Source:Sky News


Wrestler Hulk Hogan is suing a Florida clinic for $50m (£31m), claiming doctors carried out unnecessary surgery which made his previous back injuries even worse.

Hogan's lawyers have filed the huge lawsuit against the Tampa-based Laser Spine Institute.

The action is being carried out under the 59-year-old sportsman, actor and personality's real name of Terry Bollea, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Hogan also claims the institute used an endorsement from him without his permission or payment.

The paper said the the lawsuit had been filed in Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court.

Lawyers Wil Florin and Eric Czelusta said "negligent conduct" on the part of Laser Spine Institute had resulted in a "provable loss of past and future income of ($50m) during the last chapter of an internationally successful athletic and entertainment career".
Hogan on stage at an awards show in 2011
Hogan's lawyers said "numerous prominent spine surgeons" had recommended traditional spinal surgery, but doctors at the institute insisted that this would effectively end his career.

The lawsuit claims Hogan was "the victim of multiple unnecessary endoscopic surgical procedures that further destabilised his already existing injured back".

There has been no comment from the institute.

Hogan, who has had a number of ring names, including Super Destroyer, Mr America and Hulk Machine, is a 12-times world champion.

He has also made a fortune from media, TV and film work, advertising endorsements and business dealings.