🚨 Hazing Lawyers for White County, Illinois Families — We Fight for Justice
White County, Illinois Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone
If your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, or other student organization near White County, Illinois, you have legal rights — and you have powerful allies. Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, and we are bringing that same aggressive representation to White County families.
This isn’t just happening in Texas. The same fraternities operate at universities near White County. The same hazing culture exists. The same negligence persists. And we will fight for White County victims with the same determination we’re bringing to our current case.
📍 Hazing in White County, Illinois: The Reality
White County, Illinois is home to families who send their children to college expecting them to be safe. But the reality is that hazing happens at universities across Illinois — and it can happen to White County students too.
Universities Near White County with Greek Life:
While White County itself is a rural area, it is surrounded by institutions of higher education where Greek life thrives. These include:
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) — Approximately 60 miles from White County
- Southeastern Illinois College — Located in Harrisburg, IL
- John A. Logan College — Located in Carterville, IL
- Rend Lake College — Located in Ina, IL
These institutions host active Greek organizations, including chapters of national fraternities and sororities with documented hazing histories. The same organizations that have paid millions in settlements nationwide have chapters near White County.
The Fraternities Near White County with Hazing Histories:
The following national fraternities have chapters at universities near White County and have been involved in hazing incidents, lawsuits, or deaths nationwide:
| Fraternity | Notable Hazing Cases | Nearby Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz (2021) — $10M settlement; David Bogenberger (2012) — $14M settlement | SIU Carbondale |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple hazing deaths; chemical burns case at Texas A&M (2021) | SIU Carbondale |
| Pi Kappa Phi | Andrew Coffey (2017) — death; Leonel Bermudez (2025) — $10M lawsuit (our case) | SIU Carbondale |
| Phi Delta Theta | Maxwell Gruver (2017) — $6.1M jury verdict | SIU Carbondale |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza (2017) — $110M+ settlement | SIU Carbondale |
| Sigma Chi | College of Charleston (2024) — $10M+ settlement | SIU Carbondale |
| Kappa Sigma | Chad Meredith (2001) — $12.6M verdict | SIU Carbondale |
White County families: These are not distant tragedies. These are the same Greek letters on campuses near White County. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client in Houston exist at White County-area fraternities.
💔 What Hazing Really Looks Like — The Story We’re Fighting in Court
Our client, Leonel Bermudez, wasn’t even a student at the University of Houston yet. He was a “ghost rush” — a prospective member expected to transfer for the upcoming semester. They hazed someone who wasn’t even enrolled.
Over several weeks in Fall 2025, he was subjected to:
- Waterboarding with a garden hose — simulated drowning, a form of torture
- 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, and 100-yard crawls — until his muscles broke down
- Being struck with wooden paddles — physical assault with weapons
- Forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting — then forced to continue running
- Sleep deprivation — forced to drive fraternity members during early morning hours
- Psychological torture — carrying a fanny pack with objects of sexual nature at all times
- Another pledge was hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
On November 3, 2025, after being punished for missing an event, Bermudez was forced to perform extreme exercises until he collapsed and could not stand without help. He crawled up the stairs when he got home. The next day, he couldn’t move. His mother rushed him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. He spent three nights and four days hospitalized.
This happened in Houston. But it could happen — and likely has happened — to White County students at universities nearby.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a White County Hazing Victim
Illinois Hazing Laws Protect You
Illinois has strong laws against hazing. Under 720 ILCS 5/12C-50, hazing is defined as:
“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed to or required of a student for the purpose of induction or admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, any group, organization, or society associated with an educational institution, if the act is not sanctioned or authorized by that educational institution and the act results in bodily harm to any person.”
Key Provisions of Illinois Hazing Law:
| Provision | Details | White County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Penalty | Class A Misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail) | Individuals who participate in hazing near White County can be criminally charged |
| Enhanced Penalty | Class 4 Felony if hazing causes death or great bodily harm | If hazing near White County results in serious injury or death, felony charges apply |
| Institutional Liability | Organizations can be held liable | Fraternities, sororities, and universities near White County can be sued |
| Consent Not a Defense | Victim’s consent does not excuse hazing | Even if White County victims “agreed” to participate, it doesn’t matter — hazing is illegal |
Civil Lawsuits: Holding Institutions Accountable
In addition to criminal charges, White County families can file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Academic disruption
- Punitive damages (to punish egregious conduct)
Who Can Be Sued:
| Defendant | Basis for Liability | White County Example |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | SIU Carbondale chapter of Pi Kappa Phi |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew of hazing culture | Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters |
| University | Failed to prevent hazing; negligent oversight | Southern Illinois University Carbondale |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing | Fraternity members at SIUC |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their property | Former members hosting events near White County |
💰 Multi-Million Dollar Precedents: White County Families Can Win
Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. These aren’t theoretical — they’re happening right now. Here’s what juries and courts have awarded in recent hazing cases:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | Settlement | $10.1 Million |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | Jury Verdict | $6.1 Million |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | Settlement | $110+ Million |
| Andrew Coffey | Florida State | Pi Kappa Phi | Settlement | Confidential (major) |
| Tucker Hipps | Clemson | Sigma Phi Epsilon | Settlement | $500,000+ |
| Leonel Bermudez | University of Houston | Pi Kappa Phi | $10 Million Lawsuit Pending | Our case |
White County families: These verdicts and settlements prove that hazing cases win. The same legal strategies that secured these results apply to White County victims.
🏛️ Why Universities Near White County Are Liable
Universities have a legal duty to protect students from foreseeable harm. When they fail, they can be held accountable. Here’s why universities near White County may be liable for hazing:
- They Own or Control Fraternity Houses — Many universities own the buildings where hazing occurs. Southern Illinois University Carbondale owns some fraternity houses, giving them direct control and responsibility.
- They Have Power to Regulate Greek Life — Universities recognize and regulate fraternities and sororities. They can suspend or expel chapters — but often don’t until it’s too late.
- They Know Hazing Happens — Every university with Greek life knows hazing is a risk. Many have prior incidents on record.
- They Receive Financial Benefit — Universities benefit from Greek life through donations, alumni networks, and student retention. With that benefit comes responsibility.
- They Have Insurance — Universities carry liability insurance that covers hazing incidents. These policies often have million-dollar limits.
In our current case, the University of Houston OWNS the Pi Kappa Phi house where the hazing occurred. They collected rent while students were being tortured. The same liability applies to universities near White County.
🔍 What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in White County
If your child has been hazed at a university near White County, Illinois, take these steps immediately to protect their health and their legal rights:
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- Hazing injuries can be life-threatening, even if they don’t seem serious at first
- Rhabdomyolysis (like our client suffered) can cause kidney failure
- Alcohol poisoning can be fatal
- Psychological trauma requires professional treatment
- Medical records create critical evidence for your case
2. Preserve All Evidence
- Photos/Videos: Document injuries, hazing locations, and any physical evidence
- Texts/Social Media: Save all communications about hazing (GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.)
- Witness Information: Get names and contact info of other victims or witnesses
- Documents: Save pledge manuals, schedules, or any written materials from the organization
- Clothing/Objects: Preserve any items used in hazing (paddles, restraints, etc.)
DO NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts
- Talk to the organization without legal counsel
- Sign anything from the fraternity, sorority, or university
- Post about the incident on social media
3. Report the Hazing
- To the University: File a formal complaint with the university’s Greek Life office or Title IX office
- To Law Enforcement: Consider filing a police report. Hazing is a crime in Illinois.
- To the National Organization: Report to the fraternity/sorority’s national headquarters
4. Contact an Experienced Hazing Lawyer
- Do not speak to insurance companies or university lawyers without representation
- Do not accept any settlement offers without consulting an attorney
- Contact Attorney 911 immediately for a free consultation
📞 White County Families: Call Us Now — Free Consultation
Attorney 911 is currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases. We know how to hold institutions accountable. And we will bring that same expertise to White County families.
Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your White County Hazing Case?
| Advantage | Why It Matters for White County Families |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years of Litigation Experience | Battle-tested in courtrooms across the country |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know how insurance companies think and fight — and we use that knowledge against them |
| Federal Court Authority | Can pursue cases in federal court for White County victims |
| Dual-State Bar Licenses | Texas AND New York — strategic advantage for cases against national fraternities |
| Nationwide Hazing Expertise | Currently litigating $10M hazing case; experience with rhabdomyolysis, wrongful death, and institutional negligence |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking White County families |
| Contingency Fee Representation | $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you get paid. |
| Willingness to Travel | We come to White County for depositions, meetings, and trials |
What White County Families Can Expect When They Call Us:
- Free, Confidential Consultation — We listen to your story and evaluate your case at no cost
- Immediate Evidence Preservation — We send preservation letters to protect critical evidence
- Comprehensive Case Building — Medical experts, investigators, and hazing specialists
- Aggressive Negotiation — We don’t accept lowball offers from insurance companies
- Trial-Ready Representation — We’re not afraid to take your case to court if that’s what justice requires
- Regular Communication — You’ll always know what’s happening with your case
🚨 The Clock Is Ticking — White County Statute of Limitations
Illinois law limits how long you have to file a lawsuit after a hazing incident. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Illinois is 2 years from the date of injury.
This means:
- If your child was hazed in Fall 2023, you may only have until Fall 2025 to file a lawsuit
- Evidence disappears over time
- Witnesses forget details
- The longer you wait, the harder it is to build a strong case
White County families: Do not wait. Contact us today.
🎯 Our Message to White County Fraternities and Universities
To the fraternities operating near White County: We are watching.
The same legal strategies that secured multi-million dollar verdicts nationwide apply to your chapters. If you haze students near White County, we will find every liable entity — the national organization, the local chapter, the university, and the individuals involved.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma — if your chapter operates near White County, know this:
- We are currently suing Pi Kappa Phi for $10 million
- We have shut down their UH chapter
- We are coming for every chapter that harms students
- Your chapter could be next
To universities near White County: The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.
You own the houses. You regulate the organizations. You know hazing happens. Act now or face the same accountability.
📢 White County Families: This Is Your Moment
Hazing victims often stay silent out of fear — fear of retaliation, fear of social ostracism, fear of being labeled a “snitch.” But silence protects the abusers. Silence allows the culture to continue.
Your voice can save lives.
Leonel Bermudez’s case is already making a difference. Since our lawsuit was filed:
- The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH has been permanently closed
- The university has launched an investigation
- The national organization has admitted to “violations”
- Media coverage has exposed the truth
White County families: Your case can do the same.
📞 Call Now — Free Consultation for White County Hazing Victims
Legal Emergency Hotline for White County Hazing Victims:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We serve White County, Illinois families from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas. We offer:
- Free consultations by phone or video
- In-person meetings in White County when needed
- Travel to White County for depositions, trials, and client meetings
White County families: You don’t have to fight this battle alone. Call us today.
🔥 Enough Is Enough. White County Deserves Justice.
To White County parents: You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe. Instead, they were tortured. Abused. Hospitalized. Or worse.
To White County students: You joined an organization seeking brotherhood or sisterhood. Instead, you were humiliated, degraded, and endangered.
To White County communities: Hazing doesn’t just hurt the victim. It harms families, friends, and the entire community.
The time for silence is over. The time for accountability is now.
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are fighting for White County.
