On May 21, 2004 a 12 year old boy was awarded 6.6 million dollars in a paintball lawsuit by Cook County Judge Edward Burr. The boy was accidentally shot in the eye while in the staging area. He is now blind in his right eye. This occurred at County Club Paintball in Glenwood, IL (near Chicago). The parents of the boy were represented by Kevin Golden of Motherway & Napleton, LLP.

The field had a spotless safety record and was operating within all the insurance parameters. The parents had signed a waiver. The field owner had done everything correctly. All paintball insurance carriers in the industry carry a liability maximum of 1 million dollars. This left the field owner owing 5.6 million dollars to the player. He lost his business, home, vehicles and retirement account, and will continue to pay for the rest of his life.

The liability that field owners are now exposed to far out performs any profit that can be generated. In simple terms, it's no longer worth the risk.
For 15 years, Action Sports has provided safe, affordable games for players. We have never had a serious injury or claim in that time. But this case clearly shows the risk. As a husband and father, I cannot expose my family to this risk, however small the odds may be.
Effective immediately, Paintball games will be discontinued at the Action Sports Paintball field. In order to maintain liability protection, I must also prosecute any persons trespassing to play paintball on the property.
I regret that I must pursue this course of action, but the type of world we live in leaves me no choice.
Ron Williams