AFTERMATH Lawsuits begin after fight NBA fight in Detroit

DETROIT (AP) -- Two fans sued the Indiana Pacers and players Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal on Tuesday, contending they were injured in the brawl at the end of the Pistons-Pacers game.
Lawyers for John Ackerman and William Paulson filed suits in Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac, seeking unspecified damages.
Ackerman, a 67-year-old retired auto worker, says he was hit by O'Neal and then by a chair that a fan hurled into the crowd. His suit also names Palace Sports & amp; Entertainment Inc., which operates the Pistons' arena.
"He was knocked unconscious by the chair," said Todd Weglarz, who along with lawyer Geoffrey Fieger represents the men. "The next thing he recalls is being helped into a wheelchair."
Police released a copy of a videotape Tuesday showing a man who investigators believe threw the chair, and they asked the public to help identify him.
Fieger, a former Democratic gubernatorial candidate, is known for representing high-profile clients such as assisted-suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian.
Paulson, 26, says he was punched by Jackson and assaulted by Artest. Weglarz said Paulson's family has had Pistons season tickets for about 25 years.
Paulson, who works in real estate, and Ackerman have been diagnosed with concussions from the brawl, Weglarz said.
Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek said the team and The Palace were aware of the lawsuits but declined comment.
The Pacers did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.