24/7 for McLean County families

Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com

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

📋 McLean County Hazing Victim Intake Form

Free Case Evaluation — All Information Confidential

Submit online at attorney911.com or call 1-888-ATTY-911 to speak with an attorney immediately.

📚 Additional Resources for McLean County Families

Illinois Anti-Hazing Organizations:

• HazingPrevention.Org — National organization with Illinois resources
• Clery Center — Campus safety advocacy
• StopHazing — Research and education on hazing prevention

Illinois Hazing Laws:

• 720 ILCS 5/12C-50 — Illinois Hazing Statute
• Illinois Board of Higher Education — Campus safety resources
• Illinois Attorney General — Consumer protection and student rights

National Resources:

• National Hazing Hotline — 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
• Gordie Center — Hazing prevention and education
• Inside Hazing — Research and information on hazing

📢 A Message to McLean County Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities operating near McLean County: We are watching.

The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters. We track your house corporations, your alumni chapters, your national insurance structures.

If you haze students in McLean County, we will find every liable entity. We already shut down the Beta Nu chapter at UH. Your chapter could be next.

To the universities near McLean County: The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.

You own the buildings. You have the power to regulate. You choose reputation over safety. Act now or face the same accountability.

🔚 Enough Is Enough — McLean County Deserves Better

Hazing isn’t tradition. It isn’t brotherhood. It isn’t bonding.

It’s abuse. It’s assault. It’s torture.

McLean County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities to protect their children. They trust fraternities to uphold values of brotherhood and respect.

That trust is being betrayed.

But McLean County families are not powerless. The law is on your side. We are on your side.

If your child has been hazed at a university near McLean County, call us immediately. We will fight for you. We will hold them accountable. And we will make sure this never happens to another McLean County family.

McLean County families: Enough is enough.

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

Attorney 911 — Hazing Victims Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving McLean County, Illinois and Nationwide