[Eilis Hershon]

1. Requires Acrobat (not just the Reader).

Works on (and was tested in) Illustrator version 10 and all CS versions.
>Open the corrupt file in Acrobat.
>Take the arrow tool.
>Click on any element or text in the document.
>Just move the object by hitting one of the directional arrows on your keyboard.
>File, Save.
>Open the file in Illustrator.
>It will say ‘this file has been modified outside of Illustrator’ or something to that effect. It will ask if you want to keep changes.
>Say ‘Yes’ (or OK)

2. Apply third party tool if this method on above didn’t assist you Recovery Toolbox for Illustrator https://illustrator.recoverytoolbox.com/