Bret Michaels Files Suit Over 2009 Tony Awards Accident

On March 25, Rocker Bret Michaels filed suit against CBS Broadcasting and the organizers of the Tony Awards for a 2009 mishap in which he suffered personal injuries when he was struck in the head by a set piece. He alleges the accident contributed to a near-fatal brain hemorrhage.

Michaels, frontman for the band Poison, claims in his suit that he continues to deal with the effects from the injury and brain bleeding that left him hospitalized in 2010.

In June 2009, Michaels and Poison performed at the Tony Awards. The singer sustained a busted lip and broken nose when he was struck by a piece of scenery.

Michaels alleges that the show's organizers never explained to him that the set would be changing after the band concluded its performance of hit song "Nothin' But a Good Time." He also says the show could have prevented the incident from airing, but elected not to.

Footage of the incident quickly gained popularity on the Internet. According to the suit, clips have been viewed more than 27 million times on YouTube.

In April 2010, Michaels was hospitalized and doctors discovered a brain hemorrhage and he later suffered a warning stroke, which he says nearly killed him.

The suit claims that Michaels "was never told that the scenery piece would be descending or given any warning of the existence of the dangers it presented."

The suit does not specify how much Michaels seeks to recover, but does claim the injury impaired his ability to perform at later shows.