Tourist Sues Harrah’s and Donny Osmond After Concert Prop Injury

LAS VEGAS — A woman from Illinois has filed a civil lawsuit in Clark County this week, alleging she was injured by a prop thrown into the audience during a long-running Las Vegas show.

According to court papers filed last week in Clark County District Court, Joanne Julkowski claims she was struck in the back of the head by an illuminated “Donny Ball” during a performance by longtime entertainer Donny Osmond at Harrah’s Las Vegas in February 2024. The lawsuit, reported by local courts and casino news outlets, says the impact caused a retinal detachment, visual impairment, head and neck injuries, and required surgery.

The lawsuit names **Harrah’s Las Vegas, *Donny Osmond and his production company (Donny Osmond Concerts, Inc.) as defendants on counts of negligence and negligent hiring, training, retention and supervision. It alleges the venue’s dim lighting during the ball-throwing segment reduced patrons’ ability to track or avoid the oversized lighted orbs, which are routinely tossed by performers and audience members as part of the show’s finale.

The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding $15,000 to cover medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity and pain and suffering, according to the complaint. Lawyers for Osmond and Caesars Entertainment, the owner of Harrah’s, have not publicly commented on the lawsuit.

“Donny Balls” — large glowing orbs thrown into the crowd — are a signature part of the performance, intended as audience engagement but now at the center of litigation alleging they pose a hazard. The case highlights how entertainment-related injuries can lead to complex legal claims in Las Vegas, a city known for its live shows and high-profile residencies.

Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal / The Independent