An American woman has filed a lawsuit demanding billions of dollars in compensation for "serious injury" suffered when Janet Jackson exposed her breast on television.

Bank worker Terri Carlin is demanding compensation for herself and millions of other viewers who were watching last Sunday's Super Bowl.

Jackson was on stage with Justin Timberlake, who tugged at her top, tearing it and revealing her right breast.

In her lawsuit, Ms Carlin, from Tennessee, said broadcasters breached an "implied contract" that viewers would not be exposed to explicit images during the prime time event.

She is suing Jackson, Timberlake, broadcasters MTV and CBS and their parent company, Viacom.

"As a direct and proximate result of the broadcast of the acts, (Ms Carlin) and millions of others saw the acts and were caused to suffer outrage, anger, embarrassment and serious injury," the lawsuit states.

The injuries suffered by Ms Carlin are not specified.

Jackson made a televised apology for the incident, saying she added the stunt to the act after final rehearsals and without the knowledge of CBS, MTV or the sport's governing body, the NFL.

But she said the "costume reveal" went too far, and her top should have torn to reveal a red bustier, not her exposed breast.

Timberlake has said he was shocked by the incident, and that his family were among those offended.