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Bret Michaels blames Tony Awards for brain hemorrhage, sues CBS
by NeelamGoswami - March 26, 2011 - comments
In the lawsuit, Michaels alleges that he was not instructed by producers on how to exit the stage after his a Rock of Ages-inspired performance at the 2009 Tony Awards, according to the Associated Press
Bret Michaels suffered a massive brain hemorrhage last year and now the rocker claims his near death condition was the result of an injury he sustained during his 2009 performance at the Tony Awards.
The ‘Rock of Love’ star is now suing Tony Award Productions and CBS for his 2009 stage mishap, where the rock singer slammed his head against a stage prop that descended from the ceiling.
Bret sues Tony Awards
On Friday (March 25), the 48-year-old rock star filed a lawsuit in L.A. County Superior Court against Tony Award Productions, CBS, and others for unspecified damages, according to multiple online tabloid reports.
In the lawsuit, Michaels alleges that he was not instructed by producers on how to exit the stage after his a 'Rock of Ages' inspired performance at the 2009 Tony Awards, according to the Associated Press.
The ‘Rock of Love’ star is now suing Tony Award Productions and CBS for his 2009 stage mishap, where the rock singer slammed his head against a stage prop that descended from the ceiling.
The suit alleges the producers never informed Michaels of the scenery or the hazards it presented.
"Michaels was never told that the scenery piece would be descending or given any warning of the existence of the dangers it presented.
"Quite the opposite, Michaels specifically asked for instructions regarding how to exit after his performance and was just told to walk off the rear of the stage -- in what was ultimately the danger zone," states the suit.
On-stage mishap
Michaels was hit in the head by an enormous piece of descending scenery and knocked to the ground right after his 'Nothin' But a Good Time' performance alongside his 'Poison' band mates and the cast of the 'Rock of Ages' musical.
Immediately after the show, the Poison frontman had to be hospitalized for a broken nose and a cut lip. But, six months later the things turned worse for the rock star after he suffered a subarachnoid brain hemorrhage, a form of stroke that can lead to disability and death.
In his complaint, the musician claims that his brain injury was a direct result of the on-stage mishap at Tony awards.
"One of the most common causes of this type of hemorrhage is head trauma -- exactly like the one Michaels suffered at the hands of the Tony Awards," the legal papers say.
"Through his sheer will to live, to see his children grow up, Michaels was able to survive this trauma."
Bret tried to solve issue out of court
Meanwhile, Michaels’ lawyer, Alex Weingarten, issued a statement to press saying that the singer tried to resolve the issue without filing a lawsuit but was unsuccessful.
“The Tony Awards dropped a piece of the stage on Bret’s head, and then instead of doing the right thing, joked about it and played it off for ratings … Bret never wanted to file a lawsuit, but the Tony Awards have left us with no choice. They must be held accountable for almost killing Bret, and that is what we are going to do,” Weingarten said in his statement.
The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages from CBS Entertainment, Tony Awards Productions, White Cherry Entertainment and several individual producers.