Chicago fan hit by puck sues team, NHL, arena

CHICAGO — A fan who had emergency brain surgery in January after being hit by a hockey puck sued the Chicago Blackhawks, the NHL and the United Center yesterday.

The lawsuit filed on behalf of season-ticket holders Elizabeth and Steven Hahn alleges team, league and arena officials knew for years that flying pucks were dangerous but did not increase safety measures.

"They consciously and recklessly disregarded the fact that this was happening," attorney Tim Whiting said.

Officials from the Blackhawks did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment.

Last month, 13-year-old Brittanie Cecil died two days after a deflected shot struck her in the head during a Blue Jackets game in Columbus, Ohio. It was the first such fatality in NHL history.

Elizabeth Hahn, 32, was hit by the puck while picking up a napkin Jan. 6 at a game between the Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins. She was taken to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with a blood clot on her brain and a severed right earlobe, according to the lawsuit.

Whiting said he believes the defendants "wantonly and willfully" disregarded the safety of spectators and should be exempt from a state law granting hockey arenas immunity from injury liabilities.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported yesterday that the lawsuit cites a study by two emergency-room doctors showing that during 127 NHL games at the MCI Center in Washington, 122 fans suffered puck injuries.

NHL spokeswoman Bernadette Mansur said the league hasn't seen the study cited in the lawsuit, despite attempts to acquire it.

Elizabeth Hahn, who was not present at the news conference, is "doing better," Whiting said. She has returned to work but suffers from headaches, has problems with her hearing and difficulty maintaining her balance, he added.

Steven Hahn is named as a plaintiff because he suffered from his wife's injuries by losing her companionship for a time and becoming liable for her medical expenses, according to the lawsuit.

The couple is seeking more than $50,000 from each of the defendants.

"The NHL has gone to tremendous lengths to protect its players, but they've done zero for the fans," Whiting said.

Before every NHL game, fans are warned over the public-address system to be aware of pucks that may enter the crowd. Teams also put warnings on scoreboards and the back of each ticket.