Vancouver City Council member Jeanne Harris has filed a $500,000 insurance claim with the city of Ridgefield, saying that Ridgefield Mayor Ron Onslow hit her with a stress-relief ball, leading to the potential loss of sight in her left eye.

Onslow’s toss caused her left retina to become loose and partially detached, Harris wrote in a claim for damages filed June 11. She told The Columbian she has had six unsuccessful surgeries over the past year to repair the eye.

The incident happened at an Association of Washington Cities meeting in Spokane in June 2011. At some point, foam balls with a globe printed on them were distributed to the assembled local government officials. Onslow said he attempted to tag Ridgefield City Councilor Don Stose with his ball but missed and instead struck Harris.

“I lobbed it, I didn’t throw it,” Onslow said last week. “It was an errant little toss and it hit the side of her face, her temple.”

The mayor said that at the time, Harris was surprised, but that he apologized and he thought that was the end. In the claim, Harris listed Washougal Mayor Sean Guard, Washougal Councilor Paul Greenlee and Ridgefield Councilor David Taylor as witnesses.