When you go to a hockey game, you expect to see some injuries. Hockey is a rough sport and between the accidents and the brawls that happen on the ice, people are getting hurt all the time. What you do not expect to see is one of the fans getting hurt. Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened at a Chicago Blackhawks game.

During Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals 2013 Patricia Higgins was seated in the stands at the United Center behind the glass and a safety net. She was a season ticket holder at the time and was watching the game with her daughter. All of a sudden she was hit in the face with a hockey puck that had been hit from the ice by one of the players. The puck had been hit over the glass and somehow made it past the safety net to where Higgins was seated. As a result of being hit, she sustained injuries to her face and nose including a one and half inch laceration on her face that was down to the bone. The cut went from her nose to her eyebrow and required 20 stitches to close. She also sustained a concussion, an injury to her retina, swelling and had to have plastic surgery.

Higgins has now filed a personal injury lawsuit against the United Center Joint Venture alleging that the safety net was dysfunctional and that is was negligently installed and maintained by the stadium. Higgins is asking to be compensated for having sustained physical injuries, pain, medical bills and lost wages. She claims that for some time after the accident she had problems with her vision and an inability to smell or taste. She also claims that she will continue to be damaged from the injuries she sustained. While she is not seeking a specific amount, the complaint states that the damages sought are not over $50,000. It will be interesting to see if a contributory negligence defense is proffered by attorneys for United Center.

This case is the perfect example of how you can be injured by someone else’s negligent conduct in any situation. If you or a loved one was sustained personal injuries in an accident, call the experienced Chicago and Waukegan personal injury attorneys at Ryan, Ryan & Viglione by dialing (847)244-1436.