🚨 Stark County Hazing Lawyer | Fraternity Abuse Attorney | Greek Life Hazing Lawsuit

Justice for Hazing Victims in Stark County, Illinois — Nationwide Representation from Attorney 911

Hazing Doesn’t Stop at State Lines — Neither Do We

If your child was hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, or any student organization in Stark County, Illinois — or anywhere in America — you have legal rights. Attorney 911 is fighting this battle right now, and we will bring the same aggressive representation to Stark County families.

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — the same national fraternities and universities that operate near Stark County. The same abuse that hospitalized our client happens in Stark County too. And we will hold every responsible party accountable.

🔥 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Stark County

In November 2025, our client Leonel Bermudez — a student who wasn’t even enrolled at the University of Houston yet — was hospitalized for three nights and four days with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after being hazed by Pi Kappa Phi.

What they did to him:
✔ Waterboarded him with a garden hose — simulated drowning
✔ Forced him to do 500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls, and 100-yard crawls until he collapsed
✔ Struck him with wooden paddles — physical assault
✔ Forced him to eat milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until he vomited — then made him keep running
✔ Humiliated him — carried sexual objects, stripped in cold weather, hog-tied another pledge

The result: His muscles broke down. He passed brown urine — a classic sign of rhabdomyolysis. He couldn’t walk. His mother rushed him to the hospital. He nearly died.

And here’s the outrage: Pi Kappa Phi knew this was happening. In 2017, Andrew Coffey died at a Pi Kappa Phi event in Florida. The fraternity had 8 years to fix their culture. They did nothing. The University of Houston also knew — another student was hospitalized from hazing in 2017. They did nothing.

Now they’re facing a $10 million lawsuit. And we’re bringing the same fight to Stark County, Illinois.

🏛️ Hazing in Stark County — The Same National Fraternities Are Here

Stark County is home to Wyoming High School, Stark County High School, and nearby institutions like Black Hawk College, Bradley University, and Western Illinois University. These schools have active Greek life programs — and where there’s Greek life, there’s hazing risk.

The same national fraternities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide operate near Stark County:

These aren’t isolated incidents. This is a national crisis — and it’s happening near Stark County.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Stark County Hazing Victim

If your child was hazed in Stark County or at a nearby university, you can sue for:

1. Physical Injuries

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
• Alcohol poisoning
• Broken bones
• Burns from branding or paddling
• Traumatic brain injury
• Internal injuries

2. Psychological Trauma

• PTSD from abuse
• Anxiety and depression
• Suicidal ideation
• Trust issues and social withdrawal

3. Financial Damages

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages
• Disrupted education (tuition, scholarships)
• Therapy and rehabilitation costs

4. Punitive Damages

If the conduct was egregious — like waterboarding, paddling, or forced drinking — courts can award punitive damages to punish the defendants and prevent future abuse.

Our current case seeks $10 million. That’s not an accident. That’s what it takes to make institutions stop.

💰 What Your Stark County Hazing Case Could Be Worth

Hazing lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts:

These results are possible for Stark County victims too. The same legal strategies apply.

📋 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Stark County

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

• Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor
• Document everything — hospital records are critical evidence
• Rhabdomyolysis symptoms (muscle pain, dark urine) can be delayed

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

✅ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchat, Instagram DMs — screenshots of everything
✅ Photos and videos — injuries, hazing activities, fraternity house
✅ Witness information — names and contact info of other pledges or bystanders
✅ Medical records — hospital bills, doctor notes, therapy records
✅ Fraternity documents — pledge manuals, schedules, rules

❌ DO NOT:

• Delete any messages or posts
• Talk to fraternity/sorority leaders without an attorney
• Sign anything from the organization
• Post about the incident on social media

Step 3: Report the Hazing

• File a police report — hazing is a crime in Illinois
• Report to the university’s Title IX office
• Report to the national fraternity organization

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

Time is critical. Illinois has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Don’t wait.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 Email ralph@atty911.com
🖥️ Video consultation available — we serve Stark County remotely

🏆 Why Stark 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 the University of Houston. This isn’t theoretical — we’re in the fight. Stark County families get the same aggressive representation.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys — We Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys — Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena — worked for insurance companies and national defense firms before switching sides. We know how they think. We know how they try to deny claims. We use that knowledge against them.

3. Nationwide Reach — We Serve Stark County from Houston

While we’re based in Texas, we represent hazing victims nationwide, including Stark County. We offer:

• Video consultations — meet with us remotely
• Travel commitment — we come to Stark County for depositions and trials
• Federal court authority — can pursue cases in federal jurisdiction
• Dual-state bar licenses — Texas and New York

4. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

Stark County families pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. No recovery, no fee.

5. We’ve Won Millions for Victims Like You

• BP Texas City explosion litigation — mass tort experience
• Multi-million dollar personal injury settlements
• Hundreds of cases won by exposing flawed evidence
• Proven track record in courtrooms across Texas and federal courts

6. We Understand the Culture — and How to Break It

Ralph Manginello was a Hall of Fame athlete and youth coach. He understands team culture, locker room dynamics, and the pressures that lead to hazing. We don’t just sue — we change the culture.

🎯 Who We Can Sue for Stark County Hazing Victims

Hazing cases involve multiple defendants — we pursue every responsible party:

We don’t just sue broke college students. We go after the institutions with deep pockets — the national fraternities, the universities, the insurance companies.

⚠️ Warning Signs of Hazing in Stark County

Parents and students in Stark County should watch for these red flags:

Physical Hazing:

• Extreme exercise (500 squats, 100 pushups, bear crawls)
• Sleep deprivation (forced late nights, early mornings)
• Forced consumption (alcohol, food, non-food substances)
• Paddling or physical abuse
• Exposure to extreme weather (cold, heat)
• Confinement or isolation

Psychological Hazing:

• Humiliation (carrying embarrassing objects, forced nudity)
• Servitude (cleaning, driving members, running errands)
• Threats of expulsion or physical harm
• Social isolation
• Required study hours or interviews

Medical Warning Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
• Difficulty walking or muscle pain
• Dark or brown urine (sign of rhabdomyolysis)
• Extreme fatigue or inability to move
• Vomiting or signs of alcohol poisoning
• Changes in behavior (anxiety, depression, withdrawal)

If you see these signs, ACT IMMEDIATELY. Hazing can be deadly.

📢 Message to Stark County Fraternities: We Are Watching

To the fraternities operating near Stark 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 Stark County, know that Attorney 911 represents victims across America.

Every national fraternity with chapters near Stark County should review their hazing policies immediately. We have proven these cases can be won.

Universities near Stark County: The same institutional negligence that made the University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus. Act now or face the same accountability.

🚨 Stark County Families: You Are Not Alone

Hazing victims often feel:

• Shame — like they did something wrong
• Fear — of retaliation or social consequences
• Loyalty — to the organization that abused them
• Hopelessness — like no one will believe them

You are not alone. We believe you. We will protect you. And we will fight for you.

Leonel Bermudez was afraid to do an interview due to retribution. We protected him. We will protect your child too.

📞 Contact Attorney 911 — Stark County Hazing Lawyers

If your child was hazed in Stark County or at a nearby university, call us NOW.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🖥️ Free video consultation available

We serve Stark County, Illinois — and hazing victims nationwide.

$0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

🏆 Justice for Stark County Hazing Victims Starts Here

This isn’t just about money. It’s about sending a message that hazing will not be tolerated.

Andrew Coffey died in 2017. Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their culture. They didn’t.

Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized in 2025. Now they’re facing a $10 million lawsuit.

The next victim could be in Stark County. We won’t let that happen.

If you’re ready to fight back, we’re ready to fight with you.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Enough is enough.