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The 100-year-old tradition of tossing graduation caps can be fun for some, but dangerous for others.  There are a few unlucky graduates where  this joyous day turns into a tearful one. Just picture graduates looking up into that sea of caps with smiles on their faces, when "whack" one of the spinning mortarboards plows one of the graduate’s in the face.

This type of incident is rare but there have been a few documented cases where people have been hospitalized to get stitches after being hit by one of these falling caps. An article on The Chronicle for Higher Education reported on May 29, that a 17-year-old graduate temporarily lost vision in her right eye after she was struck by a cap, 30-years ago. Apparently gravity was not her friend that day.

There was also an incident in 1984 where Yale was sued over a mortarboard injury. Apparently some schools have banned students from tossing their caps, while others have discouraged, encouraged, or left the choice up to the students.  Anglia Ruskin University in England is one example that prohibits the tossing of caps; after a student was hospitalized a few years ago. 

These caps are made with a rigid piece of cardboard, which allows the hat to spin, and if it hits someone at a high rate of speed; there can be some damage.  Some schools have taken steps to prevent injuries by making next years caps out of a softer foam-top sponge.

Well all that can be said is to watch flying objects that are coming towards your face. It is generally common knowledge that if something is coming toward you or your face; either protect yourself, duck, or move out of the line of fire. These seem to be pretty simple solutions. Also remember to watch the people around you. If one is going to throw their cap and you can see it; make sure to get out of range in order to prevent being elbowed in the face.

These tips if not learned at home as a toddler can be very useful throughout life. Another useful tip for the girls is to be sure and wear waterproof mascara.  That way if you are hit by a flying mortarboard and your eyes water, or you cry; you won’t have black running down your face. Also take a compact that has some powder and a mirror in it.

This mirror will allow you to see the extent of the damage from the flying mortarboard, and allow you to put more powder on. That way, the graduate will look their best for graduation photos. It would be unfortunate to have really terrible graduation pictures that your children or nieces and nephews could look at for their fill of comedy central.

Personal injury attorneys want to help victims of wrongful injuries. Most people don’t know that if they have been injured, they can get a free consultation from almost any attorney or lawyer. Therefore, you have no reason not to call an attorney. They offer free consultations because they want to help as many victims as possible, and because for every ten people they see, there is probably one or two cases that are worth quite a bit of money. Also, most personal injury attorneys only charge you if they win you a settlement. People really have nothing to lose by at least speaking with an attorney about their injury.