Woman sues builders of Evanston High School baseball complex after ball hits her in head

A Lake County resident is suing four companies involved in building the baseball complex at Evanston Township High School, claiming she sustained brain injury after being hit by a softball while attending a game there.

Katie Hinrichs filed a lawsuit May 9 in the Cook County Circuit Court against O'Donnell Wiklung Pigozzi and Peterson Inc., Nicholas and Associates Inc., Durabilt Fence LLC and Action Fence Contractors Inc., citing negligence.

According to the suit, Hinrichs was struck by softball at the school's field, causing a skull fracture and brain injury. She claims the defendants failed to comply with safety codes when installing protective fencing around the field, which resulted in her getting hit with a softball traveling at a high velocity.

Hinrichs is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 and court costs. She is being represented in the case by Chicago attorney Christopher Johnston of Querrey & Harrow.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L005077.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Cook County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.