Bret Michaels, CBS Settle Lawsuit Over Tony Awards Injury

Bret Michaels has settled a lawsuit against CBS over an injury he suffered during the 2009 Tony Awards. The singer had alleged that producers were to blame for him being smacked in the face by a descending set piece because they failed to tell him how to exit the stage safely. Michaels had just finished performing the 1980s Poison hit “Nothin’ but a Good Time,” featured in Rock of Ages, when the mishap occurred. He was sent for X-rays as Tonys host Neil Patrick Harris joked, “His number gave headbanging a whole new meaning.”

Michaels reportedly suffered a fractured nose and blamed a brain hemorrhage he experienced many months later on what happened during the show.

The lawsuit alleged that producers were asked to provide Michaels with instructions about where he should stand during his performance. The producers allegedly claimed he “missed his mark,” but his lawsuit said, “Through his sheer will to live, Michaels was able to survive this trauma.”

Attorneys for the parties recently informed the court that they had reached a settlement agreement in principle and that they were finalizing terms. The judge dismissed the action Monday. Terms of the agreement aren’t known.

Michaels’ lawyer Alex Weingarten said: “We are pleased to announce that Bret Michaels has reached a settlement of the lawsuit concerning the injuries he sustained at and as a result of the 2009 Tony Awards. The terms of the settlement will not be made public. Mr. Michaels would like to thank his fans for their continued support.”

Source: Hollywood Reporter