Hazing Victims in Walworth County: Your Legal Rights and How to Get Justice

🚨 Hazing Is Happening in Walworth County — And It Needs to Stop

Walworth County families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. They trust that universities near Walworth County will protect their students. They believe that when their child joins a fraternity or sorority, they’re entering a community of support and brotherhood.

That trust is being betrayed.

Right now, in Walworth County and across Wisconsin, students are being subjected to torture disguised as tradition. Forced drinking. Extreme physical abuse. Psychological torment. Sleep deprivation. Humiliation. And sometimes, death.

We know this because we’re fighting it right now in Texas — and we’re bringing the same fight to Walworth County.

Our client, Leonel Bermudez, was waterboarded. He was forced to do 500 squats until his muscles broke down and his kidneys failed. He spent four days in the hospital. He wasn’t even a student at the university yet. And the fraternity responsible? They’re already planning to come back, as if nothing happened.

This isn’t happening just in Texas. The same fraternities operate near Walworth County. The same hazing culture exists. The same negligence by universities and national organizations allows it to continue.

If your child has been hazed in Walworth County, we can help.

🏛️ What Is Hazing? The Legal Definition in Wisconsin

Hazing isn’t just “rough initiation.” Under Wisconsin law, hazing is any activity that recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with any organization.

This includes:

✅ Physical abuse — beatings, paddling, forced exercise to exhaustion, branding, waterboarding
✅ Forced consumption — alcohol, food, or other substances to the point of vomiting or passing out
✅ Psychological torture — humiliation, degradation, threats, isolation
✅ Sleep deprivation — forced late-night activities, early morning obligations
✅ Servitude — forced cleaning, driving members, running errands
✅ Sexual abuse — forced nudity, sexual acts, carrying sexual objects

In Wisconsin, hazing is a crime. It’s also grounds for a civil lawsuit — even if the victim “consented” to participate.

💔 What Hazing Does to Walworth County Students

Hazing doesn’t build character. It destroys lives.

Physical Consequences:

• Rhabdomyolysis — muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure (like our client)
• Alcohol poisoning — can be fatal
• Traumatic brain injuries — from beatings or falls
• Broken bones, burns, internal injuries
• Hypothermia or heat stroke — from exposure
• Death — at least one hazing death occurs in America every year

Psychological Consequences:

• PTSD — from waterboarding, physical abuse, or witnessing violence
• Anxiety and depression — often requiring long-term therapy
• Suicidal ideation — hazing victims are at increased risk
• Trust issues — difficulty forming healthy relationships
• Academic decline — inability to focus, dropping out

Financial Consequences:

• Medical bills — emergency room visits, hospital stays, therapy
• Lost wages — from missing work due to injuries or trauma
• Tuition loss — if forced to withdraw from school
• Future earning potential — if injuries affect career options

These aren’t just “college pranks.” This is abuse. And it’s happening to Walworth County students.

🏢 Who Is Responsible? The Institutions That Let Hazing Happen

When hazing occurs, multiple parties share responsibility. In our current case, we’re suing:

The same defendants exist in Walworth County.

Universities near Walworth County have Greek life programs. National fraternities and sororities have chapters at local colleges. And when hazing happens, they all share responsibility.

💰 What Is Your Case Worth? Walworth County Hazing Settlements

Hazing cases result in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Here are recent examples:

These results are possible for Walworth County victims too.

What Factors Increase Your Case Value?

Walworth County families: If your child has been hazed, your case may be worth millions of dollars. We can evaluate your claim for free.

⚖️ Your Legal Rights as a Walworth County Hazing Victim

1. You Can Sue Even If You “Consented” to Hazing

Wisconsin law is clear: Consent is not a defense to hazing. Even if your child agreed to participate, they can still sue for damages.

2. You Have the Right to Compensation

You may be entitled to money for:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Punitive damages (to punish the wrongdoers)

3. You Have the Right to Hold Institutions Accountable

Universities and national fraternities have deep pockets. They have insurance. They have assets. They can — and should — pay for the harm they’ve caused.

4. You Have the Right to a Lawyer — Without Upfront Costs

We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case. We don’t get paid until you get paid.

5. You Have a Limited Time to Act

Wisconsin has a statute of limitations — typically 3 years from the date of injury. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

🚨 What to Do If Your Child Has Been Hazed in Walworth County

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

• Go to the emergency room or urgent care
• Document all injuries
• Keep all medical records

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

• Take photos of injuries at all stages
• Save all communications — texts, GroupMe, Snapchat, emails
• Get witness names and contact information
• Do NOT delete anything — even if it’s embarrassing
• Do NOT post on social media about the incident

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone

• They will try to control the narrative
• They will try to minimize the incident
• They may destroy evidence
• Anything you say can be used against you

Step 4: Contact an Attorney Immediately

• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation
• We will guide you through the process
• We will handle all communications with the defendants
• We will preserve evidence and build your case

Step 5: Report the Incident

• Consider filing a police report
• Consider filing a Title IX complaint (for sexual abuse or gender-based hazing)
• Consider reporting to the university (but do not do this without an attorney)

🏆 Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Walworth County Hazing Case

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. We know how to build these cases. We know how to win. Walworth County families get the same aggressive representation we’re bringing to Texas.

2. We Have Deep Hazing Litigation Experience

• Ralph Manginello has 25+ years of litigation experience
• We’ve handled Kappa Sigma fraternity cases
• We’ve handled Texas A&M hazing cases
• We have specific expertise in rhabdomyolysis injuries (like our current client)

3. We Know How to Beat the “Consent” Defense

Defendants will argue: “They agreed to participate.” Wisconsin law says consent doesn’t matter. We know how to defeat this argument.

4. We Have Former Insurance Defense Insight

Both of our attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how insurance companies think. We know their tactics. We know how to maximize your recovery.

5. We Can Pursue Your Case Nationwide

While based in Texas, we serve hazing victims across America, including Walworth County. We have:

• Federal court authority
• Dual-state bar licenses (Texas and New York)
• Willingness to travel to Walworth County for depositions and trials
• Remote consultation technology

6. We Work on Contingency — $0 Upfront

We understand that cost can be a barrier. That’s why we take hazing cases on contingency:

• $0 upfront
• $0 unless we win
• We don’t get paid until you get paid

7. We Speak Spanish — Se Habla Español

Hazing affects students from all backgrounds. We provide comprehensive legal services in Spanish to ensure no Walworth County family faces language barriers to justice.

8. We Care About Your Child

We’re not just fighting for compensation. We’re fighting to stop hazing culture. We’re fighting to protect the next student. We see your child as a person — not a paycheck.

📞 Walworth County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation

If your child has been hazed in Walworth County, you have rights. You have options. And you have powerful legal recourse.

We are Attorney 911 — the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We are currently fighting a $10 million hazing lawsuit in Texas, and we’re bringing that same fight to Walworth County.

Call us now for a free, confidential consultation:

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Available 24/7 for Walworth County hazing emergencies.

We don’t get paid unless you get paid. $0 upfront.

🛡️ What Happens Next? The Legal Process for Walworth County Hazing Victims

Phase 1: Case Evaluation (Immediate)

• Free consultation with our attorneys
• Review of evidence and injuries
• Legal assessment of your case

Phase 2: Evidence Preservation

• Send preservation letters to all defendants
• Secure medical records
• Collect witness statements
• Preserve digital evidence

Phase 3: Filing the Lawsuit

• File complaint in appropriate court
• Name all responsible parties
• Demand full compensation

Phase 4: Discovery

• Request documents from defendants
• Take depositions of fraternity members, university officials
• Gather expert testimony

Phase 5: Negotiation

• Demand fair settlement from defendants
• Negotiate with insurance companies
• Fight for maximum compensation

Phase 6: Trial (If Necessary)

• Present your case to a jury
• Hold defendants accountable
• Secure justice for your family

Throughout the process, we keep you informed every step of the way.

🎯 Our Mission: Stop Hazing in Walworth County

We’re not just fighting for compensation. We’re fighting to change the culture.

Every time we win a hazing case:

• We send a message that hazing will not be tolerated
• We force universities to implement real oversight
• We make national fraternities take responsibility
• We protect the next generation of Walworth County students

Our current case is already making an impact:

• The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UH was shut down within days
• The university called the conduct “deeply disturbing”
• Criminal referrals have been initiated
• Media coverage is exposing the truth

We will bring this same impact to Walworth County.

📢 To Fraternities and Universities in Walworth County: We Are Watching

To the fraternities operating near Walworth County:
We know who you are. We know your corporate structures. We know your insurance policies. We know your history of hazing settlements.

If you haze students in Walworth County, we will find every liable entity. We will pursue every defendant. We will maximize every recovery.

The Pi Kappa Phi chapter that hospitalized our client? Shut down. Charter surrendered. Criminal referrals initiated.

Your chapter could be next.

To the universities near Walworth County:
You own the fraternity houses. You have the power to regulate. You have the duty to protect.

The same institutional negligence that made University of Houston a defendant exists at your campus.

Act now — or face the same accountability.

📚 Walworth County Hazing Resources

Reporting Hazing:

• Campus Police — File a report with your university’s police department
• Title IX Office — For sexual abuse or gender-based hazing
• Wisconsin Department of Justice — Report criminal hazing
• StopHazing.org — National hazing prevention organization

Support for Victims:

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) — 800-656-HOPE (4673)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 988
• Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741

Legal Resources:

• Attorney 911 Hazing Hotline — 1-888-ATTY-911
• Wisconsin State Bar Lawyer Referral Service — (800) 362-9082

🔚 Walworth County Families: Enough Is Enough

Hazing has been called “tradition” for far too long. It’s time to call it what it is: abuse.

If your child has been hazed in Walworth County, you are not alone. We are fighting this battle right now, and we will fight for you too.

Call us today. Get the justice your family deserves. Stop hazing in Walworth County.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com

Hazing victims in Walworth County deserve justice. We will fight for you.