A woman who was hit in the back of the head by a foul ball last year at a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game is suing the Pirates, Major League Baseball and the Sports & Exhibition Authority for $35,000 each in a civil lawsuit. 

The woman, Wendy Camlin, was walking back to her seat on instructions from an usher when a foul ball rocketed backwards, pushing into safety netting and hitting her in the back of the head with such force that a nearby player reportedly thought the ball had hit a wall. Camlin sustained a concussion, a traumatic brain injury, neck pain, tinnitus and anxiety as a result of her injuries. 

Ms. Camlin could face two obstacles to her legal case. One is that Pirates tickets have fine print on the back specifying that spectators assume responsibility for being hit by flying bats, balls or other objects thrown into the stands for entertainment purposes. Furthermore, a 2013 Pennsylvania Superior Court decision upheld limiting sports leagues' liability for such injuries if the leagues had taken reasonable precautions to protect fans from harm. Camlin's case, therefore, may hinge on whether the netting at the game on the night of her injuries could be considered a reasonable precaution, given that she was still hit forcefully on the head with the net in place. 

Injuries can happen at any time, even in situations where a person might reasonably expect that they are safe. If you or a loved one has been struck in the head by a ball or bat at a baseball game, it's important to get immediate medical help and consult with a personal injury lawyer. You may be able to secure compensation to help pay for your medical bills and other expenses. Furthermore, symptoms of a head injury may not show up right away, and it can help your claim down the road if you have documentation of your injury at the time it happened.