The first of the lawsuits have surfaced from last Friday?s rumble in Detroit.  The suits have been filed by two fans, John Ackerman and William Paulson against the Pacers and players Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O?Neal seeking unspecified damages.

Ackerman claims he was hit by O?Neal and also by a chair another fan threw into the fray.  He is suing the Palace Sports and Entertainment Inc., the operators of 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."

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.

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.