🛡️ Hazing Victims in Madison County, Illinois: Your Legal Rights and How We Can Help
Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — And Neither Do We
If your child has been hazed at a college or university in Madison County, Illinois — whether at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), Lewis and Clark Community College, or any other institution in the region — you are not alone. The same fraternities, sororities, and toxic cultures that led to a $10 million lawsuit in Texas are operating right here in Illinois. And we are fighting back.
At Attorney 911, we are currently representing a student who was hospitalized with kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to perform 500 squats, and beaten with wooden paddles during a fraternity hazing ritual. This didn’t happen in Illinois — but it could have. The same national organizations with chapters in Madison County have a documented history of abuse. And we are holding them accountable.
If your child has been hazed in Madison County, we can help you fight back — no matter where you are.
🚨 The Hazing Crisis in Madison County, Illinois
This Isn’t Just a Texas Problem — It’s Happening Here
Hazing is not limited to big universities in other states. It happens in Madison County, Illinois, at institutions like:
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE)
- Lewis and Clark Community College
- Nearby universities with Madison County students (e.g., University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, SIU Carbondale, Eastern Illinois University)
The same fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide have active chapters near Madison County:
| Fraternity | Hazing History | Madison County Presence |
|---|---|---|
| Pi Kappa Phi | $10M lawsuit (2025), Andrew Coffey death (2017) | Chapters at SIUE and nearby universities |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) | Stone Foltz death (2021), $10M+ settlement | Active in Illinois |
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) | Multiple hazing deaths, chemical burns cases | Active in Illinois |
| Phi Delta Theta | Max Gruver death (2017), $6.1M verdict | Active in Illinois |
| Beta Theta Pi | Timothy Piazza death (2017), $110M+ settlement | Active in Illinois |
These organizations operate in Madison County. They haze students in Madison County. And they must be held accountable in Madison County.
💔 What Hazing Looks Like in Madison County
Hazing isn’t “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It is abuse. It is torture. And it leaves lasting scars — both physical and emotional.
Common Hazing Practices in Madison County Fraternities and Sororities:
| Type of Hazing | What It Looks Like | Real Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Beatings, paddling, branding, excessive exercise | Broken bones, rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, death |
| Forced Consumption | Drinking until vomiting, eating until choking | Alcohol poisoning, choking, organ damage |
| Waterboarding | Simulated drowning with hoses or buckets | Psychological trauma, fear of drowning, PTSD |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced late-night activities, early-morning tasks | Exhaustion, accidents, mental health decline |
| Psychological Torture | Humiliation, degradation, threats | Anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation |
| Servitude | Forced cleaning, driving members, running errands | Exploitation, academic decline, stress |
| Sexual Humiliation | Forced nudity, carrying sexual objects, assault | Shame, trauma, long-term psychological harm |
If your child experienced any of these in Madison County, they were hazed. And they have legal rights.
⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Madison County Hazing Victim
Illinois Has Strong Anti-Hazing Laws — And You Can Sue
Illinois law explicitly prohibits hazing and provides multiple avenues for victims to seek justice:
1. Illinois Anti-Hazing Statute (720 ILCS 5/12C-50)
Definition of Hazing:
Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or maintenance of membership in any organization, which endangers the physical health or safety of that student.
Criminal Penalties:
- Class A Misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail, $2,500 fine)
- Class 4 Felony if hazing results in great bodily harm or death (1-3 years in prison)
Critical Illinois Law:
Consent is NOT a defense. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law says that doesn’t matter.
2. Civil Lawsuits — You Can Sue for Damages
Even if criminal charges aren’t filed, you can sue for:
- Medical expenses (hospital bills, therapy, future treatment)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
- Lost wages (time missed from work or school)
- Punitive damages (to punish the organization and prevent future hazing)
- Wrongful death (if hazing led to a fatality)
Who Can Be Sued in Madison County?
- The local fraternity/sorority chapter
- The national organization (they set the culture)
- The university (they have a duty to protect students)
- Individual members (those who participated or allowed it)
🏥 The Medical Consequences of Hazing — What Madison County Parents Need to Know
Hazing isn’t just embarrassing — it can be life-threatening. Many hazing injuries don’t appear immediately, so even if your child seems “fine” now, they may be at risk.
Common Medical Consequences of Hazing:
| Injury | Cause | Symptoms | Long-Term Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhabdomyolysis | Extreme physical exertion (e.g., 500 squats) | Severe muscle pain, dark urine, inability to move | Kidney failure, permanent damage, death |
| Alcohol Poisoning | Forced drinking | Confusion, vomiting, seizures, unconsciousness | Brain damage, death |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Falls, beatings, assaults | Headaches, memory loss, mood changes | Permanent cognitive impairment |
| Hypothermia/Hyperthermia | Exposure to cold/heat | Shivering, dizziness, confusion | Organ failure, death |
| Internal Bleeding | Blunt force trauma | Abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting | Shock, death |
| PTSD/Anxiety/Depression | Psychological torture | Nightmares, flashbacks, social withdrawal | Long-term mental health struggles |
| Suicidal Ideation | Extreme humiliation, trauma | Withdrawal, hopelessness, self-harm | Suicide |
If your child shows any of these symptoms after a hazing incident in Madison County, seek medical attention immediately — and call us.
📋 What Madison County Families Should Do If Their Child Was Hazed
Step-by-Step Action Plan
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Seek Medical Attention | Go to the ER or urgent care immediately | Document injuries; prevent long-term harm |
| 2. Preserve All Evidence | Save texts, social media, photos, videos | Critical for your legal case |
| 3. Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity/Sorority | They will try to control the narrative | Protects your legal rights |
| 4. Do NOT Post on Social Media | Anything you post can be used against you | Avoids evidence destruction claims |
| 5. Report to Authorities | File a police report; contact the university | Creates official record |
| 6. Contact an Attorney | Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation | Know your rights; protect your case |
⚠️ Critical Mistakes to Avoid:
- Deleting messages or social media posts (this is destruction of evidence)
- Confronting the fraternity/sorority without a lawyer (they will coordinate their story)
- Signing anything from the organization (may waive your rights)
- Waiting too long to act (Illinois has a 2-year statute of limitations)
💰 How Much Is a Madison County Hazing Case Worth?
Hazing cases can result in substantial compensation — especially when institutions like universities and national fraternities are involved. Recent hazing lawsuits have resulted in:
| Case | University | Fraternity | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Bowling Green State | Pi Kappa Alpha | $10.1 million |
| Max Gruver | Louisiana State | Phi Delta Theta | $6.1 million jury verdict |
| Timothy Piazza | Penn State | Beta Theta Pi | $110 million+ settlement |
Your Madison County hazing case could be worth millions — especially if:
- Your child was hospitalized
- The hazing involved torture (e.g., waterboarding, beatings)
- The university or national organization knew about prior hazing
- There was systematic abuse over weeks or months
We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.
🎯 Why Madison County Families Choose Attorney 911
1. We Are Fighting This Fight Right Now
We are currently representing a student in a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know how to build these cases, and we know how to win.
2. We Have Insider Knowledge
Both of our attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies try to avoid liability — and we know how to dismantle their defenses.
3. We Serve Madison County — No Matter Where You Are
While we are based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including in Madison County, Illinois. We offer:
- Video consultations for Madison County families
- Willingness to travel to Madison County for depositions and trials
- Federal court authority to pursue cases anywhere in the U.S.
4. We Work on Contingency — No Upfront Costs
We understand that Madison County families may be concerned about legal fees. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
5. We Have a Proven Track Record
- $10 million hazing lawsuit (currently pending)
- Multi-million dollar personal injury settlements in other cases
- Former insurance defense attorneys — we know their playbook
- Federal court admission — we can sue national fraternities anywhere
📞 Madison County Hazing Victims: Call Us Now
Free, Confidential Consultation — 24/7
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We serve Madison County, Illinois — and hazing victims nationwide.
🔥 A Message to Madison County Fraternities and Sororities
To the fraternities and sororities operating in Madison County:
We know who you are.
We know your national organizations.
We know your corporate structures.
We know your insurance policies.
We know your hazing histories.
And if you haze students in Madison County, we will find you, sue you, and hold you accountable.
The Pi Kappa Phi chapter that waterboarded our client?
- Shut down.
- Facing a $10 million lawsuit.
- Individual members may face criminal charges.
Your chapter could be next.
Clean up your act. Or we will clean it up for you — in court.
🏛️ A Message to Madison County Universities
To Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Lewis and Clark Community College, and all institutions in Madison County:
You have a duty to protect your students. When you fail, you are liable.
The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where a student was waterboarded.
- They are being sued for $10 million.
- They knew about prior hazing incidents and did nothing.
If your institution knows about hazing and fails to act, you will be held accountable.
It’s time to take Greek life oversight seriously. Or the next lawsuit will have your name on it.
📢 Madison County Parents: This Could Be Your Child
Hazing doesn’t discriminate. It happens to:
- Freshmen and transfers
- Athletes and non-athletes
- Students at SIUE, Lewis and Clark, and nearby universities
- Anyone who wants to belong
If your child is pledging a fraternity or sorority in Madison County, they are at risk.
Talk to them. Educate them. And if the worst happens — call us.
💙 We Stand With Madison County Hazing Victims
You are not alone. What happened to you was not your fault. And we will fight for you.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. The consultation is free. The fight is just beginning.
Attorney 911 — Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Serving Madison County, Illinois and Nationwide
1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com | attorney911.com
