Each day throughout the nation, including the state of Pennsylvania, individuals seek help for medical conditions. Depending on the medical issue it is possible that a doctor or other health care provider will direct the patient that surgery is in his or her best interest. This is what allegedly happened to former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan. Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, had multiple surgeries on his spine reportedly based on recommendations by his doctors.

Now, Hogan believes those surgeries, which reportedly only ever provided minimal relief from pain, were not necessary. In a medical malpractice lawsuit filed earlier this month, he alleges that his doctors pushed him to have the surgical procedures to bring in more money. He also claims that the surgeries did not actually help him, and actually caused more harm to his body. The timing of the surgeries, which occurred toward the end of his wrestling career, reportedly caused him to lose out on a lot of money. He estimates more than $50 million.

As this news illustrates no one is immune from being harmed by medical providers whose purpose is to protect and aid those in need of help. Because medical malpractice can lead to injuries that can seriously impact the lives of those who are hurt it is good that civil lawsuits can be filed as a way to obtain compensation for the harm done.

Medical malpractice lawsuits are often very complicated. The process of gathering evidence can be difficult and includes interviews with medical providers as well as going through large amounts of medical records. Because of this it is important that individuals seeking to file such cases work with a lawyer who has handled these types of cases in the past.

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