Los Lonely Boys Front Man Sues for Injuries

LOS ANGELES (CN) - Los Lonely Boys front man Henry Garza fell 6 feet off a stage during a show because the band's management company failed to ensure that the orchestra pit was raised, he claims in court.

Henry Garza and his wife sued VenueTech Management Group of Lafayette, Calif. in Superior Court on Tuesday.

Garza and the Los Lonely Boys were forced to cancel 43 shows after Garza was hospitalized, according to the lawsuit.

Garza's brother's Jojo and Ringo make up the numbers of the San Angelo, Texas Chicano rock band, best known for its 2004 debut hit single "Heaven."

According to Garza's complaint, VenueTech managed the band's performance at the Downey Civic Theater on Feb. 27, 2013 and was instructed by the band's road manager to make sure that a movable orchestra pit was raised to the same level as the stage.

"Contrary to those instructions, the orchestra pit was not raised. Instead, the top of the pit was approximately six feet below the level of the performance stage. The lighting on the stage prevented Henry Garza from being able to see that the stage had not been raised," the lawsuit states.

Toward the end of show, Garza says, he went to greet fans and fell into the orchestra pit.

Garza, who was taken to hospital and treated for "serious and persistent personal injuries and disabilities," claims his injuries could have been prevented if the defendant had made sure the edge of stage was properly lit or placed reflective tape there.

He seeks punitive damages for negligence, breach of contract and loss of consortium.

He is represented by Leighton Anderson, with Bewley, Lassleben & Miller, of Whittier.

VenueTech did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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