Hazing Lawyer in Moultrie County, IL | Attorney 911
Justice for Hazing Victims in Moultrie County and Beyond
If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Moultrie County, you are not alone. Attorney 911 is currently fighting a landmark $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we’re bringing that same aggressive representation to Moultrie County families.
Moultrie County Parents: This Is Happening Near You
The same fraternities operating at universities near Moultrie County have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist at Moultrie County-area institutions. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority near Moultrie County, they face the same risks.
We will travel to Moultrie County for your case. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.
The Hazing Crisis in Illinois and Beyond
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “harmless tradition.” It’s abuse, torture, and sometimes manslaughter. In our current case, a University of Houston student was:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
- Forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure
This isn’t happening just in Texas. It’s happening at universities near Moultrie County, IL.
Hazing Statistics You Need to Know
- 55% of students in Greek organizations experience hazing
- 40% of student athletes report hazing
- Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the U.S.
- 95% of hazing victims do NOT report it
- Hazing occurs in fraternities, sororities, sports teams, marching bands, ROTC, and clubs
Moultrie County families: Your child could be next.
Our Current $10 Million Hazing Lawsuit — What Moultrie County Families Need to Know
Bermudez v. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inc., et al. — The Case That Shows What’s Happening Near Moultrie County
Filed: November 21, 2025 — Harris County, Texas
Plaintiff: Leonel Bermudez (a “ghost rush” — not even enrolled at UH yet)
Defendants:
- Pi Kappa Phi National
- Beta Nu Chapter (UH)
- University of Houston (owns the fraternity house)
- UH Board of Regents
- Individual fraternity members and officers
What Happened:
Leonel Bermudez accepted a bid to Pi Kappa Phi in September 2025. Over the next 7 weeks, he was subjected to systematic torture including:
- Waterboarding (simulated drowning with a garden hose)
- Forced to do 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls — until he collapsed and couldn’t stand
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to continue exercising
- Another pledge lost consciousness during a workout — they kept going
Result:
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
- Acute kidney failure
- 4 days in the hospital
Why This Matters to Moultrie County Families:
- Pi Kappa Phi has 150+ chapters nationwide — including near Moultrie County
- The same national organization that paid $10M+ in other hazing cases oversees chapters near Moultrie County
- Universities near Moultrie County face the same liability failures as UH
- This could happen to your child at a local college or university
From Ralph Manginello to ABC13:
“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.”
From Lupe Pena to ABC13:
“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
Who Is Liable for Hazing in Moultrie County?
We Sue Everyone Responsible — Not Just the Students
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Moultrie County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Same chapters operate near Moultrie County |
| National Organization | Knew about hazing culture; failed to supervise | Same nationals oversee Moultrie County chapters |
| University | Failed to protect students; may own fraternity property | Local universities have same oversight duties |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing | Individual officers can be sued personally |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing | Each participant faces liability |
| Alumni | Hosted hazing at their homes | Premises liability applies |
| Insurance Companies | Provide coverage for institutional liability | Deep pockets for compensation |
Moultrie County families: We don’t just sue broke college students. We go after the institutions with money and insurance.
What Constitutes Hazing in Illinois?
Illinois Hazing Law — Know Your Rights
Illinois law defines hazing as any activity that:
- Endangers the physical or mental health of a student
- Is part of initiation into an organization
- Is not consistent with the organization’s regulations or university policies
This includes:
- Physical abuse (beatings, paddling, forced exercise)
- Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
- Psychological abuse (humiliation, degradation, threats)
- Sleep deprivation
- Exposure to extreme weather
- Any activity that creates unreasonable risk of harm
Illinois law states: Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law protects them.
Hazing Injuries We Handle for Moultrie County Families
| Injury Type | Description | Medical Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Muscle breakdown from extreme exercise | Kidney failure; hospitalization; potential lifelong kidney damage |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Forced drinking leading to overdose | Death; brain damage; organ failure |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | From beatings or falls | Permanent cognitive impairment; memory loss; personality changes |
| Broken Bones | From physical abuse | Surgery; permanent disability; chronic pain |
| Burns | From branding or hot objects | Permanent scarring; disfigurement; infection |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | From exposure | Organ damage; death |
| Sexual Assault | Forced nudity, sexual acts | PTSD; depression; long-term psychological trauma |
| PTSD/Anxiety/Depression | From psychological abuse | Therapy; medication; lifelong mental health impact |
Moultrie County families: If your child has suffered any of these injuries, they may be entitled to compensation.
What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed Near Moultrie County
Immediate Action Steps for Moultrie County Families
-
Get Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Rhabdomyolysis and other conditions may not show symptoms immediately
- Medical records are critical evidence
-
Preserve All Evidence
- Photos: Injuries, hazing locations, items used in hazing
- Screenshots: Text messages, GroupMe chats, social media posts
- Witness Information: Names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses
- Physical Evidence: Clothing, objects used in hazing
-
Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- They will try to control the narrative
- They will pressure you to stay quiet
- Anything you say can be used against you
-
Do NOT Post on Social Media
- Insurance companies and defendants will use your posts against you
- Even innocent posts can be misinterpreted
-
Report to Authorities
- Consider filing a police report
- File a Title IX complaint with the university
- Report to the national organization
-
Contact an Attorney Immediately
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation
- We offer video consultations for Moultrie County families
- We will travel to Moultrie County for your case
Moultrie County families: Time is critical. Evidence disappears, and statutes of limitations apply. Call us today.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Moultrie County Hazing Case?
We’re Not Just Hazing Lawyers — We’re Hazing Fighters
| Advantage | Why It Matters for Moultrie County Families |
|---|---|
| Currently Litigating $10M Hazing Case | We’re in the fight RIGHT NOW — not just talking about it |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know how defendants will try to minimize your claim |
| Federal Court Authority | We can pursue Moultrie County cases in federal court |
| Dual-State Bar Licenses | Texas AND New York — strategic advantage for national fraternities |
| Nationwide Service | We represent hazing victims across America, including Moultrie County |
| Se Habla Español | We serve Spanish-speaking Moultrie County families |
| Contingency Fee | $0 upfront — we don’t get paid unless you get paid |
Moultrie County families: We understand what you’re going through. We’ve seen what fraternities do to kids. We’re fighting it in court right now — and we’ll fight for your Moultrie County family too.
What Your Moultrie County Hazing Case Is Worth
Hazing Settlements and Verdicts — What Moultrie County Families Can Expect
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Death; Settlement | $10.1M+ |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Death; Jury Verdict | $6.1M |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Death; Settlement | $110M+ |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Death; Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | Death; Settlement | $4M+ |
| Our Current Case | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | Injury; Lawsuit Filed | $10M Sought |
Moultrie County families: These results are possible for your case too.
What Your Case Could Include:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Lost wages (if your child had to miss work)
- Educational disruption (tuition, scholarships lost)
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
- Therapy costs (for PTSD, anxiety, depression)
Moultrie County families: We will pursue every category of damages for your child’s injuries.
Common Defenses — And How We Defeat Them
Defendants Will Try These Arguments — We Know How to Destroy Them
| Defense | Their Argument | Our Counter-Argument |
|---|---|---|
| “He consented” | “He agreed to participate” | Consent is not a defense under Illinois law. The law explicitly protects students from hazing, regardless of consent. |
| “It’s just tradition” | “This is how we’ve always done it” | Tradition doesn’t justify illegal activity. Assault is assault, even if it’s been happening for years. |
| “He could have left” | “He wasn’t forced to stay” | Fear of social retaliation, expulsion, and ostracism creates duress. True consent requires freedom to leave. |
| “We didn’t know” | “The university didn’t know this was happening” | Universities near Moultrie County have a duty to supervise Greek life. Prior incidents at other chapters put them on notice. |
| “It wasn’t that bad” | “It was just a little hazing” | Waterboarding is torture. 500 squats causing kidney failure is not “a little hazing.” The law recognizes the seriousness of these injuries. |
Moultrie County families: We’ve heard all the defenses before. We know how to defeat them.
Moultrie County Colleges and Universities at Risk
Greek Life Near Moultrie County — Know the Risks
While we can’t name specific incidents at local institutions without verified information, these types of universities near Moultrie County have active Greek life and face hazing risks:
- Public universities with large Greek systems
- Private colleges with traditional Greek organizations
- Community colleges with transfer student populations
- Military academies and ROTC programs
- Athletic programs with team initiation rituals
Moultrie County families: If your child is involved in any organization with initiation rituals, they may be at risk.
Fraternities and Sororities Near Moultrie County with Documented Hazing Histories
| Organization | Notable Hazing Cases | Moultrie County Presence |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (FSU 2017); Leonel Bermudez (UH 2025) | Chapters likely exist near Moultrie County |
| Pi Kappa Alpha | Stone Foltz (BGSU 2021) | Chapters likely exist near Moultrie County |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver (LSU 2017) | Chapters likely exist near Moultrie County |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza (Penn State 2017) | Chapters likely exist near Moultrie County |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon | Multiple incidents nationwide | Chapters likely exist near Moultrie County |
| Sigma Chi | Recent lawsuit at UT Austin | Chapters likely exist near Moultrie County |
| Kappa Sigma | Multiple incidents nationwide | Chapters likely exist near Moultrie County |
Moultrie County parents: These are the same Greek letters you see on campuses near Moultrie County. The same national organizations that have paid millions in settlements oversee chapters near you.
How We Build Your Moultrie County Hazing Case
Our Proven Process for Moultrie County Families
-
Free Consultation
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911
- Video consultation available
- We travel to Moultrie County for in-person meetings
-
Immediate Evidence Preservation
- Send preservation letters to all defendants
- Secure medical records, text messages, photos, videos
- Interview witnesses
-
Comprehensive Investigation
- Review all communications about hazing
- Analyze social media and text messages
- Consult medical and hazing experts
-
Demand Letter
- Send demand to defendants and insurance companies
- Detail all damages and injuries
- Demand full and fair compensation
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Negotiation
- Aggressive settlement negotiations
- We don’t accept lowball offers
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Litigation (if necessary)
- File lawsuit in appropriate jurisdiction
- Conduct discovery (depositions, document requests)
- Prepare for trial
-
Resolution
- Settlement or jury verdict
- Maximum compensation for your family
Moultrie County families: We handle everything so you can focus on your child’s recovery.
Moultrie County Hazing Resources
Organizations Fighting Hazing Near Moultrie County
| Organization | Focus | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| HazingPrevention.Org | National hazing prevention | hazingprevention.org |
| StopHazing | Research and education | stophazing.org |
| Clery Center | Campus safety resources | clerycenter.org |
| Illinois Coalition Against Hazing | State-specific advocacy | (Local contacts available) |
| Gordie Center | Alcohol education and hazing prevention | gordie.org |
Moultrie County families: These organizations can provide additional support and resources.
Frequently Asked Questions for Moultrie County Families
Moultrie County Hazing Lawsuit FAQ
Q: My child was hazed at a university near Moultrie County. Can you help us?
A: Yes. While we are based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Moultrie County. We offer video consultations and will travel to Moultrie County for your case.
Q: How much does it cost to hire a hazing lawyer for my Moultrie County case?
A: $0 upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — we don’t get paid unless you get paid. There are no hourly fees or retainers for Moultrie County families.
Q: What if my child agreed to participate in hazing activities?
A: Consent is not a defense under Illinois law. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law protects them from hazing. The fraternity and university are still liable.
Q: How long do we have to file a lawsuit?
A: In Illinois, you typically have 2 years from the date of injury. However, it’s critical to act quickly — evidence disappears, and witnesses forget. Contact us immediately.
Q: Can we sue the university near Moultrie County where the hazing occurred?
A: Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to act, they can be held liable.
Q: What if the hazing didn’t cause serious physical injury?
A: You can still pursue a claim. Psychological trauma, humiliation, and emotional distress are all compensable injuries. Many hazing victims suffer long-term PTSD and anxiety.
Q: Will my child have to testify in court?
A: Most cases settle without going to trial. If the case does go to trial, your child may need to testify. We prepare our clients thoroughly and support them throughout the process.
Q: What if the fraternity tries to intimidate us into staying quiet?
A: This is common. Hazing victims often fear retribution. We protect our clients and ensure their safety. In our current case, our client is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution” — we understand these concerns and will protect your family.
Q: Can we file both a civil lawsuit and criminal charges?
A: Yes. Criminal charges are handled by the state, while a civil lawsuit allows you to seek compensation. The two processes can run parallel.
Q: What if my child is an immigrant or undocumented?
A: Your child’s immigration status does not affect their right to compensation. We serve all Moultrie County families, regardless of immigration status. Se habla español.
Moultrie County Hazing Warning Signs
What Moultrie County Parents Should Watch For
| Category | Warning Signs |
|---|---|
| Physical | Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries; wearing long sleeves in warm weather; limping or difficulty walking |
| Behavioral | Sudden withdrawal from family/friends; secrecy about activities; fear of certain people |
