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Hazing Victims in Stephenson County Deserve Justice – We’re Fighting for You

What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Stephenson County – And It Probably Already Has

Stephenson County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust that universities near Stephenson County will protect their students. They assume that when their child joins a fraternity or sorority, the experience will be positive – not life-threatening.

But the recent $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston proves that these institutions cannot be trusted. A young man was waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down, struck with wooden paddles, and hospitalized with kidney failure – all as part of “pledging” a fraternity.

This didn’t just happen in Houston. This happens at universities near Stephenson County.

The same fraternities operate in Illinois. The same culture of abuse exists. The same negligence from universities and national organizations allows it to continue.

If your child has been hazed in Stephenson County, you are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now – and we will fight for Stephenson County families with the same fury.

The Hazing Crisis in Stephenson County: What Every Parent Needs to Know

1. Hazing Isn’t “Tradition” – It’s Abuse

Hazing isn’t about “building brotherhood.” It’s not about “earning respect.” It’s assault. It’s battery. It’s torture.

In the UH case, a student was:
✔ Waterboarded with a garden hose (simulated drowning)
✔ Forced to do 500 squats and 100 pushups until he collapsed
✔ Struck with wooden paddles as punishment
✔ Forced to eat until vomiting, then made to run sprints through his own vomit
✔ Hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour
✔ Hospitalized for 4 days with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure

This is not hazing. This is a war crime when done to enemy combatants. They did it to college students in Houston – and they’re doing it to students near Stephenson County.

2. Universities Near Stephenson County Are Complicit

The University of Houston owned the fraternity house where the hazing occurred. They collected rent while students were being tortured. They had the power to inspect, regulate, and shut it down – but they chose not to.

Universities near Stephenson County have the same power – and the same liability when they fail to act.

If your child was hazed at a Stephenson County university or nearby campus, the school may be legally responsible for allowing it to happen on their property or under their watch.

3. National Fraternities Know – And They Do Nothing

Pi Kappa Phi had 8 years to fix their culture after a student died from hazing in 2017. They did nothing.

The same national organization operates chapters near Stephenson County. They know what’s happening. They’ve done nothing to stop it.

If your child was hazed by a fraternity or sorority with a national organization, that organization can be held liable for failing to enforce anti-hazing policies.

4. Stephenson County Victims Have Legal Rights – And We Know How to Enforce Them

Hazing is illegal in Illinois. It’s a crime. It’s also grounds for a civil lawsuit to hold the perpetrators and institutions accountable.

Stephenson County families 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 defendants and prevent future hazing)
✔ Wrongful death (if hazing led to a fatality)

We are currently litigating a $10 million hazing case in Texas. The same legal strategies apply to Stephenson County victims.

Has Your Child Been Hazed in Stephenson County? Here’s What to Do

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

If your child is showing signs of injury from hazing, take them to a doctor or emergency room right away. Document everything.

Common hazing injuries include:

• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown from extreme exercise)
• Alcohol poisoning (from forced drinking)
• Broken bones or internal injuries (from physical abuse)
• Severe dehydration or heat stroke (from forced activities)
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)

Even if your child says they’re “fine,” get them checked. Some injuries (like rhabdomyolysis) don’t show symptoms immediately.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Do not delete anything. Save:
✔ Text messages, GroupMe chats, Snapchats, Instagram DMs (any communication about hazing)
✔ Photos or videos of injuries, hazing activities, or the location where it happened
✔ Names and contact info of other victims or witnesses
✔ Any documents given to your child (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
✔ Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, test results)

If your child is afraid to come forward, we can help protect their identity.

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity, Sorority, or University Without a Lawyer

Universities and Greek organizations have teams of lawyers working to minimize their liability. They will try to get your child to sign documents, give statements, or accept lowball settlements.

Do not let them manipulate your child. Do not let them destroy evidence.

Call us first.

Step 4: Contact Attorney 911 Immediately

Hazing cases have strict deadlines. In Illinois, you typically have 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. If you wait too long, you lose your right to compensation.

We offer:
✔ Free, confidential consultations for Stephenson County families
✔ $0 upfront costs – we only get paid if we win your case
✔ Nationwide representation – we’ll travel to Stephenson County for your case
✔ 24/7 availability – call us anytime at 1-888-ATTY-911

We are fighting this battle right now. Let us fight for your Stephenson County family.

Why Stephenson County Families Choose Attorney 911 for Hazing Cases

1. We’re Not Just Lawyers – We’re Former Insurance Defense Attorneys Who Know Their Playbook

Both of our attorneys, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena, worked for insurance companies before switching sides to represent victims.

We know exactly how fraternities, universities, and insurance companies will try to deny your claim. We’ve seen their tactics from the inside – and now we use that knowledge to dismantle their defenses and maximize your compensation.

2. We’re Currently Litigating a $10 Million Hazing Case – And We Know How to Win

Right now, we’re representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. We know the legal strategies that work.

The same strategies apply to Stephenson County victims. We will fight for your family with the same aggression.

3. We Have Federal Court Authority – We Can Sue Anywhere in America

While we’re based in Texas, we can represent hazing victims anywhere in the U.S. – including Stephenson County.

We’re admitted to:
✔ U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas (federal court)
✔ Texas State Bar
✔ New York State Bar (strategic for national fraternity cases)

Distance is not a barrier. We will come to Stephenson County for your case.

4. We Speak Spanish – Se Habla Español

Many hazing victims in Stephenson County come from Spanish-speaking families. We offer bilingual legal services to ensure language barriers don’t prevent justice.

5. We’re Parents Too – We See Your Child as More Than a Case

We have children of our own. We understand the pain and fear Stephenson County families feel when their child is hazed.

We don’t see your child as a paycheck. We see them as a person who deserves justice. We will fight for your family because we truly care.

The Universities and Fraternities Near Stephenson County That Could Be Liable

Colleges and Universities Near Stephenson County Where Hazing Occurs

Stephenson County is home to Rock Valley College, and nearby institutions include:

• Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL)
• University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign, IL)
• Illinois State University (Normal, IL)
• Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL)
• Augustana College (Rock Island, IL)
• St. Ambrose University (Davenport, IA)
• University of Wisconsin-Platteville (Platteville, WI)

These schools have active Greek life communities – and where there’s Greek life, there’s hazing.

Fraternities and Sororities Near Stephenson County With Hazing Histories

The same national fraternities involved in the UH case operate near Stephenson County, including:

• Pi Kappa Phi (involved in the $10M UH case)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) (multiple hazing deaths nationwide)
• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) (Stone Foltz case – $10M+ settlement)
• Phi Delta Theta (Max Gruver case – $6.1M jury verdict)
• Beta Theta Pi (Timothy Piazza case – $110M+ settlement)
• Sigma Chi (recent lawsuit at University of Texas)
• Kappa Sigma (multiple hazing incidents nationwide)

If your child was hazed by any of these organizations near Stephenson County, we can help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazing Cases in Stephenson County

1. Can I Sue Even If My Child Consented to Hazing?

Yes. Illinois law says consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child “agreed” to participate, the fraternity, sorority, or university can still be held liable.

2. What If My Child Was Hazed Off-Campus?

You can still sue. Hazing is illegal anywhere – on campus, off campus, at a fraternity house, or at a private residence.

3. What If the Fraternity or Sorority Has Already Been Suspended?

That’s actually good for your case. When an organization suspends a chapter after hazing, it’s an admission that they knew about the problem and failed to stop it.

4. Can I Sue the University Even If They Didn’t Directly Haze My Child?

Yes. Universities have a duty to protect students. If they knew or should have known about hazing and failed to act, they can be held liable.

5. What If My Child Is Afraid of Retaliation?

We understand. Many hazing victims fear coming forward. We can protect your child’s identity and take legal action without putting them at risk.

6. How Much Is My Stephenson County Hazing Case Worth?

Every case is different, but hazing cases often result in multi-million dollar settlements or verdicts. Factors that increase case value include:
✔ Severity of injuries (hospitalization, permanent damage, wrongful death)
✔ Egregiousness of conduct (waterboarding, forced drinking, physical abuse)
✔ Pattern of hazing (prior incidents at the same chapter)
✔ Institutional knowledge (did the university or national organization know about prior hazing?)

We’ve seen cases settle for $4 million, $6 million, even $110 million. We’ll fight for the maximum compensation for your Stephenson County family.

7. How Long Will My Case Take?

Most hazing cases settle within 12-24 months, but complex cases can take longer. We work as quickly as possible to get you the justice you deserve.

8. What If My Child Was Hazed in Another State?

We can still help. We represent hazing victims nationwide and have federal court authority to sue anywhere in the U.S.

9. Do I Need a Stephenson County Lawyer?

While there are good lawyers in Stephenson County, hazing cases require specialized expertise. We have:
✔ Experience with hazing litigation (we’re litigating a $10M case right now)
✔ Knowledge of Greek life culture and dynamics
✔ Insider knowledge of how insurance companies and universities defend these cases
✔ A track record of multi-million dollar results

We will travel to Stephenson County for your case – or work with you remotely.

Stephenson County Families: This Is Your Warning to Fraternities and Universities

To the fraternities operating near Stephenson County:

We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your documented history of hazing deaths and injuries.

If your chapter harms a student in Stephenson County, we will sue:
✔ Your local chapter
✔ Your national organization
✔ Your housing corporation
✔ Your chapter officers personally
✔ Your alumni who host hazing events
✔ The university that allows it to happen

We are watching. The Pi Kappa Phi case is just the beginning.

To the universities near Stephenson County:

You own the fraternity houses. You collect the rent. You have the power to inspect, regulate, and shut down dangerous chapters.

If you fail to protect students from hazing, we will hold you accountable. The University of Houston is learning that lesson right now.

To the parents of Stephenson County:

Your children are being hazed. They’re being waterboarded. They’re being forced to drink until they vomit. They’re being struck with paddles. They’re being hospitalized.

They’re afraid to speak up. But we’re not afraid to fight for them.

Stephenson County Hazing Victims: You Are Not Alone. We Are Here to Help.

If your child has been hazed in Stephenson County or at a nearby university, we can help.

✔ Free, confidential consultation
✔ $0 upfront costs – we only get paid if we win
✔ Nationwide representation – we’ll come to Stephenson County
✔ 24/7 availability – call us anytime

Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 or email ralph@atty911.com.

The clock is ticking. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

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