Coles County (Earth/North America/United States/Illinois/Coles County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Evidence Preservation Specialists | 1-888-ATTY-911 - Attorney911 | Houston, TX Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Fraternity & Sorority Hazing & Criminal Defense Attorneys

# **Hazing Lawyers in Coles County, Illinois – Protecting Students & Families from Greek Life Abuse**

## **🚨 Coles County Parents & Students: Hazing Is Happening at Your Local Universities – And It’s More Dangerous Than You Think**

Coles County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust universities to protect their students. They assume that Greek organizations—fraternities and sororities—are about brotherhood, leadership, and community.

**But the truth is far darker.**

Right now, in Coles County and across Illinois, students are being subjected to **brutal, life-threatening hazing rituals**—forced drinking, extreme physical abuse, psychological torture, and even sexual humiliation—all in the name of “tradition.” Many don’t survive. Others suffer **permanent injuries, kidney failure, brain damage, or lifelong trauma.**

**And the worst part?** The same fraternities and sororities that operate in Coles County have **paid millions in settlements** for hazing deaths and injuries at other schools. They know the risks. They’ve been sued before. **But they keep doing it.**

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## **🔥 The Hazing Crisis in Coles County & Nearby Universities**

Coles County is home to **Eastern Illinois University (EIU)**, a school with an active Greek life community. But the danger doesn’t stop there. Nearby universities—**University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois State University, Millikin University, and more**—host the same national fraternities and sororities that have been involved in **deadly hazing incidents nationwide.**

### **📍 Greek Organizations Operating Near Coles County with Documented Hazing Histories**

| **Fraternity** | **Notable Hazing Incidents** | **Settlements/Verdicts** | **Chapters Near Coles County** |
|—————|—————————–|————————–|——————————-|
| **Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)** | – **Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, 2021)** – Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol; died from alcohol poisoning
– **David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois, 2012)** – Died from alcohol poisoning; $14M settlement | **$24M+ total** | **EIU, UIUC, ISU** |
| **Pi Kappa Phi** | – **Andrew Coffey (Florida State, 2017)** – Forced to drink bourbon; died from alcohol poisoning
– **Leonel Bermudez (University of Houston, 2025)** – Waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats; hospitalized with kidney failure (current $10M lawsuit) | **Confidential + $10M pending** | **EIU, UIUC** |
| **Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)** | – **Texas A&M (2021)** – Pledges suffered chemical burns from hazing
– Multiple deaths nationwide | **$1M+** | **EIU, UIUC, ISU** |
| **Phi Delta Theta** | – **Max Gruver (LSU, 2017)** – Forced drinking; BAC 0.495 (6x legal limit); died | **$6.1M jury verdict** | **UIUC, ISU** |
| **Beta Theta Pi** | – **Timothy Piazza (Penn State, 2017)** – Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes; fell down stairs; fraternity waited 12 hours to call 911; died | **$110M+ settlement** | **UIUC, ISU** |
| **Sigma Chi** | – **University of Texas (2025)** – “Horrific abuse” leading to student suicide (lawsuit pending) | **Pending** | **EIU, UIUC** |

**These aren’t just names on a list. These are real students—many the same age as your child—who were hospitalized, permanently injured, or killed because of hazing.**

And **these same fraternities have active chapters at universities near Coles County.**

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## **💀 What Really Happens in Hazing? The Brutal Truth**

Hazing isn’t just “a few pushups” or “drinking a little too much.” It’s **systematic abuse disguised as tradition.** Here’s what we’ve documented in recent cases:

### **🔪 Physical Abuse & Torture**
✔ **Waterboarding** – Simulated drowning with garden hoses (UH Pi Kappa Phi case)
✔ **Forced exercise to collapse** – 500 squats, 100+ pushups, bear crawls, 100-yard crawls (UH case)
✔ **Beating with wooden paddles** (UH case)
✔ **Branding & burning** (documented at multiple schools)
✔ **Extreme sleep deprivation** – Forced to drive fraternity members at 3 AM (UH case)

### **🤢 Forced Consumption & Vomiting**
✔ **Forced to drink until vomiting** – Alcohol, milk, hot dogs, peppercorns (UH case)
✔ **Forced to lie in vomit-soaked grass** (UH case)
✔ **Forced to continue exercising while vomiting** (UH case)
✔ **”Gauntlet” drinking** – 18+ drinks in under 90 minutes (Penn State case)

### **😨 Psychological & Sexual Humiliation**
✔ **Hog-tying pledges face-down with objects in their mouths** (UH case)
✔ **Forced to carry sexual objects in fanny packs at all times** (UH case)
✔ **Stripped naked in cold weather** (UH case)
✔ **Threats of expulsion or physical punishment** (UH case)
✔ **Isolation & sleep deprivation** (multiple cases)

### **🩺 The Medical Consequences – What Happens to Hazing Victims**
Hazing doesn’t just cause embarrassment or discomfort. It **destroys bodies and minds.**

**In the UH Pi Kappa Phi case, Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being forced to do 500 squats, waterboarded, and struck with paddles.**

**This is happening at universities near Coles County. Your child could be next.**

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## **⚖️ Who Is Legally Responsible When Hazing Happens in Coles County?**

When hazing occurs, **multiple parties can—and should—be held accountable.** In our current $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston, we’re suing:

✅ **The local fraternity chapter** – They organized and carried out the hazing.
✅ **The national fraternity organization** – They knew about the “hazing crisis” but failed to stop it.
✅ **The university** – They owned the fraternity house and failed to protect students despite prior incidents.
✅ **Individual fraternity members** – Those who participated, directed, or failed to stop the abuse.
✅ **Former members & their families** – If hazing occurred at their home, they’re liable for premises liability.

**In Coles County, the same liability applies.**

### **Illinois Hazing Laws – What You Need to Know**

Illinois has **strict anti-hazing laws** under the **Hazing Act (720 ILCS 5/12C-50)**. Under Illinois law:

– **Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor** (up to 1 year in jail, $2,500 fine).
– **If hazing causes death or great bodily harm, it’s a Class 4 felony** (1-3 years in prison).
– **Consent is NOT a defense** – Even if a student “agreed” to participate, the organization can still be held liable.
– **Universities can be sued for negligence** – If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to stop it.

**This means that if your child is hazed in Coles County or at a nearby university, you can sue for damages—even if criminal charges aren’t filed.**

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## **💰 How Much Is a Hazing Lawsuit Worth in Coles County?**

Hazing cases result in **multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts** because the conduct is so egregious. Here’s what recent cases have awarded:

**These aren’t just numbers. They represent justice for families who lost their children—or saw them permanently injured—because of hazing.**

**If your child has been hazed in Coles County or at a nearby university, you may be entitled to compensation for:**
✔ **Medical bills** (past and future)
✔ **Pain and suffering** (physical and emotional)
✔ **Lost wages & future earning capacity** (if injuries affect career)
✔ **Punitive damages** (to punish the organization and deter future hazing)
✔ **Wrongful death damages** (if a loved one died)

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## **🚨 What Should Coles County Families Do If Their Child Is Hazed?**

If your child has been hazed—or if you suspect hazing is happening—**time is critical.** Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Statutes of limitations expire.

### **📌 Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately**
– **Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.**
– Hazing injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) can take days to appear.
– **Medical records are crucial evidence.**

### **📌 Step 2: Preserve All Evidence**
– **Save all texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails, or social media posts** about the hazing.
– **Take photos of injuries** (bruises, cuts, burns, etc.).
– **Document everything** – dates, times, locations, people involved.
– **Get witness names and contact information.**

### **📌 Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Without a Lawyer**
– **They will try to cover it up.**
– **They will pressure your child to stay quiet.**
– **They will twist your words to minimize the incident.**

### **📌 Step 4: Call a Hazing Lawyer Immediately**
– **Illinois has a 2-year statute of limitations** for personal injury cases.
– The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
– **We offer free, confidential consultations** – no obligation.

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## **🏆 Why Coles County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases**

We’re not just any law firm. **We’re the attorneys currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.** We know how these cases work. We know how to win.

### **✅ Nationwide Experience – Local Service for Coles County**
– **Headquartered in Texas**, but we **serve hazing victims nationwide**, including Coles County.
– **We travel to Coles County** for depositions, meetings, and trials.
– **Video consultations available** – no need to travel to Houston.

### **✅ Former Insurance Defense Attorneys – We Know Their Playbook**
– Both of our attorneys **used to work for insurance companies.**
– We know **exactly how they try to deny and minimize claims.**
– We use that insider knowledge to **maximize your compensation.**

### **✅ Proven Track Record in High-Stakes Litigation**
– **$10 million hazing lawsuit pending** (UH Pi Kappa Phi case).
– **Multi-million dollar settlements** in personal injury cases.
– **BP Texas City explosion litigation** – mass tort experience.
– **Federal court admission** – we can sue in federal court if needed.

### **✅ Aggressive, Compassionate Representation**
– We **don’t settle for lowball offers.**
– If the fraternity or university won’t take responsibility, **we take them to trial.**
– We **fight for justice, not just money** – we want to **stop hazing for good.**

### **✅ No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If You Win**
– **Contingency fee basis** – you pay **nothing upfront.**
– We **front all case expenses** (investigations, experts, court fees).
– **You only pay if we win your case.**

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## **📞 Coles County Hazing Victims: Call Us Now – Free Consultation**

If your child has been hazed in Coles County or at a nearby university, **you don’t have to face this alone.** We’re here to help.

📞 **Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9111)**
📧 **Email: ralph@atty911.com**
🌐 **Website: [attorney911.com](https://attorney911.com)**

**Free, confidential consultation – no obligation.**
**We serve Coles County and all of Illinois.**
**We don’t get paid unless you win.**

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## **🔥 A Message to Fraternities & Universities in Coles County**

**To the fraternities operating near Coles County:**
We are watching. We know your national organizations have paid **millions in settlements** for hazing deaths and injuries. We know **Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others** have chapters at EIU, UIUC, ISU, and more.

**If you haze students in Coles County, we will sue you. We will sue your national organization. We will sue every individual involved. And we will win.**

**To the universities near Coles County:**
You own the fraternity houses. You have the power to inspect. You have the power to shut down dangerous chapters. **If you fail to protect students, you will be held accountable—just like the University of Houston is being sued right now.**

**The next lawsuit could have your name on it.**

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## **📢 Coles County Parents: Talk to Your Children About Hazing**

Hazing often goes unreported because victims are **afraid of retaliation, social ostracism, or losing their Greek life membership.** Many don’t even realize they’re being hazed—they think it’s “just part of pledging.”

**Ask your child:**
– **Have you been forced to do anything dangerous or humiliating to join a group?**
– **Have you been pressured to drink more than you wanted?**
– **Have you been physically hurt or threatened?**
– **Do you feel like you can’t say no?**

**If the answer is yes, call us immediately.**

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## **🏆 We’re Fighting for Coles County – And We’re Winning**

We’re currently litigating a **$10 million hazing lawsuit** against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We’ve already **shut down the fraternity chapter** and forced them to admit wrongdoing.

**This is what happens when you haze in Coles County:**
✔ **The chapter gets shut down.**
✔ **Individual members face criminal charges.**
✔ **The national organization pays millions.**
✔ **The university is held accountable.**

**Coles County families deserve the same justice.**

**If your child has been hazed, call us now.** We’ll fight for them like we’re fighting for Leonel Bermudez.

📞 **1-888-ATTY-911**
📧 **ralph@atty911.com**

**Justice starts with a call.**

Coles County (Earth/North America/United States/Illinois/Coles County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Evidence Preservation Specialists | 1-888-ATTY-911

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