Woman sues Donny Osmond after stage prop causes severe eye injury at Las Vegas show

A night at Donny Osmond's residency turned tragic when a stage prop left a fan with permanent vision loss. Now, she's fighting for justice in court.

, and Administrator

2026 March 4 . 11:38 AM

1 min read

The image shows a crowd of people at a concert with their hands in the air, some of them holding... — The image shows a crowd of people at a concert with their hands in the air, some of them holding glasses. On the left side of the image, there is a stage with a few people playing musical instruments and lights illuminating the area. In the background, there are poles and other objects, creating a dark atmosphere.

Woman sues Donny Osmond after stage prop causes severe eye injury at Las Vegas show

An Illinois woman is taking legal action against Donny Osmond and Harrah's Las Vegas after suffering serious eye injuries during one of his shows. Joanne Julkowski claims she was hit by a lighted ball thrown into the audience, resulting in retinal detachment and lasting damage.

The incident took place in February 2024 during an interactive part of Osmond's long-running residency at Harrah's Showroom.

On February 15, 2024, Julkowski attended Donny Osmond's performance at Harrah's Showroom. During the show, oversized inflatable balls—lit from within—were thrown into the crowd as part of the act. One struck her, causing blunt-force trauma to her head and neck.

The impact led to retinal detachment, requiring surgery. Julkowski now lives with visual impairment, along with ongoing head and neck injuries. Her lawsuit states that the dimly lit showroom made it difficult to see and avoid the moving objects.

Osmond has performed in Las Vegas for nearly 20 years, with residencies at both the Flamingo and Harrah's. No prior public reports of injuries from show props during his performances have surfaced since 2021.

Julkowski is seeking over $15,000 in compensation. This includes medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. Her legal team is also requesting attorney's fees and additional relief from the court.

The lawsuit highlights risks associated with audience interaction during live performances. Julkowski's injuries have left her with long-term visual and physical effects. The case will determine whether liability lies with the performer, venue, or both.