🚨 Sheboygan County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone. We Are Fighting For You.
This happened in Houston. It happens at universities near Sheboygan County. It could happen to your child. We are fighting this battle RIGHT NOW — and we will fight for Sheboygan County families with the same fury.
🔥 The Hazing Crisis in Sheboygan County: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Sheboygan County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities. They trust Greek organizations. They believe their children will be protected.
That trust is being betrayed.
Right now in Houston, our attorneys are litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, struck with wooden paddles, and hospitalized with kidney failure.
The same fraternities operate at universities near Sheboygan County. The same “traditions” exist. The same negligence is happening.
If your child has been hazed in Sheboygan County — whether at Lakeland University, UW-Sheboygan, nearby technical colleges, or any institution — you have legal rights. You have the right to hold abusers accountable. You have the right to compensation. And you have the right to stop this from happening to another Sheboygan County family.
🏥 What Hazing Really Looks Like: The Medical Reality
Hazing isn’t “boys being boys.” It’s not “harmless fun.” It’s not “building character.”
Hazing is abuse. Hazing is torture. Hazing sends students to the hospital. Hazing kills.
Medical Consequences of Hazing in Sheboygan County:
| Condition | What It Means | Sheboygan County Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Muscle breakdown releases toxic proteins into bloodstream, causing kidney failure | Seen in forced exercise hazing (500 squats, bear crawls, etc.) |
| Acute Kidney Failure | Kidneys stop filtering waste; can be fatal without treatment | Direct result of rhabdomyolysis |
| Alcohol Poisoning | BAC levels 5-6x legal limit; stops breathing; death | Forced drinking during “initiation” events |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | From beatings, falls, or being struck with objects | Paddling, physical assaults |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | From exposure to cold/heat during hazing activities | Stripping in cold weather, outdoor drills |
| Cardiac Arrest | From extreme physical exertion or electrolyte imbalances | Forced exercise to exhaustion |
| PTSD, Anxiety, Depression | Long-term psychological damage from abuse | Humiliation, waterboarding, threats |
| Death | Hazing has killed at least one student every year since 2000 | Sheboygan County families are not immune |
Our client in Houston survived — but spent four days in the hospital with kidney failure. Others haven’t been so lucky.
⚖️ Sheboygan County Families: Your Legal Rights
Wisconsin Hazing Laws Protect Your Child
Wisconsin Statute § 948.51 makes hazing a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 9 months in jail and $10,000 in fines.
Definition of Hazing in Wisconsin:
Any intentional or reckless act committed by a person, whether individually or with others, against a student in connection with pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization, that is likely to cause bodily harm, great mental harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to the student.
This includes:
- Physical abuse (paddling, beatings, forced exercise)
- Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
- Psychological torture (waterboarding, humiliation, threats)
- Sleep deprivation
- Exposure to extreme weather
Consent is NOT a defense in Wisconsin. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.
Who Is Liable for Hazing in Sheboygan County?
If your child has been hazed, multiple parties can be held legally and financially responsible:
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable |
|---|---|
| Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture; failed to enforce policies |
| University/College | Failed to protect students; knew or should have known about hazing |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing activities |
| Individual Members | Participated in or failed to stop hazing |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their homes; premises liability |
| Insurance Companies | Coverage for institutional and individual liability |
Sheboygan County families: These same defendants exist at institutions near you. The same legal strategies apply.
💰 Sheboygan County Hazing Cases Can Win Millions
Our $10 million lawsuit in Houston is not an outlier. It’s the new standard.
Recent Hazing Verdicts & Settlements:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million settlement |
| Maxwell Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110 million+ estimated settlement |
| Adam Oakes | Virginia Commonwealth | Delta Chi | $4+ million settlement |
Sheboygan County families: These results prove that hazing cases win. The same legal strategies apply to your case.
📋 What Sheboygan County Families Should Do RIGHT NOW
If Your Child Has Been Hazed:
-
Get Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked
- Document everything medically
- Rhabdomyolysis and other conditions may have delayed symptoms
-
Preserve All Evidence
- Do NOT delete any text messages, social media, or photos
- Screenshot all communications about hazing
- Save physical items used in hazing (paddles, clothing, etc.)
- Get names and contact information of witnesses
-
Do NOT Talk to the Organization
- They will try to control the narrative
- They will try to intimidate witnesses
- They will try to destroy evidence
- Let your attorney handle all communication
-
Contact an Attorney Immediately
- 2-year statute of limitations in Wisconsin
- Evidence disappears quickly
- The sooner we’re involved, the stronger your case
-
Report to Authorities
- Consider filing a police report
- Report to university administration (with attorney present)
- Report to national organization (with attorney present)
📞 Sheboygan County Families: Call Us Now — Free Consultation
We are Attorney 911. We are fighting this battle RIGHT NOW in Houston. We will fight for Sheboygan County families with the same aggression.
How We Help Sheboygan County Hazing Victims:
✅ Free, confidential consultation — No cost to evaluate your case
✅ Contingency fee representation — $0 upfront; we only get paid if you win
✅ Nationwide reach — Federal court authority; we can pursue your case anywhere
✅ Former insurance defense attorneys — We know how they’ll fight back
✅ Aggressive litigation — We sue everyone responsible: individuals, chapters, nationals, universities
✅ Medical expertise — We work with specialists to document your injuries
✅ Psychological support — We connect you with therapists for PTSD, anxiety, depression
✅ Travel to Sheboygan County — We come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials
✅ Video consultations — Meet with us remotely if you can’t travel
Sheboygan County Hazing Victims: Call 24/7
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We serve Sheboygan County and all of Wisconsin. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
🏛️ The Institutions That Failed Our Kids — And Will Fail Yours
1. National Fraternities & Sororities: They Know and Do Nothing
Pi Kappa Phi’s Response to Our Lawsuit:
- Closed the UH chapter 7 days before the lawsuit was filed
- Admitted “violations” of their own policies
- Said they “look forward to returning to campus”
Translation: They’re not sorry. They’re waiting for the publicity to die down so they can come back and do it again.
The same nationals operate at universities near Sheboygan County:
- Pi Kappa Phi — 150+ chapters nationwide
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) — 219 chapters
- Sigma Chi — 244 chapters
- Kappa Sigma — 320+ chapters
- Phi Delta Theta — 190+ chapters
They all have the same problem: a culture of abuse disguised as tradition.
2. Universities Near Sheboygan County: They Own the Torture Chambers
In Houston: The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where waterboarding occurred. They collected rent while students were being tortured.
At universities near Sheboygan County: The same thing happens.
- Universities own or control fraternity/sorority houses
- They have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down
- They choose not to — until someone gets hurt or killed
They know hazing happens. They have the power to stop it. They choose not to.
3. Individual Perpetrators: They Think They Can Hide
In our Houston case:
- Chapter president
- Pledgemaster
- Current members
- Former members
- Spouse of former member (allowed hazing at her home)
All named as defendants. All personally liable.
Sheboygan County perpetrators think they can hide behind the organization. They can’t.
- We sue individuals personally
- We pursue their assets
- We hold them accountable in court
- We make sure hazing follows them for life
🎯 What We’re Fighting For in Sheboygan County
1. Justice for Your Child
- Hold abusers accountable
- Make them pay for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost opportunities
- Send a message that hazing won’t be tolerated
2. Safety for Future Students
- Force universities to implement real oversight
- Make national organizations enforce their own policies
- Create a culture where hazing is unacceptable
3. Change the System
- Work with Wisconsin legislators on stronger hazing laws
- Support federal legislation like the Stop Campus Hazing Act
- Make sure what happened to your child never happens to another Sheboygan County family
🔍 Sheboygan County Parents: Warning Signs of Hazing
Hazing is often hidden, but there are warning signs:
| Category | Warning Signs |
|---|---|
| Physical | Unexplained injuries, bruises, limping, exhaustion |
| Behavioral | Withdrawal, anxiety, depression, fear of social events |
| Academic | Sudden drop in grades, missed classes, withdrawal from activities |
| Financial | Unexplained expenses, requests for money for “events” |
| Social | Sudden new group of friends, secretive about activities |
| Communication | Vague references to “traditions,” “initiation,” or “pledging” |
| Schedule | Late nights, early mornings, unexplained absences |
If you notice these signs, ask questions. If your child is reluctant to answer, they may be afraid of retaliation. Contact us immediately.
📚 Sheboygan County Universities and Greek Life: What You Need to Know
Lakeland University (Plymouth, WI — 20 minutes from Sheboygan)
- Greek Life: Active fraternities and sororities
- Fraternities: Alpha Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Pi
- Sororities: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho
- Hazing Risk: All Greek organizations carry hazing risk; nationals have histories of abuse
- University Oversight: Lakeland has policies against hazing, but enforcement varies
University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan (Sheboygan, WI)
- Greek Life: Limited, but students may participate in Greek organizations at other UW campuses
- Hazing Risk: Students traveling to UW-Milwaukee, UW-Madison, or other campuses may be exposed
- University Oversight: UW System has anti-hazing policies, but enforcement depends on individual campus
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) — Sheboygan Campus
- Greek Life: Generally not present at technical colleges
- Hazing Risk: Lower, but students may be involved in off-campus organizations
- University Oversight: NWTC has student conduct policies
Nearby Universities with Greek Life:
| University | Distance from Sheboygan | Greek Life Presence | Hazing History |
|---|---|---|---|
| UW-Milwaukee | 55 miles | Strong Greek system | Documented hazing incidents |
| UW-Madison | 100 miles | Very strong Greek system | Multiple hazing incidents |
| Marquette University | 50 miles | Strong Greek system | Hazing incidents reported |
| Concordia University Wisconsin | 40 miles | Active Greek life | Hazing risk present |
Sheboygan County parents: If your child attends or plans to attend any of these institutions, they face the same hazing risks as our client in Houston.
🚨 Sheboygan County: This Could Be Your Child
The Story of Leonel Bermudez — And How It Could Happen Here
September 2025:
Leonel Bermudez, a young man excited about college, accepts a bid to join Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston. He’s not even enrolled yet — he’s a “ghost rush,” expected to transfer for Spring 2026.
September-November 2025:
For seven weeks, he’s subjected to systematic abuse:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose — simulated drowning
- Forced to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls — until his muscles break down
- Struck with wooden paddles — physical assault
- Forced to eat until he vomits — then forced to keep running
- Stripped to underwear in cold weather — exposure
- Carried a fanny pack with sexual objects — humiliation
- Another pledge collapses unconscious — they keep going
November 3, 2025:
Punished for missing an event. Forced to do extreme exercise until he collapses. Crawls up the stairs when he gets home.
November 6, 2025:
Mother rushes him to the hospital. Brown urine — his muscles are breaking down. Diagnosis: Rhabdomyolysis. Acute kidney failure. Three nights, four days in the hospital.
November 21, 2025:
Our attorneys file a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi, the University of Houston, and multiple individuals.
How This Could Happen in Sheboygan County
- Your child gets a bid from a fraternity or sorority at Lakeland, UW-Milwaukee, or another nearby university
- They’re told it’s “tradition” — that everyone goes through it
- They’re afraid to say no — fear of social exclusion, fear of losing the group
- The hazing starts — forced drinking, physical abuse, psychological torture
- They get hurt — alcohol poisoning, rhabdomyolysis, traumatic brain injury
- They end up in the hospital — or worse
- The organization covers it up — tells them not to talk, threatens retaliation
- The university does nothing — protects their reputation, not your child
- Your child is left with medical bills, trauma, and no justice
Sheboygan County families: This is not hypothetical. This is happening right now. And it could happen to your child.
🛡️ How We Protect Sheboygan County Families
1. Immediate Legal Intervention
- Stop the organization from intimidating your child
- Preserve evidence before it disappears
- Handle all communication with the university and fraternity
- Protect your child from retaliation
2. Comprehensive Medical Support
- Connect you with specialists to document injuries
- Ensure proper treatment for physical and psychological trauma
- Calculate future medical needs for long-term conditions
3. Aggressive Litigation Strategy
- Sue everyone responsible: individuals, chapter, nationals, university
- Pursue punitive damages to send a message
- Take the case to trial if necessary
- Never accept lowball settlement offers
4. Nationwide Reach
- Federal court authority to pursue cases anywhere
- Experience litigating against national organizations
- Willingness to travel to Sheboygan County for depositions and trials
- Video consultation technology for remote meetings
5. Former Insurance Defense Advantage
- Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena were former insurance defense attorneys
- They know how insurance companies think
- They know how to dismantle their defenses
- They know how to maximize your recovery
📞 Sheboygan County: Call Us Before It’s Too Late
The clock is ticking.
- 2-year statute of limitations in Wisconsin
- Evidence disappears every day
- Witnesses forget details
- Organizations destroy records
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Don’t let them get away with it.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Free consultation. No upfront cost. We only get paid if you win.
🎯 Our Promise to Sheboygan County Families
- We will listen — We understand the trauma you’re going through
- We will believe you — We know hazing happens, and we know how it works
- We will fight for you — With the same aggression we’re bringing to our Houston case
- We will protect you — From retaliation, from intimidation, from institutional bullying
- We will win for you — Because your child deserves justice, and Sheboygan County deserves safety
🔥 Enough Is Enough. Sheboygan County Deserves Better.
To the fraternities and sororities operating near Sheboygan County:
We see you. We know what you’re doing. We are tracking you.
To the universities near Sheboygan County:
We see you. We know you’re failing to protect students. We will hold you accountable.
To the national organizations:
We see you. We know you’re enabling this culture. We will dismantle it.
To Sheboygan County families:
We see you. We know you’re hurting. We are here to help.
This ends now. Justice begins with your call.
