π¨ Hazing Victims in Kenosha County: You Are Not Alone
Kenosha County families: If your child has been hazed at a college or university near Kenosha County, you are not powerless. You are not alone. And you do not have to stay silent.
We are Attorney 911 β the law firm currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for what they did to a young man just like your child. Waterboarding. Forced exercise until kidney failure. Wooden paddles. Humiliation. Torture.
The same fraternities that operated at University of Houston operate at universities near Kenosha County. The same negligence that allowed a student to be hospitalized in Houston exists at Kenosha County institutions. And we will fight for Kenosha County families with the same aggression we’re bringing to this case.
π Call us now β 1-888-ATTY-911
Free consultation. No upfront cost. We don’t get paid unless you win.
π₯ This Happened in Houston. It Could Happen Here.
On November 3, 2025, a young man named 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 β he was a “ghost rush,” expected to transfer for the spring semester.
What followed was seven weeks of systematic abuse that sent him to the hospital with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure β requiring three nights and four days of inpatient care.
What They Did to Him:
β Waterboarded him with a garden hose β simulated drowning
β Forced him to do 500 squats and 100+ pushups until he collapsed
β Struck him with wooden paddles β physical beating
β Forced him to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting β then made him keep running
β Forced him to lie in vomit-soaked grass after vomiting
β Hog-tied another pledge face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
β Made him carry a fanny pack with sexual objects at all times
β Stripped him to his underwear in cold weather and sprayed him with a hose
β Forced him to drive members during early morning hours β sleep deprivation
β Threatened him with expulsion if he didn’t comply
On November 6, 2025, his mother rushed him to the hospital. He was passing brown urine β a classic sign of muscle breakdown. He couldn’t walk. He couldn’t move. He had acute kidney failure.
The Same Fraternities Are Near Kenosha County
Pi Kappa Phi isn’t just at University of Houston. They have 150+ chapters across America β including near Kenosha County. The same “traditions” that hospitalized our client exist at Kenosha County fraternities.
And it’s not just Pi Kappa Phi. Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi β these same national organizations have paid MILLIONS in hazing settlements nationwide. They have a documented history of abuse. They know what their chapters are doing. And they do nothing to stop it.
Universities Near Kenosha County Are Complicit
The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the torture occurred. They collected rent while students were being waterboarded. They had the power to inspect, to regulate, to shut it down. They did nothing.
Universities near Kenosha County have the same power β and the same liability. If they own the property, if they recognize the organization, if they fail to protect students β they are responsible.
βοΈ Kenosha County Families: You Have Legal Rights
What Kenosha County Hazing Victims Can Sue For:
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Medical bills β past, present, and future
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Pain and suffering β physical and psychological
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Lost wages β time missed from work or school
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Educational disruption β delayed graduation, lost scholarships
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Punitive damages β to punish the organization and prevent future hazing
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Institutional change β force the university to implement real oversight
Who Kenosha County Families Can Sue:
πΉ The local chapter β they organized the hazing
πΉ The national organization β they failed to supervise
πΉ The university β they failed to protect students
πΉ Individual members β they participated in the abuse
πΉ Housing corporations β they allowed hazing on their property
πΉ Alumni β if they hosted or facilitated hazing
Precedent Cases Prove Kenosha County Victims Can Win:
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | $110+ million settlement |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Confidential settlement (death) |
| Leonel Bermudez | Pi Kappa Phi | University of Houston | $10 million lawsuit pending |
These same results are possible for Kenosha County victims.
π What Kenosha County Families Should Do Right Now
If Your Child Has Been Hazed:
- Get medical attention immediately β even if injuries seem minor
- Preserve all evidence β texts, photos, videos, social media, witness names
- Do NOT talk to the fraternity, sorority, or university without legal counsel
- Do NOT post about the incident on social media
- Do NOT sign anything from the organization
- Call us immediately β 1-888-ATTY-911
Evidence to Preserve:
π± Text messages and group chats β screenshots of all communications about hazing
πΈ Photos and videos β of injuries, hazing activities, locations
π Documents β pledge manuals, schedules, rules given to your child
π₯ Witness information β names and contact info of other pledges or witnesses
π₯ Medical records β hospital visits, doctor notes, therapy records
π° Financial records β medical bills, lost wages, tuition payments
What We Will Do for Kenosha County Families:
β Free case evaluation β we’ll review your situation at no cost
β Evidence preservation β we’ll make sure nothing is deleted or destroyed
β Legal strategy β we know how to build these cases and win
β Aggressive representation β we’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case
β Nationwide reach β we can represent Kenosha County victims no matter where the hazing occurred
β No upfront cost β we work on contingency; you pay nothing unless we win
π¨ The Clock Is Ticking β Act Now
Wisconsin has a statute of limitations on personal injury claims. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue forever.
Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Organizations destroy records. The time to act is now.
Kenosha County Families: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Today
Free consultation. No obligation. Confidential.
We will travel to Kenosha County for depositions, client meetings, and trials. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
π― This Is About More Than Money β It’s About Stopping the Abuse
Lupe Pena, one of our attorneys, said it best:
“If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”
Your Kenosha County case could save lives. It could force institutions to change. It could protect the next student from going through what your child endured.
You don’t have to suffer in silence. You don’t have to let them get away with it. You can fight back.
Call Attorney 911 now β 1-888-ATTY-911
π Serving Kenosha County and All of Wisconsin
While we are based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Kenosha County and throughout Wisconsin. We have:
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Federal court authority β can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
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Dual-state bar licenses β Texas and New York
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Video consultation technology β meet with us remotely
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Travel commitment β we come to Kenosha County for your case
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Experience with national organizations β we know how to pursue the deep pockets
Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines. Neither do we.
π Additional Resources for Kenosha County Families
Hazing Warning Signs:
- Sudden changes in behavior or appearance
- Unexplained injuries or bruises
- Withdrawal from friends or family
- Sudden drop in grades
- Fear of certain people or places
- Sleep deprivation or exhaustion
- Unusual clothing or accessories (like a fanny pack)
- Secretive behavior about activities
- References to “traditions” or “rites of passage”
Common Hazing Activities Near Kenosha County:
- Forced alcohol consumption
- Extreme physical exercise (pushups, squats, running)
- Sleep deprivation
- Humiliation (wearing embarrassing clothing, carrying objects)
- Beating or paddling
- Waterboarding or simulated drowning
- Forced eating until vomiting
- Sexual humiliation or assault
- Psychological abuse
- Sleeping in uncomfortable or dangerous places
What to Do If You Suspect Hazing:
- Talk to your child openly and without judgment
- Document everything they tell you
- Contact an attorney before contacting the organization
- Consider reporting to university authorities or law enforcement
- Seek medical attention for any injuries
ποΈ Universities Near Kenosha County with Greek Life
Kenosha County is home to Carthage College, and nearby institutions include:
| Institution | Location | Greek Life Presence |
|---|---|---|
| Carthage College | Kenosha, WI | Active Greek life with fraternities and sororities |
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside | Somers, WI (10 miles from Kenosha) | Active Greek organizations |
| Gateway Technical College | Kenosha, WI | Limited Greek life presence |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI (40 miles from Kenosha) | Large Greek system |
| Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI | Large Greek system with documented hazing history |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | Extensive Greek system with hazing incidents |
These institutions have a duty to protect their students. If they fail, they can be held legally accountable.
β Frequently Asked Questions for Kenosha County Families
Q: My child was hazed but doesn’t want to report it. Should we still call a lawyer?
A: Yes. Many victims fear retaliation or social consequences. We can help protect your child’s identity and rights. Even if they don’t want to pursue legal action immediately, consulting with an attorney preserves their options and ensures evidence is protected.
Q: The university says it was “just a prank.” Is it still hazing?
A: If the activity was humiliating, degrading, dangerous, or coerced β it’s hazing, regardless of what the university calls it. Waterboarding is not a prank. Forced exercise until kidney failure is not a prank. These are serious, potentially criminal acts.
Q: The fraternity says my child “consented” to the activities. Does that matter?
A: No. Wisconsin law, like Texas law, explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law protects them from abuse. The organization is still liable.
Q: We’re in Kenosha County. How can a Texas law firm help us?
A: We represent hazing victims nationwide. We have:
- Federal court authority to pursue cases anywhere in the U.S.
- Experience with national fraternity/sorority organizations
- Willingness to travel to Kenosha County for depositions and trials
- Video consultation technology for remote meetings
- A track record of winning multi-million dollar cases
Distance is not a barrier to justice.
Q: How much will this cost us?
A: Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis β we only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.
Q: How long will this take?
A: Every case is different. Some settle within months; others take years. We will work aggressively to resolve your case as quickly as possible while maximizing your compensation. The important thing is to act now before evidence disappears.
Q: What if the hazing happened at a private university or college near Kenosha County?
A: Private institutions are not immune from liability. In fact, they often have more resources and higher insurance coverage than public universities. We can pursue claims against private colleges just as aggressively.
Q: Can we sue if no one was physically injured?
A: Yes. Hazing causes psychological trauma even without physical injury. PTSD, anxiety, depression, and emotional distress are all compensable. We’ve represented victims of psychological abuse, and we know how to document and prove these damages.
Q: What if my child is an international student?
A: Your child has the same legal rights as any other student. Their immigration status does not prevent them from seeking justice. We have experience representing international students and can guide you through the process while protecting their status.
Q: The fraternity has already suspended the chapter. Isn’t that enough?
A: No. Suspending a chapter is damage control β not accountability. They suspended the UH chapter before our lawsuit was even filed, showing they knew litigation was coming. They’re already planning to come back. Real accountability requires financial consequences that force real change.
π Kenosha County Families: Your Legal Emergency Starts Here
Call Attorney 911 now β 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Available 24/7 for Kenosha County hazing emergencies
We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it right now. And we’ll fight for Kenosha County families too.