Woman Sues After Being Struck By Spinning Helicopter Blades

CHICAGO (STMW) -- A Cook County husband and wife are suing a far north suburban military museum after the woman allegedly was struck by the spinning blades of a model helicopter during a live demonstration.

On July 11, 2009, Agnieszka Wlodek was watching a live demonstration of "a flying, steel bodied, model military helicopter" at the Russell Military Museum in Russell when she was struck by the model's rotating blades, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court.

Wlodek, who remained in the designated viewing area during the display, was injured when the blades struck her, the suit states.

The museum failed to designate a safe viewing area, failed to properly train staff and failed to properly inspect the helicopter, the suit states.

Agnieszka Wlodek is seeking damages of $50,000 from the museum's owner, Mark Sonday. Her husband, Jacek Wlodek, is seeking $50,000 each for two counts, negligent infliction of emotional distress and loss consortium, which claims he lost time and income in caring for his injured wife and suffered from the loss of her companionship.

Located near the Wisconsin border, the Russell Military Museum has displays including Civil War cannon balls, Nazi swords and modern vehicles, according to the museum's website.

A representative of the museum was not immediately available for comment Thursday evening.

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