Pro wrestler files surgical malpractice lawsuit

Former professional wrestler and reality TV star Hulk Hogan has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against a spinal clinic. In the suit, Hogan accused the clinic’s doctors and surgeons of subjecting him to unnecessary surgical procedures and, in doing so, causing him unnecessary pain and “severely” damaging his career. The clinic has not publicly responded to the lawsuit.

Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, is seeking $50 million in damages for the alleged surgical malpractice committed by the clinic. In his lawsuit, he states that the clinic utilized “scare tactics” to advocate for endoscopic surgical procedures. Specifically, he accuses the clinic of advertising endoscopic surgery as a less-invasive alternative to traditional spinal surgical procedures. At the same time, the suit claims, the clinic failed to tell its patients that endoscopic procedures are only a temporary treatment method, not a permanent solution to painful spinal ailments.

Upon the advice of the clinic’s doctors, Bollea underwent multiple endoscopic spinal procedures at the clinic, despite the fact that other doctors had recommended a more intrusive spinal surgery. As a result of that decision, he claims, he never received significant and lasting relief from his back pain.

Ultimately, the medical malpractice lawsuit states that the “unnecessary” spinal surgeries “further destabilized [Bollea’s] already existing injured back…during the last chapter of an internationally successful athletic and entertainment career.” Specifically, it alleges that Bollea’s continual back pain caused him to lose more than $50 million in income, which he is now seeking in damages from the clinic.

Source: Orlando Sentinel, “Hulk Hogan sues Tampa-based spine clinic for $50 million, alleging malpractice,” Jeff Weiner, Jan. 14, 2013