Posted on: February 17, 2026, 07:12h.
Last updated on: February 17, 2026, 07:12h.
- Illinois woman claims lighted ball caused retinal detachment
- Lawsuit targets Donny Osmond, Harrah’s over concert injury
- Plaintiff alleges dark showroom limited ability to avoid prop
A Donny Osmond fan from Illinois is suing her hero and Harrah’s Las Vegas after being struck in the back of the head by a large orb, which led to retinal detachment, according to her complaint.
Joanne Julkowski attended the 68-year-old teen idol’s residency show at Harrah’s on February 15, 2024, when she was “struck in the back of the head by one of the lighted balls that had been thrown or propelled into the crowd.” That’s per the lawsuit seen by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Research undertaken by Casino.org revealed the props to be oversized, illuminated, inflatable balls that are tossed into the crowd during interactive segments of the show.
Retinal detachment can result from blunt trauma or sudden acceleration of the head and neck. Even a relatively lightweight object, if thrown with enough force and striking without warning, can generate enough motion to stress the eye’s internal structures.
The LVRJ report does not mention whether the balls contained anything like LED housing or a weighted battery pack that might have added force to the blow.
Visual Impairment
Julkowski accuses the venue, Osmond, and his production company, Donny Osmond Concerts Inc., of two counts of negligence and negligent hiring, training, retention and supervision.
She claims the Harrah’s Showroom was dark during the segment in question, “thereby reducing visibility for patrons and limiting their ability to perceive, track, and avoid the oversized, lighted balls moving through the crowd.”
Julkowski required surgery and was left with visual impairment, as well as head and neck injuries, according to the lawsuit.
The plaintiff is seeking more than $15,000 in damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, punitive damages, interest, attorney’s fees, and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Clean-Cut Survivor
Osmond has been a Vegas fixture for the better part of two decades. He and his sister, Marie Osmond, launched a residency at the Flamingo in 2008 that was initially billed as a short run but ultimately lasted 11 years and became one of the Strip’s most enduring shows before ending in 2019.
Osmond returned to the Strip in 2021 with a solo residency at Harrah’s, a nostalgia-driven affair that mixes Osmonds hits, Broadway numbers, and audience-participation. The show has been extended multiple times and remains a regular fixture at the Harrah’s Showroom.
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