🚨 Hazing Victim Legal Support in Cumberland County, Illinois
Hazing Isn’t Tradition — It’s Abuse. We Fight for Cumberland County Families.
At Attorney 911, we are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston after a student was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and hospitalized with kidney failure. This same abuse happens at universities near Cumberland County, Illinois. The same national fraternities operate here. The same negligence exists at Cumberland County institutions.
If your child has been hazed in Cumberland County, we will fight for you with the same aggression we’re bringing to this landmark case.
🔥 The Hazing Crisis in Cumberland County
Hazing is not harmless “tradition.” It’s abuse, torture, and sometimes murder. In our current case, a fraternity pledge was:
- Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning — a form of torture)
- Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
- Struck with wooden paddles
- Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to lie in vomit-soaked grass
- Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure
This didn’t just happen in Texas. It happens in Cumberland County too.
Universities and Greek Organizations Near Cumberland County With Hazing Risks:
While Cumberland County itself is a smaller community, it is surrounded by educational institutions where Greek life thrives. National fraternities like Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and others maintain active chapters at universities within driving distance of Cumberland County, including:
- Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, IL) – Home to multiple fraternities and sororities
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – One of the largest Greek systems in the country
- Illinois State University (Normal, IL) – Active Greek life presence
- Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, IL) – Multiple Greek organizations
- Indiana State University (Terre Haute, IN) – Nearby Indiana institution with Greek life
The same fraternities that have paid millions in hazing settlements nationwide operate near Cumberland County. If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority at any of these schools, they face the same risks that hospitalized our client.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Cumberland County Hazing Victim
Illinois has strong anti-hazing laws that protect students. Under Illinois Compiled Statutes 720 ILCS 5/12C-50, hazing is a Class A misdemeanor that can carry jail time. If hazing causes great bodily harm or death, it becomes a Class 4 felony.
But criminal charges aren’t enough. Victims and families deserve compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and the lifelong trauma caused by hazing. That’s where we come in.
Who Is Liable for Cumberland County Hazing?
When hazing happens, multiple parties can be held legally responsible:
- The Local Chapter – The fraternity or sorority that directly organized the hazing
- The National Organization – National fraternities/sororities that failed to supervise their chapters
- The University – Schools that failed to protect students despite knowing about hazing risks
- Individual Members – The people who directly participated in or facilitated the abuse
- House Corporations – Entities that own or control fraternity/sorority property where hazing occurred
In our current case, we are suing all of these parties — and we’ll do the same for Cumberland County families.
💰 What Cumberland County Hazing Victims Can Recover
Hazing cases can result in substantial financial compensation for victims and families. In our current $10 million lawsuit, we are seeking damages for:
| Damage Type | What It Covers | Cumberland County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, doctor visits, therapy, future treatment | If your child was hospitalized for hazing injuries in Cumberland County or nearby |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from injuries, emotional trauma from abuse | Psychological harm from hazing is often lifelong |
| Mental Anguish | PTSD, anxiety, depression, fear of retribution | Many hazing victims develop severe mental health issues |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work during recovery | Applies to student workers or those who lost internships |
| Educational Disruption | Impact on grades, scholarships, academic standing | Hazing often forces students to drop out or transfer |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | Awarded when hazing involves torture, extreme violence, or cover-ups |
Recent hazing settlements and verdicts nationwide:
- $10.1 million – Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
- $6.1 million – Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta, LSU) – Jury verdict
- $110+ million – Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
- $4+ million – Adam Oakes (Delta Chi, VCU)
These same results are possible for Cumberland County victims.
📋 What Cumberland County Families Should Do If Hazing Happens
Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately
- Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and alcohol poisoning can be fatal
- Medical records create critical evidence for your case
Step 2: Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, and any items used in hazing
- Save all communications – texts, GroupMe messages, Snapchats, emails
- Write down everything – dates, times, what happened, who was involved
- Get witness contact information – other pledges, bystanders
Step 3: Do NOT Confront the Organization Alone
- Fraternities and universities will try to silence you
- They will destroy evidence and coordinate their story
- Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney
- Do not give statements to the organization, their lawyers, or insurance companies
Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation
- We offer remote consultations for Cumberland County families
- We come to you – we will travel to Cumberland County for meetings, depositions, and trials
🏆 Why Cumberland County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
- We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and University of Houston
- This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the courtroom right now
- Cumberland County families get the same aggressive representation
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook
- Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena worked for insurance companies before switching sides
- We know exactly how they try to deny and minimize claims
- We use that knowledge to maximize your compensation
3. Federal Court Authority — We Can Pursue Your Case Anywhere
- Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- Can pursue federal civil rights claims against institutions
- Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York) – strategic advantage against national fraternities
4. We Will Travel to Cumberland County
- Distance is not a barrier – we come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials
- Offer remote consultations via video call
- No need to travel to Texas – we handle everything locally
5. Contingency Fee — $0 Upfront Costs
- You pay nothing unless we win your case
- No hourly fees, no retainers
- We only get paid when you get paid
6. Bilingual Support — Se Habla Español
- Fluent Spanish-speaking staff
- Can serve Spanish-speaking Cumberland County families without language barriers
7. Proven Track Record of Multi-Million Dollar Results
- $10 million hazing lawsuit (current case)
- Millions recovered in personal injury and wrongful death cases
- Former BP Texas City explosion litigation – experience with complex, high-stakes cases
🎯 We Put Fraternities on Notice in Cumberland County
To Fraternities Operating Near Cumberland County:
We are watching. The same legal strategies that secured $10+ million verdicts nationwide apply to your chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi — if your chapter operates near Cumberland County, know that Attorney 911 represents hazing victims across America.
Every national fraternity with chapters near Cumberland County should review their hazing policies immediately. We have proven these cases can be won.
To Universities Near Cumberland County:
The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.
📞 Cumberland County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
If your child has been hazed in Cumberland County or at any nearby university, you have legal rights. We can help.
Contact Attorney 911 Today:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
Free, confidential consultation • $0 upfront costs • We come to Cumberland County
🚨 Cumberland County Parents: Protect Your Child
Hazing doesn’t stop at state lines. The same fraternities that waterboarded our client in Texas operate near Cumberland County. The same universities that failed to protect students in Texas exist near Cumberland County.
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority, talk to them about hazing. Know the signs. And if the worst happens, know that we are here to fight for you.
Enough is enough. Cumberland County families deserve justice.
📌 Serving Cumberland County and Nationwide
Attorney 911 – Legal Emergency Lawyers™
📍 Headquarters: Houston, Texas
📍 Serving Cumberland County, Illinois and nationwide
We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it in court right now — and we’ll fight for Cumberland County families too.
